XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a single player and multiplayer tactical turn-based strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Firaxis Games and was released on October 11, 2012. It received very positive reviews from players.

In XCOM: Enemy Unknown, you command a secret organization, XCOM, to defend Earth from an alien invasion. You must manage resources, research alien technology, and oversee military strategies to combat the extraterrestrial threat. This updated version of the classic game offers new enemies, technologies, and a fresh invasion story, while preserving the series' strategic gameplay and base management features.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 46,499 reviews

story2.1k positive mentions

stability838 negative mentions

story
10,519 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
76%
4%
The story of "XCOM: Enemy Unknown" revolves around a classic alien invasion narrative, where players command a secret military organization tasked with defending Earth from extraterrestrial threats. While the plot is straightforward and somewhat cliché, it effectively serves as a backdrop for the game's engaging tactical gameplay, allowing players to create their own unique stories through the experiences of their soldiers. The addition of the "Enemy Within" expansion enriches the narrative with new missions and character development, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms of repetitiveness in mission types.
- “The story is intriguing, and the management makes for an interesting experience.”
- “The story is well written, and the game offers new things along the way.”
- “The story pulls you in quickly but unfortunately there is little in the way of plot development, which is a bit of a bummer.”
- “In terms of story, it feels kind of stale.”
- “The story is just a generic alien invasion scenario where you have an elite squad to defeat them, but it's still a decent story.”
- “The story is simplistic and kind of cliché, but the way the game delivers it to you is very tame and never bothers you.”
gameplay
5,540 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The gameplay of "XCOM: Enemy Unknown" is widely praised for its engaging turn-based tactical combat and strategic base management, offering a blend of depth and accessibility that appeals to both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Players appreciate the permadeath mechanic, which heightens the stakes and emotional investment in their soldiers, while the game's streamlined mechanics and modern graphics enhance the overall experience. However, some criticisms arise regarding the game's reliance on RNG, occasional bugs, and a perceived simplification of certain mechanics compared to the original titles, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and replayability.
- “Otherwise, its gameplay is super fun to play; it is the best tactics game I have ever played.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are fantastic, offering solid complexity and a satisfying challenge.”
- “With its deep tactical gameplay, challenging strategic choices, and immersive atmosphere, Enemy Unknown stands as a true gem in the realm of turn-based strategy games.”
- “On the downside, I encountered a couple of minor technical issues, such as screen glitching when alt-tabbing and a camera bug that could be a bit irritating during gameplay.”
- “The gameplay feels slower and more sluggish compared to the sequel, the mechanics of both the missions and the overworld aren't nearly as polished, and the difficulty just doesn't feel well-balanced to me.”
- “The pod mechanic coupled with the very limiting movement system makes this extremely frustrating.”
graphics
2,735 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The graphics of "XCOM: Enemy Unknown" have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers noting that while they may not be groundbreaking by today's standards, they effectively enhance the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. The visuals are described as solid, with a polished aesthetic that holds up well over time, despite some minor graphical glitches and a slightly cartoonish style. Overall, the game successfully modernizes the classic XCOM experience with improved graphics, making it visually appealing while maintaining the strategic depth that fans appreciate.
- “The eerie soundtrack and crisp graphics immerse you in a world under siege by an alien threat, enhancing the overall atmosphere of urgency and danger.”
- “With stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and a satisfying balance of accessibility and depth, XCOM delivers an unforgettable experience that will keep players strategizing for hours on end.”
- “The graphics are solid, the story keeps you hooked, and the gameplay is super rewarding.”
- “The visuals in this game aren't going to win any awards.”
- “Generally the visuals are worse than XCOM 2, and this especially goes for character customization.”
- “The graphics have aged pretty poorly, but that mostly stems from the art style.”
replayability
1,593 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The replayability of "XCOM: Enemy Unknown" is highly praised, with many players noting its engaging mechanics, random elements, and various difficulty levels that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of DLCs, particularly "Enemy Within," and mods like "Long War" significantly enhance the game's replay value by adding new content and challenges. However, some players mention that the repetitive nature of missions can diminish replayability over time, despite the overall depth and strategic options available.
- “The game has a lot of replay value, as I can customize my soldiers, choose different research paths, and face different scenarios and enemies.”
- “With endless hours of replay value, constant decisions that can make or break your playthrough, countless choices and actions to make, a compelling story, and the chance that your team will either walk away from the battle completely unscathed, or be completely and totally destroyed, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an amazing game that will bring a challenge to anyone who plays.”
