How do I change XCOM 2's graphics without loading the game?

XCOM 2 has defaulted to maximum graphics, which my PC cannot handle. Unfortunately, this includes the background of the main menu which now crashes whenever I try to load it.

Since I can't get to the game options, is there a config file outside the game that I can edit? Perhaps a way to boot the game in safe mode?


Solution 1:

Based on this page:

Edit Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM 2\Engine\Config\BaseEngine.ini, and disable settings as appropriate. For a really quick attempt at just being able to get in game, I'd recommend (though this probably won't be playable) -

  • DetailMode=1
  • DirectionalLightmaps=False
  • Distortion=False
  • DropParticleDistortion=False
  • CompositeDynamicLights=False
  • ScreenPercentage=50.00

That last one will cause the game to render at a lower resolution and upscale it - if you want to change the games resolution instead, try opening \Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM 2\XComGame\Config\DefaultEngine.ini and editing the following values:

  • ResX=(add your preferred horizontal resolution here)
  • ResY=(add your preferred vertical resolution here)