//UPLINK RE-ESTABLISHED
//WARNING! – THIS SYSTEM IS CLASSIFIED – AUTHORISED ACCESS ONLY
//****************** P̸̺͍̬̥ͅA̴̢̱͈SSWOR̴̥̫͉͜D̢͕͡͝ͅ ̡̛͎͈̼̱͠A̵̤͙͔̠͟CCEPTE̢̛̻̤͟D̡̞͓̭̥̠
//A̷̛̰̖͙̼̝̱͘CCESSI̱̭̫͉̬N̞̳͍͔͝͞Ģ̣͉̥͇̙̜̙̰ ҉̗̞͉̕A͏̩̱͙̲̹͎̼D̵̨̗͖̬̭̹̫MINISTR̹̣͉̘̺͞A̧̹͚̩̬̭̺̖̰̫͜TIV̺̫́E̛̞̹͝ͅ ̠̫̼̠̦̼͡͠A̘͓͇̻͉̹͞͠͡C͏҉̺̝̲͕̻ͅCOUN͔̫̕͞T̻͓̹̥̱͇͙.͈̘̬̫͜.̬̻̪̹̩̳͉̕.̧̪͇̙ ̢͔̙̬͇̥̞͍̬́P̨̰̦̦̫̲̥̀L͎͍̣̱̯͡EASE Ş̘̟̻̜͢T̫̳̣͔͍̞̰̭̥̀Ḁ̲̩̰̦̖̮͢͠Ǹ͓̠̞͎D̬̦͙́ B̵̧͙͍͍̤̰͘Y
//WARNING! – UNAUTHORISED ACCESS DETECTED – ACCESS TIME LOGGED – SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN
//OPERATIVES HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO YOUR LOCATION… PLEASE STAND BY
//WARNING! – THIS SYSTEM IS CLASSIFIED – AUTHORISED ACCESS ONLY
//****************** P̸̺͍̬̥ͅA̴̢̱͈SSWOR̴̥̫͉͜D̢͕͡͝ͅ ̡̛͎͈̼̱͠A̵̤͙͔̠͟CCEPTE̢̛̻̤͟D̡̞͓̭̥̠
//A̷̛̰̖͙̼̝̱͘CCESSI̱̭̫͉̬N̞̳͍͔͝͞Ģ̣͉̥͇̙̜̙̰ ҉̗̞͉̕A͏̩̱͙̲̹͎̼D̵̨̗͖̬̭̹̫MINISTR̹̣͉̘̺͞A̧̹͚̩̬̭̺̖̰̫͜TIV̺̫́E̛̞̹͝ͅ ̠̫̼̠̦̼͡͠A̘͓͇̻͉̹͞͠͡C͏҉̺̝̲͕̻ͅCOUN͔̫̕͞T̻͓̹̥̱͇͙.͈̘̬̫͜.̬̻̪̹̩̳͉̕.̧̪͇̙ ̢͔̙̬͇̥̞͍̬́P̨̰̦̦̫̲̥̀L͎͍̣̱̯͡EASE Ş̘̟̻̜͢T̫̳̣͔͍̞̰̭̥̀Ḁ̲̩̰̦̖̮͢͠Ǹ͓̠̞͎D̬̦͙́ B̵̧͙͍͍̤̰͘Y
//WARNING! – UNAUTHORISED ACCESS DETECTED – ACCESS TIME LOGGED – SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN
//OPERATIVES HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO YOUR LOCATION… PLEASE STAND BY
DEVELOPER | Firaxis Games
PUBLISHER | 2K Games
DIRECTOR | Ananda Gupta (Twilight Struggle, A Force More Powerful)
PLATFORMS | PC, 360, PS3
RATINGS | ESRB: M / PEGI: 18 / OFLC: MA15+
AVAILABLE | Steam / GMG / Amazon / In Stores
RRP | 360/PS3: US$40 / PC: US$30
NB | On specialised console hardware, the Enemy Within software platform will only be available bundled as part of the standalone
XCOM: Enemy Within “Commander Edition” software package, which includes the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown game as well as
supplementary DLC Add-on Content. On the personal computer, Enemy Within is available as a downloadable expansion pack
accessed via your Steamworks-enabled client.
