X-COM: UFO Defense

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,764 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
X-COM: UFO Defense Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Amiga
  • Ms Dos
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,764 reviews
story49 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • Timeless classic that still holds up today with engaging gameplay and deep strategy.
  • Offers a unique blend of base management, resource allocation, and tactical combat.
  • High replayability due to procedurally generated maps and the ability to customize soldiers.
  • Dated graphics and clunky user interface can be frustrating for new players.
  • Steep learning curve with no tutorials, requiring players to read manuals or guides.
  • Can be punishingly difficult, leading to frequent squad wipes and a sense of loss.
  • story349 mentions

    The story of the game revolves around a global defense initiative, X-COM, tasked with combating an alien invasion threatening Earth. While the overarching narrative is minimal and somewhat cliché, players create their own engaging stories through the experiences and fates of their soldiers during intense, procedurally generated missions. The atmosphere is heightened by the constant risk of losing troops, making each mission feel unique and impactful, despite the lack of a detailed plot.

    • “You'll flesh out the story for yourself with your squad's triumphs and tragedies as they combat the greatest threat the world has ever faced in the far-flung future of 1999.”
    • “The combination of research, base building and turn-based strategy missions works really well.”
    • “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.”
    • “The plot is stupid.”
    • “The story is minimal, but it doesn't need much; the tension and atmosphere build naturally as the stakes grow higher.”
  • graphics325 mentions

    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 the pixelated visuals and limited animations, they emphasize that the gameplay remains engaging and rewarding, often suggesting that the graphics should not deter potential players. Overall, the game's charm and depth are seen as outweighing its visual shortcomings, making it a beloved experience for those who appreciate retro gaming.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics may be aged, but it is still a golden oldie.”
    • “The graphics are terrible and the interface is as intuitive as open heart surgery, but it's one of the best strategy games I've ever played.”
    • “The pixelated graphics, limited animations, and clunky menu systems can be jarring for modern players accustomed to sleeker presentations.”
    • “It's hard to play nowadays with the dated graphics and controls.”
  • gameplay296 mentions

    The gameplay of X-COM: UFO Defense is widely praised for its depth, strategic complexity, and engaging mechanics, combining turn-based tactical combat with resource management on a global scale. While the graphics and interface show their age, many players find the core gameplay experience timeless and rewarding, especially with the enhancements provided by mods like OpenXCOM. However, newcomers may face a steep learning curve due to the lack of tutorials and the game's intricate mechanics, which can lead to frustration before the rewarding gameplay unfolds.

    • “A perfect blend of the early 90s' zeitgeist and, for that time, cutting-edge gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “The enemy AI is rigid and predictable, making the gameplay feel unnatural and mechanical.”
    • “However, games have advanced considerably since then, and its outdated mechanics and unforgiving gameplay make it downright frustrating for new players.”
    • “The steep learning curve and lack of accessible tutorials may discourage newcomers from fully embracing the game's mechanics, leaving them overwhelmed and frustrated.”
  • music68 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and atmospheric experience, enhancing the overall gameplay with its eerie and engaging compositions. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's effectiveness in setting the mood, evoking feelings of dread and excitement during combat, while also noting its nostalgic charm despite its simplicity. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's lasting appeal and immersive quality.

    • “The atmosphere of the music alone, let alone everything else, just keeps the game alive for years to come.”
    • “The music sets an incredible mood, and the graphics are absolutely gorgeous for a DOS game from 1994.”
    • “The game gets boring at times with the lack of any variety in music in the battlescape, but every now and again stories form from the jumpy scenes that the game gives you.”
    • “Sure, the sounds and music are dated and canned.”
    • “The eerie music on every mission supporting the tense atmosphere makes this game one of the greatest of all time.”
  • atmosphere65 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its intense, suspenseful, and immersive qualities, effectively combining eerie music, sound effects, and a sense of dread that enhances the tactical gameplay. Players appreciate the nostalgic yet timeless feel, with many noting how the atmospheric elements contribute to a gripping experience reminiscent of classic horror films. Despite its dated graphics, the game successfully evokes a palpable tension and a foreboding ambiance that keeps players engaged throughout.

    • “The eerie music on every mission supporting the tense atmosphere makes this game one of the greatest of all time.”
    • “Deep, engaging gameplay and an intense atmosphere of suspense and dread.”
    • “The atmosphere this game creates is identical to many horror movies.”
    • “The somewhat spooky alien horror movie atmosphere mitigates the occasionally repetitive maps, making farms in the middle of nowhere feel tense every time you visit them until late in the game.”
    • “I'm not sure if they were going for a nightmare-fuel 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.”
  • replayability53 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its randomness, procedural generation, and depth of gameplay. Players appreciate the variety of strategies and tactics available, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same, making it a timeless classic with nearly infinite replay value. Despite some technical limitations, the engaging mechanics and challenging nature keep players returning for more.

