What are the differences between the iOS and PC/Console versions of XCOM, if any

iosxcom-enemy-unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is available for the iPad/iPhone now, but the only information I've been able to find on the differences between this port and the PC/console version is:

  • Some maps were removed.
  • The graphical detail has been scaled back to roughly PlayStation 2-era levels.

I'd love to know more details. How many maps are missing? (Which ones?) Is the content from the DLC available? Most importantly, are there any gameplay differences?

Best Answer

As you have already found, one of the main differences is the drop in graphics quality. This means, according to Pocket Gamer:

  • Lower resolution
  • No mouth animations
  • Fewer dynamic camera angles (kill cams, presumably)
  • Lower quality lighting

Additionally, the PvP multiplayer mode is not available. However, according to both Venture Beat and Joystiq, it will be added at a later date.

There's an interview with Jake Solomon, the lead designer, stating

"The amazing thing is that all of the gameplay is there, and we just had to trim a few maps in order to get it to work on mobile."

and

"The interface has been changed slightly, taking the PC interface as the starting point.

As for the DLC, in Joystiq's announcement article they say that the Elite Soldier DLC is included but that the Slingshot DLC is not. As far as I can see, the Second Wave patch is similarly not included.

Edit: A recent patch has added the Second Wave options to the iOS version (thanks to bpcookson for the heads up).

Related Topic