Xcom 2 war of the chosen cheat engine

Introduction

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a critically acclaimed expansion to the base game XCOM 2, which itself is a continuation of the popular turn-based strategy series. Known for its challenging gameplay, where every decision can lead to catastrophic outcomes, XCOM 2 has a reputation for testing players’ tactical skills. The expansion adds new layers of complexity, including unique enemy factions, additional soldier classes, and dynamic mission elements.

For players who want to explore the game in unconventional ways or experiment without the stress of permanent consequences, cheat engines have become a popular tool. A cheat engine is a software tool that allows players to modify the game’s memory to manipulate variables like health, resources, or even game mechanics. This review will explore the use of Cheat Engine with XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, discussing its functionality, ethical considerations, and the impact it has on the overall gaming experience.

What is Cheat Engine?

Cheat Engine is an open-source tool designed primarily for modifying single-player games. It allows users to scan a game’s memory and change specific values, such as health points, in-game currency, and more. Cheat Engine’s interface includes memory scanners, debuggers, disassemblers, and other features that enable users to alter the game’s data in real-time.

In the context of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, Cheat Engine can be used to alter the player’s experience significantly. Players can increase soldier stats, grant unlimited resources, or even skip entire missions. The possibilities are extensive, making Cheat Engine a powerful tool for those who want to bypass the game’s challenges or experiment with different gameplay scenarios.

Setting Up Cheat Engine for XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

Before diving into the specifics of how Cheat Engine can be used in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, it’s important to understand how to set it up:

1. Download and Install Cheat Engine: The first step is to download Cheat Engine from its official website and install it on your computer.
2. Launch XCOM 2: War of the Chosen: Start the game and load a save file where you want to apply the cheats.
3. Open Cheat Engine: With the game running, open Cheat Engine and select the XCOM 2 process from the list of active applications.
4. Search for Values: To modify a specific in-game value, such as the number of resources, players need to search for the current value in Cheat Engine. Once found, the value can be changed to whatever the player desires.
5. Apply Changes: After altering the desired values, players can return to the game and see the changes in effect.

Using Cheat Engine in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

The following sections will explore the various ways Cheat Engine can be used in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, along with the potential benefits and drawbacks of each method.

1. Resource Manipulation

One of the most common uses of Cheat Engine in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is to manipulate resources. Resources such as supplies, alloys, and elerium are crucial for building facilities, researching new technologies, and equipping your soldiers with the best gear.

• Increasing Supplies: By scanning for the current amount of supplies and changing the value, players can give themselves unlimited resources, bypassing the need to manage them carefully throughout the game.
• Impact on Gameplay: While this can make the game easier, it also removes the strategic element of resource management, which is a core component of the game’s challenge.

2. Soldier Stats and Abilities

Cheat Engine can be used to alter the stats of individual soldiers, such as health, aim, willpower, and more. Additionally, players can unlock abilities that they may not have access to yet.

• Maximizing Soldier Stats: Players can set all soldier stats to their maximum values, making them nearly invincible and highly effective in combat.
• Unlocking Abilities: By manipulating the game’s memory, players can give their soldiers abilities from different classes or even grant them all abilities at once.
• Impact on Gameplay: While this can be fun for experimentation, it removes the need for careful squad composition and strategy, as overpowered soldiers can handle most situations with ease.

3. Mission Manipulation

Cheat Engine also allows players to manipulate mission outcomes. This can include skipping missions, auto-completing objectives, or even preventing soldiers from taking damage.

• Auto-Completing Missions: Players can use Cheat Engine to instantly complete missions, skipping the tactical gameplay entirely.
• Invincibility: By modifying health values, players can make their soldiers invincible, ensuring they never lose a mission.
• Impact on Gameplay: These cheats significantly diminish the core tactical experience of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, reducing the game to a series of cutscenes and decisions without meaningful consequences.

4. Research and Engineering

Cheat Engine can speed up research and engineering projects, allowing players to instantly unlock new technologies and build advanced equipment.

• Instant Research and Engineering: By changing the time required for research and engineering projects to zero, players can instantly gain access to powerful upgrades.
• Impact on Gameplay: This can lead to a rapid power escalation, making the game less challenging and eliminating the need to prioritize certain research paths over others.

Ethical Considerations

While using Cheat Engine in single-player games is generally accepted as a personal choice, there are some ethical considerations to keep in mind:

1. Impact on Game Experience: Cheating can drastically alter the experience of a game like XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, removing the challenges and strategic depth that make the game engaging. This can lead to a less satisfying experience overall.
2. Respect for Developers: Developers spend years balancing games to ensure a challenging and rewarding experience. Using cheats can bypass this balance, which may be seen as disrespecting the effort put into the game’s design.
3. Cheating in Multiplayer: While Cheat Engine is primarily used for single-player games, it’s important to note that using cheats in multiplayer environments is widely condemned and can lead to bans and other penalties.
4. Cheat Engine Risks: Using Cheat Engine comes with risks, including the potential for viruses or other malicious software if downloaded from unofficial sources. Additionally, altering game files can sometimes lead to crashes or corrupted save files.

The Pros and Cons of Using Cheat Engine in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

Pros:

1. Experimentation: Cheat Engine allows players to experiment with different gameplay scenarios, such as testing out different soldier builds or seeing how the game plays with unlimited resources.
2. Accessibility: For players who find XCOM 2: War of the Chosen too difficult, Cheat Engine can make the game more accessible by reducing the challenge.
3. Customization: Players can customize their experience to suit their preferences, whether that means making the game easier, harder, or just different.
4. Time-Saving: Cheat Engine can save players time by speeding up processes like research, resource gathering, or mission completion.

Cons:

1. Reduced Challenge: Cheating removes much of the challenge from the game, which can lead to a less satisfying experience.
2. Game Stability: Using Cheat Engine can sometimes lead to game instability, including crashes, corrupted saves, or other issues.
3. Ethical Concerns: Some players and developers may view cheating as undermining the integrity of the game, particularly if it affects the experience for others (e.g., in multiplayer).
4. Potential for Abuse: There’s a fine line between using Cheat Engine to enhance your experience and abusing it to the point where the game loses its appeal.

Conclusion

Using Cheat Engine in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen can offer a unique way to experience the game, allowing players to bypass challenges, experiment with different scenarios, and customize their gameplay. However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks, including the impact on game balance, stability, and overall enjoyment.

For players who are new to the game or who want to explore different strategies without the pressure of the game’s difficulty, Cheat Engine can be a valuable tool. However, for those who enjoy the challenge and strategic depth that XCOM 2: War of the Chosen offers, cheating may ultimately detract from the experience.

In the end, whether or not to use Cheat Engine is a personal choice that depends on how you want to engage with the game. If used responsibly, it can enhance your experience, but it’s important to be aware of the potential consequences and to respect the game’s design and the effort that went into creating it.