XCOM: Enemy Unknown cover
FranchiseX-COMSeriesXCOM

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

X-COM: UFO Defense →

Critic score12 critics
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First release
Oct 09, 2012
Developer
Firaxis Games
Genres
Role-playing (RPG), Tactical, Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS) · Warfare, Action, Science fiction
Platforms
Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Mac, iOS, Linux, Xbox 360

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based tactics game with a strategic management layer, and a reimagining of the 1994 strategy title UFO: Enemy Unknown. Players lead a squad of soldiers through turn-based combat missions against alien forces, using cover, positioning, and class-based abilities, where fallen soldiers can be lost permanently. Between missions, players oversee a central base: researching recovered alien technology, building facilities, managing funds, and deciding which global threats to respond to as they try to keep member nations from abandoning the project.

Also known as X-COM: Enemy Unknown, XComGame.exe

Attributes

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Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
Set in an alternate version of 2015, the game begins as an alien force launches a coordinated invasion of Earth. In response, a coalition of nations forms XCOM, an elite multinational military and scientific organization tasked with defending the planet. The player takes the role of XCOM's commander, directing soldiers against an enemy with far more advanced technology while studying the aliens to understand their purpose and turn their own discoveries against them.Read more

Set in an alternate version of 2015, the game begins as an alien force launches a coordinated invasion of Earth. In response, a coalition of nations forms XCOM, an elite multinational military and scientific organization tasked with defending the planet. The player takes the role of XCOM's commander, directing soldiers against an enemy with far more advanced technology while studying the aliens to understand their purpose and turn their own discoveries against them.

Release dates
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Oct 09, 2012
PlayStation 3
Oct 09, 2012
Xbox 360
Oct 09, 2012
All 9 release dates
PlayStation 3
Oct 12, 2012
Xbox 360
Oct 12, 2012
Mac
Apr 25, 2013
iOS
Jun 20, 2013
Android
Apr 23, 2014
Linux
Jun 19, 2014
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main Story
15h
Main + Extras
31h
Completionist
54h
Game modes
Multiplayer, Single player
Perspective
Bird view / Isometric
Where to buy
Keywords
aliens, bloody, turn-based, 21st century, death
… All 103, soldier, robots, procedural generation, permadeath, ufo, spaceship, steam, multiple protagonists, achievements, time limit, easter egg, base building, economy, pizza, squirrel, drone, alien invasion, darkness, boss fight, explosion, steam achievements, digital distribution, xbox controller support for pc, countdown timer, game critics awards, playstation trophies, tactical turn-based combat, customizable characters, leveling up, voice acting, famous quotes, mind control, mouse, upgradeable weapons, breaking the fourth wall, non-humanoid protagonist, original soundtrack release, unlockables, white noise, fake in-game advertising, corpse, retail games with steam activation, sprinting mechanics, playstation plus, escort mission, auto-saving, stat tracking, infinite ammo, games with gold, difficulty level, self-referential humor, vending machine interaction, developer cameo, arcade cabinet, conveyor belt, cover system, destructible environment, squad, scientist, xbox one backwards compatibility, hotkey, franchise reboot, difficulty achievement, games on demand, skill tree, never-ending, high definition graphics, gamescom 2012, dynamic soundtrack, pre-order exclusive, multiplayer lan, tech trees, one-handed gameplay, ambient music, poisoning, invisibility, scripted events, random encounter, aggressive door-opening, working for the enemy, guided by radio, hidden character, secret achievements, alien abduction, optional objective, pax east 2012, pax prime 2012, creature compendium, point of no return, cliffhanger, suppressive fire, breaking through windows, steam pre-purchase rewards, military jargon, bafta games award, collective conciousness, d.i.c.e. awards 2013, viral achievement

At a Glance

Critic Score
89
Main Story (IGDB)
15h
Main + Extras (IGDB)
31h
Completionist (IGDB)
54h
OverviewHow it playsMediaCommunityBehind the gameRelated

Overview

Steam review summary

Steam users rate this Very Positive, 40,437 reviews in all languages, recorded 16 October 2026

Valve's summary of Steam user reviews. Valve counts only reviews from purchases on Steam, not key activations, and leaves out review periods it has marked as off-topic. It isn't part of the CritScore score.

Review summary: SteamSteam data provided via the Steam Web API (opens in a new tab)Not affiliated with Valve →

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