
XCOM: Chimera Squad Will Have Ironman Mode and Mod Support, Firaxis Confirms
The standalone XCOM entry will carry forward key XCOM 2 features.
There's a new XCOM on the horizon. XCOM: Chimera Squad is a standalone spinoff of Firaxis' strategy series, taking it in a new direction. Years after the end of XCOM 2, a new squad of human, alien, and hybrid soldiers have to keep the peace. Chimera Squad is the familiar tactics gameplay you're used to, with new mechanics like breaching and interleaved turns.
Despite all the new features, some players are likely wondering where some mainstay features of XCOM and XCOM 2 are. Most notably is mod support, which isn't mentioned in 2K's press release about Chimera Squad. A spokesperson for Firaxis confirms to USgamer that mod support is still a firm part of the XCOM experience: "XCOM: Chimera Squad features the same mod functionality as XCOM 2. Players can create their own enemies, characters, maps and other content to expand XCOM: Chimera Squad."
Another feature the hardest of hardcore XCOM 2 players love is the Ironman mode. With Ironman, XCOM 2 players are stuck with a single save file that gets overwritten any time you make a move, so every action really counts. XCOM 2 senior producer Garth DeAngelis told the PlayStation Blog that less than 5 percent of players tackle Ironman because it's so punishing. If that's your flavor, you'll be happy to know its back in XCOM: Chimera Squad.
"In XCOM: Chimera Squad, failing a mission in Ironman will result in restarting the game from the beginning, along with previous Ironman rules of having one ongoing save with no manual save/reload," says a Firaxis spokesperson.

With both features confirmed, it's clear that XCOM: Chimera Squad will be the XCOM players know and love, with just a few tweaks. The digital-only standalone title is coming to PC—there are "no current plans" for a console release according to Firaxis—next week, on April 24, 2020. At launch, it'll carry a limited-time price of $9.99, before moving to $19.99 on May 1, 2020.
In other news
Nintendo's Doug Bowser Defends Limited-Time Mario Releases, Promises More Animal Crossing Updates
2020's most confusing Nintendo decision is a "celebration," but hey, at least we know the island fun won't be stopping soon.
10
The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection Joins EA Play Today
Return to the origins of GDI vs. Nod.
Xbox Is Hosting a Space Jam Game Jam Design Contest
We got a real (game) jam goin' now.
3
The Last of Us Part 2 and Hades Lead 2020's Game Awards Nominees
Supergiant and Naughty Dog have racked up the nods at this year's Keighley-tastic show.
8
You may also like
USgamer Staff Past and Present Say Goodbye
End of an era.
25
Press Start to Continue
A look back on what we tried to accomplish at USgamer, and the work still to be done.
66
Mat's Farewell | The Truth Has Not Vanished Into Darkness
This isn't the real ending, is it? Can't be.
8
Eric's Farewell | Off to Find a New Challenger
It's time for us to move on, but we'll carry USG with us wherever we go.
8
Newsletter
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters
Get the best of USG in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters.