XCOM 2 turns 10 years — and 2K is practically giving It away

XCOM 2 has reached its 10-year anniversary, and publisher 2K is marking the occasion with a free weekend and a steep 95 percent discount that makes Firaxis Games’ strategy classic easier than ever to pick up. The promotion gives players full access to the base game for a limited time, with the option to keep it permanently at one of the lowest prices the series has ever seen.

When the game launched in 2016, it took a decisive turn away from the traditional alien-invasion narrative. Instead of fighting to save Earth, players were dropped into a future where humanity had already lost. The planet was under alien control, and resistance forces were forced to operate in secrecy, striking quickly and retreating before the enemy could respond. That shift in perspective set the tone for a more aggressive, time-sensitive approach to turn-based tactics.

A decade later, it still defines the genre

XCOM 2’s core design has aged remarkably well. Missions are built around destructible environments, unpredictable enemy behavior, and the constant risk of permanent soldier death. Those elements combine to create tension that rarely lets up, even during routine operations.

Pressure is part of the experience

Timed objectives play a major role in shaping how the game feels. They push players to take risks, abandon overly cautious strategies, and adapt on the fly when situations spiral out of control. On the strategic layer, managing global resistance efforts forces difficult choices about where to focus limited resources, often at the cost of other regions.

Why now is the right moment to play

The anniversary free weekend offers newcomers a chance to experience the full base game without commitment, while the 95 percent discount removes most financial hesitation. For returning players, it’s also an opportunity to revisit a campaign that likely plays out very differently than they remember.

A community that never let it fade

Much of XCOM 2’s longevity can be credited to its modding scene. Over the past decade, players have created thousands of mods that refine balance, expand content, or completely reshape how campaigns unfold. This steady stream of community-driven updates has helped keep the game relevant long after its original release.

Ten years after launch, XCOM 2 is still held up as a reference point for modern tactical strategy. With a free trial underway and a near-total discount attached, the anniversary celebration serves as a reminder that some games don’t just age well — they continue to define the space they helped build.