Long War of the Chosen Mod Review: A Brutal, Essential XCOM 2 Overhaul XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is already a challenging game, but for those seeking a truly punishing and deeply rewarding strategic experience, "Long War of the Chosen" (LWOTC) is more than just a mod; it's a complete reimagining.
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is already a challenging game, but for those seeking a truly punishing and deeply rewarding strategic experience, "Long War of the Chosen" (LWOTC) is more than just a mod; it's a complete reimagining. This isn't a simple difficulty tweak; it's a comprehensive overhaul that dramatically expands the strategic and tactical layers of the game, forcing you to rethink everything you know about fighting ADVENT. If you're a PC gaming enthusiast familiar with the intricacies of Source engine modding and crave a strategic challenge that will test your mettle, then this Long War of the Chosen Mod Review is for you. We'll delve into what makes LWOTC a must-play for XCOM veterans, covering its gameplay impact, technical considerations, community reception, and ultimately, whether it's worth the plunge. Is "Long War of the Chosen harder than Stygian?" In many ways, yes. Get ready to lose soldiers, resources, and maybe even your sanity.
What the Mod Does: A Deep Dive into the Overhaul
LWOTC transforms XCOM 2 into a sprawling, protracted war of attrition. The mod aims to deliver a more realistic and challenging campaign by significantly increasing the game's scope and complexity. This means a longer campaign, more strategic decisions, and far more tactical battles.
One of the most notable changes is the reworked Shinobi class. Instead of being a front-line combatant, the Shinobi is now a dedicated scout and infiltrator. Their abilities are geared towards gathering intel, avoiding detection, and setting up ambushes. This change forces players to prioritize stealth and reconnaissance, making information gathering a crucial aspect of every mission.
The strategic layer receives a complete facelift. Players must now liberate regions from ADVENT control through Resistance Management. This involves establishing contacts, recruiting resistance fighters, and completing covert actions to weaken enemy influence. The world map becomes a dynamic battlefield, with ADVENT constantly reinforcing its presence and launching retaliatory strikes.
However, the overhaul doesn't stop there. The economic cost of nearly everything – facilities, research, soldier training – is dramatically increased. This forces players to make tough decisions about resource allocation, prioritizing certain upgrades over others. Every choice has consequences, and a single misstep can cripple your entire campaign. This is why PBD Mod Review vs. Stygian is a serious discussion: the strategic depth rivals dedicated grand strategy games.
All of these changes contribute to a substantial increase in overall game difficulty. Enemy pod sizes are larger, enemy AI is smarter, and the consequences of failure are far more severe. LWOTC demands patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Gameplay Impact: Infiltration, Tactics, and Survival
LWOTC's gameplay impact is profound, transforming the entire XCOM 2 experience. The infiltration mechanic fundamentally alters mission pacing. Before launching an assault, players must now send a squad to infiltrate the target area. The longer the infiltration, the lower the enemy alert level at the start of the mission. This encourages careful planning and execution, rewarding players who take the time to gather intel and prepare ambushes.
Tactically, LWOTC is a brutal test of skill. Increased enemy pod sizes – routinely encountering 10+ enemies at a time – demand careful squad composition and tactical maneuvering. Individual soldier abilities become crucial for survival. For example, a Grenadier with the "Hail of Bombs" perk can clear entrenched enemies, providing a vital opening for your squad to advance. What are the biggest changes in Pitch Black Dungeon? The shift away from reliance on Overwatch is significant. LWOTC demands proactive tactical maneuvers, making traditional Overwatch camping far less effective. Enemies will flank, suppress, and utilize abilities to disrupt your carefully laid plans.
Leveraging class specializations is key to success. A well-placed Ranger can use concealment to scout ahead and flank enemies, while a Specialist can hack enemy robots and provide vital support. Adapting your tactics to the specific mission and enemy composition is essential.
