XCOM 2: War of the Chosen - Tactical Legacy Pack expands the turn-based strategy game XCOM 2 with a set of legacy-focused additions that draw directly from earlier entries in the series. Released as downloadable content, it requires ownership of both the base XCOM 2 and the War of the Chosen expansion. Players gain access to reimagined classic elements integrated into the existing campaign framework, along with standalone modes that emphasize tactical decision-making and squad management in a sci-fi resistance setting against alien forces.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on turn-based tactical combat where players position soldiers on grid-based maps, manage line-of-sight, cover, and ability cooldowns to defeat enemy units. Soldiers level up through missions, gaining perks that shape squad composition and approach to objectives. The Tactical Legacy Pack layers in classic weapon and armor sets that alter starting power and progression curves when unlocked. These include conventional, laser, and plasma variants alongside Kevlar, Carapace, and Titan armor, which integrate into the main campaign after specific mode completion. Additional customization options cover soldier attitudes, helmets, Photobooth backgrounds, colors, and poses, while a soundtrack selector lets users switch between the War of the Chosen score, the Enemy Unknown soundtrack, or a new arrangement inspired by the original X-COM: UFO Defense during play sessions.
Game Modes
Legacy Ops delivers linked consecutive tactical missions that follow narrative threads from Central Officer Bradford and other XCOM figures. Specific operations include Central's Archives, which recounts events bridging Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2; Blast from the Past, focused on rebuilding resistance efforts after headquarters falls; It Came from the Sea, involving rescue from an unusual threat; Avenger Assemble, centered on retrofitting the mobile base; and The Lazarus Project, which involves rescuing captured operatives. Resistance Archives presents escalating difficulty missions against enemy forces in a separate progression track. Skirmish Mode provides a mission editor for creating custom encounters by selecting maps, squad loadouts, objectives, enemy compositions, and other parameters. Offline Challenge Mode grants repeatable access to all War of the Chosen daily challenges without time restrictions or scoring pressure from limited attempts.
The pack also supplies 28 remastered maps originally from Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within, primarily featured within the Legacy Ops structure. These maps support the linked mission sequences and offer varied terrain for tactical planning.
Additional Features
Unlocking content from the new modes grants permanent access to the classic weapons and armor for use across the single-player campaign. The Photobooth enhancements and soundtrack options extend replay value for players who enjoy post-mission captures or varied audio during extended campaigns. No live service elements or seasonal updates apply to this content pack.
Is It Worth Playing?
Steam user reviews rate the pack Mostly Positive based on several hundred submissions. It appeals most to players who already own XCOM 2 and War of the Chosen and seek additional tactical variety without altering the base campaign structure. The inclusion of custom mission creation, repeatable challenges, and classic gear provides concrete extensions to the existing systems. Those interested in short, self-contained operations or experimenting with squad setups outside the main story will find the most direct value, while newcomers should start with the core game and expansion first.
