XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Take-Two and 2K games have updated all their games Terms of Service, turning this game as well as all of their other games into literal spyware. Important Info in Terms of Service: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration clause and a waiver of class action and jury trial rights for all users residing in the United States and any other territory other than Australia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, or The Territories of The European Economic Area • You can be banned for using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.

--Reviewed as a total package with 'Enemy Within' DLC/XPAC-- The game that started the "95% miss" meme and built the foundation for the GOATED XCOM2/War of the Chosen. Originally played it off Steam (disgusting) and on a MAC (unforgiveable) almost a decade ago and didn't have acces to it anymore until the XCOM ultimate collection tempted me with everything for $6 (god I love the 'complete your bundle packs) lol. If its your first foray into turn-based strategy, you're in for a treat and a total beating (and you should 95% start with XCOM enemy within before jumping into XCOM2) and I'm jealous. Its as fun, tactical and unforgiving as I remember and a game that really put turn based tactical on the map and reset the quality expected for the genre when it released. Yea, there are some frustrating parts and some missions can get out of control quickly, but learning (and possibly a few campaign restarts as you learn) are part of the charm of the franchise. (Pro tip, satellite rush for enemy within is the best route to lock up support/money). XCOM2/WoTC basically improves (and retcons) almost everything in this one, but its incredibly rewarding to see how it started and the atmosphere is one of the biggest advantages EU/EW has over XCOM2. You really feel like you're fighting an invasion with little to no info and trying to make sense or it all as you go (and try to survive). 10/10 and the perfect gateway drug to Xcom2

Not good not good. So this updated terms of service is a no go. Which...is unfortunate because I LOVE the xcom franchise. I have spent loads of time into xcom more than it shows on steam because I played console when it first came out. Huge fan and although Xcom 2 brings more variety...I still come back to the original. HOWEVER, Whats this about mods being against TOS??? When the pretty much definitive edition of xcom is longwar? Even the creators said that unmodded is just the tutorial for longwar. So...You will ban me for modding a game that is old, that I dont play with others, Simply because I am tired of vanilla? Fuck off. Also, You dont need that many permissions for a game to see into my life, I guess the people who make these terms and agreements wouldnt like someone showing up to their house and walking in...just taking a look, maybe read a bank statement or two, flip through a wallet and write down some credit card numbers. Just normal terms and agreements you know of buying that Vacuum cleaner.

One of the precious few games I used to play with and alongside my dad, and he easily has double my playtime in both modern X-COM titles. He also completed them on highest difficulties, by shamelessly save-scumming. What a role model.

Until the Spyware is removed, this is a DO NOT RECOMMEND for me. Play Xenonauts or Phoenix Point instead.

This is a great game, but Take-Two and 2K are very bad publishers. Take-Two and 2K games have updated all their games Terms of Service, turning this game as well as all of their other games into literal spyware. Important Info in Terms of Service: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration clause and a waiver of class action and jury trial rights for all users residing in the United States and any other territory other than Australia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, or The Territories of The European Economic Area • You can be banned for using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.

I love buying a game and it turning into spyware with Forced arbitration that's real nice

Take-Two and 2K games have updated all their games Terms of Service, turning this game as well as all of their other games into literal spyware. Important Info in Terms of Service: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration clause and a waiver of class action and jury trial rights for all users residing in the United States and any other territory other than Australia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, or The Territories of The European Economic Area • You can be banned for using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.

with the Long War Rebalanced (LWR) mod, this is one of the best games of all time. without it, it's still very good. play once or twice without the mod, then it's go time. mod fixes some design issues, particularly with overwatch creep being dominant, and introduces lots more.

This is not a game about creative strategy, it's about spreadsheets and number-crunching to find the optimal approach. There is a Correct approach to base-building; your research, air defense, and squad upgrades can only progress at a fixed rate. Deviate and you will still progress, it will just be way more tedious and frustrating. Flipping my review from negative after finishing the last mission out. It did deliver a satisfying conclusion, and the complexity of the systems is impressive. There aren't many games like this.

Giving a thumb down and not playing as long as the monstrous policy and spying continues.

