XCOM 2 is a turn-based tactics game developed by Firaxis Games, and its expansion pack, War of the Chosen, has been a topic of discussion among gamers and critics alike. One of the most common questions asked about War of the Chosen is whether it is longer than the base game. In this article, we will delve into the details of War of the Chosen and explore its length, new features, and gameplay mechanics.
What is War of the Chosen?
War of the Chosen is an expansion pack for XCOM 2, released in 2017. It is set in the same universe as the base game and continues the story of the XCOM resistance fighting against the alien occupation. The expansion pack introduces new factions, characters, and gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall gaming experience.
New Factions and Characters
War of the Chosen introduces three new factions: the Reapers, the Skirmishers, and the Templars. Each faction has its unique abilities, playstyles, and motivations. The Reapers are a group of stealthy, high-damage dealers who excel at taking out high-priority targets. The Skirmishers are a faction of scavengers who specialize in finding and salvaging resources. The Templars are a group of psionic warriors who wield powerful abilities and can turn the tide of battle in favor of XCOM.
In addition to the new factions, War of the Chosen also introduces new characters, including the Chosen, a group of elite alien warriors who serve as the main antagonists of the expansion pack. The Chosen are powerful, relentless, and will stop at nothing to crush the XCOM resistance.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
War of the Chosen introduces several new gameplay mechanics and features that enhance the overall gaming experience. Some of the notable features include:
- New Mission Types: War of the Chosen introduces new mission types, such as the “Chosen Assault” and “Chosen Hunt” missions, which require players to adapt to new tactics and strategies.
- Covert Actions: Players can now perform covert actions, such as sabotage and infiltration, to disrupt the alien’s plans and gain an advantage.
- Faction Relationships: Players can build relationships with the new factions, which can provide benefits, such as access to new resources and abilities.
- Chosen Hunts: Players can now hunt down and eliminate the Chosen, which can provide significant rewards and benefits.
Length and Difficulty
So, is War of the Chosen longer than the base game? The answer is yes. War of the Chosen adds a significant amount of content to the base game, including new missions, characters, and gameplay mechanics. The expansion pack can add up to 20-30 hours of gameplay to the base game, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle.
In terms of difficulty, War of the Chosen is more challenging than the base game. The new factions and characters introduce new mechanics and strategies that require players to adapt and evolve their tactics. The Chosen are particularly formidable opponents, and players will need to use all their skills and resources to take them down.
Comparison to the Base Game
War of the Chosen is a significant improvement over the base game in terms of content, gameplay mechanics, and overall gaming experience. The expansion pack adds a new layer of depth and complexity to the game, making it more challenging and rewarding.
Here are some key differences between War of the Chosen and the base game:
- New Factions and Characters: War of the Chosen introduces three new factions and several new characters, which add a new layer of depth and complexity to the game.
- New Gameplay Mechanics: War of the Chosen introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as covert actions and faction relationships, which enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Increased Difficulty: War of the Chosen is more challenging than the base game, with tougher enemies and more complex missions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, War of the Chosen is a significant expansion pack that adds a new layer of depth and complexity to XCOM 2. The expansion pack introduces new factions, characters, and gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall gaming experience. War of the Chosen is longer than the base game, with up to 20-30 hours of additional gameplay. The expansion pack is also more challenging than the base game, with tougher enemies and more complex missions.
If you’re a fan of XCOM 2, War of the Chosen is a must-play expansion pack that will provide hours of challenging and rewarding gameplay.
Final Thoughts
War of the Chosen is a testament to the dedication and passion of the developers at Firaxis Games. The expansion pack is a love letter to fans of XCOM 2, with new content, gameplay mechanics, and features that enhance the overall gaming experience.
If you’re new to XCOM 2, War of the Chosen is a great place to start. The expansion pack provides a comprehensive and engaging gaming experience that will keep you hooked for hours.
In conclusion, War of the Chosen is a must-play expansion pack for fans of XCOM 2 and turn-based tactics games. With its new factions, characters, and gameplay mechanics, War of the Chosen is a significant improvement over the base game and provides hours of challenging and rewarding gameplay.
| Feature | War of the Chosen | XCOM 2 |
|---|---|---|
| New Factions | 3 new factions (Reapers, Skirmishers, Templars) | No new factions |
| New Characters | Several new characters, including the Chosen | No new characters |
| New Gameplay Mechanics | Covert actions, faction relationships, Chosen hunts | No new gameplay mechanics |
| Length | Up to 20-30 hours of additional gameplay | No additional gameplay |
| Difficulty | More challenging than the base game | Less challenging than War of the Chosen |
Note: The table provides a comparison between War of the Chosen and XCOM 2, highlighting the new features, gameplay mechanics, and length of the expansion pack.
What is War of the Chosen and how does it relate to XCOM 2?
War of the Chosen is an expansion pack for the popular turn-based strategy game XCOM 2. It was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. The expansion pack builds upon the core gameplay of XCOM 2, introducing new features, characters, and storylines that enhance the overall gaming experience. War of the Chosen adds a new layer of complexity to the game, with the introduction of three new factions, each with its own unique abilities and playstyles. These factions, known as the Chosen, are powerful enemies that pose a significant threat to the XCOM team.
The War of the Chosen expansion pack also includes a range of new missions, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Players can recruit new soldiers, each with their own unique abilities and strengths, and engage in a variety of new activities, such as covert operations and resistance missions. The expansion pack also includes a new photobooth feature, which allows players to customize their soldiers’ appearances and create unique characters. Overall, War of the Chosen offers a significant amount of new content and gameplay mechanics, making it a must-have for fans of XCOM 2.
