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XCOM 2 Revealed, Coming to PC First in November

Check out first details, a new trailer, and gallery.

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Publisher 2K has revealed XCOM 2, the sequel to its acclaimed turn-based tactical action game, which is set to ship on PC first in November.

According to 2K the sequel "transports players 20 years into the future, where humanity lost the war against the alien threat that has established a new world order."

"The secret paramilitary organization known as XCOM is largely forgotten, and must strike back to reclaim control of Earth and free mankind from the aliens’ rule."

Check out the trailer below.

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Here's a story overview provided on the official XCOM 2 website:

"Twenty years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to alien forces and XCOM, the planet's last line of defence, was left decimated and scattered. Now the aliens rule Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface, while concealing a sinister agenda below and eliminating all who dissent from their new order.

"Only those who live at the edges of the world have a margin of freedom. Here, a force gathers once again to stand up for humanity. Always on the run, the remnant XCOM forces must find a way to rise from the ashes, expose the insidious truth behind the occupation, and eliminate the alien threat once and for all."

In the game, the XCOM is now the invading force and must manage dwindling resources while evading the alien threat in a new mobile headquarters.

"Players must use a combination of firepower and stealth-like tactics to help XCOM recruit soldiers and build a resistance network, while attempting to expose the evil alien agenda and save humanity."

2K is touting procedurally-generated levels, which it says "will make each experience unique to the player," along with a "deeper level of modding support." The game will also feature five updated soldier classes, increased soldier customisation, a variety of new alien and enemy types, evolved tactical combat, "and more."

XCOM: Enemy Unknown designer Jake Solomon returns for the sequel as creative director. According to Solomon, the feedback from players has had a big part to play in the development on XCOM 2.

Click image to view in full screen
Click image to view in full screen

"The feedback from the passionate XCOM community played an important role in the development of XCOM 2," he said.

"We're thrilled to implement long-time fan requested features such as procedural levels and modding support, as well as adding more of what makes XCOM great like new aliens, enemies and soldier classes."

Other noteworthy elements of XCOM 2 are the new Advent enemies that "offer a distinct tactical challenge".

Here's a feature list of XCOM 2 features:

  • XCOM On The Run: Take command of the Avenger, an alien supply craft converted to XCOM's mobile headquarters. Guide your strike force around the world, build popular support and expose the aliens' sinister plans.
  • Recruit Resistance Fighters: Five soldier classes, each with its own skill tree including new class abilities like Momentum, let you create specific soldiers for your tactical plan.
  • Tactical Guerrilla Combat: New gameplay systems offer more tactical flexibility in combat. The state of the world affects each combat mission's environment. Use concealment to ambush enemy patrols. Loot enemies for precious gear and artefacts. Rescue VIPs and save fallen comrades by carrying them to the extraction point.
  • A New Breed Of Enemy: A diverse cast of enemies from powerful new alien species to the Advent, enforces of the alien regime, offer a distinct tactical challenge.
  • Research, Develop and Upgrade: Configure and build rooms on the Avenger to give XCOM new capabilities on the battlefield. Use your Scientists and Engineers to research, develop and upgrade weapons and armour to fit your preferred tactics.
  • Each Mission is a Unique Challenge: Go on missions around the world, from wildlands to the heart of the alien-controlled megacities, to the depths of alien installations. There are virtually infinite combinations of maps missions, and goals.
  • Create Custom Mods: Community-focused tools allow you to create your own campaign, tactical gameplay, aliens, classes, strategy game features, and share within the Steam Workshop.
  • Engage in Head-to-Head Multiplayer: Mix-and-match squads of humans and aliens battle head-to-head on randomly-generated maps.

Check out a screenshot gallery of the game above.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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blackhammer109

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Its not coming to pc first.Its PC exclusive.Even the devs are saying this.No console version lol

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archav3n

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@blackhammer109: that may changed i foresee. no point in PC exclusives. unless AMD or Nvidia is paying them.

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DrFlyntCoal

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@archav3n@blackhammer109: The moment Nvidia or AMD pays for something it ends up being something stupid like PhysX or Tresfx because that's the only exclusivity they can get. I'd rather moneyhatters keep away from PC.

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blackhammer109

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@archav3n@blackhammer109: See no point in console exclusives either unless ms or sony pays them

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deactivated-5e83c14458072

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@blackhammer109@archav3n: Ever heard of first party studios?

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Oozyrat

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@blackhammer109@archav3n: Even as a PC gamer, that's not true at all. The Witcher 3 is selling so well because it came out on console. Consoles have much bigger audiences than PC.

