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How Many Hours is XCOM? A Deep Dive into the Series’ Playtime

The XCOM series, known for its challenging tactical gameplay, deep strategic layers, and addictive nature, offers a wide range of playtime depending on your approach and goals. A focused playthrough of XCOM: Enemy Unknown can take around 26½ hours, while striving for 100% completion can extend that to approximately 67 hours. XCOM 2, with its added complexities and content, generally requires 150-200 hours to achieve complete achievement acquisition. Ultimately, your total XCOM playtime depends on whether you’re a campaign speedrunner, a completionist, or someone who just enjoys the strategic depth the game offers.

Understanding XCOM’s Replayability

XCOM’s appeal doesn’t just lie in its initial playthrough. The game’s procedural generation of maps, enemy encounters, and soldier development allows for incredible replayability. Each campaign presents a unique challenge, making the game feel fresh even after dozens of hours of play. The game’s “never-ending” nature (since you can put off the final mission as long as you’d like) means that the clock can keep running almost indefinitely.

Factors Influencing Playtime

Several factors influence how long it takes to “beat” an XCOM game:

Difficulty Level: Higher difficulty levels demand more meticulous planning, strategic resource management, and, inevitably, more time.
Playstyle: Do you meticulously plan every move, or do you take more risks? A cautious approach will naturally extend playtime.
Game Knowledge: Familiarity with enemy types, map layouts, and strategic options speeds up decision-making.
DLC Content: Expansions like Enemy Within for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and War of the Chosen for XCOM 2 dramatically increase playtime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about XCOM Playtime

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you gauge how much time you might invest in the XCOM experience:

Is XCOM 2 a long game? Yes, XCOM 2 is considered a long game. Completing the main story can take anywhere from 40 to 60 hours, but achieving full completion and mastering all aspects of the game can easily exceed 150 hours.
How long does it take to beat XCOM 2: War of the Chosen? The War of the Chosen expansion adds significant content, easily adding another 30-50 hours to the base game’s playtime. Expect 70-110 hours for a standard completion, and well over 200 for completionists.
Is XCOM 1 worth playing before XCOM 2? The original XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an excellent game in its own right and offers a fantastic foundation for understanding the series’ mechanics and lore. You do not need to play XCOM 1 to play XCOM 2, as the game offers adequate exposition to understanding the story. However, playing the original will give you a greater appreciation for XCOM 2’s improvements and innovations. Playing both games allows you to see the similarities and the differences between the two entries in the series.
Is XCOM 1 better than XCOM 2? While both games are excellent, XCOM 2 is generally considered the better game due to its enhanced features, increased variety in enemies and playstyles, and more dynamic campaign. However, XCOM: Enemy Within can be just as enjoyable due to its more traditional approach to the game’s overall structure. Ultimately the better game is the one that you find yourself enjoying more.
Is XCOM 2 addictive? Yes, XCOM 2 is notoriously addictive. Its blend of tactical combat, strategic resource management, and the ever-present threat of permadeath creates a compelling gameplay loop that keeps players coming back for more.
Is XCOM 2 never ending? Similar to the original XCOM, XCOM 2 has a final mission that triggers the game’s ending. However, you can postpone this mission indefinitely, allowing you to continue playing side missions and managing your base as long as you desire. This allows the game to feel like it never really ends, since it continues to spawn content for you to enjoy.
How hard is XCOM 2 for beginners? XCOM 2 can be challenging for newcomers. The game throws a lot of information at you early on, and the difficulty curve can be steep. However, with patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, even beginners can succeed.
Is XCOM 2 hard to beat? XCOM 2’s difficulty is subjective and depends on the difficulty setting. It can be considered easier on Veteran and Commander than previous installments, but harder than previous installments on Legendary difficulty. This makes XCOM 2 more approachable for newcomers, but offers the challenge expected from the series by veteran players.
Are XCOM 1 and 2 connected? Yes, XCOM 2 is a direct sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within. It is set 20 years after the events of the first game, in a world where XCOM failed to prevent the alien invasion.
Is XCOM 2 luck based? Like all X-Com games, XCOM 2 has a luck element. Shot accuracy and soldier mind-control are luck-based. This is meant to emulate the dice rolls of board games, which is a common feature in turn-based strategy games.
Is XCOM 2 complex? XCOM 2 is a complex game with numerous systems to learn and master. From soldier customization and base management to tactical combat and strategic planning, there’s a lot to wrap your head around.
Should I play XCOM in order? While not strictly necessary, playing the XCOM games in release order (XCOM: Enemy Unknown, then XCOM 2) can enhance your understanding of the overarching story and appreciate the evolution of the gameplay mechanics.
Does XCOM 2 continue after ending? No. After completing the final mission, the game ends. However, you can start a new game with the “Ironman” mode enabled for an even more challenging and immersive experience.
Is XCOM worth playing after XCOM 2? Yes! The original XCOM offers a unique experience that still holds up today. Enemy Within does some things that XCOM 2 does not, and you may find that you enjoy certain aspects of the original more.
Can you play XCOM 2 infinitely? Yes, if you postpone the final mission. You can continue playing the game indefinitely by preventing the progress of the Avatar Project and engaging in an endless cycle of side missions and base management.

Long War: The Ultimate Time Sink

For the truly dedicated, there’s Long War, a fan-made modification for both XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2. Long War overhauls the game mechanics, extends the campaign length significantly, and adds even more complexity and strategic depth. Some players have sunk thousands of hours into Long War, solidifying its reputation as one of the most challenging and rewarding mods in gaming history. This is one example of the almost endless replayability that the XCOM series offers.

The Value of Time Invested

While the hours required to master XCOM might seem daunting, the game offers a uniquely rewarding experience. The strategic depth, the intense tactical combat, and the emotional investment in your soldiers create a gaming experience that is both challenging and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re a seasoned strategy veteran or a newcomer to the genre, XCOM is well worth the time investment.

Explore Games and Learning

Want to learn more about the educational aspects of gaming? Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to explore how games can be used for learning, research, and social impact. Their website provides plenty of information on the topic of games and learning.

In conclusion, the number of hours spent in XCOM is highly variable and dependent on many factors. The game has been designed to be replayed and enjoyed by many, for several years. Whether you focus on XCOM, or XCOM 2, you will find countless hours of game play for an amazing experience.

How many hours is XCOM?