Introduction
“XCOM 2: War of the Chosen” is an expansion that adds many new gameplay schemes to the original, critically acclaimed “XCOM 2” tactical strategy game by Firaxis Games. In this huge new installment, the players get to experience entirely new factions, enemies, missions, and gameplay mechanics. The tutorial in “War of the Chosen” serves as an important starting point, as players from all walks of life will require knowledge and skills to operate in the immensely challenging world of XCOM. This discussion shall be a deep investigation of the tutorial experience of “XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.” It will be geared toward the design, efficacy, and how the tutorial lays the foundation for the rest of the game.
The Importance of a Good Tutorial
In games of any serious complexity in the strategic genre, the tutorial is the heart of the whole learning process. This is where a player first encounters the game’s system, mechanics, and design philosophy. If the tutorial lasts longer than a few minutes, players will understand the game and feel impressed with themselves. If not, the tutorial will come off as confusing, intimidating, or complicated, drastically discouraging the player from exploring the depth that the game has to offer.
“XCOM 2: War of the Chosen,” with its steep learning curve, being one of the hardest games to master due to confusing tactical combat, resource management, and strategic decision-making, covers a lot in the tutorial. Players get thrust into the basic mechanics of movement, combat, and unit management but are also made aware of the ways that these will be used in more complex systems later on. As this is an expansion, it must set the stage for all of the new content and mechanics so that players familiar with the base game will not be left in the dark.
First Impressions: Presentation and Accessibility
The tutorial of “XCOM 2: War of the Chosen” starts with a cinematic introduction. A tense atmosphere is set, and the narrative places the player in charge of a resistance force fighting against an alien occupation of Earth. The stakes are high and the tutorial immediately drives home that every decision counts.
The tutorial looks great. The dark, gritty, war-ravaged environments combined with character models are immediately engaging. The UI adopts a minimalistic approach and holds tooltips and prompts to assist the player in every step. Voice acting, instead, builds immersion, with Officer Bradford narrating worthy of mention, providing contextual information and inspiring player’s actions.
Arguably, one strength of the tutorial is its accessibility to the player. The game itself comes with selectable difficulty settings, with the tutorial varying in accordance. Hence at the easier levels, the giving of the tutorial tends to be lenient and explicit with instructions; while at harder levels, the tutorial rather assumes that players have a working knowledge of strategy-type games, thereby offering less hand-holding and expecting more critical thinking in regard to decisions. This scalability guarantees the utility of the tutorial for new and experienced mates alike.
Core Mechanics: Moving and Fighting
The tutorial starts off by introducing the essential mechanics of movement and combat. They are the essential base for an XCOM experience, and the tutorial does an excellent job of breaking these concepts down into manageable pieces.
Movement:
The movement of units is grid-wise in XCOM, and each unit is allotted so many tiles to move into per turn. Early on, the tutorial introduces the concept of cover, particularly stressing the importance of positioning your units behind obstacles because it reduces their chances of being hit by enemy fire. It also distinguishes between types of covers, such as full cover and half cover, and it persuades the player to wisely think about where they are going to place their units.
One, amongst many, strengths of this tutorial is the encouragement of experimentation. Players get to move units into various positions to observe how cover affects line of-sight and chance of being hit. This lends itself toward a more hands-on approach wherein players internalize the mechanics, which will very quickly make the notion of using terrain to their advantage more comfortable to them.
Combat:
Combat in XCOM is turn-based: both the players and their enemies take turns moving and attacking. The first mission serves as a tutorial in which the original thought is introduced: units normally get two actions per turn, one for moving and the other for attacking an enemy or using an ability. Overwatch is also explained in the tutorial, in which a unit bypasses their attack and waits for an enemy to move into their line of sight during the enemy’s turn so that it can shoot at the offender.
The tutorial is paced one step at a time. The first few encounters are straightforward, with enemies deployed in obvious positions, and the player guided through how to deal with the situation. As the tutorial progresses, an element of challenge comes in as enemies take strategic positions, requiring the player to think more about what moves to make.
One of the tutorial’s special features is its teaching by example. Instead of just telling the player what to do, the tutorial designs situations that lead the player to discover for themselves the best way to act. For example, an early chance for ambush might position an enemy in such a way that you can only hit it if you flank it, thereby teaching the importance of moving down to gain a tactical advantage. This kind of instruction is much more interesting than being told outright and helps build player confidence.
