Info about Xenonauts 2:

Official game description:
Xenonauts 2 is a strategy game that puts you in charge of a multinational military organization tasked with eliminating an extraterrestrial threat. Working from the shadows, you must seek out and engage the growing alien presence wherever it appears. Expand and manage a covert network of bases across the globe. Pursue research and development to bridge the technological gap with the alien invaders. Train, arm, and command your ground troops wherever the alien threat emerges.
It is 2009 - the Cold War continues, and the Berlin Wall still stands. In the shadows, a secret organization works beyond arbitrary political boundaries to gather information about a greater threat to humanity. Mysterious sightings of unidentified flying objects and unknown beings have grown more common, coinciding with escalating international tensions and panic. Those who report such sightings frequently disappear without a trace, and it is clear that the aliens grow bolder with each passing day. Time is of the essence.
Knowledge is power - unfortunately, little is known about the alien menace when you take charge. You will need to engage in combat operations around the globe to learn what you're up against. Eliminate extraterrestrial forces in deadly tactical battles to recover research samples, allowing your scientists to improve your equipment and slowly uncover the truth about the alien invasion.
*   A massive variety of enemy types will keep you on your toes as you fight against a multitude of species, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and fighting styles. Securing alien bodies to perform autopsies on will give you insights into their potential weaknesses, allowing you to prepare accordingly.
*   Aliens aren't all you'll be fighting - human agents known as Cleaners work in tandem with the extraterrestrial threat, bringing with them added varieties of troops, combat locations, and mission objectives. The Cleaners work to further alien goals and objectives, operating directly under their influence - any strike against the Cleaners is an indirect strike against their alien overlords. You will have the opportunity to gather intel by infiltrating their bases, securing data, and seeing how far the conspiracy goes.
*   Every combat engagement is an opportunity to learn more about the enemy force and how it fights - if you're willing to take the risk. Will you look to quickly eliminate active threats using explosives, grenades, and missiles, or will you take a more tempered approach to secure bodies and alien technology that can be taken back to HQ for autopsies and reverse-engineering? Will you focus on the development of airpower to bring down UFOs and investigate their crash sites for additional intel? Your adversary has the advantage in both technology and equipment – any choice you make will involve tradeoffs.
The war against the alien force takes on a global scale - as they attack indiscriminately, your troops must be prepared to operate across the globe using multiple bases, taking time between operations to rest, recuperate, rearm, research, and eventually reengage the enemy. No two campaigns are the same as complex simulations ensure even the smallest variances in decisions will have far-reaching impacts across the entire game.
*   A small radar station in Alaska detects an anomaly over the Bering Strait. Air Bases in Kamchatka and Yukon scramble jets to investigate, chasing multiple bogeys each, bringing them down over the water. Thousands of miles away, a radar station in Italy works in tandem with response teams stationed at a base in Algeria and an air base in France to take down alien operations on the Iberian Peninsula. Meanwhile, a new base is being built in Southeast Asia where the invaders have slipped through the cracks multiple times, inciting panic. Build, design, and manage multiple bases, each with its own squadrons of fighter jets and transports, radar arrays, research teams, operatives, and more. Consider the limitations of fuel ranges when you place them and use a grid-based construction system to optimally lay each of your bases out. Specialize your bases for detection, rapid response teams, research, manufacturing, and defenses as you see fit.
*   Pursue multiple avenues of research to acquire a vast variety of aircraft, vehicles, weapons, armor, and other battlefield equipment to experiment with. Your approach on the battlefield will be determined by a combination of the terrain you're engaging in and what equipment you've chosen to bring to the field. The presence of mechanized combat platforms and vehicles can tilt many situations in your favor as they break through cover and deliver particularly devastating ordnance, though their use can come at the cost of the ability to procure valuable resources from intact alien bodies and equipment. The research tree is vast, with over one hundred projects to unlock, allowing you to take on the alien threat with your own personal strategic and tactical touches.
*   Infuse alien technology across all manner of equipment, and even develop autonomous battlefield combat platforms and sentry guns to assist with your forward operations as well as the defense of your bases. If you give your engineering teams enough time, money, and resources, you'll find yourself well equipped for the threat - unfortunately, all three are perpetually scarce. Will you rush to produce automated combat platforms to minimize the threat to your operatives? Or produce additional dropships to respond to more threats at a time? Or will you seek improved armaments for your fighters to strengthen their ability to intercept and take down alien squadrons?
