Now it's a separate genre.
According to developer Julian Gollop, XCOM has become a full-fledged genre in the gaming industry. The time has come. The combination of turn-based shooter and strategy campaign is so capacious that it should simulate a huge number of scenarios with a wide range of settings. If this approach worked for Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle on Switch, then we can take it a step further and do something more interesting in XCOM style, Truth? The X-COM game gave us an invasion from space and an invasion from the sea, but there are games coming out that have their own take on the concept. Let's see.
Borrowing the idea from the original X-COM, Phoenix Point is a more advanced game with a complex shooter system than all the X-Com reboots from Firaxis. The shots are designed individually; hitting a vulnerable spot can cripple an opponent or deprive him of the opportunity to fight. You can change the speed and type of running when meeting an enemy, and they, in turn, can attack you with monsters the size of a multi-story building.
The developers say that horror famous writer Lovecraft influenced the design of the crab-like monsters that threaten humanity. These creatures evolve to take into account your tactics, developing arms with cannons to counter enemy units and chitinous shields to prevent enemy penetration. We tried it out recently and it worked really well.
It's nice to see how the X-Com theme is applied to different projects. All actions in Phantom Doctrine take place during an alternative Cold War where there is a choice storyline for the KGB or CIA. You control intelligence and can brainwash, interrogate and chemically enhance the potential of your agents to defeat the global conspiracy that provokes the Cold War.
You have the opportunity to choose a stealth mode, in which all weapons are silenced and the character uses only quiet fighting techniques, or you can choose the normal mode and make noise as expected. You will have a secret hideout at your disposal, where you will not only attach evidence to the investigation board, but also change the identities of agents if they are in danger. To overcome all this, you will need at least a good 60 hours, which in turn proves the seriousness of the combinations of gaming genres. In his detailed preview, Steve Hansen emphasizes that this game is a combination of XCOM and Invisible Inc, which in turn looks suspiciously like the game of our dreams.
We praised the original Xenonauts for its similarity to the X-com concept, and for its extensive customization features. Less than a year later, Xenonauts 2 becomes a decent sequel that has an alpha demo on GOG Galaxy. In a January 2018 update, Goldhawk Interactive indicated that the game is on its way to being fully ready.
"I think we'll do away with the classic Xenonauts and offer something with better graphics, more consistent options, more varied missions, and more Geoscape complexes that give you more strategic freedom."
Again, it sounds like the upcoming game will be a treat for X-Com fans. Goldhawk has a project on Kickstarter and the game is planned for an early access release.
Why not play as aliens for a change? A mission of clumsy little men goes into space to get energy. While trying to extract energy from planet x13, they encounter alien termites. As this extraterrestrial species, you have to hunt and eat expedition members to gain energy. There is no subtle humor in the game associated with eating a human being. It's clearly inferior and looks low-key compared to the world of X-Com, but playing on the alien side gives you new tactical combat options.
You can wander through the ventilation and ambush soldiers, or hide in closets, as aliens like to do in many horror films. You can also install original traps that paralyze soldiers. All you have to do is go down and eat them all in a destructive attack. Unlike other games, Attack of the Earthlings can already be purchased on Steam.
Warhammer 40K fits seamlessly into the X-Com format and it's no longer surprising. We've already seen the Space Hulk game and a version of Mordheim based on Warhammer Fantasy Battle. But Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus will probably be the first game that can be judged without hesitation. This is just the beginning - the game was revealed this week and is scheduled to release later this year. It sounds like something in the spirit of X-com, with a tactical component in addition to resource management and the discovery of new technologies on a new planet.
Adeptus Mechanicus are transhuman builders and worshipers of the mechanical god. They work alongside space marines, build fortifications and control huge Titans, and are, in fact, an interesting fighting force. Their love for improving limbs could become various experimental weapons. interesting feature when playing X-Com style. There were promises of alternate endings, important decisions that would affect the finale, and a story from Warhammer Black Library author Ben Counter.
This selection is for those who are looking for games similar to XCOM. The series started in 1993 and since then the international organization of the same name has been fighting with varying degrees of success against the attacks of the insidious, while trading their technologies (and even corpses) with donor countries. The main discovery of the series (turn-based tactical battles) was immediately snapped up by other projects and has been used for more than 20 years with virtually no changes. Similar combat elements can be found in both single-player and online games.
More details
Oh those aliens...
Xenonauts
In 2014, a group of enthusiasts decided to release a “creative remake” of the very first part of the series. It turned out better than expected. For the $150,000 raised by , fans greatly improved the graphics while maintaining the core elements of the first X-COM. The game takes place in 1979, long before the events of XCOM Enemy Unknown, which in no way prevents members of the organization from masterfully destroying the alien infection using old-fashioned methods.
UFO: Aftermath
The first imitator of the series from other developers, but with the same nasty aliens. After the bombing of the Earth by a deadly virus, the survivors united into the “Council of Earth” and founded an elite unit that fights the Reticulans - aliens who have polluted the entire planet with colonies of biomass. The project is recommended for those who have not played enough of the original series and are eager to download games similar to . Has two sequels: UFO: and UFO: Afterlight.
Legacy of the classics
Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown
This turn-based tactics game takes place on the streets of futuristic Boston. In 2070, technology has reached such heights that it has become indistinguishable from magic (hello to Arthur C. Clarke). The result is orcs, elves and trolls in a cyberpunk setting. Compared to XCOM, the battles here are simplified, but the game has one in which each gamer is given one hero, and even in a 4 vs 4 format.
Jagged Alliance Online: Reloaded
This one online games a very strong foundation in the form of the Jagged Alliance series. The famous series about a squad of mercenaries, which tore military bases to shreds in a step-by-step mode, has long been the main competitor of . In 2015, the series moved online: the authors masterfully combined classic turn-based combat with MMO elements, allowing players to complete missions together and fight each other on tactical and strategic maps.
