Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →It depends which XCOM you mean. XCOM 2 is the official sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. For a game inspired by the original 1994 X-COM: UFO Defense, Phoenix Point is the clearest spiritual successor. XCOM: Chimera Squad is a standalone continuation set after XCOM 2, not the next numbered sequel.
Which game is the official XCOM sequel?
XCOM 2 is the direct answer if by “successor” you mean the next official game in the modern series. 2K and Firaxis announced it as the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown; it was released worldwide on February 5, 2016. Its story begins after humanity lost the war: aliens rule Earth, and XCOM has become a resistance force. 2K called it a “worthy successor” to XCOM: Enemy Unknown in its 2016 release announcement.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
XCOM 2 Collection | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
XCOM 2 - PlayStation 4 | $29.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
XCOM 2 Collection - PlayStation 4 | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
XCOM 2 Collection - Xbox One | $24.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
XCOM 2: Resurrection | $13.21 | Buy on Amazon |
The announcement also highlighted procedurally generated levels and modding support. Those are features noted at launch, not a guarantee about every platform or edition today.
What is the spiritual successor to the original X-COM?
Phoenix Point is the strongest answer if you mean a newer game carrying forward the ideas of the classic 1994 X-COM: UFO Defense. Its project description identifies it as an XCOM-style strategy game and a spiritual successor to that classic, associating the project with its designer, Julian Gollop. That is the project’s own description, rather than an independent verdict that the games are identical or that one is better.
#1 Best Overall
- Aliens rule Earth, promising a brilliant future for mankind while secretly hiding a sinister agenda. As the leader of a guerrilla force facing impossible odds, you must ignite a global resistance to eliminate the alien threat and save the hum race from extinction.
- War of the Chosen:This expansion adds extensive new content in the fight against ADVENT including new Hero classes, powerful new enemies, as well as new missions, environments and increased depth in strategic gameplay."
- Resistance Warrior Pack: Customize your squad of resistance fighters with a set of bonus outfits and head gear, as well as custom armor and face camo.
- Anarchy’s Children: This rebellion-themed content pack introduces more than 100 new exotic customizations for the entire arsenal of armors available to your XCOM soldiers. These options are purely cosmetic and do not alter the stats of a soldier
- Alien Hunters: Transform the soldiers of XCOM into an elite alien hunting squad with impressive new weapons and armor to face off against new alien Rulers that will pursue your squad across an entire campaign. Additional cosmetic upgrades to soldiers and the Avenger are included, as well as a new epic mission where Central Officer Bradford leads a squad with the guidance of an old friend.
Phoenix Point combines turn-based tactical battles with a strategic world layer. Its Steam listing describes research, global exploration, base building, resource management, faction diplomacy, and mod support. Snapshot Games also describes its squad battles as using a free-aiming system in its console edition announcement.
How do XCOM 2 and Phoenix Point differ?
| Question | XCOM 2 | Phoenix Point |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to XCOM | Official sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. | Described by its project materials as a spiritual successor to 1994’s X-COM: UFO Defense. |
| Strategic premise | A resistance campaign in a world ruled by aliens after humanity’s defeat. | A world-based strategy layer with exploration, bases, resources, research, and rival factions. |
| Tactical emphasis | Turn-based tactical combat; the 2016 announcement highlighted procedurally generated levels. | Turn-based squad battles with free aiming, according to Snapshot Games’ console announcement. |
| Best fit | Players looking for official series continuity after XCOM: Enemy Unknown. | Players looking for a separate game that revisits classic X-COM-style strategy with its own systems. |
Julian Gollop described the strategic-layer difference in a January 2018 official Q&A: “There’s a huge difference on the strategy layer. It follows much more of an open-world system approach as there are many different factions and sub-factions with their own agenda and resource.” That comment reflects design intent at the time, not a report on a current build.
Rank #2
- XCOM ON THE RUN: Take command of the Avenger, an alien supply craft converted to XCOM's mobile headquarters.
- RECRUIT RESISTANCE FIGHTERS: Five soldier classes, each with its own skill tree, let you create specific soldiers for your tactical plan.
- TACTICAL GUERRILLA COMBAT: New gameplay systems offer more tactical flexibility in combat. Use concealment to ambush enemy patrols.
Where does XCOM: Chimera Squad fit?
XCOM: Chimera Squad is an all-new standalone title set five years after XCOM 2, according to 2K’s April 2020 announcement. It continues the setting, but its standalone status and distinct squad of named human, hybrid, and alien agents make it different from a numbered sequel.
2K’s announcement also introduced Breach Mode, interleaved turn order, and discrete encounters. Choose it if you want another official XCOM-universe game with a different structure; choose XCOM 2 for the direct sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
Rank #3
- Resistance Warrior Pack: Customize your squad of resistance fighters with a set of bonus outfits and head gear, as well as custom armor and face camo.
- This rebellion-themed content pack introduces more than 100 new exotic customizations for the entire arsenal of armors available to your XCOM soldiers.
- Transform the soldiers of XCOM into an elite alien hunting squad with impressive new weapons and armor to face off against new alien Rulers that will pursue your squad across an entire campaign.
Which one should you play?
- For the official sequel: start with XCOM 2.
- For a spiritual successor to the 1994 game: look at Phoenix Point, particularly if its open strategic layer, faction diplomacy, and free-aiming battles appeal to you.
- For a standalone story in the modern XCOM setting: consider XCOM: Chimera Squad.
Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition was announced for PS4 and Xbox One with an October 1, 2021 release date; Snapshot Games said it included the base game and four major DLC expansions. That is a historical edition announcement, not confirmation of current store availability. Check the live listing for your platform and preferred format. The official updates archive has dated entries including 2021 and 2022, but its visible archive alone does not establish whether later updates were released.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Resistance Warrior Pack: Customize your squad of resistance fighters with a set of bonus outfits and head gear, as well as custom armor and face camo.
- This rebellion-themed content pack introduces more than 100 new exotic customizations for the entire arsenal of armors available to your XCOM soldiers.
- Transform the soldiers of XCOM into an elite alien hunting squad with impressive new weapons and armor to face off against new alien Rulers that will pursue your squad across an entire campaign.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
