XCOM: Enemy Within is a turn-based strategy game that has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. The game is known for its challenging missions, intense action, and strategic gameplay. One of the most common questions among XCOM enthusiasts is: how many missions are in XCOM: Enemy Within? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of XCOM and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
The Main Campaign: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the mission count, let’s take a step back and understand the structure of the game. XCOM: Enemy Within features a single-player campaign that follows a narrative arc. The main campaign is divided into a series of missions, each with its unique objectives, challenges, and storylines. The campaign is designed to take players on a thrilling ride, with twists and turns that keep them engaged and motivated.
Story Missions vs. Side Missions
XCOM: Enemy Within’s campaign consists of two types of missions: story missions and side missions. Story missions are the core of the campaign, advancing the narrative and driving the plot forward. These missions are essential to completing the game and are denoted by a storyline icon on the mission select screen.
On the other hand, side missions are optional and provide additional challenges, rewards, and experiences. These missions are marked by a side mission icon on the mission select screen. While completing side missions is not necessary to progress through the game, they offer valuable resources, upgrades, and intel that can aid in the fight against the alien threat.
Counting the Missions: A Breakdown
So, how many missions are in XCOM: Enemy Within? The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on how you categorize the missions. Here’s a breakdown of the mission count:
Story Missions
There are a total of 12 story missions in XCOM: Enemy Within. These missions are divided into three acts, each with its own set of challenges and objectives.
| Act | Mission Count |
|---|---|
| Act 1 | 4 |
| Act 2 | 4 |
| Act 3 | 4 |
Side Missions
XCOM: Enemy Within features a total of 47 side missions. These missions are divided into several categories, including:
- council requests
- abduction events
- UFO sightings
- council operations
- covert operations
Challenge Missions
In addition to story and side missions, XCOM: Enemy Within also features 12 challenge missions. These missions provide a unique set of challenges, such as limited resources, specific soldier requirements, or unique objectives. Completing challenge missions rewards players with valuable resources, upgrades, and experience points.
Total Mission Count
When we combine the story missions, side missions, and challenge missions, we get a total of 61 missions in XCOM: Enemy Within. However, it’s essential to note that this count may vary depending on the player’s choices and actions throughout the game.
Mission Variety and Replayability
One of the standout features of XCOM: Enemy Within is its mission variety and replayability. The game’s randomized maps, enemies, and objectives ensure that no two playthroughs are the same. Even when playing through the same mission, the outcome can be vastly different, making each attempt feel fresh and exciting.
Procedurally Generated Maps
XCOM: Enemy Within’s maps are procedurally generated, meaning that the layout, enemy placement, and objectives are randomly generated for each mission. This feature ensures that players must adapt their strategies and tactics to succeed, even on familiar missions.
Enemy Variety
The game features a diverse range of enemies, each with its unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. From the humble Sectoid to the towering Muton, the enemy variety keeps players on their toes, requiring them to adjust their strategies and tactics to counter the alien threats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, XCOM: Enemy Within features a total of 61 missions, including story missions, side missions, and challenge missions. The game’s mission variety, procedurally generated maps, and enemy variety ensure that each playthrough is unique and engaging. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the XCOM series, XCOM: Enemy Within offers an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you coming back for more.
So, what are you waiting for? Gather your squad, gear up, and get ready to take on the alien threat in XCOM: Enemy Within!
What is the main objective of XCOM: Enemy Within Missions?
The main objective of XCOM: Enemy Within Missions is to complete a series of challenging missions that will test the player’s tactical skills and strategic thinking. These missions are designed to provide a more intense and immersive gaming experience, with a focus on exploration, combat, and strategy. The ultimate goal is to defeat the alien threat and save humanity from extinction.
In each mission, the player will be presented with a unique set of objectives, such as rescuing civilians, destroying enemy facilities, or retrieving valuable resources. The player must use their team of soldiers, each with their own unique abilities and strengths, to overcome obstacles and defeat the alien enemies. With careful planning and execution, the player can complete the missions and progress through the game, unlocking new technologies, weapons, and upgrades along the way.
