Should I play enemy unknown or enemy within first reddit?

Should You Play Enemy Unknown or Enemy Within First: A Breakdown

As a lover of the XCOM franchise, you might be debating which game to play first: Enemy Unknown or Enemy Within. Both games have their unique charm, but understanding what each game has to offer can help you make the right decision.

Comparison of Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within

In a nut shell, Enemy Within is an expansion pack for Enemy Unknown. It builds upon the base game’s storyline and gameplay, introducing new units, abilities, and alien types. Meanwhile, Enemy Unknown is the original game with a strong focus on survival, defense, and research.

Pro Tips for Both Games

Before diving in, it’s essential to know what to expect:

For Enemy Unknown

• Focus on research to improve unit stats and expand your operations.
• Start with an all-out offense to rapidly eliminate threats before upgrading defenses.
• Experiment with different troop compositions to suit your strategy.

For Enemy Within

• Get familiar with the new Gene Therapy systems and its consequences.
• Adapt to new alien encounters and units to improve defenses.
• Continue research into new technologies and equipment upgrades.

Playing Order or Standalone Experiences

If you haven’t already, you should start with Enemy Unknown as its core gameplay experience provides an excellent foundation for understanding XCOM’s strategies. When you’ve become familiar with the series’ mechanics and story, jump into Enemy Within, which seamlessly integrates into Enemy Unknown’s world.

However, if you only want a standalone experience, you can still play Enemy Within separately. It maintains the same quality of gameplay while offering new stories and enemy types. Although you will miss out on the first game’s development, Enemy Within presents a fresh spin on XCOM’s strategic combat.

Conclusion

Now, what’s the ideal playing order?

Enemy Unknown is an excellent base game, with Enemy Within expanding its horizon. Playing these games together will give you the best XCOM experience. Begin with the original game and transition smoothly into the expansion, savoring each chapter. If you’d prefer standalone experiences, feel free to start with Enemy Within, and jump back to the previous game for better understanding if needed.

Lastly, XCOM: War of the Chosen (2019) is not necessary but a nice-to-have that builds upon Enemy Within and adds more excitement. Here’s a condensed breakdown:
• War of the Chosen – Introduced new enemy forces, game modes, and heroes units. Continues the storytelling of Enemy Within. Highly recommended for long-time players.

Now you know that Enemy Within can be played on its own, but there’s only one recommended play order:

1. Enemy Unknown first
2. Enemy Within after Enemy Unknown
   So, are you ready to join the resistance against humanity’s alien adversaries? Whether you start with Enemy Unknown or Enemy Within, make sure you’re prepared to experience this thrilling, sci-fi story!