XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Content Pack DLC Released, Reviews
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I'm going to quote the blurb from its Steam page:
In this new set of linked Council missions, you will meet an enigmatic Triad operative, divert an alien ship's course, and do battle with the aliens in the skies over China. The content pack also includes new customization options and a new soldier with a unique voice and story.
It should also be noted that a few reviews for the add-on have been released, and they don't seem particularly favorable.
GameSpy, 2/5.
The worst part about Slingshot, I think, is that even though they're optional, Zhang and his three missions will appear each and every time I fire up XCOM henceforth. I wanted XCOM to become more randomized and replayable, in the same way that Firaxis added more ways to replay Civilization 5 with extra civs that each have unique traits and bonuses. Instead, the only real new choice we've gotten is the ability to research the Blaster Launcher earlier in the campaign -- that's nice and all, because it's so expensive it'll take a real sacrifice to equip, but a modder could've handled that tech tree tweak easily enough. I can only hope that the other DLC pack's contents will prove more exciting and invigorating.
GameSpot, 6.0/10.
The price might seem reasonable at first glance, but as nice as these missions are, they don't heighten Enemy Unknown in any significant manner--and you certainly wouldn't want to start a new game for the explicit purpose of experiencing them. If a new playthrough is already in your upcoming plans, then you might appreciate a few fresh objectives. Yet without an identity to call its own, Slingshot is too similar to the many hours that surround it to be considered a must-play to anyone but the most fervent XCOM fans.
Finally, Shacknews has some scoreless impressions:
At $7, Slingshot is ultimately an expensive unambitious expansion to a terrific game. While I hope Firaxis' second DLC proves to be more fulfilling, I certainly don't mind an excuse to play through the XCOM campaign once more. For fans, simply getting "more XCOM" is a wonderful thing.
Personally, I still don't understand the point of this add-on. Firaxis has proven that they can make meaty expansions that enhances gameplay and expand it in significant ways, and that's what XCOM: Enemy Unknown needs, not piecemeal DLCs that feel like cynical attempts to monetize the title.
