Highly recommended with the DLC: The War of the Chosen
Note: I've originally played this game on Xbox One before I purchased it for PC

In Short: This game arguably represents the industry of modern turn-based strategy games, and for a good reason! Shoulder to shoulder with games such as Sid Meier's Civilization (I believe it's made and published by the same company). This game delivers a fantastic tactical experience, and the workshop expanded its horizon for unlimited replayability potential.

The review is organized by categories with additional notes if I have something to add.

Game's Visuals (Graphics)
[] Beautiful
[x] Good
[] Decent
[] Bad
[] Poor

Personal Note: The graphics aren't impressive when compared to the 4K standards of the modern gaming industry. But, in compromise of performance, the game has very appealing textures. If you inspect closely enough, you will notice it has somewhat of a cartoony art style, but at the same time, it looks fairly realistic and creates a believable environment. Either way, you spend most of your time in the skies, not on the ground. I am personally satisfied with the graphics.

Game's Sound Design
[x] Beautiful
[] Good
[] Decent
[] Bad
[] Poor

Personal Note: The sound is fantastic! Prior to the legacy update, I would rate the sound design as good. However, the soundtrack that came with the Legacy Pack, which is a free update on PC, by the way! The reason why I had to purchase this game on PC..., is amazing! Other than that, everything else sounds solid. The futuristic weapons are believable, the sounds aliens produce fits well, voice-acting comes with personality, and so on. I have no criticism towards the sounds.

Gameplay Mechanics
[] Beautiful
[x] Good
[] Decent
[] Bad
[] Poor

Personal Note: There is a reason why many strategy games are referred to as "XCOM like." This series pioneered its own genre within the strategy games industry, and for a good reason. It's unique, and even though it's turn-based, it does not feel painfully slow. The animations and immersion do a good job at concealing the feeling of a turn-based shooter. The only time you may experience a slow-down in the action is when the enemy has to make a move, which occasionally takes a good minute to take its turn. The only reason I didn't give this category "beautiful" is because this game is based on chance and percentage. Some things will be out of your control, that's the nature of it. Otherwise, it's fantastic! Love this style of turn-based gameplay.

Story/Narrative
[] Beautiful
[x] Good
[] Decent
[] Bad
[] Poor

Personal Note: With the expansion of The War of the Chosen, the story picked up personality by introducing a foe that is constantly mocking you. Which, therefore, provides much more satisfaction when you finally get to strike them down! Otherwise, the core story is solid. It provides mystery to the goals of the alien overlords that you unveil at a steady pace. If you choose to dig deeper into the lore, there are many archives you can read through and draw parallels to the previous installments of this series. Honestly, this game doesn't have the strongest narrative, but it is intriguing. And curiosity helps to fuel the interest in the story and enjoyment of gameplay.

Replayability
[x]Yes!
[] Kinda
[] None

Personal Note: Definitely! Even without the introduction of a Steam Workshop, the game had plenty of reasons for replability (challenges, alternative strategies, achievements, difficulty increase, etc). Therefore, you can imagine how much further an introduction of mods and addons may drive this game's replability. If you need or want a game that offers enormous replay value, this is it. Especially with the introduction of a Legacy update. The only factor to consider: you should be able to enjoy strategy and tactical games. If you are looking for an FPS, obviously you won't enjoy the slower gameplay of XCOM.

Final Note:
This is one of my top favorite games. I can't recommend it to everyone because not everyone enjoys strategy games, but for anyone who does or is interested to try strategy genre, this is my top pick. Taste is subjective, but considering the XCOM series pioneered a specific category of the turn-based strategy industry, it's objectively a fair recommendation to make to introduce a person to this genre.

Customization is a huge plus! For me, at least. Individualizing each soldier within your arsenal is amazing. Whether you are looking for a serious, immersive gameplay or to create a silly squad full of wacky and wild alien killers, the game allows you to do as you please (plus mods). However, one criticism I have is that the Legacy update was exclusively free only for the PC. I originally pre-ordered this game for the Xbox for personal convenience and enjoyment, willingly sacrificing the option to mod my game. And I would've continued to play on the Xbox if the Legacy Update wasn't made exclusive to PC. That deeply upsetted me, made me salty at the developers. I do not know the politics between developer and console stores, but whatever the case was, the choice of making the Legacy Pack exclusive to PC forced me to re-purchase the game. Legacy not only offered unique gameplay, but it introduced unique customization as well! Which is an important factor to me. I am not angry, but I am salty because of that. Otherwise, I am extremely satisfied with the experience I gained from PC version of XCOM, and the Steam Workshop definitely made the experience sweeter!

Overall, this is a fantastic game and a series. I will recommend this to fans of strategy games and for those who have patience, resilience and discipline. This is a game that is based on chance! Do not take the algorithm personally when it rolls against you. If you can't handle defeat, I would carefully weight your options before purchasing this game. It is not kind. It is a difficult game, it's meant to be. It's not hardcore, but it certainly can be punishing. Therefore, you'll have two options: accept defeat like a man and move on, or reload a save file ;) Don't feel ashamed, it's your experience and your enjoyment! Play how YOU want to play. The best part about XCOM is the creativity it offers. Not a single campaign will be exactly the same across all accounts that own XCOM. It's randomized nature is what makes it standout. Each playthrough will be different, and that's what I love about it when I return to this game, no matter how many times I've beat the story and its campaign.

