How Long to Beat XCOM 2: War of the Chosen? A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question for any prospective commander diving into the challenging world of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is: How much time will this tactical masterpiece demand? The answer, like many things in XCOM, isn’t a simple one, but here’s the breakdown. If you’re laser-focused on the core campaign, expect a playthrough to clock in around 34½ hours. However, if you’re the type of gamer who strives for total domination, aiming for 100% completion will likely push your playtime closer to 74½ hours. This significant difference highlights the depth and replayability of War of the Chosen. But let’s delve deeper into what dictates these timelines and answer all the other crucial questions you may have.

Understanding the Time Investment

The core 34½ hour estimate refers to completing the main objectives of the game. This involves progressing through the primary campaign missions, defeating the alien elders, and ultimately liberating Earth. It’s a fairly direct path, albeit filled with strategic challenges and nail-biting encounters. This timeframe assumes a good grasp of the game’s mechanics and a willingness to prioritize crucial missions.

However, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen isn’t a game you simply rush through. To truly experience all it offers, you’ll need to dedicate significantly more time. The additional 40 or so hours spent working toward 100% completion will involve more side missions, completing research projects, building your base, leveling up your squad, mastering the tactical combat, and fully engaging with the deep strategic layer. In addition, you’ll need to explore all the content and interactions with the new “Chosen” adversaries and the three new resistance factions.

Factors Influencing Playtime

Several elements can alter the length of your campaign, including:

• Difficulty Level: Playing on higher difficulties, such as Commander or Legend, will extend your playtime due to increased challenges and the need for more deliberate planning. Expect more save scumming and mission restarts.

• Individual Playstyle: If you’re a meticulous player who spends a lot of time planning every move and managing your base carefully, you’ll likely spend longer than someone who plays more aggressively.

• Completionist Tendencies: Those seeking to unlock all achievements, collect all items, and complete every side mission will naturally spend more time in the game.

• Mission Failures: XCOM is a game where things go wrong. Losing missions and having to recover from setbacks can extend your overall playtime.

• Mod Use: Using mods can significantly alter the game experience, either making it faster, easier, or much, much harder. Keep in mind that mods will impact your actual playtime.

• Familiarity with XCOM 2: If you have played the vanilla version of XCOM 2 before, you will likely finish the game faster, due to your mastery of core concepts, compared to a new player.

• Engaging With New Content: War of the Chosen adds a lot of new content. Players spending time with the new hero classes, the Chosen, the Resistance Ring, and the various new missions will lengthen playtime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To further clarify your journey with XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, here are 15 essential FAQs:

Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Easier or Harder Than XCOM 2?

Early game can feel harder due to the initial encounters with the Chosen. However, once you acquire squad upgrades, rank up your hero units, and get the Resistance Ring working, the mid- to late-game generally feels easier compared to the base game. That said, War of the Chosen does introduce additional complexities.

What is the Difference Between XCOM 2 and XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?

XCOM 2 is a turn-based tactics video game where the XCOM team battles an alien invasion. War of the Chosen is an expansion that dramatically overhauls the game, adding new enemies (the Chosen), hero units (Reapers, Skirmishers, Templars), story elements, and the Resistance Ring system, and much more.

Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Harder than XCOM 2?

The War of the Chosen expansion is generally considered harder than the base game, especially for newcomers. The addition of the Chosen, along with new game systems and tactical complexities, can be overwhelming for new players.

What is the Difference Between XCOM Long War and Long War of the Chosen?

The original Long War mod for XCOM 2 adds new classes, weapons, an officer system, rebel havens, infiltration, and new mission types. However, the mods are not compatible, and must be downloaded from external sources.

Should I Select XCOM 2 or War of the Chosen?

If you’re new to the series, it’s recommended to play the original XCOM 2 first with any DLC (except WotC), if you have them. If you only have the base game with War of the Chosen, then you are better off starting with War of the Chosen.

Should I Play War of the Chosen or Base Game First?

While you can jump straight into War of the Chosen, it’s highly recommended to experience the vanilla XCOM 2 first to grasp the fundamentals before tackling the increased difficulty and complexity of the expansion.

What is the Most Powerful Class in XCOM 2?

The Grenadier class is often considered the most powerful and versatile class. Their ability to destroy cover and inflict damage from a distance makes them invaluable in most situations.

Can You Lose Chosen Weapons in XCOM 2?

Yes, Chosen weapons are unique and cannot be replicated. If a soldier carrying a Chosen weapon is killed and not evacuated, the weapon will be permanently lost.

What is the Best Weapon in War of the Chosen?

The Darkclaw, a pistol exclusive to the Sharpshooter class, is often cited as the best. It boasts the damage of a sniper rifle and can ignore up to five armor points.

What is the Best Order to Build in XCOM 2?

A balanced build order is often cited as: Advanced Warfare Centre > Guerrilla Training School > Power Relay > Resistance Comms > Proving Grounds > Psi Lab. This order will help you recover from injuries, upgrade your soldiers, expand your reach, and gain more research options.

Will There Be XCOM 3?

While there is no confirmed release date, Firaxis has confirmed that XCOM 3 is still happening.

What Should I Build First in XCOM 2 War of the Chosen?

The Advanced Warfare Center should be your top priority. It allows your soldiers to recover from injuries faster and provides a chance for them to survive fatal blows.

How Big Can a Squad Be in XCOM 2 War of the Chosen?

The standard squad size is 8 soldiers. Special missions can raise this to 10 or 12 soldiers. Network Tower Assaults, however, have a maximum of 5 soldiers.

Is XCOM 2 War of the Chosen Canon?

Yes, the canonical XCOM timeline includes XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, and XCOM: Chimera Squad.

Who is the Hardest Alien Ruler in XCOM 2?

The Archon King (Subject Alpha) is widely regarded as the hardest of the Alien Rulers to defeat.

Conclusion

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen offers a rich, challenging, and highly rewarding experience. Whether you’re aiming for a focused playthrough around 34½ hours or striving for the 74½+ hour 100% completion mark, the game promises countless hours of tense tactical battles and strategic depth. The new challenges, systems, and content all come together to make a truly special gaming experience. So prepare yourself, Commander, for the long and arduous fight ahead. The fate of Earth rests on your shoulders.