Introducing New Elements: Factions, Heroes, and the Chosen
“War of the Chosen” introduces new gameplay elements that really change the XCOM experience: new factions, new heroes, and the “Chosen” themselves. The tutorial presents these new elements remarkably well, allowing players to understand their function and how they interact with existing systems.
Factions and Hero Units:
“War of the Chosen” now brings to the fore three additional factions: Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars. All these three factions witness the bestowal of one unique hero unit each, which embodies special abilities and diverse style of play. The tutorial is paced so that the player can take control of each hero unit in succession and get to study each faction’s advantages.
The Reaper is introduced as a stealthy sniper that could conceivably remain hidden even after conducting an attack. The tutorial then creates a whole number of scenarios that highlight the obvious advantage of the Reaper being able to scout ahead and either sniping enemies as they stand or quietly escorting an allied unit without having his presence detected. These scenarios serve a dual purpose: to teach the player how to properly utilize the Reaper, and to highlight the necessity of scouting and gathering information in XCOM.
Similarly, the Skirmisher is introduced as a very aggressive and quick unit, capable of moving and attacking multiple times in one turn. The tutorial places the Skirmisher in scenarios where his speed is important – such as flanking enemies or stepping away to a safer position after an attack. These scenarios should help the player realize the importance of the Skirmisher’s unique abilities.
Last comes the Templar, focused on melee combat and accumulating energy, or Focus, to act with force. In many situations within the Templar’s tutorial, melee attacks serve best, such as eliminating solitary enemies or dispatching enemies already weakened. The hero units’ staggered introduction gives the player a chance to feel what each faction is all about and how these force types fit into the larger strategy.
The Chosen:
The Chosen are a new type of enemy introduced by the DLC “War of the Chosen” as powerful antagonists that keep evolving, and on some missions, they have appeared to harass the player forces. The tutorial introduces the initial Chosen encounter in a manner that highlights their threat and unpredictability.
The player is warned of the Chosen powers and is invited to adopt a strategy to counter them. It was made clear in the tutorial that the Chosen are not simply common foes. The Chosen would require some sort of careful planning and coordination to defeat. This encounter represents a key moment in the tutorial when players are shifted from simply reacting to enemies to planning against the longer-term challenges posed by the Chosen.
Base Management: The Avenger and Strategic Layer
Beyond tactical combat, XCOM 2 also has its own strategic layer in which players manage their base, the Avenger, and make decisions that affect the overall progress of the campaign. The tutorial gives a comprehensive introduction to these mechanics so that players will understand the importance of managing resources, research, and personnel.
The Avenger:
The Avenger acts as the mobile base of operations for the player, where various facilities offer different bonuses. During the tutorial, the player is guided through building new facilities, such as the Guerrilla Tactics School or GTS, where soldiers can be trained and squad sizes can be upgraded; and the Resistance Ring, where covert actions can be carried out for resources and additional bonuses.
Good tutorial helps players learn some important stuff, like how to prioritize facilities based on their needs. For example, an important facility is the GTS early on because it allows the player to increase squad sizes, which somehow advantaged it in combat. The tutorial also details assigning engineers and scientists to the construction and research of facilities respectively, teaching the player to employ resource management at optimal efficiency.
Research and Development:
Research is an aspect of paramount importance in XCOM because players can use the systems to unlock new technologies, weapons, and equipment. The tutorial mechanically goes through the research process through, whereby the player selects a research project and assigns a scientist to it. The tutorial explains that autopsies are also important, imparting knowledge about the limits and weaknesses of the enemy and thus allowing powerful upgrades to be developed.
The tutorial strikes a healthy balance between instruction and freedom. It does recommend certain paths to take in research: prioritize magnetic weapons or alien encryption. It would also allow the player to consider other research options. This keeps players thinking about their overall strategy and how research choices may impact their progress.
Covert Actions vs Resistance Orders:
“War of the Chosen” introduces a layer of strategic depth with covert actions and resistance orders. The tutorial explains covert actions, where players send soldiers on special missions gaining rewards such as extra supplies, new recruits, or intel on Chosen. While providing these benefits, covert actions do carry risks. A soldier sent out can return wounded, acting under pressure, or ambushed by the enemy.
