XCOM 2 for iOS Review | How Did They Pull This Off?!

XCOM 2 has been a beloved PC title for years now, and today it, along with all of it's DLC, come to iOS in the form of the XCOM 2 Collection. Running on both iPads and iPhones, this the absolute, full fat version of XCOM 2. And seeing this much game on devices this small is incredibly impressive - and I'm going to show you why.
Intro: 0:00
Gameplay: 1:22
iOS Version: 3:19
Conclusion: 6:25
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'Reviews' playlist - • Reviews + Previews
Gameplay recorded on a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5" | Audio recorded using a Rode NT-USB
#xcom2 #xcom2ios

[@199jyt]

Now instead of banging on a keyboard after missing a 99% accuracy shot, you can throw your iPad/iPhone across the room. THAT'S XCOMM BABY

[@pongulenek]

Or shouting the indecent phrases in a public transport.

[@leeragdoll3458]

That’s so damn impressive. Xcom2 barely runs on pc when it was released back in 2016

[@bcr_light]

I saw a flash of TotalBiscuit’s KZbin video which brings me some very good memories

[@Zade_95]

I know right. Watched his XCOM 2 vids while making this... pretty wild to think how long it's been (or hasn't been, for that matter)

[@ScurvySander]

RIP TB. I really enjoyed his long reviews and first impressions.

[@groovecrusader2715]

He’s dead lmao

[@xastielmuffinz3047]

RIP TB

[@Declipsed]

@@groovecrusader2715 what’s so funny about that

[@jeremyalgood7230]

Regardless of current stress a massive grin stretched across my face after seeing this. Thank you Zade 😊

[@Zade_95]

Glad to hear it man - don't worry, there's more to come soon ;)

[@CommanderBohn]

What kind of Black Magic is this? XCOM2 on IOS...crazy. But nothing compared to PC and loading a lot of mods.

[@Zade_95]

I know right, nuts. Both versions have value imo

[@psychomantis7635]

There is no tactical legacy pack.right??

[@sk-xg7re]

Yet rockstar can't handle to port gta 4 to mobile 😐 I'm just kidding, ik the gta4 itself is the most unoptimized game

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

@ Sokin It’s honestly better that they don’t release it on iOS seeing as how it would be the PC version and all GTAs on PC are garbage optimized.

[@user-ym6lc7pk1e]

What a great early Xmas present! XCOM2 is one of my favorite strategy games and to be able to play it on iPad is just awesome. I have 12” iPad Pro 2nd Gen (minimum required to run this game on iOS) and besides some long loading times it plays great. Great sound too! And touch controls is how this game should have always be played. Very intuitive and so much easier then with keyboard and mouse.

[@Zade_95]

Yo glad to hear it. Hope you're enjoying it!

[@mrbreaker101]

I chose PS4 as my platform of choice for Xcom 2. Those load times.

[@thedoruk6324]

The XCOM2 absolutely deserves every praise, the game series are truly enjoyable and genuinely good

[@AzathothTheTrueGod]

Best Turn Based Strategy?

[@Jabari1978]

Double clicking is such a pain on iOS. Trying to move on tactical combat and leveling up soldiers in barracks worked better on XCOM 1 port to iOS

[@xyhmo]

Playing it on the latest ipad (which has an M1 chip), and it's running pretty great, but the device still gets damn hot and the battery drains pretty quickly. Even so it's a great experience and my preferred device for games like this.

[@weirdmuffin64]

Hi, are you able to change quality settings on it yet?

[@thencrranger5628]

hey just a suggestion, if you thinking to review some XCOM clone game, you should try troubleshooter abandoned children on steam. the game is pretty underrated and there's only like 2 youtubers that do a playthrough of it.

[@Zade_95]

I'll have a look, thanks!

[@CaptPatrick01]

I remember them saying in a reply on Twitter that they are working on an Android release slated for next year.

[@Zade_95]

Good to know!

[@elpischeung8299]

My only complaint is that I cannot disable WotC DLC on the iOS version to have a vanilla run, probably because Feral just integrates all the contents in order to save space. Other than this defect all the things are really amazing.

[@Zade_95]

Fair point - but yeah I imagine it'd be difficult to implement!

