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‘XCOM: Enemy Unknown’ Updated with Asynchronous Multiplayer, Currently On Sale for Half Off

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There’s nothing quite like when a truly amazing game gets even better through updates. Such is the case with XCOM: Enemy Unknown ($9.99). The critically acclaimed reboot of the original 1994 turn-based strategy title made waves with its release on desktop and consoles late last year, and an incredibly faithful port made its way to the App Store this past June. Its graphics were slightly dumbed down and it was missing a few of the features from its console counterpart, but the iOS version of XCOM was still simply fantastic, and set the bar for what we should expect from a premium experience on our mobile devices.

It could have just ended there, and XCOM still would have been one of the most legendary releases on the App Store. But it didn’t end there. In August, developer Firaxis and publisher 2K Games released an update for XCOM which added in the “Second Wave" content which was originally released as DLC for the console and desktop versions. It let you tweak a bunch of different options and play through the game in entirely different ways, ensuring that XCOM would have legs long after players had beaten the single-player campaign.

Again, it could have just ended there, but today another new update has been released for XCOM and this time it adds an asynchronous online multiplayer mode to the mix. Similar to the console and desktop versions, you’ll be able to create your own custom team made up of both alien and human players and then pit them against the team of an opponent online through Game Center. Being asynchronous, you and your opponent will take turns making moves until one comes out on top, and this style of multiplayer has proven to be a perfect fit for the style of mobile gaming.

On top of the asynchronous multiplayer, this update also optimizes the game for iOS 7, adds Game Center leaderboards for the multiplayer portion, and of course fixes some bugs. To top off everything XCOM is also currently on sale with its deepest discount ever, which is half off its normal $20 price tag. Seriously, if I could reach through the internet and grab you by the shoulders to shake you I would, but I implore everyone to consider checking out XCOM: Enemy Unknown if you have even a passing interest in strategy games, especially at this discounted price. If our review linked above isn’t enough to sway you, check out our TA Plays video and our strategy guide for more, and of course you can always check out our forums for even more opinions from gamers like yourself.

  • XCOM®: Enemy Unknown

    ***NOTE: Compatible with iPad 2 and up, iPad mini, iPod touch 5 and up and iPhone 4S and up – WILL NOT RUN ON EARLIER …
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