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Billzihang

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@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n: Not for strategy games.

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Oozyrat

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@billzihang@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n: Exactly. Now they know that, so a port is a little less likely. But I stand by my original statement which is that the original reason they ported to consoles was to get into a bigger market. It didn't work, but that was their intention.

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SaturatedButter

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@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n:

However, the console versions of XCOM actually didn't sell very well.

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Oozyrat

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@saturatedbutter@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n: Which is why we might not see another port. But the original reason they ported to consoles was to get into a bigger market. Doesn't really matter how it sold, the original reason for porting was my main point.

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SaturatedButter

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@Oozyrat@saturatedbutter@Oozyrat@blackhammer109:

I wouldn't say it was ported to console. XCOM felt like it was ported to PC from console. The game controlled like it was designed for gamepads. In some cases it was easier to navigate with a controller than with keyboard/mouse.

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Oozyrat

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@saturatedbutter@Oozyrat@saturatedbutter@Oozyrat: I played K&M and enjoyed the controls. Never really had a problem.

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SaturatedButter

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@Oozyrat@saturatedbutter@Oozyrat@saturatedbutter:

Never said it was a problem on PC. It was a good port. But I don't think there's any denying that the entire control scheme feels very much like it's designed for a traditional gamepad.

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blackhammer109

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@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n: Witcher 3 is selling great on PC too.Selling more then xbox one version.Don't know about ps4

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Oozyrat

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@blackhammer109@Oozyrat@blackhammer109: Which means that the downgraded things archav3n is bringing up doesn't matter. The game is selling great and getting very positive feedback. But my point is that it's going much better because now they have 2 more giant markets to sell to.

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archav3n

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@Oozyrat@blackhammer109@archav3n: and also being downgraded. not only visually.. but content-wise and controls. you mean to say catering to mobiles so that console and PC games should play like mobile games because they have much bigger audiences? BS.

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Oozyrat

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@archav3n@Oozyrat@blackhammer109: What on Earth are you talking about? XCOM was a great game that got ported over later on to other things. It didn't cater to anything and it was still an amazing game. They moved it to other things to get more sales because they are giant markets. Who said anything about downgrading a game for porting? XCOM wasn't, and I doubt this one will downgraded too if it's coming to other platforms later on.

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archav3n

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@blackhammer109@archav3n: there's a point in console exclusives becos Microsoft and Sony want to sell their underpowered hardware plus XBL and PSN subscriptions.

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archav3n

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nice to hear about PC getting some exclusives but i hate exclusives to start with. don't mind if console gamers get to play it. but i hate consoleturds that love exclusives BS.

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DEadliNE-Zero0

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Also, mod support = FUQ YES

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DEadliNE-Zero0

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Consoles get exclusive- Sony/MS/Nintendo payed for it


PC gets exclusive- Just another day


Buty seriously, chill console gamers. I'm sure they'll port it over to the ps4, xbox one and even mobile like EU

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DrFlyntCoal

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@deadline-zero0: It'll inevitably get ported to Consoles. At least I hope so. Playing XCom Enemy Unknown with a gamepad on the couch felt good. Of all the other PC games, XCom transitioned the best on consoles without loosing much of the feel of the game.

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davem1992

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@deadline-zero0: I kinda hope it stays on PC only, more exclusives for my PC.

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DEadliNE-Zero0

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@davem1992@deadline-zero0: why? onyl reason consoles get exclusives is because they payed for them.


If FIRAXIS wants to port it over, then no problem. The fact that it has mod support is teh most important and pc friendly option

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zrex2metagor

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@deadline-zero0@davem1992: games these days are demanding enough that if you want to play a game half decently on the PC you need a rig that can support it. No ones gonna buy a Raedon R9 290 or a GTX 750 Ti for office work. PC gamers pay and they pay a lot. So enough with the console gamers payed for it shiz

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davem1992

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@deadline-zero0@davem1992: I'd rather it just be exclusive honestly, like having more xclusives on my PC.

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Warriors30

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I want to play as the aliens. Humans freak me out.

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wenwenfj

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Is it hard to say PC exclusive, gamespot?

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nigel15

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@wenwenfj: They also state that the reasoning will be explained this week:


"And, later this week we’ll go in-depth with Solomon and DeAngelis on the reasons behind the bold move to take XCOM from a multiplatform series to a PC exclusive, and how XCOM 2 will be tailored to take advantage of that single platform’s strengths – followed by Firaxis’ exciting plans to support modders and their work."

