XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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

If you don't want all your data to leak online, don't download this game. 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. (please note this is copy pasted, please do the same to prevent anyone from paying for these games, vote with your wallet)

Woooo boy, this game has NOT aged well. I recently came back to it after a nearly 10 year hiatus because I've been achievement hunting through my old games, and saw that I was missing the 'No Looking Back Achievement' - i.e. the achievement for beating the game on Ironman Classic+. I figured, hey, I beat the game on Impossible before, so Classic Ironman should be easy right? Ahahaha. No. The RNG bullshit I can handle. Losing a squad because they missed five consecutive 80%+ flanking shots in a row? Hey, shit happens. The game would be too easy if every mission was a success. - Nope, the reason why I never got the achievement despite having 90% achievement completion on this game for the better part of a decade, is because I KEEP LOSING MY ONE Ironman savefile to crashes, data corruption, and sometimes having the file just straight up vanish into thin air. After my third scuffed run in a 24-hour period, I just threw my hands up and decided to leave a negative review. If you do want to play this game, I recommend disabling the Autosave option and doing manual saves only, which is how I used to play the game all those years ago. If the game still wigs out on you, then it probably has to do with the recent 2K update or issues with modern hardware compatibility like all the other negative reviewers have been saing. EDIT: Ok, after reading through forum posts from way back in 2013, I discovered that this game does NOT in fact have safeguards against the player creating manual backups of Ironman saves, and that it's something that people did regularly, because yeah, losing Ironman saves to crashes and bugs was a fairly common occurrence even back then. Personally I have mixed feelings about this. On the plus side, it means getting that achievement is actually possible. On the down side, it pretty much defeats the point of Ironman if the player has to outright RELY on manual backups just to finish the game. I'm still gonna leave this as a negative review for several reasons: 1. yeah, the game is unstable as fuck. 2. I know RNG hell definitely isn't for everyone. 3. Repeatedly playing through the game on Ironman has made me REALLY appreciate all the little QOL improvements they made to XCOM 2 and Chimera Squad, like being able to move after reloading your weapon or interact with objects even after using both of your action points on movement. Timed missions like Bomb Defusal missions in this game are nigh unplayable without prior knowledge of where the hidden objective is and being able to plan your movements in advance (which you CAN'T DO on Ironman). 4. The AI fights DIRTY. Like I had a mission where a pod of three floaters, upon seeing my squad, ran off to the corner of the map and just OVERWATCH CAMPED for the entire rest of the mission! I spent a good 20 turns sitting in one place waiting for them to come to me, and they never budged. Then of course, when I finally manage to creep up on them, it takes me forever to actually kill them because my soldiers keep missing - logically if your soldiers have a 60% chance to hit, 6 out of 10 shots should land a hit. I shit you not, the last floater managed to dodge NINE consecutive shots in a row! The only reason my squad didn't wipe to that one floater is because, guess what - the floater kept spamming Overwatch instead of actually shooting back at my soldiers T_T.

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 the game so far but untill steam stops trying to install software that my pc does not need or will allow to be installed proventing the game from starting without having to force close steam client services to bypass the download im not going to give this game a positive review. idc if it hurts the game or dev team but this issue should not have been a thing for so long without fix when its a simple issue

A well-designed game with lots of fun. I did not struggle with over-zealous AI competition and/or poor play balancing. The designers, developers, and production staff produced a great game -- one that holds my attention and interest in 2025. Thank you.

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.

This game is a great 40 hour tutorial for the Long War Rebalance mod. Highly recommend.

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

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!

