What is the difference between XCOM 2 War of the Chosen and XCOM 2?

What’s the Difference between XCOM 2: War of the Chosen and XCOM 2?

XCOM 2, a turn-based tactics video game, was released in 2016, while XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, an expansion pack for the game, was published in 2017. Both games offer an epic struggle against alien forces in a world ravaged by war. The question "What’s the difference between XCOM 2 War of the Chosen and XCOM 2?" has been echoing among gaming enthusiasts. This article endeavors to provide an in-depth comparison of both games and help you understand the various differences.

Storylines

XCOM 2 is set 20 years after the events of the first game. The setting is a futuristic world with humans living under the constant threat of the alien-controlled government. As the director of XCOM, it’s your task to reclaim the world for humanity, uncover the truth behind the enemy’s intentions, and discover the secrets behind the disappearances of previous XCOM leaders.

War of the Chosen is an extension of the XCOM 2 storyline. It revolves around the sudden appearance of the Chosen, former human soldiers brainwashed and transformed by the Alien Council. This new campaign adds fresh narratives, locations, and objectives to the original game. The story is more complex, with multiple endings depending on your choices, making it even more rewarding and replayable.

Gameplay and Mechanics

XCOM 2 and XCOM 2: War of the Chosen boast similar gameplay mechanics, where you control a team of soldiers, employing various strategic tactics to combat the enemies. Both games feature turns-based combat, cover management, and enemy AI improvement.

What’s new in War of the Chosen?

• 3 new heroes: Khora, Stonewraith, and Shen
• 3 additional classes for customization: Grenadier, Skirmisher, Reaper
• New playstyles: Reaper’s powerful abilities, Grenadier’s explosive capabilities, and Skirmisher’s agility enhance your combat arsenal
• Rebel Havens: new multiplayer mode
• Officer System: Assign skills, abilities, and items to your Commander, enhancing the team dynamics
• Infiltration: Mission types introduced in War of the Chosen, involving stealthy operations and ambushes

What remains the same?

• Overwatch: Defensive positions maintain their importance
• Missions: The linear structure of XCOM’s mission system persists
• Alien Threat Matrix: The tiered enemies’ difficulty still applies, with each rank offering growing challenges

Graphics, Soundtrack, and Multilayer Support

Visuals and Soundtrack for both games remain largely untouched. The graphical quality might be slightly enhanced in the War of the Chosen, but this is unlikely to be noticeable for those who have already played XCOM 2.

There is no substantial difference between the multiplayer experiences of the two games, as Multiplayer Support has been rebranded into Co-op for War of the Chosen. Two-player co-op is compatible, allowing players to synchronize their efforts.

PC System Requirements and Storage Requirements

XCOM 2 War of the Chosen has slightly stricter system requirements than the original XCOM 2.

Storage requirements emphasize the importance of having sufficient drive space for installation and ongoing game data. War of the Chosen requires only 65 GB of disk space, although the additional storage is advised for maintaining optimal performance.

Why Upgrade to War of the Chosen?

Additional classes, playstyles, and the officer system give you more variety in controlling your soldiers, making exploration and combat even more compelling. The Infiltration missions offer new challenges to overcome, while the three new heroes expand your selection of characters.

Ultimate Verdict

For those who already own the base game XCOM 2, upgrading to the War of the Chosen expansion pack brings a deeper experience with expanded gameplay opportunities. If you’re just starting out with the game, War of the Chosen offers a superior package containing all the new features as well as the original storyline.