Split-screen on PC

XCOM: Enemy Within

Up to 2 players on one PC, with controllers or keyboard and mouse.

2Verified handler

Handler “XCOMEW” by Talos91, version 2

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 2 players can play XCOM: Enemy Within together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers or keyboard and mouse. The free community handler “XCOMEW” by Talos91 does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 2, updated 26 Apr 2020. XCOM: Enemy Within is a strategy and turn-based strategy game from 2013.

Players2
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceNot supported
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play XCOM: Enemy Within split screen on PC

Get Nucleus Co-op
Download Nucleus Co-op, free for Windows 10 and 11, and unzip it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. There is no installer.
Keep it out of Program Files, your user folder and OneDrive.
Download Nucleus Co-op
Install the XCOM: Enemy Within handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for XCOM: Enemy Within and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where XCOM: Enemy Within is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player presses a button on their own controller to join and takes a spot on the screen. Pick a layout that fits your players.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of XCOM: Enemy Within per player and lays the windows out on your screen. Then link them in game, usually one player hosts a LAN or online session and the others join it. The handler notes say how.

What you need

A Windows 10 or 11 PC
Nucleus Co-op runs on Windows only. System requirements
XCOM: Enemy Within for Windows
Installed on that PC. Nucleus starts every player's window from that one install.
Nucleus Co-op, free
With .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later and the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtimes (x86 and x64). Download
Something to play with
One controller per player; one player can use the keyboard and mouse. Controllers
A PC that can run 2 copies
Each player runs their own copy of XCOM: Enemy Within, so the PC carries several times the usual load. Lower the graphics settings if it struggles. Performance tips
A multiplayer mode
Nucleus links the windows through the game's own LAN or online mode; the handler takes care of it.

Handler notes

2p local versus.

Authors and Contributors of this handler: Talos91 from the Split Screen Dreams Discord.

About XCOM: Enemy Within

XCOM: Enemy Within is an expansion pack for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a turn-based tactical strategy game. The expansion adds the ability to gene mod soldiers to add to their powers as well as the ability to create MECs, powerful robotic soldiers. These new features are created by collecting a resource called Meld on the tactical battlefield. A number of new maps were also added to the tactical game, as well as multiplayer. The PC version of Enemy Within is an add-on that requires the base game Enemy Unknown.

Summary from IGDB