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a masterfully reimagined turn-based strategy game that revitalized the beloved XCOM franchise for modern audiences while staying faithful to its tactical and punishing roots. Developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2012, the game puts players in command of a multinational military organization tasked with defending Earth from a mysterious and deadly alien invasion. Combining strategic base management, resource allocation, and tense, squad-based combat, Enemy Unknown delivers a gripping and cerebral experience that rewards careful planning, adaptation, and emotional investment in every decision—big or small. At the heart of XCOM: Enemy Unknown lies its turn-based tactical combat, where players lead a team of elite soldiers through procedurally generated urban and rural battlefields against a growing variety of alien threats. Every mission feels like a high-stakes chess match. The game’s cover-based mechanics and action point system force players to weigh their moves with caution—one misstep can lead to the permanent death of a veteran soldier, an element that intensifies the emotional connection to each unit. The wide array of soldier classes, including Snipers, Assault, Support, and Heavy, each bring unique abilities and playstyles, encouraging diverse strategies and team compositions. Beyond the battlefield, the strategic layer offers a deep and satisfying management experience. Players must research alien technology, build facilities, manage a growing base of operations, and make tough geopolitical decisions. Resources are limited, and prioritizing which countries to support, what technology to develop, or where to deploy satellites has real consequences. Fail to protect a country from alien terror, and they may leave the XCOM project altogether, weakening your global support. This layer of long-term planning and tension adds immense depth to the game and makes every success feel earned. The atmosphere of XCOM: Enemy Unknown is bolstered by its clean and functional art direction. While not the most graphically stunning game of its time, its sharp sci-fi aesthetic and intuitive UI make it easy to focus on tactical decisions without visual clutter. The game’s soundtrack and sound design amplify the tension, with eerie ambient music during missions and satisfying audio cues for alien encounters or successful hits. Voiceovers and brief character interactions add to the immersion, grounding the high-stakes alien conflict in a believable, near-future setting. One of the game’s most compelling aspects is its ironman mode and permadeath system. These mechanics reinforce the stakes of every mission—losing a soldier means losing a trusted, battle-hardened unit you may have nurtured over hours of gameplay. This mechanic turns every encounter into a meaningful risk, and every retreat or desperate push into a pivotal story of loss or triumph. Coupled with the game’s procedurally generated maps and enemy deployment, each campaign feels unique and unpredictable. Despite its many strengths, XCOM: Enemy Unknown isn’t without minor criticisms. Some players found the randomness of hit percentages frustrating, particularly when a high-chance shot fails at a critical moment. Additionally, the late-game can occasionally feel less tense once players unlock powerful gear and psionic abilities, reducing the sense of desperation that defines the early and mid-game. Nonetheless, these issues are balanced by the overall tension, difficulty, and scale of the conflict. In summary, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a masterclass in turn-based strategy and a triumphant return for a legendary franchise. Its perfect blend of tactical combat, meaningful strategic choices, and high-stakes tension has set a new standard for the genre. By combining emotional weight with intelligent design, it manages to make every loss devastating, every victory exhilarating, and every decision consequential. Whether you're a veteran strategist or new to the genre, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an unforgettable experience that proves strategy games can be just as thrilling and emotional as any action-packed blockbuster. Rating: 8/10

This was a good game at one time. At this point, there are many unresolved problems that seem to stem from newer operating systems. I myself have tried to reinstall after many years and cannot verify the integrity of the files, as each time I do, 2 files with a subsequent 17.5 MB download take place. And then when I check files again the same thing happens. This game has become very unstable. And the real shame is, you might buy the game and sink some hours in then find it unplayable. Avoid this game unless you know EXACTLY what you are getting into. https://steamcommunity.com/app/200510/discussions/0/648811852226640080/

Amazing game! Love it! Played at lunch when i was young, loved it, now playing it again brings me to the same enjoyment as before. Still can't play without saving and reloading some times ahaha

A need to play for strategy lovers. Is one of the best there is, If you want the full experience then you have to play on iron mod. Every move matter, planning for the worse is expected and is most likely to happen. Nothing like losing that soldier you but so much work on to die from missing a 95% shot, but completing the game is one in iron mod is something you can be proud of.

I just completed my first play through of the game and I had the Enemy Within expansion. It was a fun game and it holds up well despite being more than a decade old. The story is not the most innovative, but it kept my interest in a 40+ hour campaign. Some of the missions become a bit repetitive, but the general game loop is still enjoyable. I was a let down a little with the final level as I was hoping for any entirely new enemy and I only battled the same alien types I had faced throughout the game's missions. Even without installing any mods, I can see this game being very replayable.

