Should You Play XCOM: Enemy Within First?
The short answer is: No, you should not play XCOM: Enemy Within first if you’re new to the series. While it’s tempting to jump into the enhanced experience, starting with the base game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown (EU), is the far superior approach for first-time players. Let’s delve into why that’s the case.
The Case for Starting with XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the foundation upon which the critically acclaimed series was built. It provides a pure and focused gameplay loop that is easier for newcomers to grasp. By starting with EU, you learn the core mechanics of base management, soldier progression, and tactical combat without the added complexity that Enemy Within (EW) introduces. This approach gives you the opportunity to learn and fully appreciate these systems in their most streamlined form.
Why Enemy Within Can Overwhelm Beginners
Enemy Within builds upon the foundations of Enemy Unknown with a significant amount of additional content. While this is fantastic for veteran players and adds layers of depth, it can be overwhelming for a first-time player. EW introduces:
- MELD: A new resource that allows for genetic modification and the use of mechanized suits (MECs).
- New Soldier Abilities: These abilities add a new layer of strategy but can be confusing for those who haven’t mastered the basic soldier classes yet.
- New Enemy Types: These enemies are tougher, adding complexity to an already challenging tactical environment.
- New Missions: While more content is generally good, the additional missions can lengthen the game and make it feel more disjointed for someone not yet comfortable with the base campaign.
These additions, while enriching for veterans, contribute to a steeper learning curve, which can lead to frustration and potentially turning off new players before they even have a chance to fully enjoy the core game.
The Benefits of a Stepped Approach
By playing Enemy Unknown first, you familiarize yourself with the core mechanics without the added complexities. You get the opportunity to learn how to manage your squad, understand the different soldier classes, and master the intricacies of the tactical combat system without additional pressures. After completing EU, diving into EW is like putting on a well-worn glove; you appreciate the new additions more since you already have an understanding of the fundamental gameplay.
Moreover, when you do switch to EW, you’ll find that the new additions are designed to add more depth and challenge to the existing framework. It becomes a fresh and exciting experience, rather than a confusing one. The new MELD system, MEC troopers, and Gene Mods feel like natural extensions of the base game rather than an entirely new experience to grasp.
Enemy Within as an Expansion, Not a Standalone
It’s essential to understand that Enemy Within is not a standalone game. It is an expansion to Enemy Unknown. It’s designed to enhance the existing experience for those who are already comfortable with the base mechanics and is the main reason why playing EW as your first XCOM experience could prove detrimental. Thinking of EW as an “enhanced version of EU” makes it clear why it isn’t a good starting point for new players.
The Storyline Perspective
While not drastically different, the experience of EU also allows you to immerse yourself in the base story before EW adds its complexities to the narrative. This approach is akin to reading a book chapter by chapter instead of trying to start with the last chapter and then jump to the middle and then back again to page one.
The Ultimate XCOM Experience
By playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown first, you’ll gain a better understanding of the series mechanics, enjoy the game in a more manageable progression, and appreciate the enhanced experience of Enemy Within even more when you do get to it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within?
XCOM: Enemy Within is an expansion pack to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It adds significant new gameplay elements, including MELD resources, the MEC soldier class, gene modifcations, new enemy types and new missions. EU is the base game, while EW expands upon it by introducing new strategies and complexities.
2. Is XCOM: Enemy Within a standalone game?
No, XCOM: Enemy Within is not a standalone game. It requires the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown to play and is designed as an expansion to the base game.
3. Is XCOM: Enemy Within a full game?
Yes, it adds enough new content and gameplay features to feel like a full gaming experience, but again, it is not a standalone game. It is a large expansion, that requires the original game.
4. Should I play XCOM games in order?
Yes, playing the XCOM games in the order of release is generally recommended. Start with XCOM: Enemy Unknown, then move to XCOM: Enemy Within, and finally to XCOM 2 and its expansion, War of the Chosen. This allows you to appreciate the evolution of the gameplay and the storyline.
5. Is XCOM 2 related to XCOM 1?
Yes, XCOM 2 is set in 2035, 20 years after the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within. The story continues the narrative of the struggle against the alien invasion.
6. How long does it take to beat XCOM: Enemy Unknown?
On average, it takes around 26-27 hours to complete the main objectives of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. For a 100% completionist run, you should expect to put in around 67 hours.
7. Is XCOM or XCOM 2 easier?
XCOM 2 can feel easier on veteran and commander difficulties, but it’s harder on the legendary difficulty. The original Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within lack the time constraints present in XCOM 2, which can make them feel more forgiving in some ways.
8. Does XCOM: Enemy Within have multiple endings?
No, XCOM: Enemy Within does not have any alternate endings. The conclusion is consistent with that of Enemy Unknown, although certain events in the game add to the overall story.
9. Is XCOM 1 or 2 better?
While both are excellent games, XCOM 2 is generally considered better due to the variety of enemies and gameplay styles. The expansions also add a great deal of extra content.
10. Is XCOM worth playing after XCOM 2?
Yes, the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within are still worth playing after XCOM 2. The expansions add features not present in XCOM 2, providing a unique experience.
11. Is XCOM: Enemy Within a good game?
Yes, XCOM: Enemy Within is considered an excellent expansion, enhancing the original game with new features and mechanics that make it feel like a completely enriched experience of the original game.
12. What does Long War add to XCOM?
The Long War mod adds significant content to XCOM, including new soldier classes, abilities, weapons, armors, and usable items. It also introduces new features, like soldier fatigue, and improves the game’s AI making it a longer and significantly more challenging experience.
13. Does XCOM get easier?
The game tends to get easier as you gain access to advanced technologies and enhance your soldiers using MELD resources, and also through the acquisition of better gear.
14. Does the XCOM Long War mod work with Enemy Within?
Yes, the Long War mod is specifically designed to work with both XCOM: Enemy Unknown and its expansion, XCOM: Enemy Within. It adds many extra hours of gameplay and challenges for veteran players.
15. What is the best first research in XCOM: Enemy Within?
The Xeno-Biology research is recommended as the first choice. This unlocks the Alien Containment facility which is essential for the capture of Sectoids and further tech advancements.