XCOM 2: Resurrection is a novel that fills the gap between the games

XCOM 2 senior producer Garth DeAngelis explained the apparent disconnect between XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which for most players ended in victory, and XCOM 2, which for all of us will begin in defeat, by suggesting that the sequel takes place in what is basically an alternate timeline. "When we do talk about this timeline, again, it's like Enemy Within never happened," he said at the same. Okay, fine. So what did happen?

That's a tale that will be told in XCOM 2: Resurrection, a novel that will lead from the quick trip to Loserville that took place in alt-history Enemy Unknown to the rise of the resistance in XCOM 2. Written by Greg Keyes, a sci-fi/fantasy novelist who has previously written licensed books based on Babylon 5, Star Wars, and The Elder Scrolls, Resurrection will follow the adventures of Amar Tan, a new recruit whose squad stumbles upon an SOS sent by a mysterious man "who claims to know a secret that could change everything." Everything!

My guess is that his secret is not quite as everything-changing as he promises, if only because XCOM 2 picks up where the novel ends, and the Earth is still in a big bucket of trouble at that point. I also hope (and assume) that the game will cover the major plot points that led to humanity's downfall; I don't buy into the belief that novels based on game licenses, or any other kind, are inherently bad, but neither do I care for the idea of having to rely on other media to fully understand what's happening in my video games.

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.