The game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, is a tactical turn-based strategy game that has attracted players because of its challenging gameplay with deeper strategic elements. Players are tested through different tests of skill and are encouraged to explore other facets of the game through achievements. This all-encompassing achievement guide is designed to assist players in claiming every achievement and gives strategies, tips, and insight behind accomplishing them.
1. Overview of Achievements in XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Achievements in XCOM: Enemy Unknown reward players for completing particular tasks, reaching milestones, or demonstrating proficiency in the various aspects of the game. For example, an achievement might be awarded for clearing a mission under special conditions, unlocking all research projects, or winning successfully for the global defense effort.
1.1. Type of achievements
Mission-Related Achievements represent achievements that come from completing specific missions or objectives within the game. Such achievements usually require the player to fulfill conditions or to complete missions in some certain way.
Research and Engineering Achievements: These achievements are unlocked when finishing research projects, developing new technologies, or constructing certain facilities in the game.
Combat Achievements: These achievements are for showcasing combat skills, like killing certain enemies or achieving some combat-related milestones.
Strategic Achievements: These concern the total administration of the XCOM base, bassing successful alien invasions and resource management.
Miscellaneous Achievements: This category covers achievements that are too miscellaneous in nature, such as trying alternative tactics, or reaching certain game milestones.
2.1. Mission-Related Achievements
Mission-related achievements often require completing certain objectives or completing a mission under particular circumstances. A brief summary of some of these prominent mission-related achievements, and the methods by which you may obtain them:
2.1. The Last Defense
Objective: Defending XCOM Command from an alien invasion.
Strategy:
Preparation: Have a squad balanced with a plethora of classes. Equip them with the best available gear. Ensure that your base is yet well-equipped with maximum-grade defenses.
Mission Execution: Aim to kill aliens expeditiously and effectively. Always use cover and pick the riskiest threat from your targets for killing first.
2.2. Big Brother
Objective: Complete a mission with a full squad with every soldier promoted to Sergeant or higher.
Strategy:
Squad Management: Promote your soldiers all the way to Sergeant rank and beyond prior to starting the mission. Equip them with great weapons and armor.
Mission Focus: Pick that mission fittingly depending upon your level and skill set of the squad. Make good use of your ward’s abilities and don’t take unnecessary risks.
2.3. “Fury of the Skies”
Objective: Defend a UFO attack with at least one interceptor left.
Strategy:
Interceptor Upgrades: Invest in the best possible upgrades for your interceptor weapons and armor.
Launching Interceptors: Launch every interceptor the moment a UFO is detected. Coordinate their attacks to inflict maximum damage without losing an interceptor.
3. Achievements in Research and Engineering.
Research and engineering achievements are achieved by completing research projects and constructing crucial facilities. Here’s a methodology for obtaining them:
3.1. “The New Model Army”
Objective: Research and develop all the technologies available in the game.
Strategy:
Research Priorities: Research technologies that provide immediate benefits, such as improved weapons and armor. Prioritize anything that improves your combat capability and base defensive ability.
Resource Management: See that you have all requisites for the research and development. Utilize funding wisely so as not to spend extravagantly on frivolous items.
3.2. Engineering Marvel
Objective: Build every single facility available in the XCOM base.
Strategy:
Facility Planning: Plan your base layout in such a way as to cater to all the necessary facilities. What space does that facility demand? What are the resources required for it?
Priority Construction: With respect to name, the essential ones first, including workshops and labs, followed by other additional and specialized buildings.
4. Combat Achievements
The Combat Achievements require players to display skill and strategy to win battles. Let’s see how one can be successful in securing the prominent combat-related achievements:
4.1. “A Soldier’s Best Friend”
Objective: Finish successfully a mission with at least one soldier carrying a fully upgraded weapon and armor.
Strategy:
Upgrading Equipment: Upgrade at least one soldier’s equipment: weapons and armor, then they will be with those fully upgraded. The highest level of upgrades will be afforded to the gear.
Mission Selection: Select missions where one gets to test the soldier’s upgraded abilities. Preferably missions that showcase their strengths and abilities.
4.2. “The Ultimate Weapon”
Objective: Kill an alien boss with basic weapons.
Strategy:
Preparation: Equip the squad with basic weapons only. Do not equip any advanced technologies or upgrade the weapons. Win the boss by use of tactics and positioning.
Combat Strategy: Use cover and flank to ensure maximum damage while all at the same time ensuring minimum risk to yourself. Prioritize attack to weak points and stay away from direct confrontations.
5. Strategic Achievements
Strategic achievements concern the management of XCOM bases and global defense efforts from an overall perspective. How to achieve this include:
5.1. “Global Guardian”
Objective: Protect all countries from alien incursions.
Strategy:
Monitoring Globally: Keep an eye on global activity and respond immediately to alien invasions. Deploy resources and interceptors to areas with the highest threat level.
Base Upgrades: Promote upgrades to your base that will enhance your defensive capabilities and global cover.
5.2. “The Perfect Plan”
Objective: Scoring perfect for the mission without taking any damage.
Strategy:
Mission Planning: Your mission strategizing should revolve around avoiding unnecessary risks and minimizing chances of being attacked by enemies.
Squad Management: Give your squad whatever they need and train them in good tactics to avoid damage, take cover, and position themselves wisely.
6. Miscellaneous Achievements
Miscellaneous achievements cover several tasks and milestones that don’t fit into other achievements categories. Some of these can be achieved as follows:
6.1. “The Road Less Traveled”
Objective: Finish the game without researching or using any experimental technologies.
Strategy:
Technology Avoidance: Avoid ever researching or using any experimental technologies throughout the game. Rely more on conventional technologies and strategies.
Gameplay Focus: Due to scarcity of experimental technologies, adapt your gameplay and make the most out of basic weapons and tactics.
6.2. “The Survivor”
Description: Finish the game with at least one soldier surviving the journey from the beginning to the very end.
Strategies:
Squad Management: Make sure one soldier goes through the entire game alive. Protect that soldier and do not take unnecessary risks.
Mission Strategy: Use defensive tactics and never jeopardize your surviving soldier.
7. Achievement Tracking and Tips
7.1. Tracking Progress
In-Game: Use the in-game achievement tracker for your progress and to see the achievements yet to be completed.
External Resources: Look at online guides and forums for further tips and strategies about the attainment of certain achievements.
7.2. Tips for Success
Strategic Planning: Plan your strategies well, and adapt your tactics according to mission objectives and challenges.
Resource Management: Manage your resources well, and prioritize research and upgrades that would improve your capabilities.
Practice and Persistence: Some achievements need repeated playthroughs, or specific conditions. Practice has to be maintained to get through these challenges and unlock every achievement.
8. Conclusion
To unlock all in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a balancing act between strategic thinking, tactical skill, and careful planning is required. With burdens on achieving mission goals, maximizing research and engineering output, and proving tactical combat prowess for rewards, the player will thus experience the deepest layers of the game.
This achievement guide goes some way to providing an outlook on the different achievements, offering strategies and tips to help players succeed. Whether you are looking to complete specific missions, unlock all technologies, or prove yourself in combat, this guide will direct you through the rough patches and carry you towards the end of your journey in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.