PUBLISHER | 2K Games
DIRECTOR | Ananda Gupta (Twilight Struggle, A Force More Powerful)
PLATFORMS | PC, 360, PS3
RATINGS | ESRB: M / PEGI: 18 / OFLC: MA15+
AVAILABLE | Steam / GMG / Amazon / In Stores
RRP | 360/PS3: US$40 / PC: US$30
NB | On specialised console hardware, the Enemy Within software platform will only be available bundled as part of the standalone
XCOM: Enemy Within “Commander Edition” software package, which includes the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown game as well as
supplementary DLC Add-on Content. On the personal computer, Enemy Within is available as a downloadable expansion pack
accessed via your Steamworks-enabled client.
The Extraterrestrial Combat Unit (or XCOM) was formed to defend against increasing world-wide UFO activity at the beginning of the
21st century, an independent body charged with investigating and defeating the alien threat. This elite multi-national organisation is
funded by all the major world powers and is staffed by the finest pilots, soldiers, scientists and engineers, outfitted with the best
technologies that humanity has to offer.
But they’re not the only game in town.
Even as extra-terrestrial forces deploy previously unseen creatures into battle and XCOM scientists race to unlock the myriad secrets
of alien nanotechnologies, a new threat to the future of mankind has emerged. A secretive paramilitary organisation naming itself
EXALT has arisen and is vying for acquisition of alien artefacts and technologies while attempting to undermine XCOM field operations.
Their goals are unknown. Their capabilities are unknown. They must be eliminated.
You will be fighting a difficult battle, Commander, a fight for this world’s very survival, against forces unknown and within. You may not
be able to afford to bring all your operatives alive.
Good luck, Commander.
21st century, an independent body charged with investigating and defeating the alien threat. This elite multi-national organisation is
funded by all the major world powers and is staffed by the finest pilots, soldiers, scientists and engineers, outfitted with the best
technologies that humanity has to offer.
But they’re not the only game in town.
Even as extra-terrestrial forces deploy previously unseen creatures into battle and XCOM scientists race to unlock the myriad secrets
of alien nanotechnologies, a new threat to the future of mankind has emerged. A secretive paramilitary organisation naming itself
EXALT has arisen and is vying for acquisition of alien artefacts and technologies while attempting to undermine XCOM field operations.
Their goals are unknown. Their capabilities are unknown. They must be eliminated.
You will be fighting a difficult battle, Commander, a fight for this world’s very survival, against forces unknown and within. You may not
be able to afford to bring all your operatives alive.
Good luck, Commander.
MIND YOUR MELD: Locate and secure the new nanotech resource Meld during field operations to fuel the enhanced development of
your soldiers. Be warned – meld is unstable and will self-destruct shortly after the commencement of operations, necessitating strategic
evaluation as to whether to risk your soldiers in pursuit of this unearthly substance.
GENOME PROJECT: Modify your troops at the genetic level to unlock an additional tech tree of abilities, granting them startling new abilities
such as regenerative health, better psionic resistance or bio-electric anti-stealth capabilities – through the mysteries of science, not magic.
Gene mod troopers maintain their class abilities and may still be candidates for psionic operations, if appropriate.
I NEVER ASKED FOR THIS: Augment XCOM operatives with Mechanical Exoskeletal Cybersuits to create walking, thinking tanks with
devastating firepower and their own unique abilities. MEC troopers sacrifice their limbs and any psionic or class-based skills for their giant
mech suits, but inherit an ability depending on their previous class prior to surgery. They also get to punch aliens with a giant rocket-fist.
MARS ATTACKS (AGAIN): Face terrifying new xeno threats such as the cyber-suited Mechtoid (twin-plasma mini-cannons, cannot use cover,
won’t be killed if mind-melded partner dies) and the squid-like Seeker (stealth-mode hit-and-run units that attempt to ambush and
strangle soldiers who aren’t being covered by allies). [More enemies may yet be forthcoming: situation uncertain].
EXALTED ONES: Combat the secretive-yet-dapper paramilitary organisation EXALT as they attempt to interfere with XCOM operations in
pursuit of their own unknown agenda. Deploy and extract agents from covert operations to disrupt terror cells and procure intelligence. Find
and assault their primary base of operations to eliminate the terrorist threat once and for all.
PROGENITOR: Operation Progeny, a set of 3 unique missions similar to the DLC release Operation Slingshot, is included with Enemy Within.
It’s about some psychic French lady and the three competing factions who want her. Hopefully it’s not super creepy, but it’s called Operation
Progeny, you do the math.
