Posted on: May 7, 2022
Krschkr
Verified ownerGames: Reviews: 3
Questionable addition to an otherwise formidable game
Good: (1) The SPARK class returns MECH units to XCOM's ranks, allowing for more variety. (2) The story mission which introduces SPARKs is well-made and fun to play once. (3) The new alien hunter weapons allow for a bit more combat role specialization. Bad: (1) SPARKS have much less "personality" compared to MECHs, as they're full mechanoids instead of hybridized soldiers you may have bonds with. They don't mean a big change in your performance as in EU, they're just good in the mid- but fall short in the endgame. (2) Game integration of SPARK and alien hunter DLC content without the story missions (that are only interesting to play once) is not satisfying: New units and weapons simply pop up as a new research, alien rulers randomly appear on maps to annoy you. (3) The alien ruler mechanics usually lead to one of two results: Either your team gets wiped hard and quickly, or you're prepared and stomp the alien ruler... or one of your instant-kill weapon upgrades triggers. WOTC's chosen provide better "boss fights", although XCOM doesn't really need such in the first place. (4) Balance. The alien hunter weapons are way too powerful and quickly overpower XCOM more than ever. They deal more damage, allow for total control over units while allowing to damage them still and add more 0-cost actions that allow for damage stacking in one turn. Repeaters give a chance to instantly kill any non-object foe (including alien rulers and chosen with their 30 and more health points + armour) and you can put them on any kind of weapon. (5) Sons of anarchy. It'd be great if this skin DLC would be OPTIONAL. However, on GOG it's bundled with the alien hunter and SPARK content DLCs, so you can't skip it. While you can turn off randomly generated units using SoA equipment, all their armour will change its appearance whenever you upgrade the armour type (conventional->carapace->servo). XCOM will then run around half-naked, with spikes and feathers. Really annoying to undo every time.
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