XCOM: Enemy Unknown

 PC
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2608 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,075 out of 2608
  2. Mixed: 329 out of 2608
  3. Negative: 204 out of 2608
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BigWillyTaft
    Sep 12, 2013
    8
    Where to start? Well, the opening that plays once you start a new game makes me want to paint half my face blue and stomp aliens while wearing a kilt. The games atmosphere continually reminds you that you are earth's last line of defense in her finest hour. And like many other people, I also found myself getting attached to my soldiers as they leveled, and swore payback when a luckyWhere to start? Well, the opening that plays once you start a new game makes me want to paint half my face blue and stomp aliens while wearing a kilt. The games atmosphere continually reminds you that you are earth's last line of defense in her finest hour. And like many other people, I also found myself getting attached to my soldiers as they leveled, and swore payback when a lucky shot killed a squad mate. And along those same lines, hearing my heavy weapons chick yell "ooo-rah!" when she throws a grenade is as awesome as watching it blow a hole in a building.

    The story is cool, not the most mind blowing but definitely not the worst I've encountered. The main characters you interact with in your base aren't mind blowing either, aside from Central Officer Bradford. I can't really say why without spoilers, other than when he speaks I really feel like I'm listening to a military officer who is dedicated to saving the earth and at the same time preserving the lives of XCOM soldiers. Definite kudos to that voice actor.

    Another pro in my book is the interesting take on turn based combat. They did to turn based combat what Skyrim did to RPG statas and skills. What I mean by that is they simplified things while not dumbing them down. There are no turn points. You can move and then take an action, or move twice in what is called a dash, or take an action without moving. And that concludes a soldiers turn. An action would be firing, reloading, activating an ability or using an item. So it's not like there still isn't tactics involved. If you don't outsmart the aliens (or just make a goofy move because you've been playing this game instead of sleeping) they will paint the local scenery with your soldier's faces. It's just that they've simplified the steps you take to direct your orchestra of alien face-splosions. And the cinematic camera that shows kill shots is sweet when you pop an alien, painful when you realize you just screwed up and lost a high ranking soldier.

    The game was a bit buggy at launch, but the only time it acts weird on me now is when the level has multiple heights involved. Sometimes I have trouble selecting troops, but thankfully there is a handy next button.

    I find the games normal and classic difficulties to be quite a jump, and playing classic Ironman (ironman no saving unless you exit) can be extremely frustrating. I crushed normal but I have gone through a lot of restarts on classic. I feel like part of the problem is luck. It is extremely hard to go through an entire game without getting several missions back to back, or having a couple variants of the "if we attack you we will totally one-shot your brains all over the map" aliens spawn just in front of your starting zone.

