I think this could of been an interesting DLC or mod for XCOM2, but as a standalone game, it just lacks its own or XCOM2's charms.

It's hard to pin point what exactly is the issue with this game. It might be the lack of interesting base building, character progression, randomness, story, or all of them. What I can say is that this was not the game fans for XCOM wanted. I feel like the balance of randomness and player agency was the key to XCOM's replayability and fun came from. This game lacks in both aspects. Even then, it could of been a good game if the there were things that make worth playing while with interesting combat, story, or whatever. Sadly, this doesn't have its own unique identity. As I said at the start, it feels like a DLC/Mod.

I understand the more character focused, story driven approach the devs were going for and I too think it is an interesting approach to XCOM universe. The issue was, understandablly, trying to preserve the XCOM structure. I think this game was on the opposite spectrum. I think doing that went against this game as it just felt like things were missing in this game compared to XCOM. If it was differentiated more, it probably would of stood on its own. But again, if you do that, what is the point of being part of a XCOM franchise.

In the end, this game is a not so bad, not so good, down the middle game on its own. When considering it as XCOM game, this just isn't it. Not really for the fans, not really for non-fans. There are better alternatives for both type of players.

Characters are insufferable, buzz feed blogger types.

Makes it unplayable

Boring, the only thing that is xcom about this game is the world they are in, nothing else