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RedWave247

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@wenwenfj: What's wrong with saying "PC first"? Because calling exclusive - like Microsoft keeps doing with Tomb Raider - would be silly if it's not in the long run.

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Warriors30

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@RedWave247@wenwenfj: Enemy Unknown was released on PS3, PC, X360, iOS, MAC, Android and UNIX.

Enemy Within was released on PS3, X360, PC, iOS and Android.

The Bureau was released on PC, X360, PS3 and MAC.

Exclusive my a**. Why would it be different now?

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RedWave247

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@warriors30@RedWave247@wenwenfj: I never said it was exclusive. In fact, I'm arguing the exact same point you're making.

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Warriors30

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@RedWave247@warriors30@RedWave247: I know. I guess I was replying to the wrong person. :P My bad.

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zrex2metagor

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@warriors30@RedWave247@wenwenfj: dunno, ask the devs. Halo 1 and 2, GoW, etc were on the PC too, then it went bye bye to the xbox

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uninspiredcup

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@RedWave247@wenwenfj: Because it's presumption, which is a sign of bad journalism.


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davem1992

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NICE, I enjoyed the first one so yeah I'll try it.

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uninspiredcup

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uninspiredcup  Online

It said it was pc exclusive, not "first".

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DrFlyntCoal

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AWWW HELL YEAAH.

I hope McCann is doing the soundtrack this time as well.



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northArrow

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OMFG Yes! Yes! I loved this game, I can't wait

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Chaos_Dante_456

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I really enjoyed the last Xcom and the Enemy Within expansion, I hope they show the consoles some love again this time around we want to play too.

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Carswell

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Now that's a pleasant surprise. My body will (probably) be ready in October.
In the meantime, there are many other titles to play, so the wait won't be such a drag. ;)
<< LINK REMOVED >>

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SaturatedButter

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Gamespot missed a very great detail.


"procedurally generated maps"

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LordCrash88

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@saturatedbutter: It's a sloppy article after all. The game is definitely announced as PC exclusive as well, not only "PC first".

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Warriors30

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@saturatedbutter: That's awesome.

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itchyflop

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good news


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IAmMcGruber

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loved the first one and it's expansion. Cant wait

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SaturatedButter

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"will be available exclusively on PC this November."

Does this mean it won't feel like a console game this time? XCOM was very obviously designed for gamepad.

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Warriors30

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@saturatedbutter: Why can't you just be happy for a moment? It's XCOM!

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LordCrash88

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@saturatedbutter: Ahem, no, it wasn't. XCOM was designed for gamepads on console. But it was almost perfectly designed for mouse/keyboard on PC as well.

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SaturatedButter

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@LordCrash88@saturatedbutter: I only played it on PC, and I assure you it was very much a console port. There was mouse/keyboard support but the game was still designed around the idea of using a gamepad.

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uninspiredcup

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@saturatedbutter@LordCrash88: They had diff rent development teams, so not.


Research sonny.

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LordCrash88

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@saturatedbutter@LordCrash88: No it wasn't. I played the game for dozens of hours on PC as well.

And anyway, if you think that way, why aren't you just glad that this time it won't be the case since there won't be any consoles to cater to? I don't get it...

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SaturatedButter

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@LordCrash88@saturatedbutter:

Just pointing out the fact that the reboot was very clearly made to be played with a gamepad. I'm curious whether or not this will still be the case since they're calling it a PC exclusive.

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Warriors30

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@saturatedbutter@LordCrash88: For now. I'm definitely expecting Xbox One/PS4 ports.

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Kathos

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@saturatedbutter: Really? Because I tried it on a gamepad and it felt like absolute shit. I had to go back to mouse and keyboard because it was a hell of a lot easier and better.

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deactivated-620299e29a26a

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squeal to one of my top 5 favorite games?? YES I'm in! This is one of the most exciting announcements so far this year for me!

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SaturatedButter

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The link they show at the end of the trailer is broken.


go.ign.com/xcom2

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Warriors30

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Awesome! Enemy Unknown was one of my favorite games. I hope there's no delay.

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SaturatedButter

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So winning at XCOM wasn't canon.

Everyone who lost at XCOM and gave up are the only ones who played it correctly.

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dominoodle

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@saturatedbutter: They must have used my save progress as the base for this game then.

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mogan

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mogan  Moderator

@saturatedbutter: Or, you know, something else happened in between.

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RedWave247

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Neat. I'm in.

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xantufrog

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Hm, premise feels a bit over-the-top but I'm super excited - these were really well-done reboots

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SaturatedButter

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Oh shіііt.

It just got real, bitches.

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