XCOM 2 (2016) - How Long to Beat, Player Count, Cast and Crew

About

XCOM 2 came out on February 4, 2016 for Linux, Mac and PC, then for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 27, 2016 and for Nintendo Switch on May 29, 2020. On Steam, 85% of 80,433 player reviews are positive (Very Positive). 3,209 people are playing it on Steam right now, with a peak of 4,417 in the last 30 days. It is Playable on Steam Deck. The main story takes about 24 hours, doing everything about 68 hours. It was nominated for 1 award.

XCOM 2 is the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the 2012 award-winning strategy game of the year. Earth has changed and is now under alien rule. Facing impossible odds you must rebuild XCOM, and ignite a global resistance to reclaim our world and save humanity.

Story

Twenty years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to alien forces and XCOM, the planet's last line of defense, was left decimated and scattered. Now the aliens rule Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface, while concealing a sinister agenda below and eliminating all who dissent from their new order.Only those who live at the edges of the world have a margin of freedom. Here, a force gathers once again to stand up for humanity. Always on the run, the remnant XCOM forces must find a way to rise from the ashes, expose the insidious truth behind the occupation, and eliminate the alien threat once and for all.

What is happening now

XCOM 2 remains the benchmark turn-based tactical strategy game nearly a decade after launch, with its blend of base management, squad combat, and permadeath stakes continuing to define the genre. The 2016 sequel cemented the template that spawned an entire wave of strategy titles in its wake. Recent coverage reflects the game's enduring influence as a reference point for the strategy space. Media outlets regularly position XCOM 2 as the aspirational standard newer releases measure against, while also recommending entry-level alternatives for players intimidated by its difficulty curve. Meanwhile, a notable cultural moment arrived when a former developer unearthed cancelled Quake 4 material on an old hard drive and released it publicly - a reminder of how deeply intertwined XCOM 2's production remains with gaming history.

How long to beat XCOM 2

from 5 players

Main storyrushing through the story

24 h

Main + extrasstory plus side content

45 h

Completionisteverything the game has

68 h

From the people behind XCOM 2

shared cast and crew

XCOM 2: Digital Deluxe Edition

2016 · Tim Wynn and Jake Solomon

Red Faction: Guerrilla

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

2008 · Tim Wynn

The Simpsons Game

2007 · Tim Wynn

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2014 · Goldhawk Interactive

Offworld Trading Company

2016 · mohawk games

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

2018 · Bulwark Studios

Planetbase

2015 · Madruga Works

RimWorld

2018 · Ludeon Studios

Cast and crew

2 credits

Crew

Awards

0 won, 1 more nomination

The Game Awards 2016

Nominated: Best Sim/Strategy

Media

Watch trailer 1 Watch trailer 2 Watch trailer 3 Watch trailer 4 Watch trailer 5 Watch trailer 6

Releases

Platform

Date

Linux

February 4, 2016 (North America first)

Mac

February 4, 2016 (North America first)

PC (Microsoft Windows)

February 4, 2016 (North America first)

PlayStation 4

September 27, 2016 (North America first)

Xbox One

September 27, 2016

Nintendo Switch

May 29, 2020

Earliest full release on each platform; regional dates can differ.

PC and Steam Deck

Steam store page

Steam Deck: Playable runs, but may need some tweaks

Minimum

Recommended

OS *

Windows® 7, 64-bit

Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo E4700 2.6 GHz or AMD Phenom 9950 Quad Core 2.6 GHz

3GHz Quad Core

Memory

4 GB RAM

8 GB RAM

Graphics

1GB ATI Radeon HD 5770, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or better

2GB ATI Radeon HD 7970, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or better

DirectX

Version 11

Storage

45 GB available space

Sound Card

DirectX compatible sound card

Additional Notes

Initial installation requires one-time Internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, Microsoft Visual C++2012 and 2013 Runtime Libraries and Microsoft DirectX.

Requirements and Deck status as listed on Steam, checked Oct 28, 2026.