*   Training centers you build at your bases allow soldiers to improve their combat capabilities during downtime, but actual combat experience is of course of unparalleled value. Each mission gives your operatives an opportunity to improve their abilities according to the actual actions they take in combat, and even earn medals for their deeds.
Whether fighting in the air or on the ground, your tactical prowess is put to the test when engaging alien attackers. Battles are extremely dangerous affairs, asking you to manage positioning, ammunition, lines of sight, cover, and much more besides - many of your operatives will get wounded, and many of them will die, but those that survive grow more experienced and are more capable of taking on future dangers.
*   Scramble jets to respond to UFO sightings, engaging them in real-time tactical battles that put you in command of your fighter wings. Tell your pilots how to maneuver and who to target, ensuring their victory while also keeping an eye on their fuel gauge and the proximity of your nearby hangars. No forced 1-1 duels here – if the aliens bring a technologically advanced and heavily armed space craft to the fight, gang up and send a whole squadron of your best planes to bring it down. The strategic layer and air battles are closely intertwined, and careful planning of your global network of bases is of the utmost importance.
*   Put boots on the ground by sending in your operatives for a variety of mission types, pursuing a range of objectives, but beware – your adversaries will not passively wait for you to discover them. Aliens will actively maneuver and seek you out from across the map, moving intelligently to strike at you from beyond visual range, hiding behind cover and taking advantage of the high ground. Maximize your chance of success through effective reconnaissance and lay ambush to eliminate the enemy.
*   The battlefield is a dangerous place, and with an alien threat that will not stand idly by as you try to hunt them down, losses are inevitable. This isn’t the story of an elite squad of heroes winning battle after battle without loss – war is hell, and many of your troops will give their lives to resist the alien invasion. Your veteran troops will be invaluable, but even your basic recruits are skilled soldiers ready for combat. It is up to you to enable them to become the veterans of tomorrow.
Xenonauts 2 is a standalone title that does not need any experience playing the original Xenonauts to follow the story or enjoy the gameplay experience. The punishing battles, in-depth strategic layer, and complex simulations will take fans of the series and newcomers alike through a dark and deadly story about the defense of Earth and all humankind.

Release date: Apr 2, 2026

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Base Building, Research and Technology, Tactical Combat, Resource Management, Procedural Generation, Character Progression, Real-time with Pause

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement in Learning Curve and Mechanics; summary: The primary user complaints revolve around the game's steep learning curve and the need for external research to understand complex mechanics. Additionally, there are concerns about game mechanics, particularly regarding weapon design and tooltips. These issues significantly impact the user experience, making it challenging for new players to get into the game without extensive external research.
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game generally runs well on Linux with no crashes reported, but there are some performance issues such as slowdowns and stutters on larger maps. The game is also compatible with Steam Deck, providing a good experience on that platform.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game generally provides a stable and enjoyable experience on the Steam Deck, with positive feedback on controls and stability. However, there are notable performance issues, particularly on larger maps or with more combatants, which detract from the overall experience. Users also express a desire for the game to meet higher quality standards specific to the Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds the current price of $40 to be too high. Many reviewers mention that the game is worth buying at a discounted price, specifically around $26 or lower. The general sentiment is that while the game has its merits, it is not worth the full price of $40, and a discounted price range of $20 to $30 is considered more fair.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 50.0h
  - Story completion: 40.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct mentions of playtime for Xenonauts 2. One user completed a campaign in 50 hours, another finished the game in 35 hours, and a third user took 40 hours for their first playthrough. Additionally, a user mentioned completing the game in 90 hours on recruit difficulty. These data points help establish typical playtime metrics for the game.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Xenonauts 2 has a challenging early game with a steep learning curve, but once players overcome these initial hurdles, the game becomes enjoyable and addictive with improved pacing and engaging missions.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Completing the initial learning phase and early game challenges
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Challenging early game; Repetitive missions; Boring downtime between missions
  - Unlock drivers: Effective tutorial; Progressing to mid-game; Improved pacing with more human-like enemies
  - Conditions: Playing on appropriate difficulty; Engaging with the tutorial; Patience to overcome early challenges
- Player Archetypes:
  - Franchise Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Seeking a modernized classic experience.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and methodical, with high expectations for gameplay depth and mechanics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: XCOM veteran; hardcore fan; old-school player
    - Reference games: Xenonauts 1; X-COM; UFO: Enemy Unknown
  - Modern Classic Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying a blend of classic and modern gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and tactical, appreciating both old-school and modern mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan of the original XCOM; tactical gamer
    - Reference games: XCOM; UFO: Enemy Unknown
  - Critical Newcomer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a polished and stable gaming experience.