    Bottom Line: This is a well made game. If you like turn based strategy and watching with glee as you use your wits to violently welcome alien face to earth ground, give this game a go. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close. I bought this on sale for $20, but I'd pay 50 or 60 for it and not feel ripped off. Also, this has been said, but if you need game sequels to be just like the first game do not buy this. There is an open source game called UFO:AI that you would probably prefer in that case.    … Expand
  2. Schwarzenegger
    Sep 17, 2013
    8
    Great game, probably a bit too easy for players of the old ones. It's a bit dumbed down for the console players... I not really liked that but hey we life in times were you have to sell your games to masses of noobs. Still a really good remake.
  3. Stefanfr15
    Sep 22, 2013
    8
    While it is buggy as hell, it also has a lot of charm, and it certainly reminds me of the original XCOM, but with an interface you can clearly understand.
    It also gets a few new DLCs occasionally, and seeing the new XCOM Enemy Within DLC trailer, I will certainly throw more money at the developers.
  4. Pedrazl
    Oct 2, 2013
    9
    Simplemente brillante. He jugado a casi todos los juegos de la serie, y no recordaba haber disfrutado tanto desde el Apocalypse. Han dado con la tecla, una maravilla en todos los sentidos.
  5. Borgy_one
    Oct 5, 2013
    9
    Great fast paced game play and the control of your base of operations is awesome, and the ability to rename and customise your squad makes the combat personal
  6. MarioRossi
    Oct 9, 2013
    9
    hey guys, guess what: it's not a free roaming game! So what? cmon, we know that from 1993! How can you give a 0 for that?? And no, you cannot just click randomly with left mouse button to beat this game (i'd rather say difficulty here is below your average tbs games, imho, not to mention comparing to previous Xcom's).
    It's fun and engrossing. When you start capturing foes to learn their    hey guys, guess what: it's not a free roaming game! So what? cmon, we know that from 1993! How can you give a 0 for that?? And no, you cannot just click randomly with left mouse button to beat this game (i'd rather say difficulty here is below your average tbs games, imho, not to mention comparing to previous Xcom's).
    It's fun and engrossing. When you start capturing foes to learn their weak spots or equipping your soldiers with ultimate weapons and armor, entertainment goes through the ceiling.
    If you think gaming is about fun, get this great product. If you like to dissect everything to test your ability to show off how some cleverness, well you don't belong here. Try rubik's cube or Nouvelle Vague movies.    … Expand
  7. buczek1993
    Oct 13, 2013
    9
    My first XCOM game ever, definitely not the last one. I don't know original XCOM from early '90, but I know that is a bit worse, that the first version (Microprose always made awesome games).
    Game is sometimes too simple (alien's AI could be better), sometimes is too hard (massive misses from soldiers, even with HIGH aim skill). It also have few annoying bugs camera works, hud bugs    My first XCOM game ever, definitely not the last one. I don't know original XCOM from early '90, but I know that is a bit worse, that the first version (Microprose always made awesome games).
    Game is sometimes too simple (alien's AI could be better), sometimes is too hard (massive misses from soldiers, even with HIGH aim skill). It also have few annoying bugs camera works, hud bugs (guard/reload with few soldiers), critical wounded soldiers in final mission or atack on ufo-base. Could have more maps after all, could have more soldiers nations and more countries (if I'm allowed to lose 8 countries from the total number of (about) twenty, it's too easy).
    But, besides that, it's really great piece of work. Not so easy as almost every game this days (even GTA looks too easy, San Andreas was last one really cool piece of hard work), have an AMAZING soundtrack (Michael McCann still sounds amazing, just as he did in DX:HR), and still give you at least 30-50 hours of playing. Including the top difficulty level (which is really tough) and Ironman mode you could gain even about 100 hours of playing. And that is definitely good score.
    One more thing "One more turn" syndrome is absolutely here. It only happens to me with a few games (SCII, Age of Empires, Football Manager), so, at least for me, it's worth buying and playing.
    It could be more difficult to gain access to all discoverable goodies from aliens, but that's probably only mine opinion.    … Expand
  8. gameshadow
    Oct 15, 2013
    9
    This was my first foray into the Xcom genre and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. This game delivers on all levels. Overall I found the game very entertaining. I've almost 80 hours played and still holding my interest. The graphics and music are good. The missions are challenging but fair. The overall game play is great and fun. The only reason this wasn't a 10 is that I wouldThis was my first foray into the Xcom genre and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. This game delivers on all levels. Overall I found the game very entertaining. I've almost 80 hours played and still holding my interest. The graphics and music are good. The missions are challenging but fair. The overall game play is great and fun. The only reason this wasn't a 10 is that I would have liked to see some additional tactical choices available on missions and some of the skills you can purchase build off of each other but this is not apparent the first time through (because you can't see the locked skills).… Expand
  9. an91
    Oct 18, 2013
    9
    Xcom is a great game. Far from perfect. It has those cheap shots, and those 3% never going to hit it shots that really change the entire game. One shot can change everything about a campaign. For the better, or for the worse. Impossible mode is just pure evil... which is why I love playing it
  10. rahto56pilko84
    Nov 22, 2013
    9
    Very good game, and is a good tradition holder from the original xcom. It does not has many flaws, Mainly i would have prefered to be able to play with more than 6 soldiers at a time, and the lack of alien assault in the player base removes one of the best moments in the original game. But it is solid and very well done.
  11. Warlord8
    Dec 23, 2013
    9
    This game is an excellent product. A good reboot and remake of the original XCOM videogame. This is what we needed to play again against the Alien invaders. It is immersive, difficult and well balanced. Definitely a must have both for nostalgists and for strategy gamers alike
  12. tejasw
    Oct 10, 2012
    10
    Absolutely Stunning. A game that takes strategy, decision and luck. This game definitely improves from the old XCOM and you should buy it. This is one purchase you wont regret.
  13. fastestlouigie
    Oct 13, 2012
    10
    This is a commendable imagining of the XCom universe for the 21st century. It's definitely not a remake (check out the nearly ready Xenonauts for that!) but a great T.B. squad tactics/base management game. Support the makers and lose days by repelling the alien menace.
  14. Trtmfm
    Oct 10, 2012
    9
    I played the original x-com UFO defense like it was the only game that existed to the point I would mod my save game files (after beating the game time after time). There was little to nothing I didn't know about that game. When I heard the designer of this remake was cut from the same cloth I could barely contain my excitement. I still worried for this game after expecting so much fromI played the original x-com UFO defense like it was the only game that existed to the point I would mod my save game files (after beating the game time after time). There was little to nothing I didn't know about that game. When I heard the designer of this remake was cut from the same cloth I could barely contain my excitement. I still worried for this game after expecting so much from Diablo 3 (and yes I was disappointed in D3). I got the game early in the morning on release, installed and played all damn day long. No regrets, not 1. The amount of soldiers feels right for this game, the maps are nice even if not 100% generated randomly, ship raids are a blast and scary! I can honestly only nitpick 2 things at this point, and that is I don't seem to have the ability to shoot wherever I want with normal guns (so if a alien is behind a wall I can't aim at the wall to destroy it so another soldier will have a clear shot at that alien), and when you learn to make something new (like armor or weapons) you don't really see the stats or how much better it actually is until it is made and ready to be equipped. This game is totally worth it, It did not disappoint me in the least. Hats off to Jake and the whole team! well done sirs!… Expand
  15. redich
    Oct 12, 2012
    10
    Wow ... Have only sky-high praise for this magnificent game! I have been involved back from the C64 days and have always had a high opinion of Sid Meier from I tried "Sid Meier's Railroad" for PC. This man knows how to develop games - period! He has only been a consultant at XCOM-EU, but Sid understands the art of mixing with only quality developers. Bravo and congratulations on aWow ... Have only sky-high praise for this magnificent game! I have been involved back from the C64 days and have always had a high opinion of Sid Meier from I tried "Sid Meier's Railroad" for PC. This man knows how to develop games - period! He has only been a consultant at XCOM-EU, but Sid understands the art of mixing with only quality developers. Bravo and congratulations on a distinguished release Firaxis Games ... once again! Really nice to see there are still companies that take pride in publishing quality (just look how far down in quality, some companies have begun to publish games. Thinking here of sots II and Legends of Pegasus). I have never given a game a score but I have quite simply felt it necessary to create an account here just to give this excellent game 10 because I think it's directly is a mortal sin that some here gives a score below 6 But unfortunately there's some who apparently have been deeply disappointed XCOM-EU is not an exact COPY of the old just in new graphic packaging. Let me close by saying, if you're into strategy, thick and heavy atmosphere which just genuinely makes you forget the time in real life - then buy the game. If you do not buy ... well, then it's your loss!

