Long War of the Chosen: The XCOM 2 Mod That Eats Your Life (and You'll Love It) Alright, XenGamers, let's talk turkey.

Alright, XenGamers, let's talk turkey. We're diving deep into the rabbit hole that is Long War of the Chosen (LWOTC), a total conversion mod for XCOM 2: War of the Chosen. Now, I’ve seen a lot of mods in my time, from texture packs that barely qualify to complete overhauls that rival official expansions. LWOTC falls squarely in the latter category. This isn't just a tweak; it's a full-blown resurrection, breathing new, albeit incredibly challenging, life into Firaxis' already excellent tactical strategy game. If you’re the type of gamer who enjoys meticulously planning every move, managing a sprawling resistance network, and embracing the sweet taste of hard-earned victory (or agonizing defeat), then buckle up. This is for you.

The sheer scale of the strategic layer in Long War of the Chosen can be overwhelming, but mastering it is key to survival.

What the Mod Does: A Symphony of Systems

Long War of the Chosen doesn’t just add a few new weapons or classes; it reimagines the entire XCOM 2 experience. We’re talking about a complete strategic and tactical overhaul. Let's break down some key features:

• The Strategic Layer: Resistance Management on Steroids: The Geoscape becomes your second home, and you’ll spend countless hours poring over its holographic globe. Managing resistance havens, contacting new regions, and scanning for resources are all amplified in complexity. You're no longer just reacting to ADVENT; you're actively building a global resistance network, piece by painstaking piece. Think XCOM 2 was easy? Think again. LWOTC forces you to carefully consider how you allocate your limited resources and where to focus your efforts.

• Infiltration Mechanics: Stealth is Your Friend: Gone are the days of charging headfirst into every mission. Infiltration is now paramount. Missions require you to send squads in advance to reduce enemy numbers and improve your tactical advantage before the actual engagement. Fail to infiltrate properly, and you'll be facing overwhelming odds. This system adds a welcome layer of strategic depth, forcing you to plan deployments weeks in advance, balancing risk and reward with every decision.

• The Fatigue System: Respect Your Soldiers: Your soldiers are no longer tireless killing machines. After each mission, they'll need rest and recuperation. This is a game-changer. You can't just rely on your A-team; you’ll need to develop and utilize your entire roster. The fatigue system introduces a new level of realism and strategic depth, forcing you to consider the long-term health and well-being of your troops. It drastically affects squad composition and mission readiness.

• Expanded Soldier Class System: More Roles, More Options: Forget the base game’s limited class selection. Long War of the Chosen dramatically expands your options. The base game offered 4 classes (with 4 DLC Classes). LWOTC boosts that to seven base classes with a plethora of specializations available through the Training Center. Classes like the Technical, with their flamethrowers and support abilities, and the Assault, a close-quarters combat specialist, add significant tactical diversity to your squads. Building the perfect team becomes a much more intricate and rewarding endeavor.

• ADVENT Reimagined: An Intelligent and Ruthless Enemy: ADVENT is no longer a pushover. The enemy AI is significantly improved, and they will actively hunt you down, adapt to your tactics, and exploit your weaknesses. Expect ambushes, reinforcements, and increasingly challenging enemy compositions. This isn’t just a numbers game; it's a battle of wits. You'll need to adapt and evolve your strategies constantly to stay one step ahead.

The expanded class system in Long War of the Chosen offers a wealth of tactical options, allowing for highly specialized and diverse squads.

Gameplay Impact: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

Playing Long War of the Chosen is akin to running a marathon. Forget quick wins and easy victories. This is a long, grueling campaign that will test your strategic acumen, tactical prowess, and sheer patience. The increased campaign length drastically increases the strategic burden. You need to manage resources, personnel, and research with meticulous care. One wrong decision can have cascading consequences that can cripple your entire operation.

The fatigue system is a prime example of how LWOTC forces you to adapt. No longer can you rely on your star players to carry every mission. You need to develop a deep bench of capable soldiers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This adds a layer of realism and strategic depth that is sorely missing from the base game. Infiltration missions completely change your approach to tactical engagements. Stealth and preparation are key. A well-planned infiltration can turn a seemingly impossible mission into a manageable one. However, a failed infiltration can lead to disaster.

