More info on XCOM 2's freaky new enemies the 'Faceless'

The Faceless

We got a very brief first look at the new XCOM 2 enemy known as the Faceless at the tail-end of the Firaxis Mega Panel at PAX Prime 2015. The video clip was brief and distorted, but based on the alien's apparent transformation from normal-looking lady to gooey-looking mess, I thought it appeared to be some kind of shapeshifter. And I was right!

The Faceless entry added today to the XCOM 2 website doesn't get into huge depth, but what it does reveal is disturbing. "The aliens’ power of genetic manipulation knows no bounds. Operatives have discovered that the Faceless transforms from a seemingly ordinary looking human into the towering monstrosity you see pictured above," it says. "In its transformed state, the Faceless stands nearly one story tall, with an exaggerated reach and strength relative to its full form."

In case that wasn't bad enough, the site goes on to say that the Faceless, at least at the start of the game, cannot be identified prior to transforming, meaning that every civilian on the battlefield could in fact be a 12 foot tall mass of oozy flesh and muscle with razor-sharp talons. On the upside, at least it can't hide underground and then leap out and chew your face off when you wander by, right?

XCOM 2 is scheduled to launch on February 5, 2016.

The Faceless

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.