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

Feral said all the DLC was optional though so the opinion owner should be able to play base Xcom 2- just like all their other game ports

[@KinnArchimedes]

I have the switch version. Would consider buying again on Android version if it had graphical/Performance options for higher-tier phones(2020 flagship or better). Options such as; *Unlocked fps *option to cap fps *Gfx fidelity/performance pref for high fps. *Support 120fps+ *Controller Bluetooth option

[@RexTiredAF]

I'm curious about this too. If like to buy it, but not if it's 30-40fps. Last time I tried playing it on Xbox or PS4, it ran like a snail climbing a mountain.

[@rex_imus1]

Yay!!! I just downloaded the game and it's great!!!

[@SpiderCenturion]

I heard the missions are not procedural on ios? Is that true?

[@chaosun1770]

Interesting. I don't have an ios device, bit I see the complete edition on nintendo switch ,which is ~21€ less than steam (50 instead of 71).

[@Zade_95]

Sounds like a deal too me! Would be keen to know how it plays

[@fennic6892]

I highly suggest buying a "throwproof" case for your phone.

[@Zade_95]

fantastic suggestion

[@juanvaldez7613]

I got to say, I got the newest iPad, in this game is snappy. Very quick load times, no delays, and everything is very smooth.

[@Zade_95]

Great to hear! Enjoy :D

[@weirdmuffin64]

Hi, are you able to change quality settings already?

[@SuperKnightwind]

is it war of the chosen already?

[@akoCmudshake]

I just bought it yesterday for my switch, damn i should have just buy it on my phone if i knew its on ios.

[@tritonh5683]

Looks so much better than switch. Is it better in person?

[@kimdom1148]

Can i play this on normal iPhone 7?

[@CMC007]

First played this on PS4 and absolutely fell in love with it. Bought it on PC and put 500 hours into that. Simply put, I can’t get enough of this game. This game is surprisingly smooth on mobile and works perfectly with the amount of content we get in the app. This game has saved my life on airplane rides, road trips, and wait times. Buy it, its worth it on Mobile. Sleek and smooth

[@cidicious8353]

Does the game require online connection or can it be played offline?

[@Zade_95]

Offline is fine!

[@NoOnesaidthis]

How does it compare to the switch version?

[@Zade_95]

Haven't tried the switch version personally. I've heard it's good though!

[@juanvaldez7613]

Regarding android, keep in mind the processing power in android devices is about two years behind what you can get in an iOS device. So, that means that there will be far fewer devices that could run it on android than on iOS. That means the feral interactive potential customer base is going to be much lower, and it may not be as worthwhile putting this into android. At least not right now.

[@theeastside8732]

Sorry , but what a load of bs. What in the world makes you think IOS is better than Android? Had a good laugh.

[@MegaNerevar]

@@theeastside8732 The iPhone hardware is miles ahead of any android cpu till date, its a fact and Im saying this as an android owner. Even the latest snapdragon can barely match the iPhone X CPU and GPU

[@calvin9591]

how to change language in the game?

[@edwinsmith9617]

iOS Settings -> XCOM 2 -> Language

[@korneltoth8143]

Okay, but can you run mods?

[@pipebomber04]

My gaming laptop back in 2016 was barely managing 20 fps. Now wtf on ipad????

[@Zade_95]

I know right, LUL

[@justdude404]

iPad Pro also runs Fortnite on 120 fps with native resolution, lol.

[@TheVakama112]

You should review Cossacks 3 and Ancestors: Legacy

[@brianquigley3395]

Love it crashes all the time though but it’s new to iOS so hopefully they will fix it

[@aidanmagill6769]

Android confirmed, no release date. So my next upgrade criteria are: does it have a headphone port?; can it run Xcom2?

[@keeganlafferty1395]

unless it can get mods in order to fix Firaxis's mistakes (timers, incendiary grenade nerf in wotc) I'm sticking with the PC version

[@andromeda7651]

Bro I legit got so sad when it wasnt available for Android Lets hope they do a port for it

[@Zade_95]

Fingers crossed!

[@Airsofteee]

2021 release

[@gixie76]

Hope it gets better support than the original xcom did on iOS.

[@Zade_95]

Meee tooo

[@elfacread]

Now imagine it drops loot box with a 99% rate...

[@Strategiain]

No mods means I can't bring along Garrus Vakarian and the PAYDAY 2 squad, so it's not a complete version in my book. :p

[@Zade_95]

Extremely true, and a great loss for xcom

[@MegaNerevar]

Im Garrus Vakarian and this is my rectum...

