XCOM 2 add-ons came out with enviable regularity. So, the game managed to get three major content updates and several more minor updates, each of which brought something new. For example, there were additional specializations of soldiers, enemies, missions, weapons, and much more.
At the same time, you can buy DLC separately, and not the fact that you will like them all. This article will help you figure out if you need XCOM 2 with all the add-ons, or if you can do just some of them.
Anarchy's children
This DLC came out first and it turned out, frankly, very modest. It does not change the gameplay at all, but only adds more than a hundred of all kinds of cosmetic items to the game, allowing you to customize the look of the operatives.
By the way, the addition of XCOM 2 Anarchy's Children got its name for a reason. The fact is that all the items for customization that appeared in it are made in the punk style, which means that your soldiers will be able to flaunt in torn jeans, hockey masks, gas masks and other “charms”.
It is worth noting that the players did not take this update very warmly . About a third of all gamers who have left feedback, thinks that "clown hats" do not fit into the style of the world captured by hostile aliens, and look very ridiculous. However, there were those who liked the DLC, so this is a matter of taste.
Alien hunters
The second addition of XCOM 2, called Alien Hunters, added special aliens who can counterattack right during the player’s turn. In addition, the new enemies are characterized by high survivability and just a monstrous damage rate. In general, they can be safely attributed to a kind of mini-bosses that can radically turn the tide of the battle.
In turn, the players received an expanded assortment of weapons, including stunning harpoons, freezing grenades and other interesting devices. In theory, all this should be used to remove the Rulers (namely, the so-called new type of aliens) from the battle, but in reality things are different. Most often, you just do not have time to find the enemy in time, and he will deal with half of your squad.
As for the XCOM 2 Alien Hunter reviews left by other players, they are mixed. Hardcore enthusiasts praise the DLC for its complexity in every way, while casuals complain that the game has become impassable.
Shen's Last Gift
Thanks to this DLC, you can get a new type of soldier in your team - SPARK robots. True, for this you will first have to complete the mission of Lily Sheng. During the assignment, you will visit an abandoned research complex, where you will find prototypes of military robots.
SPARKs have a ton of useful abilities to support the more vulnerable members of your squad. For example, a robot can cover itself and nearby allies with a shield that reduces damage taken. In addition, SPARK can enable Overdrive mode and perform additional actions in one move.
Total we have: a set of three new cards included in the mission of Lily Shen, as well as a unique class of soldiers. It is not surprising that gamers praised this DLC, especially since SPARK helps to deal with the Rulers from the XCOM 2 Alien Hunters add-on quite well. In general, the update is recommended to all fans of combat robots and tasks with an interesting plot.
Reinforcement pack
Initially, the Reinforcement Pack was a kind of seasonal subscription, allowing you to receive add-ons as they become available. Now, having bought it, you will immediately open access to the three DLCs described above.
So, if you want to get things to customize your characters, fight new aliens, get combat robots in your squad and learn more about Lily Shen, then the Reinforcement Pack is exactly what you need. Moreover, by purchasing it, you also save a couple of dollars.
Keep in mind that if you have already bought at least one of the first three DLCs (Anarchy's Children, Alien Hunters and Shen's Last Gift), then when you buy a Reinforcement Pack its cost will not be compensated. So count everything well before you part with the money.
Resistance warrior pack
Another addition for fans to stand out from the crowd. Resistance Warrior Pack adds hats and hoods for your soldiers, as well as introduces additional options for armor and camouflage for the face. All this content, as in the case of Anarchy's Children, is exclusively cosmetic and does not give your operatives any advantages.
In addition, by purchasing the Resistance Warrior Pack, you will receive a veteran of the first war. This is a pumped character that you will find in your barracks immediately after completing the tutorial. Perhaps the first missions will be of use to him, but in the future the value of the veteran is reduced to zero.
War of the chosen
And finally, the addition of XCOM 2 War of the Chosen, which many gamers rightly consider almost a separate game. Thanks to this DLC, you can establish contact with three new factions: Templars, Reapers and Protectors. Each of them will provide you with the help of their experienced warriors who will replenish the army of resistance and will be a good help in the fight against aliens. True, all these newcomers have their own beliefs, significantly different from the principles of other fighters.
Aliens, in turn, also received new units in the XCOM 2 War of the Chosen update. The elect, in whose honor the addition was named, prey on the Chef himself and therefore will try to capture and then interrogate the resistance fighters. To get rid of this threat, you will have to find and storm all the strongholds of new enemies, but to do this is very difficult.
Other innovations include an abundance of additional maps, interesting missions, including story missions, the ability to build relationships with factions, the emergence of relationships between comrades, and much more. It is not surprising that the majority of gamers praised the XCOM 2 add-on “The War of the Chosen”, forgetting about the past mistakes of the development team.