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 23
--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 19
Nothing more fun than missing an 98% shot and consequently getting a squad wipe, i still love the game to death tho
Steam User 15
The greatest part is
naming soldiers after friends
and watching them die
Steam User 13
Great game but playing it without a camera mod to freely move the camera around and changing zoom levels is torture. Download this mod (has 5 files, you need at least 3 of them) to not be fighting the camera more than the actual enemies You need this mod to install the camera one but it's very easy to do:
Camera mod:
Steam User 10
Why play in 2026?
- gameplay is timeless
- comic style graphics age well
- it scales perfectly to 4k graphics. yes, even the UI.
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 8
Renamed all my soldiers after my friends. They are all dead now.
The game looked me dead in the eyes, let me miss a 94% shot and then had a Sectoid one tap my best guy on the very next turn. Incredible stuff. XCOM is genuinely one of the best strategy games ever made: deep, tense and endlessly replayable. It respects your time just enough to make you waste all of it. Every mission feels like a heist plan that goes perfectly until it absolutely doesn't and somehow that just makes you want to go again. If you enjoy making careful tactical decisions only to watch them collapse in real time, this is peak gaming. Just don't get attached to your squad. Trust me on that one.