[@nyancatbeatcreature.3782]

No mods, ... I can’t bring my death trooper squad from Star Wars.

[@Dunkskins]

Still retails for $80 on steam with all dlc's.

[@nemijs]

Weird, I've got the entire thing for 30 euros a couple of months ago and two days ago it still was.

[@Zade_95]

Yeah, it goes on sale fairly often, thankfully

[@liesdamnlies3372]

That it still commands that price is an indication of how good it is.

[@rch5395]

Mods?

[@manemperorofmankind8119]

My only question is, is there ways to get rid of the avatar clock and mission timers? Or atleast extend them? I always hated those

[@nikpan9744]

Is xcom 1 better than 2, considering the price difference? Xcom 1 costs only 5$ on ios

[@Zade_95]

I'd pay the extra if you can run it, for sure. Both are great though!

[@nikpan9744]

Alright, thx for your reply

[@brobiv2452]

R u from New Zealand

[@Zade_95]

I am! chur bro

[@noobyslay]

I think its a fine port but without the option of mods its a dealbreaker for any advanced XCOM2 player. It’s just missing too much for me to enjoy it, compared to PC. Still a fine thing for „casual“ players

[@Sigmar_Heldenhammer]

They did what....

[@kbonh22]

From the sounds of it. It runs just as well as on my Series X which is pretty bad 😂

[@Zade_95]

😂😂😳💀

[@michaelrichards5340]

This is cool until I have 15+ soldiers with a crap tone of skills and stat boost from those recon missions with colorful customization and gun mods and Spark Units and max out my lab with 4 psi ops on 3 teams playing on Legendary. Anything running early game is fine, it's early game there's nothing to process. But on PS4 I have a save file where I lingered for 3 years to build a hacker to get a hacking trophy and if I spend 10mins in that profile it crashes lol but we'll see.

[@rhyssmith4218]

Long war 2 when?

[@terramerc733]

Phone's gone explode

[@ravenger4554]

It came to android yesterday :)

[@Zade_95]

pog

[@mattb9343]

Everyone: MoBilE gAmeS SvXk!!! Me: This exists.

[@clevelandbrown5709]

wow u r so smrt.

[@Kacper7521]

What next? GTAV? TESV Skyrim? Fallout 4? Payday 2? I don't know😂😂😂😂

[@Zade_95]

yes

[@user-Void-Star]

You know right today's smart phones are more powerful than Nintendo switch.

[@gunvirsingh2749]

@@user-Void-Star but they are bogged down by the OS which limits them from being dedicated gaming machines like the switch is

[@Charsept]

Still waiting on the Android version 😅😞

[@splint1872012]

Won’t run on an iPhone 13

[@jimsabo1189]

Crap. Going to need to buy a new iPad now.

[@FreakinTheComments]

So the question is: For Mobile XCOM 2:::::: iOS or Switch?

[@Zade_95]

Haven't played the switch version - I've heard it's good though!

[@TheRoguePrince0]

It barely runs on ps4 and Xbox one so how the hell is it meant to run on a phone

[@Zade_95]

Dark magic, it seems

[@SwagKrak]

I was like on the game awards for mobile games and i saw xcom 2 i was like what The fu-

[@MrTranquilini]

Android now

[@icemanabz]

This bums me out...no xcom2 for android?

[@Zade_95]

not... yet!

[@TEditsV1]

blue bubble gang

[@Zade_95]

my man

[@theeastside8732]

A massive turndown. Why only IOS? What about other systems ?

[@Zade_95]

Easier to develop for iOS - less devices etc. Hopefully it'll come to android sometime soon!

[@JM-mv7sv]

It’s launching on Android next year according to the dev.

[@craftergamer9058]

Why does xcom 2 mobile have multiplayer when xcom 2 on switch didn’t include it?

[@gr8tmuzic11]

Because Nintendo online is subpar.

[@craftergamer9058]

@@gr8tmuzic11 it would still work though.

[@dairedarcy1130]

So looking forward to getting a new iPad in order to play this. X-Com on iPhone would be cramped, IMHO

[@Zade_95]

It is a bit. iPad is where it's at!

[@chazztesa]

nice

[@Zade_95]

Very nice

[@liesdamnlies3372]

Finally, non-shit games on mobile devices.

[@daehyun72000]

I think xcom2 is the best game for mobile! thank you for your review.