    • “The randomness of this game adds to the replayability, keeping you on your toes.”
    • “This game has endless replayability.”
    • “The game is immensely replayable.”
    • “The replay value is strong even though randomly generated maps will eventually take on a 'samey' quality to them.”
    • “It does lower replayability, though, and I'd say the remake does psionics better - at least if you compare both games in their vanilla state.”
    • “Even though replayability still nets the same result, it is as good of a game today as it was when it was released.”
  • stability25 mentions

    The stability of the game is generally viewed as problematic, with many users noting that it retains numerous bugs and glitches from its original release, making it feel outdated and at times unplayable on modern systems. However, some players have found that using mods like OpenXcom can significantly improve stability by fixing many of these issues. Overall, while the game is beloved for its nostalgic value, it is still plagued by stability concerns that can affect gameplay.

    • “I have another version of this running with a different DOSBox, and it runs great.”
    • “Runs great, not buggy, and you get to relive all the retro awesomeness that is UFO!”
    • “I had to give up X-COM: UFO Defense when I switched to Windows 7, but the Steam version runs great!”
    • “But it'll forever be a buggy piece of software because modern developers don't know how to develop creatively or imaginatively anymore.”
    • “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.”
    • “Don't expect the game to be without glitches and bugs.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users highlighting significant performance issues, particularly during large battles and on higher floors, often attributed to the use of a DOS emulator. However, players recommend using OpenXcom, which offers improved performance and quality of life enhancements, making it a better option for modern systems. Overall, while the original port struggles with optimization, alternative versions provide a more stable and enjoyable experience.

    • “The openxcom version will provide a lot of quality of life improvements both for resolution and performance, as well as gameplay (ever wanted to see how many turns remain after a move, for example?).”
    • “+ 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.”
    • “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, and 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.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    Players express a profound emotional connection to their in-game soldiers, often feeling heartbroken over their losses due to the permadeath system. The tension of combat and the investment in each soldier's journey create memorable experiences that transcend typical gaming enjoyment, leading to a deep sense of attachment and emotional investment. This emotional depth is highlighted by players' reflections on their soldiers' achievements and sacrifices, making the gameplay both frustrating and rewarding.

    • “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.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of hilariously frustrating gameplay mechanics and amusing character interactions, often leading to unexpected and comical scenarios. Players appreciate the blend of nostalgia and absurdity, with moments that evoke laughter through both gameplay mishaps and quirky character traits. Overall, the game successfully combines challenging elements with a lighthearted tone, making for entertaining experiences.

    • “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.”
    • “As a sci-fi aficionado, this game will give you plenty of funny hours.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be both enjoyable and tedious, with players experiencing a mix of frustration from micromanagement and RNG elements, alongside moments of fun in combat. While some find the grind rewarding and engaging, others feel it becomes repetitive and overly time-consuming, particularly in later stages of the game. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, offering depth but also potential burnout.

    • “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.”
    • “It is tedious and would be an immense waste of time but for the fact that if you don't do it, no one will have the correct weapons at the start of the fight!”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by the absence of microtransactions, which is a positive note for players. However, there is criticism regarding another title, "Enforcer," which is perceived as a cash grab that fails to deliver the depth associated with the X-COM franchise.

    • “There are no microtransactions at all, which is a refreshing change in today's gaming landscape.”
    • “I appreciate that the game is completely free of any pay-to-win mechanics.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions allows for a more immersive and enjoyable experience.”
    • “- Enforcer was a quick cash grab gallery shooter that is X-COM in name only.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in this game is highlighted as a significant aspect, with players feeling a deep emotional connection to their soldiers due to the game's punishing mechanics, including permadeath. The sense of achievement from overcoming challenging missions enhances the narrative, making players invest in their characters' journeys, despite the inherent risks of losing them. Overall, while some reviews note a focus on mission objectives over individual character arcs, the emotional weight of character loss and progression remains a core element of the experience.

    • “This, in my view, is the greatest game of all time. It has it all: a great story, character development, and for me, the most important part 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. Overcoming missions that have made the best players cry is a good feeling, but there is no worse feeling than seeing a soldier you have seen go through the ranks, kill countless enemies, and be a complete star, be torn apart by cruel fate.”
    • “It's more 'realistic' than the newer XCOM in that it's about the overall mission and not about character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

Buy X-COM: UFO Defense

Play time

25hMedian play time
66hAverage play time
39hMain story
77hCompletionist
7-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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