The first physical PC game I ever bought with my own money was X-COM: Terror from the Deep, back in 1995, and I fell in love right away. Not just because it was the only one I had at the time, but because I’ve always loved playing chess - so the transition wasn’t all that jarring, and it immediately felt like home. I sank dozens, if not hundreds, of hours into purging the alien infestation from every corner of the planet - even despite all the mid-mission desktop crashes. Several entries later - and not all of them hits - I couldn’t have been more excited (and a bit nervous) when I heard a remake was coming. When it finally dropped, it felt like the first time all over again, and I was beyond happy. I think I own Enemy Unknown on every single platform, seriously - even on Nintendo Switch. It’s an incredible game that captures the essence of the XCOM series while also standing tall on its own merits. With quality-of-life improvements, heightened action and tension compared to its predecessors, and the ability to form real personal connections with characters, it’s a standout. So why revisit it in 2025? Because after dabbling in other turn-based games, I just couldn’t find the spark. Maybe it's the convoluted interfaces from some very recent titles, the lack of a proper tutorial, or missing personality. Sometimes, features feel more like chores than challenges, and the fun just disappears. Even if you’ve played XCOM 2, it’s worth revisiting the title that reignited interest in the genre. The combo of Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within (the DLC) stands the test of time. It's still an incredible experience - challenging, sometimes frustrating, but never unfair. The dice-roll mechanics during combat heighten the tension instead of making you feel like a loss was just plain bad luck. Rename your squad, arm them to the teeth, and get ready to kick some serious grey butt. Just… try not to reload too much. Losing a beloved warrior is painful - but it's part of the journey.

One of the ultimate strategy games. Nothing says love like the xcom mathematics that always make you miss a 90% hit chance.

This game is shockingly good! It is more than a decade old, but looks as good as modern games. I actually started with XCOM 2 and liked it so much that I had to try this earlier one. Man, it holds up! I'd recommend both games for people who love a good game that is easy to learn, but difficult to master. Fantastic game!

I absolutely LOVE this game, the best tactical game I have EVER played, it is great, but extremely difficult and unforgiving for newer to moderately experienced tactical players. Good luck, Commander.

When it isn't crashing it's a fun experience, get the xcom bundle when it's on sale. Should try long war at some point.

Strong recommendation for anybody into or interested in strategy games. However, I must warn that you should not expect the most realistic simulation on urban warfare. For one, your soldiers, despite supposedly being Earth's greatest warriors, will start out posessing the aim and competence akin to that of child soldiers and will likewise panic at the slightest bruise. It is not until late game do you develop a selection of troops that could be called actual soldiers which you could depend on. Secondly, it is almost impossible to ambush or sneak past the enemy as the milisecond you end up in any marcianito's peripheral vision, they will immediately react and start taking cover. This heavily limits your flanking tactics as well, because trying to surround your enemy invariably risks other alien packs being triggered, making your squad deal with much larger numbers than they are able to deal with. You can utilize scorched Earth tactics, blasting alien cover away with grenades, which forces them to fall back, but otherwise, the game disproportinately favors defense over offense, limiting strategic depth. Thirdly, combat settings are fairly limited as well. Doesn't matter if you are called up to engage a UFO party that landed in Egypt or Russia, you will end up in the exact same pine forest. It would've been much more interesting if climate and architecture of different parts of the world would've noticeably impacted the tactics of both you and the aliens. The game is still highly fun and addicting regardless if you like strategy games, but if you're looking for an in-depth tactical combat simulation, this won't be the game for you.

When it's good it's good and when it's bad, it's awful. The RNG is either with you or against you. Sometimes, I'm one square away and have a 37% chance to hit with a shotgun. Other times, I'm 9 squares away with a rifle and have a 87% chance to hit... I've been shot through every wall, car, 100% cover, and around corners through two building sections between floors... Sometimes, the game just does what it wants.

Lots of fun. Takes a bit to get used to the UI, movement, and the display.

I was weary of the supposed RNGness that other people warned of but it doesn't hurt the game at all. Intense turn based tactical battles that encourage thinking outside the box, such as blowing up a wall to give a sniper line of sight, coupled with soldier permadeath makes a very replayable experience.

