XCOM Enemy Unknown Sequel Gamescom

Good news for fans of XCOM: Enemy Unknown may be coming sooner than expected. After Firaxis Games surprised just about everyone in the gaming community by releasing one of the best old-meets-new strategy games in recent years, a follow-up was all but guaranteed. But until now, the team has been silent.

Now it seems that not only will Firaxis have something to announce come Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany (beginning August 21, 2013), they might even have something to show. If not a sequel to the cliffhanger ending of Enemy Unknown, what else could it be?

For those who missed out on playing through Enemy Unknown (read our review to find out why you're missing out), we can only say that critical praise and sales figures aside, Firaxis clearly had a sequel in mind- one just as surprisingly infused with narrative as the first, it seemed. And while 2K Marin's XCOM shooter may have been re-designed to resemble Enemy Unknown as much as possible, there's no substitute for a true sequel.

XCOM Enemy Within Teaser Trailer

So when Firaxis' Jake Solomon revealed a teaser trailer at PAX East back in March, fans took it as a clear sign that a sequel was on the horizon. Even if Solomon admitted that they wouldn't be able to talk about it "for a while," the shadowy image of an XCOM 'council' member was all it took to get strategy fans buzzing:

"Hello Commander. The war continues, at great cost. We now believe another force is [static] against us. if not dealt with swiftly, they could destroy us. What we're about to tell you cannot be repeated. Even now, enemy agents could be... [SIGNAL LOST]"

Just days before a 2K Games spokesperson told CVG that an announcement would be made later this month, reports of a title dubbed XCOM: Enemy Within surfaced in both the Steam databases and Korean ratings board. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire, and any player who finished the campaign knows how the name could apply to the closing scenes (and how the cryptic teaser trailer could fit as well).

It's unlikely that Firaxis or 2K will provide any further details, since the unveiling of Enemy Within - if that is, indeed, its title - is only weeks away. That being said, it will be interesting to see what elements of gameplay have been added or changed, if any (if it ain't broke...). Whether it's small tweaks, a next-gen release, or a massive overhaul, we'll keep you updated as official news arrives.

What are you hoping for from the next XCOM title? More of the same, or for the developers to take the trust earned with Enemy Unknown and try something different? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.

Source: CVG, Polygon