The new classes also have a profound impact on squad composition and tactical options. The Technical, for example, provides invaluable crowd control and area denial capabilities, while the Assault excels at close-quarters combat and flanking maneuvers. Experimenting with different class combinations and finding the right synergy is crucial for success.

Expect intense firefights and challenging enemy encounters in Long War of the Chosen, demanding tactical flexibility and strategic thinking.

Technical Side: Mostly Smooth Sailing

Installation of Long War of the Chosen is relatively straightforward, thanks to the XCOM 2 Workshop on Steam. Simply subscribe to the mod, and the game launcher will handle the rest. However, be prepared for a lengthy download and installation process. This is a massive mod, and it takes time to install properly.

Stability is generally good, but occasional crashes and bugs are to be expected with a mod of this scale. I've encountered a few minor glitches, but nothing game-breaking. Your mileage may vary depending on your hardware configuration and other mods you have installed. Compatibility with other mods can be a mixed bag. Some mods work seamlessly with LWOTC, while others can cause conflicts. It’s best to consult the LWOTC community forums for compatibility information before installing additional mods.

Performance impact is noticeable, especially on lower-end systems. The increased complexity of the strategic layer and tactical missions can put a strain on your CPU and GPU. Be prepared to lower your graphics settings if you experience performance issues.

The unmistakable loading screen of Long War of the Chosen, a familiar sight for those who have braved its challenges.

Community Reception: From Modders to Innovators

Long War of the Chosen enjoys a stellar reputation within the XCOM 2 modding community. The original Long War team, Long War Studios (now Pavonis Interactive), has a long and storied history of creating high-quality mods for XCOM games. Their dedication to the community and their passion for tactical strategy games is evident in every aspect of LWOTC. It's worth noting the original Long War mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown was so popular it influenced design choices in XCOM 2. The work of Pavonis Interactive clearly had an impact on Firaxis itself, as evidenced by some of the mechanics introduced in War of the Chosen.

The modding community has lauded Long War of the Chosen for its depth, complexity, and replayability. It's frequently cited as one of the best mods ever made for XCOM 2, and it has received numerous awards and accolades within the modding community. The LWOTC community is also incredibly active and supportive. You'll find a wealth of information, guides, and tutorials online to help you get started and master the mod.

Careful research planning is essential in LWOTC, as new technologies unlock crucial tactical advantages.

Verdict: Worth the Plunge?

So, is Long War of the Chosen worth trying? Absolutely, but with a caveat. This mod is not for the faint of heart. It's designed for players who relish a challenge and appreciate deep, strategic gameplay. If you're looking for a casual, pick-up-and-play experience, then this isn't it. Expect to invest hundreds of hours into a single campaign. Expect to face crushing defeats and heartbreaking losses. But also expect to experience moments of triumph and satisfaction that are unmatched in the base game.

The intensity of tactical combat is heightened in LWOTC, demanding precision and strategic thinking.

Long War of the Chosen is a must-try for:

• Strategy Game Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy games like Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, or even the grittier aspects of Civilization will find much to love in the deep strategic layer.
• Tactical Combat Veterans: If you thrive on meticulously planning every move and executing complex maneuvers, LWOTC will put your skills to the test.
• XCOM Completionists: If you've conquered the base game and its DLCs and are looking for the ultimate XCOM 2 experience, this is it.

Every shot counts in Long War of the Chosen, where mistakes can be deadly.

Be warned: Long War of the Chosen is significantly more difficult than the base game. It requires a substantial time investment and a willingness to learn and adapt. But if you're up for the challenge, you'll be rewarded with an XCOM 2 experience that is richer, deeper, and more rewarding than you ever thought possible. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find yourself still playing it six months from now.

Protecting the Avenger is paramount in LWOTC, as losing your mobile base can be a devastating blow.

So, download it, install it, and prepare to lose yourself in the Long War of the Chosen. You might just find that it's the best XCOM 2 experience you've ever had. Or, you might just rage quit after a few hours. Either way, you'll have a story to tell. Now go forth and liberate the planet, Commander. And may the RNG gods be ever in your favor.

Close-quarters combat is a frequent occurrence in LWOTC, requiring tactical awareness and skillful execution.