I don't know what 2k could've done they want a good metacritic and good sales that often come along with it. How could you make tactical game in 2012 when professionals in the enthusiast press write solid gold like:
This game will review well. They have an artstyle and aestethic thats very hot right now because of better products (Mad Men) and they will push some hot button issues (gay character). The gameplay will be at least competent, because it's hard to fuck up FPS in UE3. At E3 there were already some "most improved" comments. What this game needs isn't better game design or XCOM "fanservice". The people who want that are nostalgical fools who just don't get it.
The thing that this game really needs is a episode of Irrational Interviews, in which Ken Levine spins FPS squad commands and a 60s setting as something unique/excepional and game changing, and it'll be a walk in the park to a 90+ Metacritic.