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X-COM: UFO Defense

X-COM: UFO Defense Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, optimization
97% User Score Based on 4,522 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

PCAmigaWindowsPlayStationMs Dos
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X-COM: UFO Defense Game Cover

About

X-COM: UFO Defense is a single player tactical turn-based strategy game with horror, warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by MicroProse Software, Inc and was released on September 4, 2008. It received neutral reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In X-COM: UFO Defense, you command a global military organization fighting an alien invasion. After shooting down UFOs, lead soldiers in investigating crash sites, battling aliens, and recovering valuable technology. Researching and manufacturing alien tech brings you closer to understanding and defeating the extraterrestrial threat.

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X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
X-COM: UFO Defense screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,522 reviews
story82 positive mentions
stability30 negative mentions
  • Classic turn-based strategy game that has stood the test of time, offering deep gameplay and high replayability.
  • Engaging atmosphere and tension, especially during missions where players must navigate unknown dangers.
  • Allows for extensive customization of soldiers and base management, providing a sense of ownership and attachment.
  • Dated graphics and clunky user interface can be frustrating for new players, making it difficult to learn.
  • High difficulty level, even on the easiest setting, can lead to frequent player frustration and loss of soldiers.
  • Lack of tutorials or guidance means players must rely on external resources to understand game mechanics.
  • story
    582 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game revolves around a classic alien invasion narrative, where players manage a multinational defense force, conducting research and tactical missions to combat extraterrestrial threats. While the overarching plot is simple and somewhat cliché, the real depth comes from the emergent narratives created through player experiences, soldier development, and the high-stakes nature of missions, which often lead to significant losses and emotional investment in the characters. Overall, the game excels in providing a gripping atmosphere and a sense of accomplishment, despite its minimal scripted storytelling.

    • “You really create your own story with the soldiers and their careers as X-COM operatives.”
    • “The story culminates in a massive battle with the humans harvesting the alien technology and using it against the invaders.”
    • “The game presents a compelling narrative that unfolds through research, missions, and encounters with various alien species.”
    • “The story itself is near non-existent, with you only really finding out about it by coincidence or looking up outside the game, but this is not the game's focus; the strategy battles and base management are, so you can't fault the game for that.”
    • “Not much of a story though there is some lore; the interface is a bit janky, and there's very little in the way of tutorials, though it's not so just because, IIRC it is due to hardware limitations in the early 90s.”
    • “It doesn't tell you how to win, and there is no narrative story or cutscene that spoon-feeds you.”
  • graphics
    536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and clunky, reflecting its age as a classic title from the early 90s. While many players acknowledge that the visuals lack modern detail and polish, they emphasize that the gameplay remains engaging and rewarding, often overshadowing the graphical limitations. Overall, the consensus is that if players can overlook the dated graphics, they will find a deeply immersive and enjoyable strategic experience.

    • “Aesthetically, this game has a timeless charm; it's crazy that the maps are randomly generated and come out so good every time.”
    • “Despite the graphics, this game aged well; it's still fun to play.”
    • “Don't let the graphics fool you; underneath the old graphics and dated UI is perhaps one of the greatest strategy games ever made.”
    • “The pixelated graphics, limited animations, and clunky menu systems can be jarring for modern players accustomed to sleeker presentations.”
    • “However, it's important to acknowledge that XCOM: UFO Defense has not aged gracefully in terms of visuals and user interface.”
    • “The graphics are dated indeed, and the game has to run on an emulator these days, but this game is still one of the best games I've ever had the pleasure of playing.”
  • gameplay
    478 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of X-COM: UFO Defense is widely praised for its depth, strategic complexity, and engaging mechanics, despite its dated graphics and steep learning curve. Players appreciate the blend of turn-based tactical combat and global management, which allows for a high degree of customization and replayability. While some find the lack of tutorials and the game's challenging nature overwhelming, many agree that mastering its mechanics leads to a rewarding and immersive experience, solidifying its status as a classic in the strategy genre.

    • “The gameplay experience is artfully balanced to provide an engaging level of difficulty without overwhelming the player, ensuring a rewarding and enjoyable adventure for a wide range of skill sets.”
    • “The gameplay is deep, addictive and atmospheric, and does a surprising amount for a game from 1994.”
    • “As a pioneer in the turn-based strategy genre, X-COM: UFO Defense has earned its place in gaming history with its groundbreaking gameplay, deep strategic mechanics, and captivating alien invasion narrative.”
    • “In all the years of playing this, I just can't accept these mechanics and end up rage quitting.”
    • “Additionally, the steep learning curve and lack of accessible tutorials may discourage newcomers from fully embracing the game's mechanics, leaving them overwhelmed and frustrated.”
    • “However, games have advanced considerably since then, and its outdated mechanics and unforgiving gameplay make it downright frustrating for new players.”
  • music
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and atmospheric experience, with many reviewers noting its nostalgic quality reminiscent of 80s film scores. The soundtrack, while simple and sometimes dated, effectively enhances the game's mood, contributing to feelings of dread and excitement during gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's engaging mechanics and enduring appeal.

    • “The music is brilliant; it reminds me of music from films like Terminator in the 80s. The dogfighting music is an absolute earworm you'll catch yourself humming.”
    • “The eerie music on every mission supporting the tense atmosphere makes this game one of the greatest of all time.”
    • “The music sets an incredible mood, and the graphics are absolutely gorgeous for a DOS game from 1994.”
    • “Sure the sounds and music are dated and canned.”
    • “The music and sound effects give an eerie feel, which I'm unsure is a deliberate choice or a side-effect of the limitation of old DOS games in general.”
    • “And the soundtrack is bad, though at low volume it's not a bother.”
  • atmosphere
    102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its intense, immersive qualities, reminiscent of classic horror films, and is enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that builds tension and dread. Despite its dated graphics, the game's design elements create a rich, foreboding environment that captivates players, making it a standout experience in the realm of strategy games. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while maintaining a timeless appeal through its atmospheric depth and engaging gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere of the music alone, let alone everything else, just keeps the game alive for years to come.”
    • “Everything from the terror-inspiring fog-of-war, to the antiquated screaming and gunfire sounds, to the green plasma bolts lancing out of the darkness at your beloved squad makes the game ooze atmosphere.”
    • “The eerie music on every mission supporting the tense atmosphere makes this game one of the greatest of all time.”
    • “The atmosphere this game creates is identical to many horror movies.”
    • “I'm not sure if they were going for a nightmare-fuelish atmosphere or not, but they sure managed to get one, especially on the game's battlescape, with the only music being just a low, pulsing drone.”
    • “The sense of dread when you have to do a terror mission when chrysalids are about, the tense atmosphere when entering a shot down UFO only for a sectoid to take a shot at you instantly as you walk through the door.”
  • replayability
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with many players highlighting its depth, complexity, and the variety of strategies available. The inclusion of mods and procedurally generated content further enhances the experience, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same. Even decades after its release, it remains a classic with nearly infinite replay value, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players alike.

    • “This game is incredible, the depth and replayability is insane.”
    • “Endless replayability.”
    • “The unpredictable nature of the alien invasion keeps you on your toes and enhances the game's replayability.”
    • “The replay value is strong even though randomly generated maps will eventually take on a 'samey' quality to them.”
    • “Even with the not-so well aged UI, the gameplay and replay value still remains rock-solid for this title.”
    • “While its graphics and interface are very much products of their time, the gameplay, depth, replayability, and surprisingly ominous atmosphere of UFO Defense are timeless.”
  • stability
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users noting that it retains the original's bugs and glitches, which can affect gameplay. However, the openxcom mod significantly improves stability by fixing many of these issues, making the game more playable on modern systems. Overall, while the game runs well for some, it still carries the legacy of being buggy, especially in its unmodded form.

    • “I had to give up X-COM: UFO Defense when I switched to Windows 7, but the Steam version runs great!”
    • “Runs great, not buggy, and you get to relive all the retro awesomeness that is UFO!”
    • “Runs great!”
    • “The game is pretty good, but this 'port' is just DOSBox bundled with the barebones MS-DOS version, with all the bugs and issues it had 20 years ago still unfixed. It also runs poorly, with lots of freezes and stuttering on both the geoscape and the battle map.”
    • “There's a reason why a fundamentally buggy and inconsistent game is nonetheless viewed as one of the greatest computer games of all time.”
    • “Buggy as hell for Windows 7; it wasn’t always like that though.”
  • optimization
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally criticized, particularly when running through the bundled DOSBox emulator, which leads to significant performance issues such as stuttering and freezes, especially during larger battles. Players recommend using the OpenXcom rebuild, which enhances performance and includes various quality-of-life improvements, making it a more suitable option for modern systems. While the original version is accessible on Steam, it lacks necessary updates and optimizations, prompting many to seek alternative methods for a smoother experience.

    • “+ openxcom extended with some mods improves performance & quality of life features - highly recommended (turbo speeds!)”
    • “Edit: if you feel inclined to pay for this port, you should download openxcom; it includes the old patches Steam didn't bother to add to the download and improves the performance so it can run on modern computers.”
    • “You won't be able to launch the game through Steam, but it gives you much better performance on modern systems than playing the original game through DOSBox.”
    • “The game is pretty good, but this 'port' is just DOSBox bundled with the barebones MS-DOS version, with all the bugs and issues it had 20 years ago still unfixed. It also runs poorly, with lots of freezes and stuttering on both the geoscape and the battle map.”
    • “The DOSBox version for sale here, however, is marred by terrible performance issues. I'm going to repeat what other people have said: play this with the OpenXcom rebuild, as that optimizes for modern systems and has a ton of mod options built in.”
    • “I feel like the higher the floor you go, the more stuttering the game becomes, though I'm not sure if that's just a problem with the DOSBox emulation.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a profound emotional connection to their soldiers, often feeling heartbroken over their losses due to the game's permadeath system. The tension of base defense missions and the sense of earned progress enhance this emotional experience, making victories feel significant and losses deeply impactful. Many reviewers highlight how the game transcends mere entertainment, creating memorable and meaningful experiences that resonate long after gameplay.