The tutorial underscores this importance by illustrating some of the benefits of covert actions. Players should work toward specific goals using covert actions, such as locating and weakening the Chosen, gaining new faction orders, or boosting resistance influence. In the meantime, the tutorial familiarizes players with resistance orders, which are bonuses granted by the factions and can be applied to assist in the player’s strategic endeavors. The orders provide a wide range of benefits ranging from increased income to tactical advantages during missions.
The covert actions fronts and resistance orders are smoothly integrated into the tutorial, with the player being led through the steps of choosing and executing a covert action. The tutorial also stresses the importance of balancing the risk and reward of these actions, teaching the players to be cautious of their options before committing their forces.
Advanced Combat Skills: Psy Ops, Bonding, and Fatigue
As the tutorial progresses, it introduces a variety of advanced movements that add tactical depth. These activities include deploying Psi Operatives, bonding soldiers, and managing their fatigue, all arenas of paramount concern for the mid to late game.
Psi Operatives:
Psi Operatives are special soldiers possessing psionic abilities to perform devastating attacks and support actions on the battlefield. The tutorial slowly blossomed its introduction of Psi Ops, from the construction of the Psi Lab, training of a new Psi Operative, and then being walked through the use of their abilities in combat. This process gave the player an idea of how powerful they can be when they used their psi abilities to win a battle.
How the tutorial adeptly shows the versatility of the Psi Ops. Players learn about offensive psi powers, such as “Soulfire,” which causes guaranteed damage to the enemy, and defensive ones, such as “Inspire,” which grants an additional action for an ally. This balanced introduction gives players a full picture of the potential of their Psi Operatives and how they may serve to complement other units in their squad.
Soldier Bonding:
“War of the Chosen” brings in the concept of soldier bonding, lighting a path for two soldiers to bond for certain tactical advantages. Bonded soldiers may gain access to special abilities, like granting each other extra actions through combat or helping reduce stress and fatigue from a mission.
The tutorial introduces bonding in a way that feels organic, usually by pairing soldiers who have fought together in prior missions. It illustrates the benefits of bonding by showing practical examples of how the bond ability could turn the tide in combat, could be success or failure, depending on whether it is used timely or not. In addition, the tutorial explains bonding on the management side, i.e., how these bonds can be nurtured and maintained over time.
Fatigue and Stress Management:
An important novelty to “War of the Chosen” is to put the fatigue system in place, where the system tries to simulate the physical and psychological pressure from prolonged deployment in combat. The system explains how the soldiers accumulate fatigue over time, particularly after punishing missions, and how fatigue can encourage negative outcomes such as loss of willpower, loss of effectiveness, and even the beginning of negative traits.
The tutorial does a good job of teaching players about proactive fatigue management. It urges the creation of varied squads, rotation of soldiers through missions to avoid getting tired. The tutorial also goes into the infirmary, a place that assists in managing fatigue and curing negative traits: another argument for keeping the squad in tip-top shape.
The players, after finishing the tutorial, are prepared for the advanced combat mechanics of War of the Chosen and how to use them, so they know when to use psi abilities, when to bond soldiers, and when to manage fatigue on a critical basis that will get them through the very challenging missions that await them.
Narrative Integration: Storytelling and Immersive Experience
One key separate element of the “War of the Chosen” tutorial is how it integrates narrative with gameplay. Building upon the story of XCOM 2, the expansion deepens the conflict between the resistance and the alien oppressors, bringing in new characters and plots as a twist to the main storyline. The tutorial pulls players into the narrative, having them almost feeling like they were a part of the ongoing struggle.
Character Development:
The tutorial effectively introduces some of the prominent characters from the brand-new factions, such as Volk from the Reapers, Mox from the Skirmishers, and Geist from the Templars. Each character is endowed with a distinctive personality and a backstory that unfolds bit by bit via their dialogue and mission briefings. Interactions between these characters and the main cast, comprised of Central Officer Bradford and Dr. Tygan, strengthen the feeling of camaraderie and fellowship around a purpose.
These characters also serve as vessels to pass on gameplay-related information. Mox might talk about the unique uses of Skirmishers, while Geist might shed light on the philosophy and abilities of Templars. This approach makes the tutorial an engaging experience, where players learn the mechanics of the game through the storytelling itself.