    - Playstyle: Cautious and critical, preferring well-developed and bug-free games.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: new player; casual gamer
    - Reference games: XCOM 2; other modern strategy games


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Faithful to original UFO/XCOM (weight 0.41): The game is praised for capturing the spirit and essence of the original UFO: Enemy Unknown and XCOM series. It is seen as a perfect recreation and a worthy continuation of the classic games, bringing back memories and maintaining the heritage of the originals.
- Deep combat mechanics (weight 0.41): Reviewers enjoy the combat mechanics, including shooting, melee, and the cover system. The game is noted for its tactical combat, strategic elements, and the effectiveness of using various equipment and weapons.
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.34): Players consistently describe the gameplay as fun, enjoyable, and challenging. The game offers a satisfying and dynamic experience with a good replayability factor, making it more entertaining than other similar games.
- Improvements over predecessor (weight 0.24): Players note significant improvements over the first game in the series, including technical enhancements and overall gameplay improvements. It is seen as a clear step up from its predecessor.
- High customization (weight 0.09): The game provides customizable mechanics and difficulty settings, allowing players to tailor their experience to their preferences.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive missions (weight 0.22): Players have found the missions to be highly repetitive, lacking variety and diversity in both missions and maps.
- Inaccurate shooting mechanics (weight 0.18): Players have reported issues with the accuracy of shots, both from their own soldiers and enemies, leading to frustration and high difficulty.
- Ineffective cover system (weight 0.16): The cover system in the game is criticized for being ineffective and misleading, providing little protection and causing issues during gameplay.
- Poor AI intelligence (weight 0.15): Many players have noted that the AI behavior in the game is basic and often stupid, leading to a lack of challenge and immersion.
- Downgraded graphics (weight 0.11): The graphics are criticized for being less beautiful and a downgrade compared to other games like XCOM 2.
- Line of sight issues (weight 0.1): Players have encountered problems with the line of sight system, describing it as sloppy, inconvenient, and wonky.
- Game is unfinished (weight 0.1): The game is noted as being unfinished and still in early access, with some parts incomplete and lacking features like Linux support.
- Lack of tactical depth (weight 0.1): The game is criticized for its lack of tactical depth, innovation, and resources, leading to a less engaging experience.
- Randomness in combat (weight 0.09): Players have reported excessive randomness in combat outcomes and weapon damage, leading to unfair and frustrating experiences.
- Balance issues (weight 0.09): The game suffers from balance issues, including economic balance and overall gameplay balance, making it less fun.
- Excessive enemy spawns (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for having hordes of enemies and excessive enemy spawns, making it feel overwhelming and unfair.
- Slow combat (weight 0.08): The turn-based combat is criticized for being slow and laborious, making the gameplay less enjoyable.
- Timed missions are stressful (weight 0.08): Timed missions are criticized for being too stressful and not enjoyable, adding unnecessary pressure to the gameplay.
- Lacks polish (weight 0.07): Despite its pre-final status, the game is noted for lacking polish in some levels and overall gameplay.
- Broken save files (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for having issues with save files, including corrupted saves and broken save files.
- Enemies have high accuracy (weight 0.07): Enemies are noted for having high accuracy and damage, even from long distances and through walls, making combat unfair and frustrating.
- Unbalanced combat mechanics (weight 0.07): The combat mechanics are criticized for being unbalanced, with overpowered enemies and unfair combat mechanics.
- Enemies have better stats (weight 0.07): Enemies are noted for having more hit points, armor, move points, accuracy, and better weapons, making combat unfair and frustrating.
- High damage variation (weight 0.06): The game suffers from high damage variability, with damage swinging wildly and leading to unpredictable combat outcomes.
