Unlike vintage XCOM, this incarnation removes player preferences. If you prefer females to be snipers and males to be heavy. Tough! Beware saying this on the Steam Forum! You find character assassins that tend to spend their lives hovering in this forum illogically calling you a sexist, misogynist and anything random with 'ist postfix. The price you pay if you have a personal preference. (Makes me worry we are moving into). You can dismiss some troops but it is costly in time & finance which makes no sense. As you play more and more games, its like the software realises you have a preference anyway and punishes you. You find it gives you more of you don't want. Will I buy the Expansion? If it caters for player preferences (and includes base invasions). Yes and I'll even overlook the games other flaws.
I was slowly becoming disenchanted of the whole Tomb Raider scene. Probably because I felt she was really a man hating feminist. Its still there but far more toned down. However, I'm glad I brought this. A lot of care obviously went into producing this title, and Miss Croft looks stunning, and even shows a vulnerable side. She also accumulates physical scarring. I liked the QTE in this game. They provide the opportunity for some visually impressive action. Something that's hard to achieve in normal control mode. The only thing I missed was the LC signature tune which should have made an appearance at least occasionally. Highly enjoyable and my personal Game of the year 2013. Well done Square Enix & Crystal Dynamics. Other games I recommend are The Witcher 1 & 2.