The Threat of the Chosen:
The Chosen are much more than just highly skilled enemies-they form the crux of the “War of the Chosen” narrative. All three have individually defining personality traits, voice-overs, and motivations, and they actively taunt and challenge the player during the campaign. The tutorial lets the player meet these villains first, establishing them as an inescapably powerful threat.
The experience should feel especially memorable the first time one encounters a Chosen, with the tutorial showing off their unique abilities and explaining the necessity of coordinated tactics to bring them down. The Chosen were willed into the general arcs themselves, their relevance, and their interactions with the player are forwarders for the story. This integration into the story creates an urgency, thereby driving up personal stakes and making the player all the more invested in the conflict.
Dynamic Storytelling:
One of the chief strengths of XCOM 2 and its expansion is its approach to dynamic storytelling, where the player’s actions or decisions confound the center of a story. The tutorial kicks off this concept by presenting the player with decisions that can have immediate result and far-reaching effects. For instance, one can decide to prioritize a certain research or covert action; this will then influence whether lesser resources are available or how strong the Chosen is, or even how development proceeds for the player’s soldiers.
The tutorial makes these choices very important because it shows them to be interfering with the flow of the game: Selecting to focus on a faction increases ties to that faction and opens up access to powerful resistance orders or new hero units. On the other hand, neglecting certain aspects such as fatigue management or equipment upgrades can spell trouble for you in later missions.
The method of dynamic storytelling causes players, in the tutorial sequence, to strategize and consider their long-term options. This method enhances immersion and also prepares the player for the full-on challenge of an entire campaign.
Challenge vs. Guidance
Probably the most difficult aspect of designing the complex XCOM 2 tutorial is the balance between challenge and guidance. It needs to prepare the player sufficiently to allow for initiation into the game but must remain challenging enough to hold their interest.
Gradual Difficulty Curve:
“War of the Chosen” trains the player by slowly exposing them to new mechanics and challenges. The early missions provide a plain sailing experience, with clear objectives and fairly weak enemies to contend against. Progressively, the difficulty of having to cope with complex scenarios arises; stronger enemy forces, new mechanics like Chosen, and covert actions all come into play.
The slow growth in difficulty gives the player time to conform to the very basics before higher-level concepts go on display. Additionally, the variety of mission types the tutorial goes through-range from the usual combat mission up to stealth and resistanance operations-gives the experience a fresh, and hence, diverse treatment.
Adaptive Feedback:
Meanwhile, another strong point of the tutorial lies in the adaptive feedback. An interactive feedback system based on the player’s decisions offers useful tips and suggestions when needed. For example, if the player continually puts his soldiers into a vulnerable position, the tutorial may remind him that cover is very important for his soldiers. Feedback is delivered unobtrusively and naturally, making it easier for players to absorb the lessons and move on, instead of making them feel condescending.
If a player is still having some difficulty, it will provide some further assistance or lower the difficulty, whichever is perhaps more appropriate at the time. In this way, the tutorial remains open to all players regardless of skill level and manages to personalize itself to whatever need the player presents.
Encourage Exploration:
Although assisting the players, the tutorial also encourages them to try out new strategies and experiment with the mechanics of the game. Players are able to choose their own path as to whether they undertake a certain line of research, send out a particular squad composition, or carry out a covert action on their own. The feeling of agency plays a big part in allowing players to feel in control while building their own understanding of the game systems.
The tutorial supports trying different means through various positive reinforcements if a player manages to entertain an effective strategy or good decision. For example, some praises by Central Officer Bradford or an increase in mission rewards might come when a player successfully flanks an enemy or optimally uses the hero’s abilities. This positive reinforcement of good play will build up confidence in the player and encourage him to try different approaches.
Preparing for the full campaign: forging a strong foundation
When the tutorial ends, the player should feel at ease with the challenges awaiting in the full “War of the Chosen” campaign. This tutorial prepares the player well by going over the game’s core mechanics, from tactical combat to base management and strategic planning. Nevertheless, a true test of the tutorial is its ability to prepare players for the much more complex and unwieldy nature of the campaign.
Strategic Decision-Making:
The “War of the Chosen” tutorial equips players with a number of tools to help them make better strategic decisions, a cornerstone of XCOM 2 gameplay. Throughout the campaign, the circumstances surrounding the player will become increasingly complex: these choices might pit resource gathering against the need to interfere with enemy activities. Greater importance is then assigned to these decisions by giving examples of weighing up various actions against each other.
