Should I Start XCOM 2 With Long War? A Veteran Commander’s Perspective
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The question of whether to start XCOM 2 with the Long War 2 mod (or any Long War mod for that matter) is a perennial one, debated in the trenches of forums and whispered between veterans. The short, sharp answer is this: No, absolutely not. Start with vanilla XCOM 2, or, even better, with War of the Chosen (WotC) enabled. Let me explain why, from the perspective of someone who’s lost countless soldiers to Chryssalids and watched entire campaigns crumble.
XCOM 2, even in its unmodded form, is a challenging game. It throws you into the deep end, demands tactical acumen, and punishes mistakes ruthlessly. It’s a game about hard choices, resource management, and accepting that sometimes, even your best-laid plans will end in a bloodbath. Long War, on the other hand, amplifies all of these aspects to a level that can be overwhelming for a newcomer. It’s like going from learning to swim in a shallow pool to being thrown into the ocean during a hurricane.
Long War fundamentally alters the strategic layer of the game. It dramatically increases the length of the campaign, forcing you to manage multiple squads, conduct guerilla warfare on a global scale, and contend with a far more persistent and powerful alien threat. While the core gameplay loop remains, the added complexity can obscure the underlying mechanics that you need to master to even survive.
The learning curve in XCOM 2 is already steep. Adding Long War on top of that makes it almost vertical. You’ll be bombarded with new systems, unfamiliar classes, and an overwhelming amount of information. You’ll spend more time reading wikis and forum posts than actually playing the game, and that’s not the recipe for an enjoyable introduction.
Think of it this way: vanilla XCOM 2 is the foundation. War of the Chosen builds upon that foundation, adding new layers of depth and excitement. Long War, however, rebuilds the entire structure from the ground up, using different materials and architectural principles. You need to understand the original design before you can appreciate, or even navigate, the new one.
Furthermore, War of the Chosen itself is a substantial expansion that adds significant content and quality-of-life improvements to XCOM 2. It introduces the Chosen themselves, powerful alien assassins who stalk your campaign, providing a persistent and engaging threat. It also adds new soldier classes, resistance factions, and a host of other features that enhance the base game experience.
Therefore, my recommendation is clear:
- Start with vanilla XCOM 2: Get a feel for the basic mechanics, learn the ropes of combat, and understand the strategic layer.
- Then, move on to War of the Chosen: Experience the game with its intended expansion, which adds depth, challenge, and replayability without fundamentally altering the core experience.
- Finally, consider Long War: Once you’ve mastered the base game and WotC, and you’re looking for a truly masochistic challenge, Long War awaits.
Think of this as a journey of discovery, not a race to the finish line. Each stage of this progression will teach you something new about the game, and ultimately, make you a better commander. This approach is highly beneficial for the educational value of the game as explained at the Games Learning Society, or visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is Long War?
Long War is a comprehensive mod for XCOM 2 that dramatically overhauls the game. It introduces new classes, weapons, research projects, enemies, and strategic mechanics. Most notably, it greatly extends the length of the campaign, making it a much more challenging and time-consuming experience. It’s essentially a complete reimagining of XCOM 2, designed for experienced players looking for a deeper and more complex challenge.
2. Is Long War 2 just a longer version of XCOM 2?
No, it’s much more than that. While the increased campaign length is a key feature, Long War 2 also introduces entirely new gameplay systems. Infiltration mechanics, for example, require you to send squads on covert missions to prepare for larger assaults. The rebel haven system allows you to manage resistance cells in different regions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. These additions create a more dynamic and engaging strategic layer.
3. What are the main differences between Long War 2 and War of the Chosen?
War of the Chosen focuses on enhancing the base game experience with new enemies (The Chosen), new soldier classes (Reapers, Skirmishers, Templars), and new mechanics like bonds between soldiers. Long War 2, on the other hand, is a complete overhaul that fundamentally changes the strategic layer, combat mechanics, and overall campaign structure. WotC adds content to the existing framework, while LW2 rebuilds the framework entirely.
4. Is Long War 2 harder than vanilla XCOM 2?
Significantly harder. The increased campaign length, more complex strategic layer, and numerous new enemies all contribute to a much higher difficulty level. You’ll need to be a master of resource management, squad composition, and tactical combat to survive. Even experienced XCOM players often find Long War 2 to be a daunting challenge.
5. Can I install Long War 2 on top of War of the Chosen?
No, Long War 2 is not compatible with War of the Chosen. They are mutually exclusive mods that fundamentally alter the game in different ways. You’ll need to choose one or the other. The core gameplay experience differs significantly between them.
6. What are the benefits of playing Long War 2?
For experienced XCOM players, Long War 2 offers a deeper and more rewarding strategic experience. It forces you to think strategically about every decision, from squad composition to research priorities. It also provides a greater sense of accomplishment when you finally defeat the alien threat. The increased complexity and challenge can be highly engaging for those who enjoy a hardcore gaming experience.
7. What are the downsides of playing Long War 2?
The steep learning curve and increased difficulty can be overwhelming for new players. The longer campaign length can also be a time commitment. Furthermore, the mod is complex, and bugs or compatibility issues can occur. It requires a lot of patience and willingness to troubleshoot problems.
8. What classes does Long War 2 add?
Long War 2 introduces a new class system with eight base classes, each with their own unique specializations and abilities. This allows for a much greater degree of customization and squad composition, adding another layer of depth to the game.
9. Does Long War 2 change the story of XCOM 2?
While it expands upon the existing narrative, Long War 2 doesn’t fundamentally change the core story of XCOM 2. The focus is more on the strategic and tactical challenges of liberating Earth from alien rule.
10. Are there any Long War mods for the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown?
Yes, there is a Long War mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown (and Enemy Within). It offers a similar experience to Long War 2, overhauling the game and adding significant complexity.
11. Is it okay to use other mods with Long War 2?
It’s generally recommended to avoid using other mods with Long War 2, as they can cause compatibility issues and instability. Long War 2 is a comprehensive mod that changes so much of the game that it’s difficult to ensure compatibility with other modifications. If you do decide to use other mods, be sure to test them thoroughly and back up your game files.
12. How long does a Long War 2 campaign typically last?
A Long War 2 campaign can easily take 100-200 hours to complete, depending on your skill level and difficulty settings. This is significantly longer than a vanilla XCOM 2 campaign, which typically lasts around 30-50 hours.
13. What difficulty level should I play Long War 2 on?
If you’re new to Long War 2, it’s recommended to start on the Rookie or Veteran difficulty level. These difficulties will still provide a significant challenge, but they’ll give you more room for error and allow you to learn the ropes of the mod.
14. Does Long War 2 have any quality-of-life improvements?
While Long War 2 primarily focuses on increasing complexity and challenge, it does include some quality-of-life improvements. For example, it allows you to customize soldier loadouts more easily and provides more detailed information about enemy stats and abilities.
15. Where can I download Long War 2?
Long War 2 can be downloaded from the Steam Workshop. Simply search for “Long War 2” in the workshop and subscribe to the mod. The game will automatically download and install it. Ensure you have the base game installed and updated.
In conclusion, while Long War offers a compelling experience, introducing yourself to XCOM 2 with the base game or War of the Chosen provides a more gradual and enjoyable path into the depths of this challenging and rewarding strategy title. Build your skills, hone your tactics, and then prepare for the Long War. Good luck, Commander.