XCOM 2 player count

concurrent players on Steam

3,209playing now34m ago

3,209peak today

4,41730-day peak

4,417highest we have seenOct 25, 2026

Oct 23daily peak, last 11 daystoday

Players counted on Steam every one to six hours; the daily peak is the highest count of the day.

XCOM 2 achievements

88 achievements on Steam

Rarest

Exquisite Timing Beat the game on Commander+ difficulty by July 1st (July 15th for War of the Chosen)

0.9%

Campaign Microcosm Complete a random legacy operation

0.9%

Who Needs Tygan? Beat the final mission using only conventional gear

The Few and the Proud Beat the game on Commander+ difficulty without buying a Squad Size upgrade

1.2%

Bug Fisherman Complete the 'It Came From the Sea' legacy operation with a gold medal

1.3%

Playing For Score Complete a Local Challenge

1.4%

All 88 achievements by how many players unlocked them

Weary Warriors Complete a mission with all Tired soldiers and no casualties

1.6%

Fully Operational Battlestation Complete the 'Avenger Assemble' legacy operation with a gold medal

1.6%

Heavy Metal Kill an enemy with every heavy weapon in the game (Doesn't have to be in the same game)

1.7%

Deja Vu All Over Again Complete the 'Blast From the Past' legacy operation with a gold medal

1.7%

The Gang's All Here Complete 'The Lazarus Project' legacy operation with a gold medal

1.8%

Honorary Level Designer Complete a Skirmish Mission

1.8%

The Most Dangerous Game Win a multiplayer match.

2.1%

Immortal Commander Overthrow the aliens on Legend difficulty

2.2%

Valhalla Beat the game on Commander+ difficulty in Ironman mode

2.3%

Beginner's Luck Beat a mission in June or later using only Rookies

2.4%

The Untouchables Beat the game on Commander+ without losing a soldier

2.9%

Rise of the Robots Complete a mission with three or more SPARK units in the squad

2.9%

Now I Am The Master Use all ruler armor abilities in a single mission

3.5%

Overpowered Beat a mission on Commander+ with a squad composed entirely of soldiers of the same class (but not Rookie)

3.9%

Not Throwing Away My Shot Kill an alien ruler while it attempts to escape

3.9%

Matter Over Mind Defeat an Avatar with a SPARK unit

Running on Fumes A SPARK unit survives a mission it started with less than half health

5.1%

Circle of Psi Raise a Templar to maximum Focus level, spend it all, and reach the max again in a single mission

5.9%

Defender of Humanity Overthrow the aliens on Commander difficulty

6.1%

Zombies in a Barrel Get 15 Headshots against Lost in a single turn

6.1%

Brutal Collection Skulljack each different type of ADVENT soldier (does not have to be in same game)

7.6%

Enemy Adopted Use a ruler armor ability against an alien ruler

8.6%

There's A Future In The Past Complete a single player campaign with Tactical Legacy Pack content

10.3%

Our New Overlords Promote a SPARK unit to Champion rank

13.2%

Global Resistance Get all of the continent bonuses available in a single campaign

13.6%

Regicide Kill an alien ruler the first time you encounter it

13.8%

Always be Shooting Hit three shots on a single turn with a SPARK unit after using its Overdrive ability

14.3%

Deadly Arsenal Purchase all of the final tier Hunter Weapons

14.5%

Can't Stop the Fighting Perform three offensive actions against the same target with a Skirmisher in a single turn

15.1%

Shadow Broker Sell goods worth 1000 supplies to the Black Market (Can span multiple games)

15.8%

Nick of Time Evacuate a soldier whose bleed-out timer is still running

16%

The Sun Never Sets Build a radio relay on every continent

16.4%

Bells and Whistles Outfit a SPARK unit with the highest tier weaponry and armor

18.1%

Kingslayer Kill all alien rulers in a single game

18.4%

It Takes Two Form a level 3 bond between two soldiers

19.4%

Archon Annihilator Kill the Archon Ruler

19.7%

Born in the Darkness Get four kills from Shadow mode with a Reaper in a single mission

