Where previous sequels to XCOM games have failed, XCOM 2 - the sequel to 2012's reboot, XCOM: Enemy Unknown - succeeds. Stand down, Terror from the Deep . Sleep softly, Apocalypse . Requiescat in pace, Freedom Ridge . Your watch has ended. Firaxis, XCOM's newest steward, is here to relieve you.

Update: XCOM 2 has been nominated for IGN's 2016 Game of the Year . There's an air of white-knuckle desperation about XCOM 2's post-apocalyptic setting, and it only enhances the tension.

Another bug hunt XCOM 2 is a frustrating game, and not just due to the infamous difficulty the franchise is known for. It's frustrating because there is an absolutely fantastic game at its core, a total improvement on what was already one of the best turn-based strategy experiences of the last few...

When will Firaxis treat their PC players with some respect and give us controller support since the UI can obviously handle it now? Their argument was "it's a game made only for PC"..

I love it when a sequel improves on the original in every way, and whilst we lose some elements (like the Interceptors) it is 'still' XCOM. The stories are still there as you live through your soldiers and their lives, each mission brings you and them closer, and when you lose on it's a real tug on...

Alien Nation.

Tactical combat is edge-of-your-seat stuff; Great variety; Loads of soldier customisation

RNG feels horribly unfair in the early game; Very buggy throughout; Multiplayer still feels tacked on

The year is 2035, twenty years after the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown , and the Aliens now have almost complete control of Earth. XCOM, the then primary defense force has now been reduced to a mere resistance force.

If you enjoyed the previous titles you'll likely enjoy these. Some of the changes take a little getting used to but it's an enjoyable sequel.

When it comes to strategy games of the last five years, near the top of many lists will be the reboot of XCOM , XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It was an intriguingly deep game where you had to defend Earth against an alien invasion.

Same great XCOM gameplay; Loads to do; Always keeps you on your toes; Succeeding at the last second feels great

A few too many dice rolls feel unfair; Bad frame rate issues; Ridiculously long load times; Tiny text in places

As a fan of the xcom series, and strategy games in general, I had to pick this up as soon as I could. Compared to the previous game, the developers have improved of the core system, giving us much more relevant and varied choices and whilst the game feels more fast paced, it still feels manageable...