- “The replayability of this game is second to none, and with the mods available you'll never get tired of it!”
- “The thing is, the devs were counting on replayability, but once you complete the campaign once, it's the next time you play; the missions and levels weren't as random as I hoped and just repeated themselves.”
- “The lack of a skip command strongly reduces the replay value further.”
- “No replayability whatsoever.”
stability
872 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
1%
96%
The game's stability has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some users find these issues to be minor and manageable, others describe the game as "unplayable" due to the severity and frequency of the problems, particularly in critical moments. Overall, the consensus is that while the game offers an enjoyable experience, its stability is marred by persistent technical issues that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “No glitches or irritations I had while playing.”
- “Overall excellent game: mostly bug free (for me, other than issues with external disk storage).”
- “This is now probably my favorite turn-based strategy game of all time and it runs great on Linux.”
- “Game is unplayable buggy, not recommended.”
- “This game is horribly buggy and despite being released for several years there have been no patches.”
- “The game is too buggy - don't even try to play ironman!”
music
668 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the tension and urgency of gameplay. Composed by Michael McCann, the soundtrack features a mix of eerie ambient themes and intense combat music that resonates well with players, although some have noted a lack of variety leading to repetitiveness over long play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its emotional depth and engagement.
- “The eerie soundtrack and crisp graphics immerse you in a world under siege by an alien threat, enhancing the overall atmosphere of urgency and danger.”
- “The music and atmosphere are killer as well, with the ambient themes being anxious and ominous followed by heroic and tense combat themes.”
- “The audio design further elevates things, as the soundtrack complements the ambiance, whether you're in the middle of tense combat or in eerie calm moments exploring the map.”
- “The soundtrack consists of about 3 tracks.”
- “The music is ok and fits the mood but gets a bit repetitive, there's not a lot of variety.”
- “Ost is actually pretty good, but lacks variety and hearing the same songs over and over during the course of a 20-60 hour campaign can get really tiring.”
atmosphere
474 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
3%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively blending sci-fi elements with tactical gameplay to create a tense and captivating experience. Players appreciate the eerie soundtrack, detailed graphics, and the emotional weight of their soldiers' fates, which enhance the overall sense of urgency and danger throughout the game. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in the narrative, the atmospheric design remains a standout feature that keeps players invested in the unfolding alien invasion story.
- “The eerie soundtrack and crisp graphics immerse you in a world under siege by an alien threat, enhancing the overall atmosphere of urgency and danger.”
- “With its intricate gameplay mechanics, engaging story, and immersive atmosphere, it successfully reignites the excitement of classic alien invasion narratives while delivering a solid foundation for the franchise's future installments.”
- “The plot is very basic, the presentation is great, but the star goes to the atmosphere it creates: it's tense, builds up very well and adds suspense throughout the entirety of the game: you really care about the soldiers you train and the mission they are undertaking, while you're always curious to learn about the aliens you are facing.”
- “While the premise is solid, the narrative never really goes anywhere, and the aliens’ unclear motivations for terrorizing the globe sap any atmosphere of peril.”
- “Unfortunately, where the original XCOM: UFO Defense excelled in creating a mysterious mood that drove the player to investigate larger and larger ships with extreme caution and interest, the remake lays down a half-comical, stereotype-laden, American gung-ho style and a decided lack of atmosphere that ruins the experience even before the simplified plot and shorter overall game length cut short any chance of real immersion.”
- “The atmosphere was never tense at all, not dark enough, not scary enough.”
emotional
423 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players forming deep attachments to their customizable soldiers, leading to genuine heartbreak upon their loss. The permadeath feature heightens the stakes, making every decision feel weighty and often resulting in emotional turmoil, as players navigate the tension between strategy and the risk of losing beloved characters. Many reviewers express that the game evokes a wide range of emotions, from joy and pride to anguish and regret, making it a uniquely engaging experience in the turn-based strategy genre.
- “Naming your squad members and watching them grow over time adds a personal touch, making every victory feel earned and every loss truly heartbreaking.”
- “The emotional connection to each and every member of this band of heroes is stronger than that experienced in any film to date.”
