XCOM Chimera Squad

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1. The Setting and Story

1.1. The World of XCOM: Chimera Squad

Set five years after the events of XCOM 2, Chimera Squad takes place in a world where humanity has defeated the alien occupation, and the remnants of the alien forces have integrated into human society. The game is set in City 31, a metropolis where humans, aliens, and hybrids coexist, albeit not without tension.

The city is a microcosm of the post-war world, where peace is fragile and maintained by a delicate balance of trust and cooperation between different species. Chimera Squad is a special operations unit formed by the XCOM organization to maintain order in this volatile environment. The squad consists of both human and alien members, each with unique abilities and perspectives, reflecting the game’s central theme of unity in diversity.

1.2. Narrative Structure

Unlike previous XCOM games, which focused on a global campaign against an overwhelming alien threat, Chimera Squad’s narrative is more localized and focused on the events within City 31. The story is presented through a series of missions that gradually reveal a conspiracy threatening the city’s peace.

The narrative is divided into three distinct arcs, each centered around a different faction: The Progeny, an organization of psionically-gifted humans; Gray Phoenix, a group of alien dissidents; and Sacred Coil, a cult that worships the Elders, the alien overlords defeated in XCOM 2. As the squad investigates these factions, they uncover deeper layers of the conspiracy, leading to a climactic confrontation.

The narrative structure allows for a more episodic storytelling approach, with each mission contributing to the overall plot while also exploring the backstories and relationships of the squad members. This focus on character-driven storytelling is one of the game’s strengths, offering players a more intimate connection with the world and its inhabitants.

2. Gameplay Mechanics

2.1. Turn-Based Tactical Combat

Chimera Squad retains the core turn-based tactical combat that the XCOM series is known for but introduces several significant changes that set it apart from its predecessors.

2.1.1. Breach Mode

One of the most notable new features is the Breach Mode, which replaces the traditional overwatch ambush setup with a more dynamic entry system. At the start of each mission, the squad breaches into the combat area, with players choosing which entry points to use and assigning squad members to each point.

During the breach phase, the game shifts to a real-time-like mode where each squad member can perform a single action, such as shooting at enemies, throwing grenades, or using special abilities. The order in which squad members act is determined by their assigned breach points, and each breach point offers different advantages and disadvantages, such as increased critical hit chances or reduced enemy defenses.

Breach Mode adds a layer of strategy to the beginning of each encounter, as players must carefully consider how to position their squad for maximum effectiveness while minimizing risk. The mode also helps to create a sense of urgency and excitement, as the squad bursts into rooms full of enemies, setting the stage for the tactical combat to follow.

2.1.2. Interleaved Turns

Another significant change is the introduction of the interleaved turn order, which alternates actions between squad members and enemies. Unlike previous XCOM games, where the player controlled all squad members in sequence before the enemy turn, Chimera Squad mixes the turn order based on the initiative of each unit.

This system encourages players to think more tactically about each move, as they must anticipate enemy actions and plan their own accordingly. The interleaved turn order also makes the combat feel more dynamic and less predictable, as the flow of battle can change rapidly based on the actions of both the player and the AI.

2.1.3. Unique Squad Members

Chimera Squad introduces a roster of pre-defined characters, each with their own unique abilities, personalities, and backstories. Unlike previous XCOM games, where squad members were customizable but faceless soldiers, Chimera Squad’s characters are fully voiced and play an integral role in the story.

Each squad member brings something different to the table, from the psionically-gifted Verge to the hulking Muton named Axiom, whose rage mechanic allows him to become more powerful as he takes damage. The variety of characters and abilities encourages players to experiment with different team compositions and strategies, adding replayability to the game.

2.2. Strategic Layer

While Chimera Squad scales down the strategic layer compared to XCOM 2, it still offers a management aspect where players must oversee the squad’s operations in City 31.