20.9%

A Forbidden Experiment

21.1%

Fully Operational Resistance Raise XCOM's influence with all three factions to High in a single game

21.8%

Berserker Breaker Kill the Berserker Ruler

23.1%

A Rival Silenced Permanently defeat one of the Chosen

23.8%

A Torch Passed Beat the Lost Towers mission

23.9%

Just Like Dad Used To Make Build a SPARK unit

24%

Make ‘em go Boom Kill an enemy primed Derelict MEC before it can self-destruct

26.2%

Viper Vanquisher Kill the Viper Ruler

27.6%

Shen's Legacy Build a facility in every Avenger slot

28.1%

Stop Hitting Yourself Kill an enemy with a hacked turret

28.4%

Excalibur Completely upgrade a beam weapon with superior grade weapon upgrades

29.8%

Earth Avenged Overthrow the aliens at any difficulty level

30.6%

Axles to Axles, Bolts to Bolts Defeat a robotic enemy with a SPARK unit

31.4%

No One Left Behind Rescue a soldier who was captured by the Chosen

31.4%

David and Goliath Kill a Berserker in melee combat

31.9%

A Final Stand

32.4%

A Line Crossed

34.5%

A New Alliance Complete the Lost and Abandoned mission

35.1%

Mechlord Hack and take control of a Sectopod

37.2%

A Dark Doorway

37.4%

Pile 'Em Up Kill 500 aliens. (does not have to be in same game)

38.8%

Meat Over Metal Kill a Sectopod on the same turn you encounter it

39.2%

A Better Human Being

39.4%

A God Falls

40.2%

Have a Nice Trip Cause an enemy to fall to its death

47.5%

Codebreaker

48.8%

Bring It Down Sabotage an alien facility

49.1%

Cyberlord Earn a second tier hack reward

50.4%

Now Am I Become Death Kill 3 enemies in a single turn, with a single soldier, without explosives

52%

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Apply a PCS upgrade to a soldier

53.8%

Rebel Radio

54.1%

Heroes of the Resistance Beat a Retaliation mission with no more than 3 civilian deaths

54.5%

Room to Grow Upgrade a facility

55.4%

A Grim Key

55.7%

Tinker Build an experimental item in the Proving Grounds

56.2%

Car Wrecked Cause an enemy to die in a vehicle explosion

56.3%

A Horrible Truth

57.3%

With Extreme Prejudice Skulljack an ADVENT Officer

57.3%

Breathing Room Kill a Viper who is strangling a squadmate

58.3%

Come Back To Me Kill a Sectoid who is currently mind controlling a squadmate

63.7%

Rise of the Resistance Make contact with a region

67.5%

Locked and Loaded Upgrade a weapon

69.3%

Rumor Hunter Complete a Rumor

75.1%

Like Clockwork Complete a successful ambush

77.3%

First Blood Complete the tactical tutorial

80.2%

Share of Steam players who unlocked each achievement.

In the news

5 stories

Star Wars Zero Company Review – The Best XCOM Game Since XCOM 2

1 outlet · Sep 10, 2026

The Best Turn-Based Strategy Games To Play If You Love XCOM and XCOM 2

1 outlet · Aug 11, 2026

12 hours in, Star Wars Zero company is a solid strategy RPG, but it's missing XCOM 2 or Baldur's Gate 3's spark

1 outlet · Aug 11, 2026

Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard drive: 'This essentially saved my life'

1 outlet · Aug 9, 2026

The Best Turn-Based Strategy Games For Beginners Who Want To Play XCOM & XCOM 2 – A Complete Guide

1 outlet · Jul 15, 2026

XCOM 2 2016

About

Story

What is happening now

How long to beat XCOM 2

From the people behind XCOM 2

Games like XCOM 2

Cast and crew

Crew

Awards

Media

Releases

PC and Steam Deck

Will it run on my PC?

XCOM 2 player count

XCOM 2 achievements

Rarest

In the news