XCOM 2 (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 86 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

101,701 reviews85% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Feral Interactive (Mac), Firaxis Games
Genre: Strategy
Best version today: War of the Chosen is the version most players recommend today, since it adds major content and received later fixes the base game did not.
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does XCOM 2 run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A turn-based tactics game set twenty years after aliens conquered Earth, where you lead a resistance force from a flying base. You plan guerrilla missions with a small squad of customizable soldiers, then research, build and recruit between missions while racing a hidden alien project.

What people say

Critics praised its tense, high-stakes missions, procedurally built maps and deeper strategy layer, calling it a strong sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Common criticism at launch focused on poor performance, long loading screens and bugs. Players today still rate the tactical play highly, especially with the War of the Chosen expansion and mods, but mission turn limits divide opinion and many still report stutter, crashes and an unhelpful tutorial.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardMouse control is clean and the game has full, remappable controller support. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensMenus and mission information are readable on PC, with complaints about small text mostly limited to Steam Deck. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressOutside Ironman you can save at any time, though some players report corrupted saves and advise keeping a save at each mission start. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressPlayers often call the tutorial unclear and say they had to turn to wikis and videos to understand the systems. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingThe campaign keeps pressure on with little filler, though long loading screens between missions break the flow. Source: vaporlens.app, gog.com.
✗Camera and movement never fight the playerPlayers report soldiers getting stuck, grapple and pickup problems and unclear line of sight, often fixed only with mods; reports are anecdotal. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.