2.2.1. City Anarchy and District Management

City 31 is divided into nine districts, each with its own level of unrest. As the game progresses, players must manage the unrest in these districts by completing missions and assigning squad members to various tasks. If the unrest in a district becomes too high, it can contribute to the overall City Anarchy level, which, if maxed out, results in a game over.

This management aspect adds a strategic layer to the game, as players must prioritize which districts to focus on and how to allocate resources. The system encourages players to think carefully about their choices, as neglecting one district can lead to long-term consequences.

2.2.2. Spec Ops and Assembly

In addition to managing district unrest, players can assign squad members to Spec Ops missions, which provide various benefits such as reducing anarchy, gathering resources, or gaining intel. The Assembly is where players can research new technologies and equipment, similar to the Research and Engineering systems in previous XCOM games.

These elements add depth to the game’s strategic layer, giving players control over the squad’s progression and resource management. However, the streamlined nature of these systems means they are less complex than in previous games, which may be a positive or negative depending on the player’s preference.

2.3. Difficulty and Replayability

Chimera Squad offers multiple difficulty settings, ranging from Story Mode, which focuses on the narrative, to Hardcore Mode, which provides a more challenging experience. The game’s shorter campaign length, combined with the variety of squad members and strategic choices, adds to its replayability, as players can experiment with different approaches and team compositions in subsequent playthroughs.

However, some players may find that the game lacks the depth and complexity of previous XCOM titles, particularly in the strategic layer. The fixed characters and more linear narrative structure may also limit the game’s appeal to those who prefer the more open-ended and customizable nature of earlier entries in the series.

3. Character Development

3.1. Unique Squad Members and Personalities

One of the standout features of XCOM: Chimera Squad is its cast of unique characters, each with their own personalities, abilities, and backstories. This departure from the traditional customizable soldiers of previous XCOM games allows for a more narrative-driven experience, as the squad members are fully integrated into the story.

3.1.1. Character Abilities and Progression

Each squad member in Chimera Squad has a distinct set of abilities that define their role in the team. For example, Terminal is a human medic who can heal teammates and deploy combat drones, while Blueblood is a sharpshooter with a special ability to shoot through cover. These abilities make each character feel unique and encourage players to think strategically about team composition and tactics.

As the game progresses, squad members gain experience and can be promoted to unlock new abilities. The promotion system is similar to the class progression in previous XCOM games, but with a more focused approach due to the fixed characters. Players can choose between different abilities at each promotion level, allowing for some customization of each character’s role within the squad.

3.1.2. Character Interactions and Relationships

The interactions between squad members are a key aspect of Chimera Squad’s narrative. The game features numerous dialogue exchanges and cutscenes that explore the relationships between the characters, their motivations, and their perspectives on the world.

These interactions help to flesh out the characters and make them feel more like real people rather than just units on a battlefield. The diverse backgrounds and personalities of the squad members also lead to interesting dynamics and conflicts, which are explored throughout the game.

3.2. Representation and Diversity

Chimera Squad’s roster of characters is notable for its diversity, both in terms of species and personality. The squad includes humans, aliens, and hybrids, each with their own unique perspectives and experiences. This diversity is reflected not only in the characters’ abilities but also in their interactions and the overall narrative.

The game’s focus on unity and cooperation between different species is a central theme, and the diverse cast of characters helps to reinforce this message. The representation of different species and cultures within the squad adds depth to the world of XCOM: Chimera Squad and makes the game feel more inclusive and relevant to a broader audience.

4. Graphics and Sound Design

4.1. Visuals and Art Style

XCOM: Chimera Squad features a distinctive art style that differentiates it from its predecessors while maintaining the recognizable aesthetic of the XCOM series. The game adopts a more colorful and slightly cartoonish visual approach, which contrasts with the darker, grittier tone of XCOM 2. This shift in style aligns with the game’s focus on a single city and a more intimate narrative, where the stakes are localized rather than global.

