PGC NEWS

The XCOM franchise, renowned for its turn-based tactical gameplay, celebrated its 25th anniversary in March. To commemorate this milestone, Firaxis Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Civilization series, surprised fans with XCOM: Chimera Squad, a spin-off title with innovative gameplay mechanics and a fresh narrative following the events of XCOM 2. Does this streamlined yet novel entry live up to its predecessors, or is it merely a testing ground for XCOM 3? Let’s delve into the strengths and weaknesses of XCOM: Chimera Squad.

XCOM: Chimera Squad gameplay

A New World Order

Set five years after humanity’s triumph over the ADVENT regime and the Ethereal overlords, XCOM: Chimera Squad introduces City 31, a haven where humans and aliens coexist peacefully. This setting drastically reduces the game’s scope. Instead of saving the world as elite soldiers or resistance fighters, players now lead a squad of peacekeepers tasked with maintaining order and protecting the city from terrorist organizations and criminal elements threatening this fragile peace. This smaller scale allows for more focused character development, and the diverse cast of Chimera Squad agents, each with unique personalities and interactions, provides a compelling narrative hook. The meticulously crafted world of XCOM: Chimera Squad offers a refreshing perspective on the XCOM universe.

XCOM: Chimera Squad gameplay

Embracing Change

The novel storyline and setting bring two significant gameplay changes: a smaller campaign scale and streamlined encounters. The campaign is divided into investigations of three different criminal organizations, interspersed with missions that require player intervention or are automatically resolved, providing resources for Chimera Squad’s development. Players must manage the Anarchy level of City 31’s nine districts by completing missions, similar to maintaining global stability in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. However, the consequences of failure are less severe. A district falling into a critical state only results in minor resource penalties, and the game is lost only when the overall Anarchy level reaches maximum, which requires five or more districts to fall. This makes maintaining order relatively straightforward, even on the highest difficulty.

XCOM: Chimera Squad gameplayMost combat missions retain the core mechanics of XCOM 2, but the mission design is significantly different. Each mission is divided into “Encounters,” beginning with a “Breach Mode” where players strategically position their squad before entering and choose their method of entry. This adds a dynamic and cinematic element to each encounter. However, the most significant gameplay innovation is the diverse roster of alien characters with unique abilities.

XCOM: Chimera Squad charactersThe traditional class system is abandoned in favor of character-specific skills and equipment. The synergy between these characters makes squad selection a crucial and engaging aspect of the gameplay. Additionally, several tweaks and balancing adjustments improve upon the XCOM 2 formula. For example, the Overwatch ability now targets a cone area instead of automatically firing at anything in sight.

XCOM: Chimera Squad gameplay

Missed Opportunities

Not all changes in XCOM: Chimera Squad are successful. While the removal of permadeath is understandable given the limited squad size, it diminishes the emotional connection with the characters and reduces the overall challenge. The streamlined encounters also limit the frequency of tense, strategic battles, resulting in fewer memorable moments. Furthermore, the repetitive nature of later encounters contributes to the feeling of a shortened, less impactful campaign. XCOM: Chimera Squad feels more like an experimental foray than a fully realized standalone title.

Conclusion

XCOM: Chimera Squad introduces intriguing innovations and a compelling narrative, but its streamlined design and reduced scope ultimately hold it back from reaching the heights of its predecessors. While it offers a fresh and engaging experience, it feels more like a stepping stone towards the future of the XCOM franchise than a definitive entry. It will be interesting to see how Firaxis incorporates the successful elements of Chimera Squad into future installments.