XCOM 2 delayed until 2016

Quite possibly the most eager anticipated PC game of Christmas has been delayed.

XCOM 2, the sequel to the excellent 2012 game XCOM: Enemy Unknown (which was itself a remake of the equally bloody good UFO: Enemy Unknown) will now be arriving on February 5th, 2016.

It’s a disappointment to fans of the franchise, but as anyone that has followed recent video game controversies will tell you, releasing a game before it’s been properly polished is not something worth considering.

Furthermore, considering XCOM’s loyal fanbase and the fact this isn’t a mainstream shooter or racing game, missing the typically lucrative Q4 release window should not harm the game’s commercial performance.

The game’s delay was announced by its developer Firaxis. The title is scheduled to arrive on both PC and Mac.

"We’ve set a high bar for the sequel and the entire team has been working hard to make sure we deliver a great follow-up to Enemy Unknown," the developer said via its website. "We just need a little more time to make it the best possible game.

"With XCOM 2, we want to have more depth, more replayability, and more investment in your soldiers and this extension will give us the time we need to deliver on our promise to you.

"We appreciate your patience and continued support as we move towards February."