The environments in Chimera Squad are varied and detailed, reflecting the diverse districts of City 31. From corporate offices and alien marketplaces to underground lairs and abandoned warehouses, each map is carefully designed to provide unique tactical challenges. The use of color and lighting helps to set the tone for each mission, with vibrant colors highlighting the city’s alien architecture and muted tones conveying the tension in more dangerous areas.

Character models are well-crafted, with each squad member’s design reflecting their unique abilities and personality. The alien characters, in particular, stand out with their distinct designs, from the serpentine Viper to the towering Muton. These designs help to emphasize the diversity within the squad and reinforce the game’s themes of unity and cooperation.

While the art style might not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer the more realistic visuals of previous XCOM games, it effectively serves the game’s narrative and setting. The slightly exaggerated, comic book-like aesthetic complements the game’s lighter tone and character-driven story.

4.2. Animation and Cinematics

The animations in XCOM: Chimera Squad are fluid and dynamic, particularly during combat. The game’s tactical encounters are brought to life with detailed animations for shooting, moving, and using abilities. The Breach Mode, in particular, features some of the most visually impressive sequences, with the squad members bursting through doors and windows in a cinematic fashion. These moments are enhanced by slow-motion effects and camera angles that emphasize the intensity of the action.

Cinematics and cutscenes are used throughout the game to advance the story and explore the relationships between characters. These sequences are well-directed, with strong voice acting and expressive animations that convey the emotions and motivations of the characters. The use of in-game engine cinematics rather than pre-rendered cutscenes allows for a seamless transition between gameplay and narrative moments, keeping players engaged in the story.

However, some players might find that the game’s animations can become repetitive over time, especially during longer play sessions. While the animations are polished and well-executed, the limited variety of environments and enemy types can lead to a sense of familiarity that detracts from the overall experience.

4.3. Sound Design and Music

The sound design in XCOM: Chimera Squad is another area where the game excels. The audio team has crafted a rich and immersive soundscape that enhances the tension and excitement of tactical combat. The sound effects for weapons, abilities, and environmental interactions are crisp and impactful, making each action feel significant.

The game’s soundtrack, composed by Tim Wynn, who also worked on the previous XCOM titles, complements the gameplay perfectly. The music blends electronic and orchestral elements, creating a futuristic yet familiar atmosphere that suits the setting of City 31. The dynamic score adapts to the intensity of the action, with more subdued tracks playing during exploration and planning phases, while high-energy compositions kick in during combat.

Voice acting plays a crucial role in bringing the characters of Chimera Squad to life. Each squad member is fully voiced, and the performances are generally strong, with actors delivering their lines with emotion and personality. The banter between squad members during missions adds a layer of immersion and helps to build a sense of camaraderie among the team.

The game’s use of sound and music effectively supports the narrative and gameplay, creating an engaging and immersive experience. However, some players might find that the soundtrack, while fitting, lacks memorable themes that stand out in comparison to the more iconic music from earlier XCOM games.

Set 5 years after the human race won the ADVENT domination of Ethereal rafts, XCOM: Chimera Squad brings players to City 31, where humans and aliens live peacefully together.

This makes the scale of the game seem to be much smaller, instead of being a world-saving task like in Enemy Unknown or a resistance army like in XCOM 2, now players transform into “police” soldiers. “Protects the peaceful city people from terrorist organizations, criminals that threaten the safety and peace among species.

It seems that the brightest point of XCOM: Chimera Squad is the plot when the smaller plot will allow the fixed characters of the game to develop, and they are all characters. Extremely interesting objects with interesting exchanges for players to connect more easily.

World of XCOM: The Chimera Squad is also a very interesting world, carefully developed.

The whole new and interesting storyline brings two main changes to the gameplay of XCOM: Chimera Squad, which is the size of the campaign as well as the smaller game’s clashes.

The game’s campaign is divided into phases of investigating 3 different criminal organizations, which are missions that require players to join the fight or solve the game to bring resources for players to develop Chimera force.