For example, players might have to decide if it is more important to build new facilities, upgrade soldier gear, or engage in covert actions. Each decision rests on its own set of implications, including how the player reacts to emerging threats, expands resistance influence, or builds better troops. By putting those new concepts right at the beginning, the tutorial makes certain that the players are not just accustomed to the mechanics but also have some understanding of the kind of strategic thinking necessary for success in the full campaign.
Risk Management:
One of the fundamental things the tutorial seeks to shape is risk management. XCOM 2 is the quintessential scenario where every choice could really matter. The tutorial does a very good job of reinforcing that point. Players need to look at the potential for risk in any situation, whether they are sending soldiers to another risky covert action, about to meet the Chosen foe in battle, or maybe preparing to extract a soldier who was captured.
The tutorial, therefore, urges players to consider other options, such as backing out of an operation when things have therefore gone wrong or postponing the assault until ready. It also reminds that a Plan B should be in place because things don’t always go down as planned in the world of XCOM. By confronting the player with thinking about risk, the tutorial ensures that one can better manage the campaign’s inbuilt volatility.
Resource Management:
Another important element discussed by the tutorial is resource management. “War of the Chosen” introduces newer resources, such as Intel and Supplies, necessary for keeping the Resistance going and furthering its operations. The tutorial on resource management walks the player through obtaining and managing these resources and stresses balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
Players learn to prioritize their expenses, weighing when to build up their technology, expand their base, or hire more soldiers. The tutorial touches on gathering Intel, which is required for various strategic acts like contacting new regions or countering opposing moves. By the end of the training, players should confidently know resource management, thereby putting them on the road to becoming successful in the full campaign.
Adapting to Enemy Strategies:
“War of the Chosen” introduces a more dynamic and adaptive enemy AI, mainly concerning the Chosen. The tutorial emphasizes the need for the player to keep adapting their strategies, since the enemy in XCOM 2 will never afford to let the player build up their forces. The Chosen will actively hunt the player’s soldiers, sabotage their operations, and develop other tactics according to the player’s method of attack and defense.
The tutorial gives a small example of this interaction and how the Chosen can perhaps improvise their plans against the player. Say, for instance, the Chosen ambush the covert action; the player has very little time to react, rescue their soldiers, and watch the mission through to completion. This experience reinforces for players the importance of adapting and staying prepared for anything.
Mastering Tactical Combat:
Lastly, it is essential to provide the player with an introduction to the tactical combat system at the heart of XCOM 2. The turn-based combat of the game is super tactical; the player should bestly use the abilities of their soldiers, positioning, and cover. The tutorial provides an introduction to several combat mechanics, such as setting up ambushes with overwatch, making use of height advantages, and combining soldier abilities for the most potent effect.
The first part also teaches the distinction between when you press and go forward and when you pull back. It instructs players to look around the battlefield, analyze their enemies’ strengths and weaknesses, and assess the situation to make informed choices. Having completed the tutorial, the players should feel confident and capable of working through the complicated XCOM 2 combat system and stepping forward to face the challenges in the full campaign.
Conclusion: A deep and engaging introduction
The War of the Chosen tutorial is, without doubt, a jewel in the crown of game design and thus offers the player with perhaps the most diverse and engaging introduction to the new mechanics and features of the expansion. Indeed, the storyline and gameplay tutorials are interwoven so tightly that it pulls the players into a situation where they are not only engrossed with the game’s systems but also deeply invested in its story and characters.
The tutorial has been designed with a gradual difficulty curve, with feedback given after every turn, allowing players to get used to the strategic implications of their choices before facing through the full campaign. It teaches players to manage resources, weigh the danger of committing forces to battles, and understand the tactical side of combat, all within an environment that asks them to freely explore, experiment, and discover solutions. By the end of the tutorial experience, players also develop the confidence and understanding necessary to take on the challenges presented by “War of the Chosen”.
The “War of the Chosen” tutorial establishes a firm foundation that enriches the experience of both newcomers into the XCOM series and those well-versed in it. It prepares players not just to face the threats from the Chosen and their alien overlords but to thirstily dive into the heavy, strategic gameplay that has made XCOM 2 a household name among strategy geeks. Either entering the resistance for the first time or going back to the fight, the tutorial will arm you with everything you need for the road.