XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics.
The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth.
You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
Key Features
- Strategy Evolved: XCOM: Enemy Unknown couples tactical turn-based gameplay with incredible action sequences and on-the-ground combat.
- Strategic Base: Recruit, customize and grow unique soldiers and manage your personnel. Detect and intercept the alien threat as you build and expand your XCOM headquarters.
- Tactical Combat: Direct soldier squads in turn-based ground battles and deploy air units such as the Interceptor and Skyranger.
- Worldwide Threat: Combat spans the globe as the XCOM team engages in over 70 unique missions, interacting and negotiating with governments around the world.
Game Discussion
Steam User 22
--Reviewed as a total package with 'Enemy Within' DLC/XPAC--
The game that started the "95% miss" meme and built the foundation for the GOATED XCOM2/War of the Chosen.
Originally played it off Steam (disgusting) and on a MAC (unforgiveable) almost a decade ago and didn't have acces to it anymore until the XCOM ultimate collection tempted me with everything for $6 (god I love the 'complete your bundle packs) lol.
If its your first foray into turn-based strategy, you're in for a treat and a total beating (and you should 95% start with XCOM enemy within before jumping into XCOM2) and I'm jealous.
Its as fun, tactical and unforgiving as I remember and a game that really put turn based tactical on the map and reset the quality expected for the genre when it released.
Yea, there are some frustrating parts and some missions can get out of control quickly, but learning (and possibly a few campaign restarts as you learn) are part of the charm of the franchise. (Pro tip, satellite rush for enemy within is the best route to lock up support/money).
XCOM2/WoTC basically improves (and retcons) almost everything in this one, but its incredibly rewarding to see how it started and the atmosphere is one of the biggest advantages EU/EW has over XCOM2. You really feel like you're fighting an invasion with little to no info and trying to make sense or it all as you go (and try to survive).
10/10 and the perfect gateway drug to Xcom2
Steam User 34
This is a PSA: Steam has finally updated their side and the game now works. You need a clean installation for it to work.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a great game, definitely recommend. Shame it took so long for Steam to update the game on their end to actually -work- without the Take2 Launcher.
Steam User 11
Is this a joke?
A game that used to work has been updated with a patch that makes it not work? Also on android you need an old phone to play it, I mean, are you people at Firaxis incompetent or just deliberate?
I have 70+ hours in the past and I was booting up to playing another campaign and it just keeps crashing on new game.
Remove or fix your faulty product
EDIT:// It is working now, I just had to keep launching it every day for about 5 days, it is a good game so I need to change the review to positive, but I am leaving the information above because this issue seems to be very inconsistent.
Steam User 7
I never had the chance to play this game when it originally released — and wow, did I miss out. This is exactly the kind of game I’ve been searching for to scratch that strategic itch. From the moment I started playing, I found myself hooked, and it quickly became one of those rare games I just couldn’t put down.
I wasn’t sure if turn-based strategy games were for me, but this title sealed the deal — I genuinely enjoy the thoughtful, tactical style of gameplay it offers. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and get started, but don’t be fooled by the simple interface — there's a lot of depth here. Mistakes on your first playthrough are common, but instead of being frustrating, they make your next run even more rewarding as you apply what you’ve learned and explore new builds and strategies.
The replay value is excellent, encouraging experimentation with different approaches and playstyles. Since buying this game, I’ve been on a bit of a turn-based binge — even picking up Cyber Knights because of how closely it resembled the feel of this game.
If you see this on sale, you'd be doing yourself a disservice by passing it up. Even years after its original release, it holds up remarkably well and feels just as fresh and engaging as any modern title. It’s a must-play for anyone who loves strategy, or for those like me who are just discovering the genre.
Steam User 6
XCOM is an amazing TBS game. Ultra punishing and fairly difficult at least for me. Love the perma-death aspects. There are so many things to manage and feels like a couple games at once. The soldier customization is REALLY fun. You can change hair color, names etc. pretty much everything about how they look.
Determining what to build in your base, what items to research, where to put satellites, what upgrades to give to your soldiers, what to sell and buy, what missions to take. Not to mention the combat, which is great but can be slightly frustrating at times.
Game is excellent. 9.5/10
Steam User 18
It's a great game, however apparently the last update bricked it...
I have managed to figure out a solution (it's actually pretty easy) - at least worked for me, when nothing else suggested worked;
If you go and right click on the game to bring up properties, click on properties
Then click "beta" and then you want to change that from none to whatever beta is current being tested out (the only one I saw was for linux, but that didn't seem to matter)
Start the game, then it should load up,
After that you can turn the beta back to none and it'll load up normally.
This works for both base xcom and enemy within.
Steam User 7
Back to the one of the best turn based tactical games for me, great story, upgrades, fun gameplay, very challenging even on low difficulty. Can have full team of MEC soldiers <3 Looks amazing on 4k large display and runs perfectly. Advised to buy and play Enemy Within.