Even after years of Long War, when you've played some of these maps dozens of times and know them very well, the maps are still fun and mission to mission the variety is there. There is a huge number of LW1 map variants, and LW1s improvement of adding multiple starting zones on each map makes them play very differently. The variety is instead provided by the enemy deployment and mission types. There are no interesting lines of sight to play with and almost all the buildings have open windows, presumably to avoid generating anything too broken. The generated maps of LW2 are really quite impressive, but they all tend to feel the same. There are things I don't like about LW2 that make me prefer LW1 as a whole: Getting all the mods I consider must-haves for LW1 installed fresh is an hours-long endeavor, even if i've done it before and just have to refresh my memory. ![]() But also LW2 comes with XCOM2 QoL features, the greatest of which is steam workshop support. Like LW1, LW2 adds a ton of straight improvements to vanilla game mechanics. Losing missions or squads is far less of a dagger in your campaign compared with EU/EW, LW1, or XCOM2. LW2 improves on LW1 by offering actual valid choices about which missions to do and which to ignore. The dream of specialized squads is a reality. There are entire perks and class builds that just work in certain situations that don't in others. LW2 - vastly different game from XCOM 2 that delivers beautifully on giving you missions that feel distinct from each other. LW1 - bigger better longer harder XCOM EW, but every mission is the same - search and destroy. The definitive way of playing XCOM 2 is still War of the Chosen with a mod that makes Bradford shut up. Long War 2 is not bad, it's great but not the definitive way of playing XCOM 2. While in Long War your playstyle was roughly the same, in Long War 2 you have to adapt to whole new mechanics, rendering your previous knowledge of the game useless. ![]() This often leads to the feeling of not making any progress and repetition. The original Long War built on what the game had and expanded upon it, Long War 2 tries to create a whole new game. However, my problem with Long War 2 is that it changes too much and hinges too much on repetition. The enemies will be and are stronger and more capable than you. LW2 does really nail that feel of being a guerilla force, you can manage multiple squads and have to resort to hit and run tactics for most missions. I cannot comment on Long War of the Chosen because I haven't played it yet. I would say Long War for Enemy Within is the definitive way to play, can't say the same for Long War 2. I managed to beat it at Commander but it's way too difficult and definitely not worth the frustration. Personal suggestion: play it at normal difficulty. So take your time, enjoy regular XCOM 2, and be ready for an even greater challenge. Really long, expect to spend 300 hours and several months trying to complete the playthrough. Many of the features you find in WOTC were ported from LW2. I don't know about LWOTC, since it's still balancing out and didn't play it yet, but LW2 is wonderful and you should definitely try it. Everything you knew had to be re-learned and infiltration times added an additional layer of complexity. And now there is a reason to bring psionic soldiers during missions. New mechanics, new strategies, new enemies. Then I added Long War 2 and wow, I got so much more. ![]() ![]() I loved the regular vanilla campaign, but after my second playthrough I felt like there was nothing more keeping me in the game.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |