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Posted: 21 months ago, last updated 7 months ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
X-Com (which became XCOM) is a science fiction strategic battle game where you control units to stop an alien invasion. The long running series has come in many forms, but always has in common the finely tuned turn-based ground combat where you control a squad of soldiers to hunt the aliens.
Tactics are important, as you can’t see enemies until you have line of sight. You also need to carefully equip and use soldiers abilities to perform different duties. You can take cover behind walls and objects in the environment as well as save your movement for opportunity fire. Then between missions you can train, research and equip for the next challenge.
The combination of turn based strategy and squad tactics spawned a genre of its own with many spin off games from the XCOM mould. These are worth noting if you are looking for this kind of experience on other systems:
Tactics are important, as you can’t see enemies until you have line of sight. You also need to carefully equip and use soldiers abilities to perform different duties. You can take cover behind walls and objects in the environment as well as save your movement for opportunity fire. Then between missions you can train, research and equip for the next challenge.
- XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) on Android, iOS, PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360
- The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (2013) on Mac, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
- XCOM: Enemy Within (2013) an expansion for XCOM: Enemy Unknown on Android, iOS, PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360
- XCOM 2 (2016) on Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- XCOM 2: War of the Chosen (2017) an expansion for XCOM 2 on Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- XCOM: Chimera Squad (2020) a budget standalone game on PC.
The combination of turn based strategy and squad tactics spawned a genre of its own with many spin off games from the XCOM mould. These are worth noting if you are looking for this kind of experience on other systems:
- Rebelstar Tactical Commander on GBA
- Ghost Recon Shadow Wars on the 3DS
- Mario vs Rabbids on Switch
Game Details
Content Rating: PEGI 16
Skill Rating: 13+ year-olds
Release Date: 01/01/1994, updated in 2017
Price: 85% off
Platforms: Android, Mac, PC, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and iOS
Genres: Action, Fighting, Shooting, Strategy and Turn-Based
Developer: Firaxis Games (@FiraxisGames)
Lists
View our choice of games like XCOM. This game is good if you want to:
Commitment
Duration: This game will take between 30 hours and 45 hours to complete.
Players: You can play with 2 players in the same room and up to 2 players online. XCOM takes up to 45 hours to complete, although this doesn’t include the multiplayer option. There is a player vs player online and local challenge where each player equips their squad of soldiers or aliens.
Players: You can play with 2 players in the same room and up to 2 players online. XCOM takes up to 45 hours to complete, although this doesn’t include the multiplayer option. There is a player vs player online and local challenge where each player equips their squad of soldiers or aliens.
Costs
XCOM usually costs £15.99 to £79.99.
Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience. XCOM 2 offers paid expansions like the substantial "War of the Chosen" that add stories, missions and characters to the game. There are also smaller content packs that add outfits and accessories.
XCOM
Xcom 2
Xcom 2 Collection
Xcom 2 Digital Deluxe Edition
Xcom: Enemy Unknown
Xcom: Enemy Unknown Plus
Xcom: Enemy Within
XCOM: Enemy Within
Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience. XCOM 2 offers paid expansions like the substantial "War of the Chosen" that add stories, missions and characters to the game. There are also smaller content packs that add outfits and accessories.
Age Ratings
Content Rating
XCOM 2 Rated PEGI 16 for frequent moderate violence. Violence in the game is realistic in nature, with blood effects used frequently. Once killed, characters bodies remain on the battlefield until the end of the mission.Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
Skill Rating
13+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content.
Accessibility
Newer XOMX games support accessibility in the following ways:
- Difficulty: Turn-based gameplay and save anytime to reduce fatigue. Different difficulty levels are available.
- Reading: There is considerable reading. Subtitles accompany any spoken elements of the story.
- Controls: Fully playable with mouse and you can remap keys.
- Image calibration: Visual cues to highlight audible events.
- Audio calibration: Adjust audio individually for effects, music and ambience.
Games Like XCOM
Our experts have hand-picked the following similar games for you. These offer a similar way to play to XCOM or are games with a similar theme or topic. These are good alternative games to XCOM, or are a younger rated alternative for players not ready for PEGI 16 or ESRB TEEN games.