- Difficulty spikes (weight 0.06): The game is criticized for having difficulty spikes and unfair difficulty, making it less enjoyable for some players.
- Imbalanced weapon system (weight 0.06): The weapon system is criticized for being imbalanced, with alien weapons being significantly more accurate. Air interception becomes difficult in the later stages due to the significant numerical difference in alien ships.
- Weapon range issues (weight 0.06): Players have reported issues with weapon range and effectiveness, leading to frustration during combat.
- Probability and storyline issues (weight 0.06): The game's probability calculations are criticized for often resulting in unfavorable outcomes. Additionally, the storyline is noted for being linear and potentially unwinnable due to bad luck.
- Poor explanations for mechanics (weight 0.06): The game is criticized for lacking explanations for certain game elements and mechanics, leading to confusion and frustration.
- Air combat needs improvement (weight 0.06): The air combat mechanics are criticized for lacking depth and not being fleshed out, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
- Doomsday clock mechanic (weight 0.06): The Doomsday clock mechanic is mentioned as a point of criticism, though specific issues are not detailed.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based tactical combat (weight 0.3): The game features a strategic turn-based combat system similar to classic XCOM games, involving tactical squad movements and probability-based mechanics.
- Classic XCOM gameplay style (weight 0.25): The game is often compared to the original XCOM series, with updated mechanics and a similar tactical combat experience.
- Base management and defense (weight 0.24): Players can build and manage bases, including defending them from alien attacks, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay.
- Diverse mission types (weight 0.18): The game offers a variety of missions, including campaign missions, UFO missions, and time-based missions with different objectives.
- Tactical depth and strategies (weight 0.18): The game offers deep tactical engagements with various strategies, including flanking, using grenades, and managing soldier actions.
- High difficulty level (weight 0.17): The game is known for its challenging gameplay and high difficulty, requiring strategic thinking and careful planning.
- Research and development (weight 0.11): Players can engage in technology research and development, which is crucial for advancing in the game.
- Strategic simulation and decision-making (weight 0.11): The game involves complex strategic decision-making and simulation elements, requiring careful planning and resource management.
- Character development and customization (weight 0.11): Players can develop and customize their characters, adding a personal touch to the gameplay experience.
- Enemy behavior and mechanics (weight 0.1): The game features detailed enemy behavior and movement patterns, adding to the tactical challenge.
- Quality-of-life improvements (weight 0.08): The game includes various quality-of-life features and gameplay improvements for a better user experience.
- Doomsday clock mechanic (weight 0.08): A unique feature involving a doomsday clock or timer, adding tension and strategic urgency to the gameplay.
- Air and tactical battles (weight 0.07): The game features both air combat and tactical battles, requiring strategic planning and quick decision-making.
- Equipment and upgrades (weight 0.06): Players can manage and upgrade their equipment, which is essential for tactical combat and mission success.
- Progression system (weight 0.06): The game includes a rewarding progression system, allowing players to advance and improve their capabilities over time.
- Ironman mode (weight 0.06): The game offers an Ironman mode, providing a challenging and unforgiving gameplay experience.
- Comparisons to other games (weight 0.06): The game is often compared to other titles like Xenonauts 1 and XCOM 2012, highlighting its improvements and similarities.

Performance notes:
- Stable and smooth performance (weight 0.12): Some players note that the game has a smooth and stable build, with light system requirements and smooth performance.
- Crashing and freezing issues (weight 0.12): Several players experience crashing issues, screen freezing, and save file problems, although some report no crashes.
- Mixed feedback on loading times (weight 0.1): Players have varying experiences with loading times; some report long loading times and poor optimization, while others find the loading speeds acceptable or even fast.
- High memory and resource usage (weight 0.1): Players report issues with RAM consumption and memory leaks, indicating high graphics and system requirements.
- Positive Steam Deck performance (weight 0.07): The game is reported to play great on Steam Deck, with many players noting it works well and runs perfectly on this platform.
- Optimization issues (weight 0.06): There are reports of optimization problems, including graphical bugs and general performance issues.
- Lag and stuttering issues (weight 0.06): There are reports of severe lag, stuttering geoscape, and general lagging and stuttering issues.
