XCOM 2’s newly-announced War of the Chosen is far bigger than previous DLC for the game. In fact, it’s twice the size of Enemy Within, the sole expansion for XCOM 1. So large is it that Firaxis considered calling it XCOM 3 instead.
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“We definitely talked about that,” lead designer Jake Solomon told Polygon. “We have a lot of features that could have been the basis for a sequel, but for us a sequel also requires an entirely new narrative.”
It’s surprising to hear that the only thing stopping War of the Chosen from being XCOM 3 is a new plot, but it also makes sense. XCOM 2 gets its identity, and half of its key mechanics, from being a guerilla story – it’s the primary thing that distinguishes it from the organised resistance of the original game.
War of the Chosen has a Shadow of Mordor-style Nemesis system and a bold new approach to factions. But it’ll still be same story of daring raids and costly escapes.
“We’re very systems-oriented and so, for us, this is an opportunity to make a new experience, a new game,” Solomon added. “But we’re not going to totally replace the narrative.”
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen will be out on August 29th. The very same as its genre-mate, Mario + Rabbids, in fact.