What are the different types of missions in XCOM: Enemy Within?
There are several types of missions in XCOM: Enemy Within, each with its own unique objectives and challenges. Some missions will require the player to rescue civilians or escort them to safety, while others will involve destroying enemy facilities or retrieving valuable resources. There are also retaliation missions, where the player must defend against an alien counterattack, and abbey missions, which involve infiltrating an alien base to gather intel or sabotage their operations.
The type of mission will also affect the level of difficulty and the types of enemies the player will encounter. For example, rescue missions may involve dealing with hordes of weaker enemies, while destruction missions may require the player to take on more powerful foes. The variety of mission types keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, and forces the player to adapt their strategies and tactics to succeed.
What are the different modes of difficulty in XCOM: Enemy Within?
XCOM: Enemy Within offers several modes of difficulty, ranging from Beginner to Impossible. The game also features an “Ironman” mode, which adds an extra layer of challenge by forcing the player to play without the ability to reload saved games. Each mode of difficulty affects the game’s AI, enemy strength, and resource availability, making the game more or less challenging depending on the player’s skill level.
The different modes of difficulty also affect the player’s experience points and rewards. On higher difficulty levels, the player will earn more experience points and better rewards, but will also face tougher challenges and more aggressive enemies. The Impossible difficulty level is the ultimate test of skill, where even the smallest mistake can be fatal.
What is the importance of soldier customization in XCOM: Enemy Within?
Soldier customization is a crucial aspect of XCOM: Enemy Within, as it allows the player to tailor their soldiers to fit their unique playstyle and mission objectives. By customizing their soldiers’ abilities, weapons, and equipment, the player can create a team that is well-suited to the challenges they will face. This customization also adds a layer of realism to the game, as the player must consider the strengths and weaknesses of each soldier when making tactical decisions.
Customization also affects the player’s emotional investment in the game. As the player develops attachments to their soldiers, they will be more motivated to keep them alive and successful. This emotional connection is a key element of the game’s design, and makes the experience more immersive and engaging.
How does the game’s AI affect gameplay in XCOM: Enemy Within?
The game’s AI in XCOM: Enemy Within is highly advanced, and plays a crucial role in creating a challenging and immersive gaming experience. The AI controls the alien enemies, and is capable of adapting to the player’s tactics and strategies. The AI will adjust its difficulty on the fly, making the game more or less challenging depending on the player’s performance.
The AI also affects the game’s atmosphere and tension. The aliens will use tactics like flanking, ambushes, and retreats to try and outmaneuver the player. This creates a sense of unpredictability and danger, making the game feel more realistic and intense.
What role does resource management play in XCOM: Enemy Within?
Resource management is a critical aspect of XCOM: Enemy Within, as the player must balance their limited resources with their mission objectives. Resources such as money, personnel, and equipment are limited, and the player must make tough decisions about how to allocate them. This adds a layer of strategy and realism to the game, as the player must prioritize their needs and make sacrifices to achieve their goals.
Effective resource management also affects the player’s chances of success in the game. By managing their resources wisely, the player can gain a strategic advantage over their enemies, and complete their missions more efficiently. Conversely, poor resource management can lead to failure and defeat.
What kind of storyline can I expect in XCOM: Enemy Within?
XCOM: Enemy Within features a rich and immersive storyline that explores the human struggle against an alien invasion. The game takes place in the near future, where an alien force has invaded Earth and is terrorizing its population. The player takes on the role of the commander of XCOM, a secret organization dedicated to fighting against the alien threat.
The storyline is deeply intertwined with the gameplay, as the player’s actions and decisions have a direct impact on the story. The game features a branching narrative, where the player’s choices affect the outcome of the story. The storyline is full of twists and turns, keeping the player engaged and motivated to complete the game.