How long is the War of the Chosen campaign compared to the base game?
The War of the Chosen campaign is significantly longer than the base game, with a playtime of around 50-60 hours compared to the 30-40 hours of the base game. This is due to the introduction of new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics, which add a new layer of complexity and depth to the game. The expansion pack also includes a range of new missions and activities, which can be completed in addition to the main storyline. Players can expect to spend a significant amount of time playing through the War of the Chosen campaign, especially if they choose to complete all of the side missions and activities.
The longer playtime of the War of the Chosen campaign is also due to the increased difficulty level of the game. The Chosen are powerful enemies that require careful strategy and planning to defeat, and players will need to use all of their skills and abilities to succeed. Additionally, the expansion pack includes a range of new challenges and gameplay mechanics, such as the “Lost” system, which allows players to rescue and recruit soldiers who have been captured by the enemy. Overall, the War of the Chosen campaign offers a significant amount of gameplay and replay value, making it a great addition to the XCOM 2 franchise.
What new features and gameplay mechanics are introduced in War of the Chosen?
War of the Chosen introduces a range of new features and gameplay mechanics, including three new factions, each with its own unique abilities and playstyles. The Chosen are powerful enemies that pose a significant threat to the XCOM team, and players will need to use all of their skills and abilities to defeat them. The expansion pack also includes a range of new missions and activities, such as covert operations and resistance missions, which offer a new layer of complexity and depth to the game. Additionally, players can recruit new soldiers, each with their own unique abilities and strengths, and engage in a variety of new activities, such as the “Lost” system, which allows players to rescue and recruit soldiers who have been captured by the enemy.
The new features and gameplay mechanics in War of the Chosen also include a range of new character customization options, such as the photobooth feature, which allows players to customize their soldiers’ appearances and create unique characters. The expansion pack also includes a range of new weapons and equipment, which can be used to enhance the XCOM team’s abilities and effectiveness. Overall, the new features and gameplay mechanics in War of the Chosen offer a significant amount of new content and replay value, making it a great addition to the XCOM 2 franchise. The expansion pack is designed to enhance the overall gaming experience, and players can expect to spend a significant amount of time exploring the new features and gameplay mechanics.
How does the War of the Chosen expansion pack affect the overall difficulty of XCOM 2?
The War of the Chosen expansion pack significantly increases the overall difficulty of XCOM 2, with the introduction of new and powerful enemies, such as the Chosen. These enemies are highly skilled and well-equipped, and players will need to use all of their skills and abilities to defeat them. The expansion pack also includes a range of new challenges and gameplay mechanics, such as the “Lost” system, which allows players to rescue and recruit soldiers who have been captured by the enemy. This system adds a new layer of complexity and risk to the game, as players will need to carefully plan and execute their missions in order to succeed.
The increased difficulty of the War of the Chosen expansion pack is also due to the introduction of new and more aggressive enemy AI. The Chosen are highly intelligent and adaptable enemies that will stop at nothing to defeat the XCOM team, and players will need to use all of their skills and abilities to outmaneuver and defeat them. Additionally, the expansion pack includes a range of new environmental hazards and challenges, such as the “Faction” system, which allows players to interact with other factions and form alliances. Overall, the War of the Chosen expansion pack offers a significant challenge to players, and those who are looking for a more difficult and complex gaming experience will find it to be a great addition to the XCOM 2 franchise.
Can I play War of the Chosen without completing the base game?
While it is technically possible to play War of the Chosen without completing the base game, it is not recommended. The War of the Chosen expansion pack builds upon the core gameplay and story of XCOM 2, and players who have not completed the base game may find themselves at a disadvantage. The expansion pack assumes that players have a certain level of familiarity with the game’s mechanics and story, and those who are new to the game may find it difficult to follow the plot and understand the gameplay mechanics.
However, players who are new to the game can still play War of the Chosen, but they will need to be prepared to learn the game’s mechanics and story as they go. The expansion pack includes a range of tutorials and guides that can help new players get started, but it is still recommended that players complete the base game before starting the War of the Chosen campaign. This will give them a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics and story, and allow them to appreciate the new features and gameplay mechanics that are introduced in the expansion pack. Overall, while it is possible to play War of the Chosen without completing the base game, it is not the recommended way to play.
Is War of the Chosen worth the cost for fans of XCOM 2?
War of the Chosen is definitely worth the cost for fans of XCOM 2. The expansion pack offers a significant amount of new content and gameplay mechanics, including a new campaign, new characters, and new gameplay features. The expansion pack also includes a range of new challenges and gameplay mechanics, such as the “Lost” system and the “Faction” system, which add a new layer of complexity and depth to the game. Additionally, the expansion pack includes a range of new character customization options, such as the photobooth feature, which allows players to customize their soldiers’ appearances and create unique characters.
The value of War of the Chosen also lies in its replay value. The expansion pack offers a significant amount of new content and gameplay mechanics, and players can expect to spend a significant amount of time playing through the new campaign and completing the side missions and activities. The expansion pack also includes a range of new features and gameplay mechanics that can be used to enhance the overall gaming experience, such as the new weapons and equipment that can be used to enhance the XCOM team’s abilities and effectiveness. Overall, War of the Chosen is a great addition to the XCOM 2 franchise, and fans of the game will find it to be a worthwhile purchase. The expansion pack offers a significant amount of new content and gameplay mechanics, and it is a great way to extend the life of the game and add new challenges and gameplay features.