BASE ESCAPE:There’s probably a base defence mission or something, judging by the trailers and by lead dev Ananda Gupta repeatedly
avoiding the question. CONFIRMED. Remember to place your hangers and elevators at one end of the base so you can chokepoint/kill zone
the entire invading force – oh wait, it doesn’t work that way anymore?
ALL THE REST OF IT: A host of major and minor tweaks to game balance, UI improvements, new cosmetic armour options, 47 new maps, new
items and abilities to be researched and developed, and additional Second Wave options (including an option that tweaks flanking, an
option that enables save scumming, and an option that randomises non-weapon-based class abilities). Panic has been rebalanced with a
drastic aim penalty to cut down on friendly fire instances, and audio packs for foreign languages may be used on a per-soldier basis (so
Russians can speak Russian etc). More here.
BUG FIXES: NO MORE GODDAMN TELEPORT BUGS. Patches have also been promised for those who choose not to upgrade to Enemy Within.
your soldiers. Be warned – meld is unstable and will self-destruct shortly after the commencement of operations, necessitating strategic
evaluation as to whether to risk your soldiers in pursuit of this unearthly substance.
GENOME PROJECT: Modify your troops at the genetic level to unlock an additional tech tree of abilities, granting them startling new abilities
such as regenerative health, better psionic resistance or bio-electric anti-stealth capabilities – through the mysteries of science, not magic.
Gene mod troopers maintain their class abilities and may still be candidates for psionic operations, if appropriate.
I NEVER ASKED FOR THIS: Augment XCOM operatives with Mechanical Exoskeletal Cybersuits to create walking, thinking tanks with
devastating firepower and their own unique abilities. MEC troopers sacrifice their limbs and any psionic or class-based skills for their giant
mech suits, but inherit an ability depending on their previous class prior to surgery. They also get to punch aliens with a giant rocket-fist.
MARS ATTACKS (AGAIN): Face terrifying new xeno threats such as the cyber-suited Mechtoid (twin-plasma mini-cannons, cannot use cover,
won’t be killed if mind-melded partner dies) and the squid-like Seeker (stealth-mode hit-and-run units that attempt to ambush and
strangle soldiers who aren’t being covered by allies). [More enemies may yet be forthcoming: situation uncertain].
EXALTED ONES: Combat the secretive-yet-dapper paramilitary organisation EXALT as they attempt to interfere with XCOM operations in
pursuit of their own unknown agenda. Deploy and extract agents from covert operations to disrupt terror cells and procure intelligence. Find
and assault their primary base of operations to eliminate the terrorist threat once and for all.
PROGENITOR: Operation Progeny, a set of 3 unique missions similar to the DLC release Operation Slingshot, is included with Enemy Within.
It’s about some psychic French lady and the three competing factions who want her. Hopefully it’s not super creepy, but it’s called Operation
Progeny, you do the math.
BASE ESCAPE:
avoiding the question.
the entire invading force – oh wait, it doesn’t work that way anymore?
ALL THE REST OF IT: A host of major and minor tweaks to game balance, UI improvements, new cosmetic armour options, 47 new maps, new
items and abilities to be researched and developed, and additional Second Wave options (including an option that tweaks flanking, an
option that enables save scumming, and an option that randomises non-weapon-based class abilities). Panic has been rebalanced with a
drastic aim penalty to cut down on friendly fire instances, and audio packs for foreign languages may be used on a per-soldier basis (so
Russians can speak Russian etc). More here.
BUG FIXES: NO MORE GODDAMN TELEPORT BUGS. Patches have also been promised for those who choose not to upgrade to Enemy Within.
TRAILERS | Initial Teaser Trailer | PAX PRIME 2013 "War Machines" Trailer | "Security Breach" Trailer |
VIDEO | GiantBomb Quick Look EX (Ft. Ananda "Sleeveless" Gupta) | GameSpot Base Defence Playthrough | Rev3Games Whaling Investigation
Playthrough (Ft. Adam "Ahab" Sessler) | TotalBiscuit Covert Ops Playthrough (Ft. John "Chords of Steel" Bain) | 2K Multiplayer Stream
(ft. Doug "Awesome" MacLeod and David "Dacidbro" Broweleit) | Escapist Base Defence Preview
AUDIO | Three Moves Ahead Episode 233 (Ft. Ananda "Actually Talks About Board Games for Thirty Minutes" Gupta)
VIDEO | GiantBomb Quick Look EX (Ft. Ananda "Sleeveless" Gupta) | GameSpot Base Defence Playthrough | Rev3Games Whaling Investigation
Playthrough (Ft. Adam "Ahab" Sessler) | TotalBiscuit Covert Ops Playthrough (Ft. John "Chords of Steel" Bain) | 2K Multiplayer Stream
(ft. Doug "Awesome" MacLeod and David "Dacidbro" Broweleit) | Escapist Base Defence Preview
AUDIO | Three Moves Ahead Episode 233 (Ft. Ananda "Actually Talks About Board Games for Thirty Minutes" Gupta)
//THIS SUBSYSTEM IS CLASSIFIED UNTIL [redacted]. ACCESS ATTEMPT HAS BEEN LOGGED]
RockPaperShotgun - Words/10
GamesRadar - 9.5/10
Eurogamer - 9/10
Videogamer - 9/10
IGN - 9/10
GameSpot - 8/10
ShackNews - 7/10
So is this an expansion pack or a standalone game? Does it have a fully new campaign, like a sequel or something?
