Chimera Squad as a strategy game is Not a bad game, but when you attach the XCOM logo on it, it's below average at best.
While I do understand that it's Not a sequel but rather an off shoot of the XCOM franchise and it's also a 10$ game, it's still a DISSAPOINNTEMENT to say the Least.

The writing is right down awful and cringe, the gameplay is extremely repetitive after the first 10 hours, it was probably a side project for Firaxis to to do while they were working on their next flop which was the Marvel's game.
Ultimately this product could have been better if they hired a good writer, that dialogue was awful and story is just plain bad with a watered down combat form XCOM 2, now Firaxis Games are gone and this is the last XCOM game we will get.
A Sad End to an Amazing franchise and a once great studio with it.

XCOM: DEI-Classified Edition

Hard pass from me chief, but it was part of the bundle to get all the xcom 2 dlc for the cheap cheap.

shoutout to torque tho, ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ girl

If you're looking for an XCOM game, this is NOT it.

It plays VERY differently, with significant differences, each difference making this game very much NOT an XCOM game, and in a bad way. It's a downgrade in every way.

The main difference is that XCOM: Chimera Squad does NOT have regular turn-based gameplay working on the squad-level (i.e. player can control their entire squad and then the enemy controls their units in the next turn and vice versa).
No, instead, the turn-based gameplay is done on the individual unit level. i.e. you control ONE unit, and then another unit, and then it's one enemy unit's turn, and then one of your units, and then another one of the enemy units, etc.

There are some special gameplay mechanics and tactics that force you to work within and around this system. For example, prioritizing the killing or immobilizing of enemy targets whose next turn is closest in the queue, or using special abilities that move your unit's turn up in the queue. All to give the enemy units as fewer chances as possible to cause harm to your own units.

It's an idea that's different from most turn-based tactical games in that regard.
But in all honesty... I hate it.
I really, really, really HATE IT.
It feels restrictive. It feels punitive. It feels ANNOYING.

This is not the XCOM game I've been looking for.

That's about the core gameplay itself which is already a huge problem.
But this game has even more glaring problems beyond the core gameplay:

First of all, it's very short (especially if you compare it to other XCOM games).

Secondly, the production value on this game is infuriatingly minimal. The story is delivered via 2D graphic novel-like style. A bit like a poorly animated comic book with some okay voice acting.

The game engine is essentially the same one used in XCOM 2, with no noticeable improvements.

The storyline itself is pretty much meh. Didn't really grab my interest at any point.

All in all, this game feels more like a fan-made indie game rather than an official XCOM release.
Definitely wasn't worth my time and money, even with the low price tag.