[h1]Recommended.[/h1] [u]Highly recommended with the DLC: The War of the Chosen[/u] [b]Note: I've originally played this game on Xbox One before I purchased it for PC[/b] [b]In Short:[/b] [i]This game arguably represents the industry of modern turn-based strategy games, and for a good reason! Shoulder to shoulder with games such as Sid Meier's Civilization (I believe it's made and published by the same company). This game delivers a fantastic tactical experience, and the workshop expanded its horizon for unlimited replayability potential.[/i] The review is organized by categories with additional notes if I have something to add. [b]Game's Visuals (Graphics)[/b] [ ] Beautiful [x] Good [ ] Decent [ ] Bad [ ] Poor Personal Note: The graphics aren't impressive when compared to the 4K standards of the modern gaming industry. But, in compromise of performance, the game has very appealing textures. If you inspect closely enough, you will notice it has somewhat of a cartoony art style, but at the same time, it looks fairly realistic and creates a believable environment. Either way, you spend most of your time in the skies, not on the ground. I am personally satisfied with the graphics. [b]Game's Sound Design[/b] [x] Beautiful [ ] Good [ ] Decent [ ] Bad [ ] Poor Personal Note: The sound is fantastic! Prior to the legacy update, I would rate the sound design as good. However, the soundtrack that came with the Legacy Pack, [i]which is a free update on PC, by the way! The reason why I had to purchase this game on PC...[/i], is amazing! Other than that, everything else sounds solid. The futuristic weapons are believable, the sounds aliens produce fits well, voice-acting comes with personality, and so on. I have no criticism towards the sounds. [b]Gameplay Mechanics[/b] [ ] Beautiful [x] Good [ ] Decent [ ] Bad [ ] Poor Personal Note: There is a reason why many strategy games are referred to as "[i]XCOM like[/i]." This series pioneered its own genre within the strategy games industry, and for a good reason. It's unique, and even though it's turn-based, it does not feel painfully slow. The animations and immersion do a good job at concealing the feeling of a turn-based shooter. The only time you may experience a slow-down in the action is when the enemy has to make a move, which occasionally takes a [i]good minute[/i] to take its turn. The only reason I didn't give this category "beautiful" is because this game is based on chance and percentage. Some things will be out of your control, that's the nature of it. Otherwise, it's fantastic! Love this style of turn-based gameplay. [b]Story/Narrative[/b] [ ] Beautiful [x] Good [ ] Decent [ ] Bad [ ] Poor Personal Note: With the expansion of [i]The War of the Chosen[/i], the story picked up personality by introducing a foe that is constantly mocking you. Which, therefore, provides much more satisfaction when you finally get to strike them down! Otherwise, the core story is [i]solid[/i]. It provides mystery to the goals of the alien overlords that you unveil at a steady pace. If you choose to dig deeper into the lore, there are many archives you can read through and draw parallels to the previous installments of this series. Honestly, this game doesn't have the strongest narrative, but it is [u]intriguing[/u]. And curiosity helps to fuel the interest in the story and enjoyment of gameplay. [b]Replayability[/b] [x]Yes! [ ] Kinda [ ] None Personal Note: Definitely! Even without the introduction of a Steam Workshop, the game had plenty of reasons for replability ([i]challenges, alternative strategies, achievements, difficulty increase, etc[/i]). Therefore, you can imagine how much further an introduction of mods and addons may drive this game's replability. If you need or want a game that offers enormous replay value, this is it. Especially with the introduction of a Legacy update. The only factor to consider: you should be able to enjoy strategy and tactical games. If you are looking for an FPS, obviously you won't enjoy the slower gameplay of XCOM. [b]Final Note:[/b] This is one of my top favorite games. I can't recommend it to everyone because not everyone enjoys strategy games, but for anyone who does or is interested to try strategy genre, this is my top pick. Taste is subjective, but considering the XCOM series pioneered a specific category of the turn-based strategy industry, it's objectively a fair recommendation to make to introduce a person to this genre. Customization is a huge plus! For me, at least. Individualizing each soldier within your arsenal is amazing. Whether you are looking for a serious, immersive gameplay or to create a silly squad full of wacky and wild alien killers, the game allows you to do as you please (plus mods). However, one criticism I have is that the Legacy update was exclusively free only for the PC. I originally pre-ordered this game for the Xbox for personal convenience and enjoyment, willingly sacrificing the option to mod my game. And I would've continued to play on the Xbox if the Legacy Update wasn't made exclusive to PC. That deeply upsetted me, made me salty at the developers. I do not know the politics between developer and console stores, but whatever the case was, the choice of making the Legacy Pack exclusive to PC forced me to re-purchase the game. Legacy not only offered unique gameplay, but it introduced unique customization as well! Which is an important factor to me. I am not angry, but I am salty because of that. Otherwise, I am extremely satisfied with the experience I gained from PC version of XCOM, and the Steam Workshop definitely made the experience sweeter! Overall, this is a fantastic game and a series. I will recommend this to fans of strategy games and for those who have patience, resilience and discipline. [b]This is a game that is based on chance![/b] Do not take the algorithm personally when it rolls against you. If you can't handle defeat, I would carefully weight your options before purchasing this game. It is not kind. It is a difficult game, it's meant to be. It's not hardcore, but it certainly can be punishing. Therefore, you'll have two options: accept defeat like a man and move on, or [i]reload a save file[/i] ;) Don't feel ashamed, it's [b]your experience and your enjoyment![/b] Play how YOU want to play. The best part about XCOM is the creativity it offers. Not a single campaign will be exactly the same across all accounts that own XCOM. It's randomized nature is what makes it standout. Each playthrough will be different, and that's what I love about it when I return to this game, no matter how many times I've beat the story and its campaign.