Is XCOM: Enemy Within a standalone game?

No, XCOM: Enemy Within is an expansion pack and requires the base game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, to play. On some platforms, it might be bundled as a 'Commander's Edition' or similar.

What are MEC Troopers?

MEC Troopers are specialized soldiers who have voluntarily undergone cybernetic augmentation, replacing their limbs with powerful robotic suits. They have unique abilities and equipment, acting as heavily armored tanks on the battlefield.

What is Meld and why is it important?

Meld is a volatile alien substance that can be collected during missions. It's crucial for unlocking advanced soldier augmentations, specifically gene mods and MEC Trooper development. It often requires fast and risky plays to acquire.

How does EXALT affect the game?

EXALT is a new human faction introduced in Enemy Within that seeks to exploit alien technology for their own gain. They complicate XCOM's efforts, requiring players to perform covert operations to uncover and dismantle their cells, adding a layer of espionage and political intrigue.

XCOM: Enemy Within

In short: XCOM: Enemy Within is a strategy game released in 2013 by Firaxis Games, available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile. Our score: 9.2/10 (highly recommended).

An expansion to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, this strategy game adds new soldier classes, enemy types, and a new resource called 'Meld' to enhance soldiers. Players lead a global defense organization against an alien invasion.

XCOM: Enemy Within is the critically acclaimed expansion to the 2012 Game of the Year award-winning strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Developed by Firaxis Games, this standalone expansion significantly enhances the core XCOM experience by introducing a wealth of new content, including new soldier classes, enemy types, mission objectives, and a crucial new resource called 'Meld'. Players are once again thrust into the role of commanding XCOM, a secret paramilitary organization tasked with defending Earth from a technologically superior alien invasion. The narrative deepens as new human factions emerge, adding layers of political intrigue and moral dilemmas to the already challenging tactical combat. The introduction of MEC Troopers and gene modifications allows for unprecedented customization and strategic depth, empowering players to mold their soldiers into specialized units capable of countering the ever-evolving alien threat. At its heart, Enemy Within retains the masterful turn-based tactical combat that made its predecessor a success. Each mission is a tense chessboard where positioning, cover, and ability usage are paramount. However, the expansion injects fresh life into this formula with maps that encourage more aggressive play and new enemy variants that demand adapted strategies. The resource management aspect is expanded with Meld, a volatile alien substance that can be collected during missions. Meld is essential for unlocking the most powerful soldier augmentat…

Game details

Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Release year: 2013
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile
Category: strategy

Our review

XCOM: Enemy Within takes an already excellent game and elevates it to new heights. The sheer amount of new content, from MEC Troopers and gene mods to new enemy types and the insidious EXALT organization, breathes fresh life into the alien invasion narrative. The strategic layer is deepened considerably with the introduction of Meld, forcing players to make tough risk-reward decisions. Tactical combat remains as tense and satisfying as ever, now with even more options for soldier customization and mission variety. While the graphics show their age slightly, the stellar gameplay, compelling story, and immense replayability make Enemy Within an essential experience for strategy fans and a brilliant expansion in its own right.

Pros

Deep strategic and tactical gameplay
Extensive soldier customization with gene mods and MECs
Engaging new story elements and enemy factions
High replayability
Excellent value for an expansion

Cons

Graphics are starting to show their age
Can be incredibly challenging, even frustrating at times

FAQ

Is XCOM: Enemy Within a standalone game?: No, XCOM: Enemy Within is an expansion pack and requires the base game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, to play. On some platforms, it might be bundled as a 'Commander's Edition' or similar.
What are MEC Troopers?: MEC Troopers are specialized soldiers who have voluntarily undergone cybernetic augmentation, replacing their limbs with powerful robotic suits. They have unique abilities and equipment, acting as heavily armored tanks on the battlefield.
What is Meld and why is it important?: Meld is a volatile alien substance that can be collected during missions. It's crucial for unlocking advanced soldier augmentations, specifically gene mods and MEC Trooper development. It often requires fast and risky plays to acquire.
How does EXALT affect the game?: EXALT is a new human faction introduced in Enemy Within that seeks to exploit alien technology for their own gain. They complicate XCOM's efforts, requiring players to perform covert operations to uncover and dismantle their cells, adding a layer of espionage and political intrigue.

More about this game

Similar games

Last updated: 02/04/2026