    Hey, I almost forgot to mention something about the amazing music in the game. I always shut down for the music in every game but one before ..... now it's two!    … Expand
  16. eortli1
    Oct 10, 2012
    10
    XCOM: Enemy Unknown is solid. Period. For those of you who have been playing games for years and like various aspects of many types of games, this one will satisfy you. Turn based strategy. Check. Shooter vibe. Check. Base building. Check. Difficult decisions. Yes. Desisions matter. Umhum. Feels like you're "in the game." Absolutely. Fun and re-playable. You see where I'mXCOM: Enemy Unknown is solid. Period. For those of you who have been playing games for years and like various aspects of many types of games, this one will satisfy you. Turn based strategy. Check. Shooter vibe. Check. Base building. Check. Difficult decisions. Yes. Desisions matter. Umhum. Feels like you're "in the game." Absolutely. Fun and re-playable. You see where I'm going with this.
    Give XCOM a chance and it'll surprise you at the most unexpected moments in both great and devastating ways. These moments are always interesting though and happen in ways that never leave you feeling cheated.
    This team deserves to be supported. A little creative searching can yield a slightly cheaper result if pricing is a problem for you. I have over 40 games on Steam and XCOM is my shining star that I'm most proud of and that I'm most likely to recommend to others. It's the game I going to want to talk about months after completion and maybe fire back up again from time to time.

