XCOM: Chimera Squad is the next title in the XCOM franchise, however, 2K and Firaxis have stated that it’s neither a sequel nor an expansion. Instead, they’re labelling it a standalone title that “delivers an all-new story and turn-based tactical experience in the XCOM universe.”
While this new, standalone title shares a lot with the previous games in the series, it’s introducing new features, mechanics and ideas. These are set to reinvigorate the gameplay and make XCOM: Chimera Squad feel fresh and even more strategic than ever before.
Even though it’s only just been announced, XCOM: Chimera Squad is launching very soon and 2K and Firaxis have given us just enough information to tease us, while still keeping things under wraps.
Here’s everything you need to know about XCOM: Chimera Squad
What is the XCOM: Chimera Squad release date?
Coming exclusively to PC, this new game in the XCOM franchise will be available on April 24, 2020. It will be available are a special introductory price of $14.98 AUD ($9.99 USD) until May 1, 2020. From then on, it will cost $29.95 AUD ( $19.99 USD).
There have been no statements about a release on other platforms. At this stage, it’s a PC exclusive.
XCOM: Chimera Squad at a glance
- Title: XCOM: Chimera Squad
- Publisher: 2K
- Developer: Firaxis Games
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Turn-based Tactical Combat
- No. of Players: 1
- Release Date: April 24, 2020
- Website: www.xcom.com
What is the XCOM: Chimera Squad Story
XCOM: Chimera Squad is set five years after the events of XCOM 2. After humanity won the war for the earth, the Overlords fled but left behind their soldiers. Having been abandoned, the aliens worked with humans and hybrids to create a new, peaceful co-existence.
City 31 is the perfect example of peace and co-operation and it’s where Chimera Squad takes place. Some inhabitants are not thrilled with the new era of co-operation and are working to undermine the new peace. It’s not clear who the aggressors are, but it seems that disgruntled humans may play a large role as antagonists this time around.
The titular Chimera Squad is an Elite Squad or human and alien Agents who will need to track down the dissidents and put a stop to them before they plunge City 31 into anarchy.
Who is in Chimera Squad?
We don’t know exactly who makes up the team but Firaxis and 2K have stated that there are 11 unique Agents. Each of these 11 have their own special abilities, a distinct personality and a different motivation for joining the Squad.
This group of humans, aliens and hybrids can work together in new and interesting ways too. Players can combo their abilities and use strategy and teamwork to turn the tide of battle and make sure they win.
Does XCOM: Chimera Squad have multiplayer
No.
Well, not at this stage. The information provided with the announcement of the game suggests that this new title is a single-player game only. The multiplayer mode in XCOM 2 doesn’t seem to be included in this release.
What is Breach Mode?
Breach Mode is a brand-new mechanic added to Chimera Squad that introduces a new phase to combat.
Players will shape the battlefield to their advantage with a new combat phase that injects quads right into action. They will strategically assign agents to different entry points and coordinate their assault plans with a range of Breach-specific skills
Essentially, players are required to Breach certain areas and will need to strategically plan each Breach based on the type of entry, nearby enemies, Breach skills and more.
Read more about Breach Mode here.
How do turns work?
The new Interleaved Turns system flips the script for XCOM. Instead of the player taking their turn and then the enemy responding and so on, in XCOM: Chimera Squad, each unit is automatically given an initiative which slots them into an alternating order.
It functions like the order of turns in Dungeons & Dragons.
This means that the player can make a turn with one character and then the enemy can respond. Based on the initiative order, the player and/or the enemy may have multiple turns in a row.
Introducing Intervleaved Turns will make combat more dynamic, more strategic and a lot more cerebral.
Read more about Intervleaved Turns here.
What are the system requirements?
2K and Firaxis have released the system requirements as follows;
System Requirements:
MINIMUM
- Operating System: Windows® 7, 64bit
- Processor: 2.4 GHz Quad Core
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 18GB available space
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
- Graphics: 1GB AMD Radeon HD 7770, NVIDIA GeForce 650 or better
RECOMMENDED
- Operating System: Windows 7 64bit / 8.1 64bit / 10 64bit
- Processor: 3GHz Quad Core
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 18GB or more available space
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
- Graphics: 2 GB AMD Radeon R9 290, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 or better