- Responsive development team (weight 0.03): The development team is noted for being responsive and addressing bug issues effectively.
- Desire for better Steam Deck optimization (weight 0.02): Some players express a desire for further optimization for the Steam Deck.
- Lack of response to key interactions (weight 0.02): Some players report a lack of response to key interactions, which can affect gameplay.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for XCOM fans (weight 0.4): The game is highly recommended for fans of the XCOM series and similar turn-based strategy games. It offers a deeper strategic layer that will appeal to those who enjoyed the original XCOM games.
- Specific gameplay suggestions (weight 0.13): Reviews include specific suggestions for improving the game, such as adding a memorial wall for fallen soldiers, changing civilian behavior during terror missions, and adjusting the Doomsday clock.
- Game needs polish and updates (weight 0.12): The game is recommended with the caveat that it needs some polish and future updates. Players are looking forward to additional content and improvements.
- Wait for sale or discount (weight 0.12): Several reviews suggest waiting for a sale or discount before purchasing the game. This indicates that while the game is worth playing, it may not be worth the full price for some players.
- Niche recommendations (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for specific niche audiences, such as fans of the original game looking for a fix from the past or Gen Z players seeking a new XCOM experience.
- Supporting the genre (weight 0.04): Supporting projects like this is seen as a way to keep the genre alive. The game is worth investing in for fans who want to see the genre continue to evolve.
- Consider playing the first game (weight 0.04): If you are new to the series, it is recommended to buy and play the first game. For those who have played the first part, it might be worth waiting for the full release of the second game.

Other player notes:
- Game in early access (weight 0.05): The game is currently in early access, which means it is still under development and may not have all features fully implemented or polished.
- Font size settings needed (weight 0.03): There is a request for adjustable font size settings, which would improve accessibility and readability for players.
- Workshop feature anticipated (weight 0.03): Players are looking forward to the addition of a workshop feature, which typically allows for user-generated content and mods.
- Comparisons to UFO Alien Invasion (weight 0.02): Some players are drawing comparisons between this game and UFO: Alien Invasion, likely in terms of gameplay mechanics or theme.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated due to a variety of gameplay issues, including frequent bugs, crashes, and save file problems. The game's high difficulty, unfair mechanics, and repetitive missions also contribute to this frustration, along with specific complaints about the cover system, AI behavior, and balance issues.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.17): Players are satisfied with the game's depth, improvements, and faithfulness to the original X-Com games. They appreciate the tactical freedom, challenging combat, and strategic gameplay, as well as the game's atmosphere, graphics, and overall polish.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Players express disappointment due to the game's lack of significant improvements, unfulfilled potential, and long development time. They also mention balancing issues, lack of innovation, and the game feeling more like a mod than a full-fledged sequel.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the game's combat mechanics, strategic depth, and engaging gameplay. They appreciate the improvements over the original game and the faithful remake of the classic X-Com experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.08): Players feel nostalgic because the game captures the essence of the original X-Com games. They appreciate the faithfulness to the classic formula and the similarities to the beloved UFO and XCOM series.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's depth, complexity, and tactical improvements. They look forward to future updates, modding support, and the game's potential as a spiritual successor to XCOM.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Players are enthusiastic about the game's strategic depth, engaging gameplay, and positive comparisons to the original XCOM. They enjoy the tactical combat, storyline, and overall experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the developers' love for the original X-Com, the game's realism, and combat system. They also enjoy the clean graphics, tense missions, and good atmosphere.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Players experience joy from the overall enjoyment of the game, its tactical layer, and gameplay mechanics. The game exceeded their expectations, bringing them happiness.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players hope for future updates and improvements, anticipating significant enhancements despite current shortcomings. They look forward to more content and developments.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players feel anger due to frequent one-shot kills, lack of character perks, and punishing gameplay mechanics. They are frustrated with enemy behavior and the inability to react or prepare properly.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the unpredictable and dramatic in-game events, as well as the unexpected enjoyment of the game's story and horror elements.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game's improvements and its similarities to Xcom. They enjoy the game and recommend it to others.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Players find the game very engaging and similar to a beloved classic, making it addictive despite some frustrations.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's depth and complexity, looking forward to seeing what else is added before the official release. They loved every second of the game despite the challenges.}