    Firaxis,
    Congratulations and thank you for implementing your ideas for an XCOM reboot so well. I know that you know that you have a special product under your belt. Now the rest of us know it as well, and most of us agree that it's unique, fun, and relevant in today's gaming space/market.

    Knocked it out of the park!    … Expand
  17. cajun67
    Oct 13, 2012
    9
    This is a wonderful update of the old classic. While the old game had so many management options as to bog down the pace of the game, the new XCOM takes much of the tedium away. For example, in the old game, as you hired soldiers you would have to look at their randomly-generated stats individually to determine who should be carrying which weapons, and then work on increasing their bestThis is a wonderful update of the old classic. While the old game had so many management options as to bog down the pace of the game, the new XCOM takes much of the tedium away. For example, in the old game, as you hired soldiers you would have to look at their randomly-generated stats individually to determine who should be carrying which weapons, and then work on increasing their best stats during missions; in the new XCOM, soldiers are automatically assigned weapons and classes, and as they gain experience on the battlefield, they level up, granting them a new class ability each time. Not everything is perfect, however. The camera can only turn in 90 degree increments; not a problem outside, but indoor missions can be hell. Also, you'll find yourself fighting with the scenery at some of the worst times, trying to get the camera to hide it. Despite such minor flaws, this is a truly great game and a worthy successor to the franchise.… Expand
  18. qikink
    Oct 15, 2012
    9
    The gameplay of the new XCOM easily justifies a 10, more than a 10 in my book. Unfortunately, the superlative gameplay is the only thing keeping me from bumping my review down to a 6 or 7. I don't want to give the wrong impression, I'm loving the game, but I've experienced numerous issues, many of which have made my missions more difficult than they should have been. I really hope they doThe gameplay of the new XCOM easily justifies a 10, more than a 10 in my book. Unfortunately, the superlative gameplay is the only thing keeping me from bumping my review down to a 6 or 7. I don't want to give the wrong impression, I'm loving the game, but I've experienced numerous issues, many of which have made my missions more difficult than they should have been. I really hope they do a post-release patch in the near future, and I can upgrade the game to one of my all-time favorites.… Expand
  19. Surrealis
    Oct 14, 2012
    10
    Absolutely fantastic. I have never been a fan of turn-based tactical games (although I am of turn-based strategy games like Civilization), and I have especially never been a fan of squad style combat (I prefer StarCraft to Dawn of War 2 any day).

    This game manages to make turn-based tactical gameplay enjoyable, while maintaining a level of challenge and interest in the strategic    Absolutely fantastic. I have never been a fan of turn-based tactical games (although I am of turn-based strategy games like Civilization), and I have especially never been a fan of squad style combat (I prefer StarCraft to Dawn of War 2 any day).

