How Long is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
The burning question for many prospective commanders diving into the world of tactical warfare is: how long will it take to conquer the alien menace in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen? The answer, like many things in XCOM, depends on your approach. For a focused playthrough concentrating on the main objectives, you can expect a campaign length of roughly 34½ hours. However, if you’re a completionist determined to experience every facet of the game and achieve 100% completion, you’re looking at a more substantial time investment of around 74½ hours. This is a considerable difference and reflects the depth and replayability that War of the Chosen brings to the table.
Understanding the Time Commitment
The disparity in playtime stems from the various elements that War of the Chosen introduces. These additions significantly enrich the base game, but also add layers of complexity and numerous side objectives that can consume a considerable amount of time. Here’s a breakdown of why the playtime can vary so dramatically:
Main Objective Focused
A playthrough focused solely on the main story will primarily involve completing the required missions to progress through the narrative. This approach bypasses many of the optional activities, such as hunting the Chosen, building up all Resistance Factions, or maximizing every soldier’s potential. If you’re aiming for the core experience, the 34½ hours mark is a reasonable target. This approach will get you through the main plot and the final boss but may feel less fulfilling in terms of experiencing everything the game offers.
Completionist Approach
A 100% completion playthrough involves a much deeper level of engagement. This includes:
- Defeating all three Chosen, acquiring their powerful weapons and armor.
- Fully developing all three Resistance Factions: the Reapers, Templars, and Skirmishers.
- Completing all side missions and events.
- Achieving maximum ranks and training for all soldiers.
- Exploring every research and technology option.
- Building all facilities to their maximum potential.
This thorough approach can easily double the playtime, bringing the total up to that 74½ hour mark and even beyond for some players.
Factors Affecting Playtime
Several other factors can influence the length of your XCOM 2: War of the Chosen campaign:
- Difficulty Level: Playing on higher difficulty settings will likely lead to more restarts and meticulous planning, thus increasing your playtime.
- Experience with XCOM: Newcomers to the series may require more time to learn the game’s mechanics, while veterans can often complete the game more quickly.
- Strategic Approach: Some players prefer to meticulously plan each move, leading to longer turns and mission durations. Others are more risk-tolerant, leading to quicker, albeit sometimes more chaotic, missions.
- Mod Usage: The use of mods, especially gameplay enhancing ones, can drastically alter game flow, length and overall experience. This can add countless hours to the game experience and sometimes make the game harder or easier depending on the chosen mods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide a more comprehensive understanding of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
1. Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen easier than the base game?
The early game in War of the Chosen is arguably harder due to the introduction of the Chosen, especially the first few fights. However, as your squad size increases and you obtain ranks with your Reaper, Templar, and Skirmisher units, alongside an active Resistance Ring, the mid- and endgame generally become easier compared to the base XCOM 2.
2. What’s the difference between XCOM 2 and War of the Chosen?
XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game focused on repelling an alien invasion. War of the Chosen is an expansion that significantly alters the campaign structure, adds new enemies, story elements, hero characters (Reapers, Templars, and Skirmishers), modifiers, and character behaviors, making it a much richer and challenging experience.
3. Should I play XCOM 2 or War of the Chosen first?
It’s generally recommended to start with the “ordinary” XCOM 2 before diving into War of the Chosen. This is because WotC introduces more complex systems and very strong enemies which can be overwhelming for new players. The base game will help you get used to the fundamentals.
4. Is War of the Chosen harder than Vanilla?
Yes, War of the Chosen is considerably harder than vanilla XCOM 2, especially for new players. The new systems and challenging enemies can make the game feel overwhelming, even on normal difficulty.
5. What’s the best build order in XCOM 2?
A balanced approach to base building is the Advanced Warfare Centre, followed by the Guerrilla Training School, then the Power Relay, Resistance Comms, Proving Grounds, and finally the Psi Lab. This build order focuses on both survival and rapid development.
6. Can you lose Chosen Weapons in XCOM 2?
Yes, Chosen weapons are unique and cannot be replicated. If a soldier wielding a chosen weapon is killed in action and not evacuated, the weapon is lost permanently.
7. Who is the strongest soldier class in XCOM 2?
The Reaper is often recognized as the strongest and best class in XCOM 2, thanks to their stealth capabilities and powerful attacks.
8. What should you build first in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
The Advanced Warfare Center should be your top priority. It enhances soldier survivability and allows for faster recovery from injuries, crucial for keeping up with the alien invaders.
9. Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen canon?
Yes, the current canon of the XCOM video game universe includes XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, and XCOM: Chimera Squad.
10. What is the best weapon in War of the Chosen?
The Darkclaw, a sidearm only usable by the Sharpshooter class, is considered arguably the best weapon in War of the Chosen. It boasts the damage output of a sniper rifle and ignores armor.
11. How big can a squad be in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
The maximum squad size is 8 soldiers on most missions and can reach up to 10 or 12 on special missions. Network Tower Assaults have a maximum of 5 soldiers.
12. Does XCOM 2 Long War work with War of the Chosen?
No, the original Long War mod for XCOM 2 is not compatible with War of the Chosen. However, a community project to create a Long War-style experience for WotC is in the works.
13. Who is the hardest alien ruler in XCOM 2?
The Archon King, is the most powerful of the alien rulers, making it the most challenging to defeat.
14. What is the most difficult enemy in XCOM 2?
The Muton Elites are considered some of the most difficult enemies to defeat due to their heavy armor and high health.
15. Can you make XCOM 2 easier?
Yes. You can enable options like Lengthy Scheme which doubles the Avatar Project timer, or Time Turner which doubles the length of mission timers. You can also lower difficulty at any time in the game.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the duration of your XCOM 2: War of the Chosen campaign depends on your personal playstyle and goals. Whether you’re aiming for a streamlined playthrough focusing solely on the main objectives or a meticulous completionist run to uncover every secret, the game offers a substantial and engaging experience that can provide hundreds of hours of entertainment. Understanding these different play styles will help you manage expectations, plan accordingly, and get the most out of your time commanding the XCOM resistance.