XCOM: Enemy Within (‘EW’
is integrated expansion software for the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown (‘EU’. It will require the original software in
order to operate. On specialised console hardware, it will come bundled with the original software, as well as additional DLC modules for enhanced
enjoyment.
In line with the established Firaxis philosophy regarding expansion software, EW does not simulate a secondary or sequel campaign. Instead, it
layers on multiple new strategic and tactical elements onto the core systemic functionality of EU to create a new battlefield experience.
Wait, so it’s DLC on the PC, but you gotta buy it on disc on consoles?
Correct. Size restrictions and other classified issues prevent the effective distribution of EW via third-party controlled networks that are not
Steamworks-enabled.
So is a game of EW going to be longer and more difficult than a game of EU?
Uncertain. Current estimates claim that a full-length campaign should be only slightly longer than standard. Although ‘normal’ difficulty games will
likely be slightly easier to complete due to the increased availability of alien technologies, ‘classic’ and ‘impossible’ mode games have reportedly
been rebalanced to be even tougher.
This got anything to do with that 2K Marin “The Bureau” thingy?
That information is classified at this point in time. Research is ongoing.
Isn’t this one meant to be set underwater and you’re, like, fighting Cthulhu or something?
[[FILE NOT FOUND]]
Even with all these new crazy +1 modifiers and psychic genetic mechanoid abilities and all of this crazy bullshit, how the fuck did I still miss four
80% shots in a row and then get squad wiped from across the map?
That’s XCOM, baby!
XCOM: Enemy Within (‘EW’
is integrated expansion software for the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown (‘EU’. It will require the original software in order to operate. On specialised console hardware, it will come bundled with the original software, as well as additional DLC modules for enhanced
enjoyment.
In line with the established Firaxis philosophy regarding expansion software, EW does not simulate a secondary or sequel campaign. Instead, it
layers on multiple new strategic and tactical elements onto the core systemic functionality of EU to create a new battlefield experience.
Wait, so it’s DLC on the PC, but you gotta buy it on disc on consoles?
Correct. Size restrictions and other classified issues prevent the effective distribution of EW via third-party controlled networks that are not
Steamworks-enabled.
So is a game of EW going to be longer and more difficult than a game of EU?
Uncertain. Current estimates claim that a full-length campaign should be only slightly longer than standard. Although ‘normal’ difficulty games will
likely be slightly easier to complete due to the increased availability of alien technologies, ‘classic’ and ‘impossible’ mode games have reportedly
been rebalanced to be even tougher.
This got anything to do with that 2K Marin “The Bureau” thingy?
That information is classified at this point in time. Research is ongoing.
Isn’t this one meant to be set underwater and you’re, like, fighting Cthulhu or something?
[[FILE NOT FOUND]]
Even with all these new crazy +1 modifiers and psychic genetic mechanoid abilities and all of this crazy bullshit, how the fuck did I still miss four
80% shots in a row and then get squad wiped from across the map?
That’s XCOM, baby!
- November 5th 2013 - First contact. Thread created.
- November 12th 2013 - Review Embargo Lifted. Impressions archived.
- November 12th 2013 - XCOM software updated. Certain operatives have already received Enemy Within, but technical issues regarding allocation are numerous. Please stand by...
- November 12th 2013 - Project confirmed activated in North America. Rest of world remains in chaos
- November 15th 2013 - Project activated World-Wide. Casualties mounting.
//TRANSMISSION TERMINATED
“BELLATOR EX MACHINA” / “MUTARE AD CUSTODIAM” / “VIGILO CONFIDO”