    This game manages to make turn-based tactical gameplay enjoyable, while maintaining a level of challenge and interest in the strategic development of resources. I have rarely enjoyed a game so mcuh after pre-order.    … Expand
  20. altlucifer
    Oct 15, 2012
    9
    I have played and been a fan of the original X-Com since its release. When I saw some of the promotional material for that horrible looking FPS using the IP i was terrified. When I found out Firaxis was putting together a game true to the spirit of the original I became cautiously optimisitic. I pre-loaded and got into this installment the second it came availiable and am more then pleasedI have played and been a fan of the original X-Com since its release. When I saw some of the promotional material for that horrible looking FPS using the IP i was terrified. When I found out Firaxis was putting together a game true to the spirit of the original I became cautiously optimisitic. I pre-loaded and got into this installment the second it came availiable and am more then pleased with the product that they have put together. Well balanced and excellently craftted with the classic at heart. Additional options lend replayability as well.… Expand
  21. mcsf38
    Oct 15, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As a long-time fan of the original X-COM series from the 1990's, I was skeptical at first about the Firaxis remake, but went ahead and bought it anyway so I can find out for myself. Yes, the game plays quite differently to the original but that hasn't detracted from the overall experience which has for the most part been a positive one.

    The game adds complexity to elements that were once no-brainers, like the way the ground combat works. In the original, you simply armed every soldier to the teeth and sent them out guns-blazing to storm the enemy position, each one more or less identically-equipped and looking like one-man armies. In the remake, your soldiers need to work closely together as a team, using each other's specialist skills to accomplish feats that were not possible in the original. Got an Assault soldier? Get them promoted to the point where they can run right up close and kill a mind-merged Sectoid (and take out the other Sectoid it is mind-merged to) hiding behind a wall without so much as getting hit by enemy reaction fire so the rest of your team can safely enter that enemy stronghold; try doing that in the original, and chances are that poor soldier will be gunned down before they even knew what hit them. Put a Sniper on the roof and watch them take down multiple hostiles from long-range in quick succession while the rest of your team act as spotters. Suppress an enemy unit with your Heavy class soldier while your Assault guy flanks and kills that Sectoid who had just gunned down one of your high-ranking officers. The tactical possibilities are quite numerous.

    It also introduces consequences for just about every action (or inaction) you do in the base management side of the game where the original merely required you to add facilities as needed. Can't intercept that one UFO because all your interceptors are damaged and out of action, or just don't want to risk losing an aircraft? You'll pay for it dearly later on when that same UFO comes back and shoots down your satellite. Building base facilities without careful planning will result in inefficiency and hinder your progress later on.

    Yes, XCOM:EU has changed in many ways to the original, but I feel those changes have made the game better in many ways. Not everyone will like the changes, of course, but then again you can never please everyone.