[@Zade_95]

I might just agree! Except for hearthstone maybe 😏 thanks for watching mate

[@liesdamnlies3372]

Android is going to be so much harder to do. Way more variation in phones and wayyyyyyy worse performance compared to Apple’s products. (I’m not an Apple fanboy, but that’s just objective fact.)

[@tritonh5683]

Played it on my iPad Pro. It Runs much, much better than the switch. Amazing

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

@ Triton H It plays better than the Switch.. how??? I don’t have either so I’m curious but if it does play than the Switch, then that’s impressive

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

User1 good to know. Thanks . I’ll check it out then

[@weirdmuffin64]

Hi, are you able to change quality settings already?

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

XCOM: EW is basically the first ps3 era tactical game on iOS, yea I know The Walking Dead game came out a year before in 2012, but XCOM felt like the first full complete console game on iOS-on a device that was only 6 years old and “underpowered” at the time XCOM 2 on iOS as of this release year feels a little underwhelming compared to when XCOM EW came out, however it’s still a very much improved sequel with an overall better story arc than the first. Regarding the graphics of the first one, it truly doesn’t look that bad on iOS face value with no special effects.

[@Zade_95]

Agreed, EW on iOS years ago was similarly impressive

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

@ Zade What do you reckon will be thier next ported console game? They’ve already have 3 tactical strategy, 1 simulation management and 1 racing game, so I’m thinking either Starcraft 2, borderlands 2 or Dawn Of War 3 in four years. Note: Xcom 2 is far from how powerful iOS is People only say iOS is weak because the games lack any special effects due to the small chips in phones

[@main_tak_becus6689]

How about frame rate on EW? I'm using an android phone Snapdragon 625. It lags and drain battery really fast. I play XCOM EW and 2 a lot on my gaming pc (60fps on both games at max setting) but now I'm away for several months stuck with my cheap phone. If there is a way to improve the performance, help will be much appreciated!

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

@ Valdis knight I do not know if EW on iOS/Android plays at 30Fps smoothly because 2K did a horrible job at Developing and porting it to Mobile. XCOM 2 is made to match your phones hardware so XCOM 2 on iOS will always run smoothly Note: FERAL hasn’t ported XCom 2 to Android yet as of my knowledge

[@Jwatchdizzledrip3003]

@ Zade Divinity: Original Sins 2 will come to iPadOS this year or next year.

[@somedude6867]

Android :') now

[@beepbeeptaco92]

Next they should optimize the base game

[@eyaezaeha6675]

Switch version looks much better. Switch is THE console.

[@Zade_95]

i do love my switch

[@KinnArchimedes]

Docked Switch version looks better, but from my experience playing it Docked, it doesn't run half as good as what's shown here on an Ipad. Handheld on Switch it's blurry 720p(*540p), so iOS version looks better from a handheld perspective.

[@Roisome]

I have always loved and played XCOM 2, but I never actually played XCOM EW, This came out and I decided to download it, *Your device is incompatible* I went ahead and downloaded XCOM EW while requesting refund for XCOM 2, Sad but I severely or I mean completely dismissed XCOM EW as something less significant, While XCOM 2 has alot more stuff, XCOM EW is basically the same, The core concept is the same, except graphic and a lot of content in XCOM 2. I still... very sad, I wanted to play XCOM 2 on my phone. iPad Pro? I have an iPad 5th Gen.

[@main_tak_becus6689]

XCOM 2 is a more complex game. Many new powerful enemies units at the beginning of the game. The RNG shots are more punishing and the added new gadgets are cool. Will gladly wipe out my entire squad again on the go 😁

[@gmdhighvoltage]

X-com EW is awesome too!

[@baggyobeast]

6h of gameplay then you post this? Bit week man

[@Zade_95]

Considering this is 99% a technical review, I've played more than enough to give an opinion. The alternative is not making a video at all, and I clearly state I'm not reviewing the content of the game (which I have indeed played previously). But I appreciate the feedback none the less :)

[@tokiwartooth4404]

I'm more impressed by all the options in OPENXCOM that do not require a credit card to unlock. And why would anyone want to play any XCOM on anything other than a desktop? It won't malfunction after the year warranty like all the newer mobile tech devices tend to do. DLC huh? This is why I don't support newer games. Just sell the complete game day one and be done with it. Stop being greedy and manipulative. And now this DLC nonsense to coming to other forms of media. Good job guys. Soon you'll need a bank loan to buy a newer game release. 2K Games = $2,000+ games.