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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?

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  • 1
    The graphical detail has been scaled back to roughly PlayStation 2-era levels. Well, you can't expect a mobile game to look the same as (or better than) a game for stationary devices. Also note, that the controls will be different too unless you use a gamepad (not sure if gamepad is supported, though) – Nolonar Jul 2 '13 at 6:04
  • @Nolonar: I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, I just included it for the sake of completeness. I'd probably play the hell out of this game even if it had NES-era graphics. :) – Brant Jul 2 '13 at 6:22
  • I'd love to check out this game with NES graphics :D – Nolonar Jul 2 '13 at 6:33
  • @nolonar just go play x-com:EU :P. I still think its the best xcom game – l I Jul 2 '13 at 12:28
  • @spartacus You had me confused here. I totally forgot that the original is called X-COM (aka. UFO), whereas the current iteration is called XCOM (without hyphen). But good call, I'll see if I can get my hands on that piece of classic ;) – Nolonar Jul 2 '13 at 12:48
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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).

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  • So what are the missing maps? – James McMahon Sep 3 '13 at 3:37
  • Unfortunately I can't find any listing of the missing maps and I don't own the game. Hopefully someone can add the info to my answer. – Alex Sep 3 '13 at 8:28
  • I just beat the game on Normal and unlocked Second Wave options. Playing on an iPhone. – bpcookson Sep 5 '13 at 22:39

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