    Also, for those who think the game has been "dumbed down" and therefore easier, try playing on Classic difficulty with Iron Man mode enabled. It will not be long before your mind wants to scream "HELP ME!" out of despair. I played it with those options on my first attempt at the game, believing that this is how the game should be played, being an X-COM fan and veteran after all. I lost two nations to peak panic and another four on the way there in just one in-game month even though the council of nations gave me an A grade. In most missions, I would lose on average two or three out of four soldiers, not because I was inept but because the aliens were utterly ruthless and intelligent in their tactics. My two surviving guys would often bunch up behind some cover after such a loss, in a "it's just you and me now" kind of scenario, and then proceed to slowly and methodically take down every alien through sheer desperation and making a heroic last stand. Sometimes my guys would make it out alive, other times they would all be KIA. My conclusion: Do not underestimate this game, it will make you pay dearly for your every mistake, if you're up for that kind of a challenge.    … Expand
  22. RoninX
    Oct 15, 2012
    10
    In one word: Fantastic! To begin with, anyone giving this game a rating of 5 or less is not giving it the credit it deserves. Reading throurgh the poor score ratings, it becomes clear to me that folks give a 0 rating because of spite and because it is not an exact clone of the original. Of course there are differences between the original Xcom and this one, simply due to the fact that weIn one word: Fantastic! To begin with, anyone giving this game a rating of 5 or less is not giving it the credit it deserves. Reading throurgh the poor score ratings, it becomes clear to me that folks give a 0 rating because of spite and because it is not an exact clone of the original. Of course there are differences between the original Xcom and this one, simply due to the fact that we live in 2012 and not 1994. I am a big fan of the original but following the development team of the remake since it was first announced, I knew I had to keep an open mind towards a fresh and different design. And it turned out suprisingly positive! The devs succeded to keep true to the original spirit but created something fresh that works well with today's game standards. I have played around 16 hours by now and every minute I spend the game gets better. I actually stopped playing in Normal mode just after my first 3 hours and went into Classic Ironman. This is where the game really shines. You get the original feeling back, the suspense, the hope and frustration...but in a good way. You loose one of your well trained and nurtured troops, you make the wrong decision in helping a specific member state over another, you research something that should not have been a priority or you sepend the money in a project you should have spend somewhere else; all this might actually end up in you loosing the game and you will not be able to go back and undo it. You have to live with your decision and the feeling that you might actualy loose it is always present, from the very start to the finish. I can only say well done to the team of Firaxis. You have raised the bar once more after the already fantastic work with Civ V. You have given the turrn based startegy genre a fresh wind. Keep up the fantastic work!… Expand
  23. Jimbob2k666
    Oct 16, 2012
    8
    I've been gaming since the early 80's but only made the transition to PC gaming in 2000. I've played the original XCOMs and similar games in the genre, but they generally failed to keep my interest, with some of them consuming masses of my free time with intricate micro managing squads, resources, soldiers etc etc. So, I was a little sceptic when Firaxis decided to make a new game in theI've been gaming since the early 80's but only made the transition to PC gaming in 2000. I've played the original XCOMs and similar games in the genre, but they generally failed to keep my interest, with some of them consuming masses of my free time with intricate micro managing squads, resources, soldiers etc etc. So, I was a little sceptic when Firaxis decided to make a new game in the series. They stated they would reduce the time required to manage your squads, bases and resources, and they were true to their word. I bought the game just a couple of days ago and I have already ploughed around 20 hours into it. I can understand why some die hard fans of the original game are a bit miffed, but I for one am happier that they made the changes they did. The game is still VERY challenging and it has great immersion.… Expand
  24. splewk
    Oct 14, 2012
    10
    Love it, but you MUST play it in CLASSIC mode with IRONMAN mode checked (advanced options at start up of a new game). Although gone is inventory nightmare that we all came to love/hate, gone is picking up battlefield items, a story-line quest that one must follow, and less soldiers for missions. That being said, in the future I HOPE they expand on that, and give options to play the REALLove it, but you MUST play it in CLASSIC mode with IRONMAN mode checked (advanced options at start up of a new game). Although gone is inventory nightmare that we all came to love/hate, gone is picking up battlefield items, a story-line quest that one must follow, and less soldiers for missions. That being said, in the future I HOPE they expand on that, and give options to play the REAL classic mode. Great introduction though, to new gamers to the GENRE (i call it a genre because no other game comes close to what X-com left on the floor with it's turn based system). MUST OWN GAME OF 2012.… Expand
  25. Eratosthenes
    Oct 12, 2012
    10
    Fast paced, tactical combat. Interesting soldier classes and abilities. Difficult strategic overlay. Something's always happening at XCOM, be it researching the newest hardware or dangerous threat, building new crafts or developing new arsenals, or just looking for the next global hotspot. It's challenging, and enjoyable.
  26. Morring
    Apr 7, 2013
    7
    f you are looking for a remake of the original, this isn't it. It still is a proper XCOM title though, and an amazing game. If you judge the game as it is, it is absolutely brilliant, one of the best productions in the last few years. From combat action to base management you're in for an addictive experience, you will get attached to your soldiers and feel the weight of their death, whilef you are looking for a remake of the original, this isn't it. It still is a proper XCOM title though, and an amazing game. If you judge the game as it is, it is absolutely brilliant, one of the best productions in the last few years. From combat action to base management you're in for an addictive experience, you will get attached to your soldiers and feel the weight of their death, while you try to understand your enemy to gain the edge. This is not a 10/10 though: as amazing this game may be, there are a few flaws: the interface may get very clunky inside a few building, and there's still a few little annoying bugs here and there. However, if you're the king of guy who judges a remake on the basis of how much it resembles the original, don't buy it. In fact, there is a game very similar to the original X-COM: UFO Defense: the original X-COM: UFO Defense.… Expand
  27. yiffy99
    Nov 3, 2013
    8
    I thoroughly enjoyed this game and it is by far one of the best turn-based strategy game I have played. Playing on classic ironman is tense and challenging. However there is a couples of things that puts me off from giving it a higher than 8:

    1: Aliens 'teleporting' bugs, only got it once in a playthrough but it wiped my party as a sectoid, 5 chrysallids, 2 muton elites and 4 heavy    I thoroughly enjoyed this game and it is by far one of the best turn-based strategy game I have played. Playing on classic ironman is tense and challenging. However there is a couples of things that puts me off from giving it a higher than 8:

    1: Aliens 'teleporting' bugs, only got it once in a playthrough but it wiped my party as a sectoid, 5 chrysallids, 2 muton elites and 4 heavy floaters and 2 sectoid commanders were all dumped on me at spawn.

    2. At higher difficulties one has to play very conservatively to not trigger additional spawns, which does get old after a while.    … Expand
  28. Muuvinki
    Oct 7, 2013
    9
    Very entertaining strategy game, even for a guy like me who hasn't played the original Xcom. Game is very challenging and nearly sadistic punishing on higher difficulty levels, not that it is a bad thing. Every move has to be planned carefully and charging in without a plan causes you to be squashed like a bug. This is a must buy for any strategy game fan.
  29. m0skit0
    Jul 24, 2013
    8
    I played the original XCOMs and I am certainly happy with this remake. It's probably not as good or deep or engaging as the original ones, but it's engaging and upgraded visuals using Unreal engine give it an atmospheric plus. This probably isn't going to be remembered as the original series (just like XCOM 3 is gone in everyone's memories) but if you're a XCOM fan, like turn-basedI played the original XCOMs and I am certainly happy with this remake. It's probably not as good or deep or engaging as the original ones, but it's engaging and upgraded visuals using Unreal engine give it an atmospheric plus. This probably isn't going to be remembered as the original series (just like XCOM 3 is gone in everyone's memories) but if you're a XCOM fan, like turn-based strategy games and like tactical games, you MUST play this game.… Expand
  30. Wim
    Jul 2, 2013
    9
    It is true that it there could have been a little more options but honestly this is the best game in it's genre since Jagged Alliance 2. BY FAR. It is addictive, fun, frustration free and there's plenty of options to make it challenging if you want it to be. I've been waiting for this game for so long and I'm happy I finally found some time to play it. I only put it down today to eatIt is true that it there could have been a little more options but honestly this is the best game in it's genre since Jagged Alliance 2. BY FAR. It is addictive, fun, frustration free and there's plenty of options to make it challenging if you want it to be. I've been waiting for this game for so long and I'm happy I finally found some time to play it. I only put it down today to eat it's that addictive.… Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PC Game of 2012
11
#11 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
8
#8 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Feb 6, 2013
    88
    Is it better than the original? No. One can’t imagine X-Com 2012 being an all-time-classic and people still playing with it, months from now (let alone, years). Is it a ‘true’ X-Com game, however? Definitely. Remorseless geeks are in for shivers and swoons when they meet their beloved foes: mind-controlling sectoids, zombifying Chrysalids, Cyberdisks, Ethereals… [December 2012]
  2. Armchair Empire
    Dec 18, 2012
    95
    XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a worthy tribute to its progenitor and hopefully the start of something brand new for players who've been dying to get a good squad-based strategy game that lets them not only think, but feel as well.
    Read full review
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Nov 14, 2012
    90
    Amazing tactical complexity, satisfying strategic depth; slightly dodgy ending, but your own stories are more important anyway. A modern classic.
See all critic reviews »