The campaign part of the game will require the player to balance the Anarchy of 9 major regions in City 31 by doing quests there, as well as choosing to perform quests in different countries to keep the peace for multiple zones at the same time in XCOM: Enemy Unknown in the past but on a much smaller scale and seems to punish less if the player doesn’t follow the equalization order, as an area goes into a red state only causes the player loses minor resource advantages in that area, and the player loses when and only if the Anarchy is maxed out, which is equivalent to having 5 or more areas in a red state, which I wrote It doesn’t feel a bit difficult to maintain, even at the game’s highest difficulty!

Most of the XCOM: Chimera Squad combat missions remain unchanged from XCOM 2, only the way these missions are designed to be different.

Each mission will be divided into “Encounter”, and each Encounter starts with Breach Mode where the player will arrange characters in front of the mission entrance and choose how they will break into that location.

This change makes every clash in XCOM: Chimera Squad very fast and cinematic.

However, the biggest highlight in terms of gameplay of XCOM: Chimera Squad is the alien character set with very interesting skill sets.

The game completely removed the class mode of its predecessors, and instead focused on developing the character’s own set of skills and equipment.

These characters work great together, and choosing the character before the quest is even more fun than ever!

Besides, the game also has a series of small modifications and balances to make gameplay inherently developed from the XCOM 2 platform become more balanced, for example skill “Overwatch”: now players will attack in a cone, not at all automatically in target.

But not every change of XCOM: Chimera Squad was correct.

I can understand the game’s decision to abandon the “permadeath” mechanism of the game, as now the number of “staff” of the game is limited, but this causes the player to lose goes in connection with the characters and makes the game much less challenging than previous XCOM versions.

Besides, the capping of clashes makes the moments of stress and brainstorming with enemies much rarer, so the game’s memorable points are less …

Later, the “encounters” have a much repeated frequency.

This makes the game’s campaign play, which is inherently small, smaller and more memorable.

XCOM: Chimera Squad felt like a move to explore the tastes of players, instead of a complete indie game …

where can you get a XCOM Chimera Squad online

XCOM: Chimera Squad Standard – PC [Online Game Code]: Buy it now

Conclusion

XCOM: Chimera Squad is a bold and innovative entry in the XCOM series, offering a fresh take on the tactical combat and strategic gameplay that fans of the franchise have come to love. By focusing on a smaller, more specialized team and introducing new mechanics like Breach Mode and interleaved turns, the game delivers a more narrative-driven and accessible experience that stands out from its predecessors.

The game’s strengths lie in its character development, innovative gameplay mechanics, and accessible design, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series. The predefined characters and tighter narrative structure allow for a more focused and cohesive story, while the dynamic combat encounters keep the gameplay engaging and challenging.

However, XCOM: Chimera Squad also comes with its share of weaknesses. The streamlined systems and shorter campaign might disappoint players who enjoyed the deeper strategic elements and open-ended gameplay of earlier XCOM titles. The potential for repetitive environments and missions, as well as the mixed reception of the game’s art style, could also detract from the overall experience for some players.

In terms of innovation, Chimera Squad is a successful experiment that pushes the boundaries of what an XCOM game can be. It introduces new ideas and mechanics that could influence the direction of future games in the series, even if not all of these changes will appeal to every fan. For those who are open to a different kind of XCOM experience, Chimera Squad offers a compelling and enjoyable journey into the world of City 31, where humans and aliens must work together to maintain peace in a post-invasion world.

Ultimately, XCOM: Chimera Squad is a worthwhile addition to the XCOM franchise, offering a unique and engaging experience that is both familiar and refreshingly different. While it may not replace the more epic, globe-trotting campaigns of XCOM and XCOM 2, it stands on its own as a solid tactical game with its own distinct identity. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer looking for a tactical challenge, Chimera Squad is a game that deserves your attention.