Technical Side: Installation and Tweaking
Installing LWOTC requires a bit more effort than simply subscribing to a mod on the Steam Workshop. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Install the Alternative Mod Launcher (AML): This is essential for managing the mod load order and resolving conflicts. You can find AML on GitHub.
- Subscribe to "Long War of the Chosen" on the Steam Workshop.
- Launch AML and activate "Long War of the Chosen" and its dependencies. Pay careful attention to the recommended load order, as incorrect ordering can lead to crashes or unexpected behavior.
- Verify the Mod Load Order: Ensure that required dependencies are correctly ordered and enabled within AML.
One of the great things about LWOTC is its customizability. You can tweak various aspects of the game by modifying the .ini files located in the mod's directory. For example, you can adjust the "SUPPLY_DROP_QUANTITY" parameter in the XComLW_Overhaul.ini file to adjust your income from supply drops.
Documents\My Games\XCOM2 War of the Chosen\XComGame\Mods\LongWarOfTheChosen\Config
Important .ini File Location: The primary configuration file for LWOTC is located in the mods directory.
Performance Considerations: LWOTC can impact performance, especially during large battles. On my system (Intel i7-8700K, RTX 2070, 16GB RAM), I experienced a 10-15% framerate drop during base defense missions when facing 20+ enemies. Users can change the 'NumBodiesCap' variable in the XComEngine.ini located at \Documents\My Games\XCOM2 War of the Chosen\XComGame\Config\ to avoid corpse build-up lagging down low-end machines.
Load times are also significantly increased with LWOTC. Without the mod, loading a mission takes approximately 30 seconds. With LWOTC, this can increase to 1-2 minutes.
Community Reception: A Thriving Ecosystem
LWOTC enjoys widespread popularity within the XCOM 2 community. On the Steam Workshop, it boasts over 200,000 subscribers Steam Workshop Long War of the Chosen. While Nexus Mods doesn't host LWOTC, its influence is felt through the many mods designed to be compatible with it.
Well-known XCOM 2 YouTubers like ChristopherOdd and DerAva have extensive LWOTC playthroughs, showcasing various tactics and class builds. These playthroughs provide valuable insights for players looking to improve their game.
The mod has also had a significant impact on the XCOM 2 "ironman" community, pushing the boundaries of difficulty and creating a demand for even more challenging experiences. The mod also inspired other modders to design mods that are compatible with Long War of the Chosen that increase the difficulty or add new features. This is what makes Pitch Black Dungeon mod builds so popular and fun to test out.
What is the best class build in Pitch Black Dungeon? A popular build is a stealth ranger with high mobility and stealth.
Verdict: Not for the Faint of Heart, But Essential for Veterans
LWOTC is not for everyone. If you're new to XCOM 2 or prefer shorter, more forgiving campaigns, this mod is not for you. You should instead experiment with some early to mid-tier mods that tweak the core game without making it an entirely new experience.
However, if you're an experienced XCOM 2 player seeking a brutally challenging, long-term strategic and tactical experience, LWOTC is an essential install. It redefines the core gameplay loop, forcing you to adapt and strategize in ways you never thought possible. What's the best strategy for Pitch Black Dungeon? Plan your missions and resource management carefully, and don't be afraid to take risks.
For XCOM veterans looking for a true test of their skills, "Long War of the Chosen" is the ultimate challenge. Just be prepared to lose… a lot.
How does Pitch Black Dungeon affect Crimson Court? It can increase the difficulty of the DLC and require careful planning to manage the Crimson Court mechanics alongside the mod's changes.
What are the best ways to manage stress in Pitch Black Dungeon? Use skills that reduce stress, bring items that lower stress, and manage the light levels in dungeons.
Why should I play Pitch Black Dungeon instead of vanilla Darkest Dungeon? It offers a more challenging and strategic experience, with altered mechanics and increased difficulty, for experienced players.
Is Pitch Black Dungeon worth playing? If you're looking for a brutally challenging and rewarding experience, then yes, it's definitely worth playing. Download it today!