Great tactics, story, and base.

I actually have over 1000 hours on this game. Most of it was spent playing offline, or making mods for this game. What an amazing experience for its time. Thanks for all the fun Jake and the Long War team! You all are amazing.

Very good tactical RPG with unique mechanics and sidequests that help keep the player actively engaged. I really like how the concept is executed

This game is a ton of fun and i decided to pick it up again to actually do a full play through and beat it for once since I never got a chance too. This was played on the steam deck and it ran really well. I did have a few crashes here and there but wasn't game breaking. Highly recommend especially when its on sale!

One of the few games where the opposing force gets stronger on its own and doesn't wait around for the player.

.... i know this game, a [i]=-must-have-=[/i] for turn-based tactical fans. 13/10

XCOM is one of my favorite franchises. I'm not really into the military action, but how the theme is incorporated with the game strategy and compeling characters, it's a trully fun time.

Love this game, tactics are top of the line ...Though it does suck to get your favorite guy killed by some fluke headshot but such is the way of war, I guess.

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)

Shame on you 2K, we paid for your games and now you want to spy on us. You showed everyone you have no respect for your players.

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.

This game is just ridiculous it doesn't allow the player play the game, it just railroads you into one difficulty after another and you don't have a choice without being penalized. I've played RNG games before But this one is absolutely brutal. the build time on anything takes forever along with research and by the time you get a satellite uplink built the countries have already revolted, why doesn't the game let the player choose where to go? Unless you like total frustration I cannot recommend this game.

I played after installation with no problems. Tried again today, and the game will not run. Furthermore, it crashes my PC. I've been trying for hours to solve the issue, to no avail. Shame on you Steam for selling, even if it's in a sale, a game with a lot, and I mean A LOT, of issues. I'll be demanding a full refund.

Greate game to just chill out and doesn't require much brain cells

cool game, Enemy within is the finished product though so I recomend getting the package

Gameplay Mechanics: 10/10 Narrative: 7/10 Graphics: 7/10 Sound and Music: 8/10 Replayability: 9/10 Innovation: 9/10 XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a brilliant modern reimagining of the classic alien defense strategy game. It blends tight turn-based tactics with base-building, research management, and high-stakes decision-making, creating a tense and rewarding experience that helped redefine the genre for a new generation. Gameplay mechanics are near-perfect. The combat system is turn-based, cover-focused, and brutally punishing in the best way. You’ll grow attached to your soldiers—only to lose them to a single bad decision. The base management layer is equally strong, where allocating resources, managing panic, and choosing research paths all matter. Score: 10/10. Narrative is solid. The alien invasion storyline is familiar but well-executed, with escalating threats and some good atmosphere-building. It’s not heavily character-driven, but the emergent stories from your squad’s survival (or death) often feel more impactful than scripted cutscenes. Score: 7/10. Graphics are clean and functional. They hold up surprisingly well with distinct alien designs and clear battlefield visuals. While not cutting-edge, the visual style complements the gameplay well. Score: 7/10. Sound and music are excellent. The tense soundtrack builds suspense, and the sound design during missions (from footsteps to alien roars) enhances the tension beautifully. Score: 8/10. Replayability is a huge strength. Every campaign plays out differently thanks to randomized maps, soldier progression, mission variety, and higher difficulty modes like Ironman. Score: 9/10. Innovation gets high marks. This game successfully modernized a beloved classic without losing its soul, and it influenced an entire wave of turn-based tactics titles that followed. Score: 9/10. Bottom line: XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an all-time great strategy game. Its mix of tactical combat, base management, and emotional attachment to your squad makes every campaign memorable, stressful, and incredibly rewarding.

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

so this is just spyware now? updates like this years after i bought the game should be illegal!

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

Authoritarian spyware trash. I want a refund. Fuck your terms of service 2K!

"Vamos a hacer un juego altamente estresante seguramente será buena idea." God damn it was.

2 good games in one.....plenty to change in each of the games......my advice go for head...

if you like turn based combat, this is a game of many hours of fun