For the 70 missions, there are ones that are pre-built and are identical for every player. The others (the majority) are randomly generated based on the player's overall progress. Rather than completely randomizing everything, maps are selected from a pool of 80 with random enemy placement. Usually a mission follows the crash landing of aliens and there are always three countries asking for help. The player can only choose one and that influences the relationship and funding. A decision can be made based on the amount of panic in the region or the reward offered (usually new scientists or engineers). The money is also spent on launching satellites to track alien activity through a holographic view of the Earth called Geoscape, but a lot of them are needed as they only have a limited reach. At the same time, satellites are often attacked, so interceptors need to be constructed to defend them. Satellites can only be launched from special silos and cost a lot of money. That way, balanced management is the only way to keep everything under control while a steady growth needs to be maintained.
The campaign can be played in Ironman mode where the game cannot be saved during missions. In one-on-one multiplayer games, humans and aliens can be played with a mix of troops in a single squad, which is not possible in the single-player campaign. Elements from the original game not present are the inventory system, the time unit system, and the grid map that is always visible. Troops also are deployed right away and do not need to disembark from the transport.