What are all of the priority missions needed to complete the game?
I just finished assaulting the alien base. I feel like I'm getting close to the end of the game, though, and I don't like it when the ending comes up abruptly with no warning. How many priority missions are left, so I'm prepared for the ending?
For the sake of completeness, it would be nice to have a list of all of the priority missions, in order.
Solution 1:
Capture Any Alien > Research > Capture Outsider > Research > Skeleton Key > Assault base > Research Item > Make facility > Scan with Facility > Down Overseer Craft > Assault Craft > Research Item > Build Facility > Create a Powerful Psionic > Use Device (POINT OF NO RETURN) > Assault Temple Ship > Win Game
You're at the start of mid game but it depends on how much time you spend setting your guys up for future missions.
Spoiler Version:
Capture Any Alien > Interrogate Alien > Capture Outsider > Research Outsider Shard > Skeleton Key > Assault base > Research Alien Communication Device > Make Communication Facility > Scan with Communication Facility (Typically around a month) > Down Overseer Craft > Assault Craft > Research Psionic Device > Build Facility to protect and use the psionic device > Create a Powerful Psionic (Max rank) > Use Psionic Device (POINT OF NO RETURN) > Assault Temple Ship > Win Game !
Solution 2:
There is a comment from the developers indicating that an average playthrough on normal difficulty should take between 15-20 hours. A playthrough on classic difficulty takes "a lot longer."
Quote:
"How long will a normal playthrough of XCOM: Enemy Unknown take?
Garth: Anywhere from 15-20 hours on normal, and a lot longer on the higher difficulties. From day one, we did build this to be completely replayable. In this regard, it’s kind of long for a replayable game. We totally expect people to replay.
Jake: The difficulty level changes. If you play on normal, it will take 15-20. If you bump up to Classic (a higher difficulty) not only is it longer, but it’s going to be a completely different experience because you’ll need to focus on different elements to overcome the same obstacles."
Source: http://xcom.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:TheBlueRogue/XCOM:_Enemy_Unknown_Developer_Interview