    • “Every foot of progress you gain feels like you actually earned it, and every loss, while heartbreaking, also provides new opportunities and takes you out of your comfort zone.”
    • “When the game first came out, I played it non-stop, writing down notes about my soldiers' achievements and heroic actions on a piece of paper, giving them my imaginary medals and being emotionally crushed when they die in combat.”
    • “You will learn to love your soldiers, and you will see many of them die, creating a rarely seen emotional bond thanks to the permadeath system.”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is described as both intriguing and tedious, with players experiencing a mix of enjoyment and frustration due to micromanagement, cumbersome controls, and difficulty spikes. While some find the hours of grinding fun and engaging, others feel it becomes overly repetitive and tedious, particularly in later stages of the game. Overall, the grinding can be a double-edged sword, offering both rewarding moments and significant challenges.

    • “Tedious micromanagement, cumbersome controls, and occasional difficulty spikes can lead to moments of frustration and detract from the enjoyment of the game.”
    • “I can't say I recommend it because, despite sinking numerous hours into it with OpenXcom, it simply becomes far too tedious to finish any game that I start.”
    • “Even though it's still an amazing game today with very deep and enchanting gameplay, the game can feel dated at times and later battles get tedious as you gain more soldiers to control each turn.”
  • humor
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as both hilariously frustrating and unexpectedly charming, with players finding amusement in the absurdity of gameplay mechanics and character interactions. Situations like missed shots leading to chaotic outcomes and the juxtaposition of serious scenarios with comedic elements contribute to a lighthearted experience, despite the challenges presented. Overall, the humor is a blend of situational comedy and character-driven moments that resonate with players, making the experience enjoyable even amidst frustration.

    • “Hilariously frustrating with odds unbelievably stacked against you.”
    • “Missed shots can go pretty far, leading to some funny and horrific scenarios as your soldier misses a sectoid and hears the grunt of an alien on the other side of the map or an alien can miss a shot and have it go flying into something like your skyranger, potentially killing everyone.”
    • “First time that happened I had to save and quit for a while... I was laughing too hard.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by the absence of microtransactions, with one reviewer noting a 0% rate, which contrasts sharply with another title described as a "quick cash grab." Overall, the feedback suggests a preference for games that do not rely on additional monetization strategies.

    • “- Enforcer was a quick cash grab gallery shooter that is X-COM in name only.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in this game is highlighted as a significant aspect, with players experiencing deep emotional connections to their soldiers, especially given the punishing nature of permadeath. The sense of achievement from overcoming challenging missions enhances the narrative, making victories feel monumental while losses are profoundly impactful. However, some reviews suggest that the focus on overall mission success may overshadow individual character growth compared to newer titles in the genre.

    • “This, in my view, is the greatest game of all time. It has it all: a great story, character development, and the most important part for me is the feeling of achievement. This game is so punishing; not only does it have the feature it is famous for—permadeath—but the enemies punish you for every mistake you make. When you do beat them, you feel as though you just climbed Mt. Everest. For example, everyone has experienced the mission where, as soon as their soldiers leave the ship, they are gunned down. Overcoming that mission, which has made the best players cry, is a good feeling. But there is no worse feeling than seeing a soldier you have watched go through the ranks, kill countless enemies, and be a complete star, be torn apart by a cruel enemy.”
    • “The character development in this game is incredibly impactful. Each soldier feels unique, and their growth throughout the missions makes every loss feel personal. You invest in their stories, and when they succeed or fail, it resonates deeply.”
    • “I love how the game allows for character development that feels earned. Each soldier's journey is filled with challenges, and their progression reflects the struggles they face on the battlefield. It creates a strong emotional connection to the characters.”
    • “It's more 'realistic' than the newer XCOM in that it's about the overall mission and not about character development.”
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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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40h Median play time
77h Average play time
39h Main story
77h Completionist
8-200h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

X-COM: UFO Defense is a tactical turn-based strategy game with horror, warfare and science fiction themes.

X-COM: UFO Defense is available on PC, Windows, Amiga, PlayStation and others.

The main story can be completed in around 39 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 77 hours to finish. On average players spend around 77 hours playing X-COM: UFO Defense.

X-COM: UFO Defense was released on September 4, 2008.

X-COM: UFO Defense was developed by MicroProse Software, Inc.

X-COM: UFO Defense has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

X-COM: UFO Defense is a single player game.

Similar games include X-COM: Apocalypse, Xenonauts, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, X-COM: Terror From the Deep, Master of Orion 2 and others.