XCOM 2 console version - Review

    XCOM 2 console version - Review

    Nowadays, the arrival of titles defined as "niche" on our favorite console is increasingly celebrated as a rare and extremely important event: just think of numerous purely Japanese titles that do not come out of the land of the Rising Sun, language localizations or PC / Console conversions and vice versa; the enormous development costs of these generations do not allow more or less large studios to risk not selling a good number of copies, limiting themselves to the boundaries that the videogame target of their title imposes on them. Conversions that were once customary, given the installed base of PS1 and PS2 for example combined with low development costs: practically everything came out for those consoles, with even small developers who could afford the arrival of their particular title on the glorious Sony consoles of the new millennium. It is with immense joy that I find myself here to review this title, which breaks what too often is the reality of the facts of these new generations: we are talking about the conversion of XCOM 2, strategic for fans with satisfying gameplay and very high difficulty. How did the guys from Firaxis behave in this console adventure? Let's find out together!



    XCOM 2 console version - ReviewIndependence Day

    The plot of XCOM 2 is closely related to Enemy Unknown, the previous chapter released on PC and Console. In fact, we will take on the uncomfortable role of the general of the XCOM project, the same soldier who had stoically fought the aliens in the last bloody battle; Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, with humanity finding itself under the domination of the alien race in a sort of peaceful truce, a decoy aimed at keeping humanity under lock and key in the simplest way possible. This narrative background allowed the authors to focus on the tragic nature of the situation, superbly emphasizing the numerical disadvantage and the impossibility of success with intelligent and dramatic cutscenes at the right point. In fact, we will find ourselves leading small resistance groups against a seemingly unbeatable power. This precise choice of plot has allowed the manufacturer to justifiably increase the level of difficulty, which is therefore reflected in the lore and background that the game world has to offer; in fact, missions will be on the agenda in which we will be disadvantaged both in terms of numbers and arsenal, with a number of turns often predefined to complete the assigned objectives: precisely on this the developers have indulged themselves, perhaps going a little too far towards the sadism in certain difficult missions. All this emphasizes the gamer's intellect and tactical choices, effectively making each mission a battle to the death with the most coveted prize at stake: personal satisfaction.



    XCOM 2 console version - ReviewSuperb playability

    XCOM 2, like its predecessor, it presents itself as a classic tactical game where every move acquires key importance, and where the clichés and characteristics of the complex genre are immediately recognizable: extreme slowness and turn-based gameplay; in reality XCOM 2 is much more, representing in fact the evolution and perfect rejuvenation of the genre. In fact, the title introduces cover mechanics, absolutely fundamental in a title that makes survival its keystone; beyond this, in the maps there will be mechanisms and shortcuts designed to facilitate the user, with for example the possibility of extracting the hostage that we had to save in that specific mission more quickly. The diversity of objectives and above all the procedurality of the maps considerably rejuvenate a combat system that has now become obsolete and too slow for current canons, making XCOM 2 the best tactician on the market as well as the most current, despite a decidedly calibrated upward difficulty.

    XCOM 2 console version - Review

    To all these gameplay choices we must add a complex managerial component, returned in great shape from Enemy Unknown; the game will put us in front of a real resource management in its entirety, with the possibility of investing time and money, for example on scientific research rather than on biological research: it goes without saying that these choices radically modify the current game and the gameplay itself, with our group of soldiers who will enjoy equipment and skills related to the research carried out; careful management even outside the clashes will therefore be vital in the economy of XCOM 2, enriching even more an experience full of emotions and drastic choices. Last but not least the introduction of the stealth mode: marrying perfectly with the background built by hoc by the developers, the stealth mode will be default for certain missions and will allow our soldiers to move without being seen by the numerous enemies. This will be deactivated by shooting or breaking glass, effectively allowing us to choose the best approach to take; as you have already understood, this upsets the already numerous cards on the table even more, giving the player further "decision-making power" on the future of humanity.XCOM 2 console version - Review



    Not a sublime conversion

    If in terms of pure gameplay the title is absolutely excellent, on the one hand purely technical the title is presented on consoles with more than a few reservations: if already on PC XCOM 2 it was not technically the latest, on consoles the title also reveals frame rate problems; in fact, small drops in fps will not be a rarity in the most excited occasions and in cutscenes, problems that are not really justifiable also given the good but not perfect graphic quality. XCOM 2 is absolutely delightful to watch, but more than a few low-definition textures and slightly edgy animations make it only good, lacking the excellence that many expect from such a title. Fortunately the artistic side is great, with a good design of the humanoids and an excellent realization of the aliens, very varied and believable. Good news comes from the audio sector and from longevity: epic and always spot-on motifs accompany us along the 30 hours of the main campaign, highly replayable thanks to the procedural development and multiple levels of difficulty. We conclude with two little words on the purely playful side of the console version: the title was perfectly suited to the Microsoft and Sony pads, with excellent results and which only need a few game sessions to be amalgamated (and mastered) at best.


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