This game has it's ups and downs... however the ups are not that high, and the downs are as low as it gets in gaming. I have enjoyed the game when it works... but now, more than 3 days into an Ironman run(Only allowed one save file) trying to get the last couple achievements... The game crashes, no biggy, it happens. However now apparently my Ironman run is fooked. No issues loading previous non-Ironman runs, but the run I have spent over three days working on can no longer loaded. Literally 1 mission away from completion, gollop chamber just finished, I was all but done. Now instead of being done with the run, I am just done with the game. Hell, a quick google search shows me this isn't even a rare thing... I'm out.

Although this game is enjoyable, the publishers actions lead to me to not recommend this game. The publisher, 2K Games, has added sweeping data-mining and privacy-infringment to their license agreement for all their games. You might be interested to know that this includes USERNAMES and PASSWORDS, as well as FULL CREDIT CARD DETAILS. This is addition to the Root-level access to your machine that they require for their anti-cheat. I don't know if anyone will see this review out of the 123,000 or so current ones, but if you do, I would ask you ask to consider supporting another publisher/development team that doesn't despise or carry malicious intent against its own customers.

not reccomended because of new EULA. read the reviews...dont be a f00l gamer by letting the companies f00l u

One of my favorite games ever. Only thing I wish was improved was the "air combat" if you can even call it that. 9/10

Very fun gameplay loop. High recommend! XCOM 2 even more so, but that game is quite a bit more complicated. If you have never played a game like this, I think that jumping into XCOM2 is too steep of a learning curve, and playing through the first one is a good way to get yourself up to speed.

Predatory EULA changes to gather all sorts of information and store, sell and do whatever they want with them. No choice but to accept or lose the game that you bought.

2k EULA update directly downloads rootkit tier spyware into your computer. DO NOT PLAY. Official copies of the game are dangerous. Sailing the high seas is much safer.

This is a review of software present in a game and therefore a valid review of a game: Root-level Access to my PC is a criminal level violation of data collection and privacy rights (laws) here in my country. This is spyware, plain and simple. fullstop. Predatory EULA changes to gather all sorts of information and store, sell and do whatever they want with them. No choice but to accept or lose the game that you bought. I didn't accept that when I spent my money, I will not accept now. Important Info in ToS: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration so long as it is permitted in your region • You can be banned for the using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC • Best last they reserve the right to modify this Agreement, in whole or in part, at any time Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.

Sadly I will not be playing this game anymore. The license agreement is no longer acceptable. First they take my money, then they change the agreement. And do you think they will give me a refund? If this ain't a bait and switch scam, I don't know what is!

listen i have 230 hours in this game, just play it. its amazing, if your coming from XCOM2 then some missing QOL factor will hurt, but the slightly less balanced game and completly op characters at higher levles is just so satisfing, at some point you just have 2 flying sniper with double tap, and just one shot everything in the map, using you support as scouts, and maby a mech for a bit of artiliery

I love the XCOM games and they are one of the few games that I will come back and play over and over, even years later. There's just something cathartic about blasting aliens that is timeless and the XCOM fills that need in me.

Very accessible turn-based tactics game. It's mechanics are fairly simple, mostly hiding behind cover and moving together as a unit. Flanking is common and sniping from a distance is important. The game design is such that most of the decisions are kept inside the game world, with less time spent in menu systems or debating over stats. The user-interface components are kept to a minimum. Soldiers are normally either rifleman, assault-shotgun class, heavy weapons, or sniper. Terrain height plays a major factor in defense. There is also a light strategy layer where the player needs to manage the XCOM base and encompass earth with satellite coverage. It gives a nice change of pace from the high intensity of tactics combat. Research projects need to be assigned, equipment needs to be engineered, and air ships need to be distributed across continents. It is more logistical management focused with less risk or chance for mistakes. In general, this is an engaging tactical and strategy game that does not overload the player. It never feels like working an excel spreadsheet, but is grounded in a physical virtual world. This is a high-point for the genre.

My gosh this is a fantastic game. Things to keep in mind: Not for little kids (The aliens would have freaked little me our, and it is a violent game) Not a fast game (This game requires a LOT of waiting thinking rethinking and restarting) Oldish (If this bothers you there is something wrong with you the slight retro vibe is great in this game)

great game play, great story and great replayability. Five stars, all aces, PLAY IT NOW!

