New footage from XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is out this week, featuring two of the human factions we’ll meet when the next XCOM expansion hits PC and consoles in late August. It’s not quite as information-heavy as some of Firaxis’ other recent videos, like the Reaper breakdown published last month. But there are some new faces and features in the XCOM 2 footage.
This week’s footage puts the spotlight back on the Reapers, the human faction that relies on stealth and long-range shooting to accomplish its goals, and the Skirmishers, former ADVENT soldiers who’ve turned their backs on the organization. In the video, commanders from each faction must be escorted to a meeting site, forcing XCOM to split its field team into two squads. Then each tandem is asked to lead a faction leader to the rendezvous point, making quick work of any and all Lost and Abandoned encountered along the way.
We also got a bit more information on what it’ll be like facing off against XCOM 2’s semi-alien take on zombies. The Lost and Abandoned will move very slowly and in large groups, just like the zombie hordes infesting every corner of pop culture. Firaxis also found a way to incorporate the zombie’s traditional weakness, headshots, into War of the Chosen. Successful headshots against the Lost and Abandoned will generate a fresh action point for the character who fired the shot, giving XCOM 2. You can also use explosives to dispatch groups quickly; however, the noise from the explosion will draw additional Lost to your location.
For more on XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, check out the new gameplay footage from Firaxis and 2K Games. We’d also suggest taking a look at the 80 minutes of new footage featuring Eurogamer’s Chris Bratt and XCOM 2 game designer Jake Solomon. Then head down to the comments section and let us know what you’re most excited to see when War of the Chosen heads to PC and consoles.
XCOM 2 is currently available on PS4, Xbox One and PC. The game’s next expansion, War of the Chosen , hits all platforms on Aug. 29.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more XCOM 2 news in 2017 and however long Firaxis supports XCOM 2 in the months ahead.