- “It completely destroyed me, both emotionally (that insane ending and the fact you lose your soldiers forever with one tiny mistake) and mentally (it's pretty exhausting since you have to think about every single thing you will do very well), but it positively marked me forever as one of the best games of all time.”
grinding
266 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding certain elements, such as base management and repetitive missions, to be tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the strategic depth and challenge that comes with grinding for resources and soldier upgrades, others feel that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially in the late game. Overall, the experience can vary significantly depending on individual preferences for resource management and mission repetition.
- “The only issues for me are two - one I solved by just making my main currency high so resources are not that big of an issue. The game is excellent when you're not grinding - it is very hard; however, it is so good that it is super addictive. Each time I play it, I can't stop for like 2-3 months.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Resistance bases feel tedious and like I'm in a loop of just flying back and forth around the map, mostly not doing much.”
- “I really wanted to like it, but it started to feel more tedious than fun.”
- “The game is grindy, probably to pad out the length of the game.”
humor
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is often derived from its glitches and the absurdity of combat mechanics, leading to moments that are both hilarious and frustrating. Players frequently find themselves laughing at the unexpected outcomes of battles, such as soldiers missing shots with high accuracy percentages or encountering comically oversized aliens. Overall, the game balances a light-hearted tone with serious gameplay, creating a mix of funny and memorable experiences that players enjoy sharing.
- “There are also plenty of visual glitches, but honestly I usually thought they were more funny than annoying.”
- “The game is fun and sometimes hilarious.”
- “You get to witness their growth and their eventual downfall which will be tragic but hilarious at times.”
- “It's not funny at all.”
- “The humor completely falls flat.”
- “I didn't find any of the jokes amusing.”
optimization
187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players reporting smooth performance on low-end systems, while others experience frequent crashes, stuttering, and long loading times. While some users praise its ability to run well even on older hardware, others criticize its poor optimization for keyboard and mouse controls and ultra-wide monitors. Overall, the game shows potential for good performance but suffers from various technical issues that detract from the experience.
- “This game is also well optimized, which is always a great thing to see.”
- “The game itself is amazingly well optimized, and is as satisfying to play with a mouse and keyboard, as well as a controller.”
- “The game’s optimization is very good mainly because the system requirements are very affordable for any PC player at this point in time.”
- “Game is not optimized for keyboard and mouse and ultra-wide monitor.”
- “From that point onwards, the performance was so bad that it was unplayable.”
- “Completely not optimized properly; I crush recommended with my rig and I am unable to get this garbage to run higher than 12 fps. What a total waste of my money.”
character development
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
Character development in the game is generally described as simple yet rewarding, allowing for meaningful upgrades and progression without overwhelming complexity. While there are limited dialogue options and character backstories, players often create their own narratives for squad members, enhancing emotional investment. The blend of combat mechanics and character development is praised, making each soldier's loss impactful and the overall experience engaging, particularly for fans of turn-based strategy and resource management games.
- “I'm always amazed and impressed by how much character development occurs for all of your squad members purely through the gameplay.”
- “Character development is simple yet diverse enough to make you think about who to send on each mission.”
- “It perfectly blends combat with character development to allow for continuous upgrades as you progress.”
- “You wouldn't think it, considering there aren't any dialogue options or character development, but damn if I don't make up backstories and plotlines for my soldiers and tear my hair out when those aliens somehow hit me on a mere 2% chance!”
- “The commander is one of the few characters you meet, but he isn't given as much development as the other characters in the game. In fact, not many people get character development, but that's okay; it is not a character or story-driven game.”
- “I really would have liked a bit more in the base building department and character development, but the combat mechanics made up for it and it looks fantastic.”
monetization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
17%
65%
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on microtransactions and in-game purchases, which many users perceive as a cash grab, particularly in the context of reboots of classic games. While there are no in-game ads, the reliance on real money for additional content has led to frustration among players, who feel that essential features from the original have been sacrificed for profit. Overall, the monetization approach has drawn significant criticism for detracting from the gaming experience.
- “Microtransactions are well-implemented, allowing players to enhance their experience without feeling pressured to spend.”
- “The in-game purchases are optional and do not affect gameplay balance, making it a fair experience for all players.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers microtransactions that are purely cosmetic, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game equally.”
- “I'm generally very wary of reboots because they're usually terrible, and most of the current wave of reboots of classic 90s games have been abysmal cash grabs.”
- “To me it seems like just another awesome PC game butchered to be a cash grab and appeal more to the console generation.”
- “First things first, usually either you pay money or you watch ads.”