Base game good, fast and cinematic experience. The long war mod makes this the UFO strategies of a generation

Take-Two and 2K games have updated all their games Terms of Service, turning this game as well as all of their other games into literal spyware. Important Info in Terms of Service: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration clause and a waiver of class action and jury trial rights for all users residing in the United States and any other territory other than Australia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, or The Territories of The European Economic Area • You can be banned for using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.

Just a good classic game, and playing both versions is great!

n/a

As a huge fan of the original X-Com from the 1990's, this game has been a major revelation at every step of the way. It retains all the best parts of the original game, whilst improving on it in so many fantastic ways. Highly recommend.

Better version than the original in nearly all ways. Faithfully recreates the experience except for the music which lacks the atmosphere of the original.

I've played XCOM for a cumulative of over 100 hours and have yet to beat it. I love a game that can test my skills to the max

Fun, cool fluid mechanic, not bloated but still features a lot of gameplays

I love this game and its a great stress release fighting aliens ha.

TLDR Rating: 98/100 XCOM Enemy Within Expansion with LongWar modded remains one of the best games I played in 40 years of my existence. I was asked one time: "If you were able to play only 1 game for the rest of your life, what would be it?". This is the game I have chosen. The game is a classic alien invasion defense. It is outpaced nowadays (2025) by modern graphics, high mod-ability and tons of QOL from other games. But the feel, the grind, the base mechanics, the pure gaming experience remains true with this one. For anyone wondering whether this is worth to buy and try given its age, I would just say: "If you are into turn-based games, this is your gem".

Fun quasi-action game. Turn based. Can see why it was so popular back in the day

Very fun game. After my first run through the game (I have the dlc but still played through enemy unknown with no dlc first to see what would change) I can say that this game without the dlc is fantastic, adding on enemy within? *chef's kiss*

I have love in my heart for XCOM, but it is it a good game? Absolutely not. XCOM is a genre defining game, which means that basically every other subsequent game in the genre is just ripping off XCOM, which then means that every subsequent game is just an improved XCOM (More or less) XCOM is not a well made game because they didn't know what they were doing. It's jank and corny. Influential jank, but trying to play it again in 2025 is a miserable slog that makes me yearn for the dozens of better XCOM like games.

Bought the game a long time ago, back when physical copies were a thing. Only just now bought it on steam since I realized I didn't have it. Has aged well, even with the 2nd one out, and mods like long war pretty much turn it into a 1.5 version. Was on sale for dirt cheap, so no reason for a tactical game enjoyer to not have it. Will easily recommend it.

fantastic game, probably even the best game in my opinion.

great game even today would not pay full price but if it goes on sale def grab it up great story and great ai to fight

Game no longer launches on Windows 11. There's a lot of discussion online about this issue, and no general fix has been found, nor has a patch been released. Don't spend your money on a game you can't play.

I freaking love the XCOM series but 2k just decided to continue their run of being f*cking ruining-game assholes. Don't buy it

Very much a decent update of the original for tactics. I do miss some of the base management from the original, but overall a good pick

Unplayable in 21:9. Mouse does not match up to where the cursor displays causing you to have to shuffle around to actually click on anything, making it incredibly frustrating to do even basic stuff like click on tiles for movement or navigate menus. Potential work around is playing in windowed at a lower resolution but then text is cut off on screen at times.

shoot down a flying saucer, kill a grey alien with a machine gun, and then sell its corpse to the highest bidder

don't buy this, 2k and take-two has change all their games to spyware, recent update to EULA makes it can collect all the data on computer

Good game, original was a great one. They did a pretty good job with this one.

2K has been falling off for years now. Actively modifying TOS to allow for such over-reach and spyware in A PVE SINGLE PLAYER TACTICS GAME. There is no "game integrity" to worry about when players are blasting 1's and 0's and not other players. Allowing for constant logging of my system's files and IP address is plain stupid. I don't want these clowns to have my card details logged somewhere because I know they can't hold their data any better than someone freshly 21 does their liquor.

Couldnt even see the endgame stats of a 30h playthrough thanks to a bug, great!