Recent reviews by Sm2Co17

The multiplayer co-op does not work reliably. Tons of disconnects. It's otherwise a fantastic game that could use more content. Would gladly pay for some bulky expansion packs. More geographical zones, open up neighboring properties/yards/etc. Maybe a neighborhood cat or dog filling a similar role as the Koi. That kind of thing.

New to the series. Had my ass kicked 3 times by the first boss before finally landing the kill. Having a great time and loving the action and robot aesthetics. All I can say to the crybabies complaining about difficulty is GIT GUD SCRUBS.

Less fun than the base game. Trivial additions. Nothing compelling, unless you want more of the same but worse. Get it only on ~70% sale if you want it to be worth the cost.

A huge step down from Doom 2016. Still engaging enough to pick up Deluxe Edition at 70% off, but overall the new creative direction and redesign of the mechanics feels cheap and gimmicky. Low budget.

The level design feels like a series of small Unreal Tournament maps strung together by tedious puzzle platforming sections. All of it is completely uninspired compared to Doom 2016 level design, which actually feels grand enough to match the epic setting.

Compared to Doom 2016, the combat loop is VERY forcefully contrived/inorganic:

1) Pick optimal weapon for the enemy type
2) Switch to different optimal weapon for different enemy type
3) When exhausted ammo of optimal weapons for remaining enemy types, chainsaw trash mob for ammo.
4) Repeat steps 1 through 3
5) Periodically glory kill to keep health topped up
6) Periodically belch kill/flaming meat hook kill to keep armor topped up
7) Repeat any of the aforementioned steps depending on what is needed

It takes player agency out of the equation and makes it an extremely repetitive twitch/reflex exercise. Have a favorite weapon? Never use it unless it's the optimal choice for the enemy right in front of you, unless you like to minimize your ratio of kills vs ammo spent, causing your combat performance to rapidly peter out and lead to death.

I own all the DLC except Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs and Shadows of Change. The new pricing model simply means that it's not good value for money at MSRP. Especially given how bare bones the new DLCs are when it comes to content. Waiting for 50% discount or better before picking them up. That is all.

I had really high hopes but this game met none of them. It is like a sub-par early access release that carries a number of clear X-COM legacies in the tactical and hired NPC skill tree, but an extremely shallow veneer of a strategic game.

This is very much worth 20 dollars, so I am glad I picked it up early for 10. The new breach mechanic and encounter phases are a refreshing change compared to previous XCOM games. The unique squaddie personalities/flavors are hugely refreshing. It is great being able to have aliens on your squad.