What is the difference between XCOM Long War and War of the Chosen?
The XCOM series has consistently pushed the boundaries of what we expect from a tactical strategy game, and both Long War and War of the Chosen are some of the most popular additions to the franchise. If you’re new to XCOM or considering which campaign to play, understanding the differences between these two variants can help you make an informed decision.
Short Overview of Long War and War of the Chosen
Long War
The Long War is an independent mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a game that was released in 2012. Developed by Long War Studios, it offers a significantly improved version of the original campaign with new features, levels, and enemies. The Long War adds four new soldier classes, introduces new mechanics, and alters the game’s difficulty settings, making it a standout addition to the XCOM series.
War of the Chosen
Released in 2017, War of the Chosen is a standalone expansion for XCOM 2. It introduces new features, enemies, and soldiers to the game, with a focus on replayability and increased difficulty. The expansion adds a plethora of new content, including new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics.
Key Differences
Here’s a breakdown of the major differences between Long War and War of the Chosen:
| Feature | Long War | War of the Chosen |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay mechanics | New soldier classes, altered difficulty settings, and improved enemy AI | New enemy types, hidden characters, and increased replayability |
| Replayability | Significant changes to the original game’s campaign | High replayability through random events, hidden characters, and adaptive difficulty |
| Graphics and Sound | Utilizes the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown graphics | Features updated graphics and a new soundtrack |
| Difficulty | Altered difficulty settings, making the game more challenging | Features a new "Chosen" difficulty setting, introducing a more aggressive enemy |
| Story | Independent storyline, separate from the original game | Incorporates the original game’s story, with new side missions and characters |
New Features in War of the Chosen
One of the most significant features of War of the Chosen is the introduction of new enemies, including Chosen Ones, formidable alien commanders with unique abilities. These enemies are backed by a new Dark Events system, where players must respond to alien invasions and other challenges. Additionally, War of the Chosen introduces Resisters, human rebels that can join your team, providing new skills and playstyles.
Conclusion
Both Long War and War of the Chosen are exceptional additions to the XCOM series, offering significant improvements to the gameplay mechanics and replayability. Long War is a standalone mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, while War of the Chosen is a standalone expansion for XCOM 2. If you’re looking for a challenging experience with new mechanics, Long War might be the better choice. If you want a more immersive storyline with increased replayability and new enemies, War of the Chosen is the way to go.
Choose wisely, Commander. The fate of humanity is at stake.