TASTEE: Lethal Tactics
This game, like XCOM, has a slightly different approach to combat. Here, players make moves simultaneously, within the allotted time, and then watch how their players follow instructions. The two phases of the battle (the planning phase and the combat phase) are clearly demarcated, so the screen periodically explodes with a flurry of activity when the timer unfreezes time and squads of fighters (4 people each) begin a bloody harvest. It turned out interesting, although the project lacks depth.
Plan, execute and conquer your way to victory with these challenging strategy games that fans will love XCOM!
Methodical, addictive, and brutally frustrating at times, the XCOM series would be the cornerstone of turn-based strategy Hall of Fame if it actually existed.
Of course, given the huge and long-lasting popularity of the franchise, it's no surprise that there are a huge number of strategy games like XCOM released every year.
Some of these games are trying to emulate XCOM. Others are trying to shorten their path. However, there are a number of qualities that most games like XCOM share. These include:
- Meticulous turn-based combat;
- Diverse paths to success - one goal, many solutions;
- The constant death of states;
- Several character classes with unique skills and abilities;
- Mission based game structure;
- Branched trees of skills and history development.
Each of the headings reflects one or more of the selection criteria above. Of course, none of these 10 games are exactly like XCOM. However, each has a number of gaming qualities that will surely appeal to many XCOM fans. So without further ado, enjoy!
10. The Banner Saga
There are a million adjectives that could be used to describe The Banner Saga. None of them will truly do justice to how breathtakingly stylish this game is. It is a visual and auditory masterpiece. That alone makes it worth playing! The Banner Saga is also an extremely competent strategy game that has a lot in common with XCOM.
The turn-based combat is varied and enticing. Every victory, defeat and every choice you make changes the outcome of the journey, just like in the XCOM series. The narrative level here is more substantial than in XCOM, but the core gameplay is something that any tactical fan will enjoy. Don't forget to also watch The Banner Saga 2 and continue the story once you finish the first part.
9. Massive Chalice
Released by Double Fine, Massive Chalice is a turn-based strategy game with a quirky twist. The kingdom is under siege from evil forces, and the only hope for salvation... is a giant bowl. Yes, literally Massive Chalice will save the world, but it will take 200 years to prepare the attack. In the meantime, you will have to manage the kingdom and repel the attacks of invaders.
Massive Chalice is a generational game. You'll play as a matchmaker, combining bloodlines and crossing classes to suit your playstyle. You'll also expand the area as you see fit, exploring the area and building new buildings. The combat itself is very similar to XCOM, albeit with a little less variety. Despite this, Massive Chalice offers a turn-based strategy game designed to appease players looking for more games like XCOM.
8. Xenonauts
Released in 2014, Xenonauts is a clear throwback to the glory days of tactical games. A self-proclaimed planetary defense simulator, Xenonauts serves as the spiritual successor to XCOM: UFO Defense, the first of the XCOM games. Xenonauts will send you on missions all over the world. It also includes extremely interesting base management and air combat.
With amazing tech trees and some of the most enjoyable combat in the genre, Xenonauts is a fantastic way to experience the gameplay of a bygone era in a modern way. Definitely a must play for those looking for classic turn-based strategy games like XCOM.
7.Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
For those interested in fantasy strategy, you won't find anything better Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Challenging, strategic combat makes this game a schemer's dream.
A unique mission class system encourages improvisation and out-of-the-box thinking when creating a squad for future battles. A huge number of job classes ensures that there is always interesting way resolve every conflict with the enemy. At its core, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a strategy game like XCOM, but with the luxury and features of an epic JRPG. This is a great combination!
6. Fire Emblem: Awakening
Series The Fire Emblem has been under the microscope lately due to content concerns. However, the series features appropriate tactical gameplay. Released in 2013, Awakening is my favorite game in the series, thanks to its wonderful style, complex combat system and unconventional relationship mechanics.
Although Fire Emblem: Awakening has a slightly more complex menu than other games similar to XCOM, it is very suitable for short but intense play sessions. Death in Awakening carries a heavy burden that is not often seen in games. Losing a beloved hero in Fire Emblem is traumatic in much the same way as it is in the XCOM games.
5. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
Franchise Fallout was not always in the first person. In fact, she used to be much more... tactical. Fallout Tactics is an underrated title that allows you to make some interesting things without straying too far from the turn-based strategy genre. Unlike other games on this list, Fallout Tactics is not purely turn-based. Instead, Fallout offers a choice of multiple real-time and turn-based combat modes to accommodate the use of different combat methods.
Character growth happens differently than in XCOM. This game uses the traditional SPECIAL base stats, skills and perks system. It's a curious mixture of things that doesn't always work perfectly. However, this game definitely offers enough strategic gameplay for players who are looking for more XCOM-like games.
4. Invisible, Inc.
Many games, such as XCOM, support the guns blazing style of play, but Invisible, Inc. wants you to be very secretive. With an armful of different agents, countless customization options and a randomly generated world.
Invisible, Inc. Insanely beautiful, flaunting a gorgeous art style. It's also a punishing game on high settings, with multiple game modes to choose from, and the ability to create your own challenges by sticking to a specific playstyle. The game is different enough from XCOM to be fresh, but familiar enough in its strategy gameplay to make fans of the series feel right at home.
3. Valkyria Chronicles
Valkyria Chronicles has been described by some people on Reddit as an anime-style XCOM with a WW2 setting. Like most other games such as XCOM, the game is turn-based, but with innovations, throwing in a faster paced third-person perspective. It also features characters with different skill sets, including snipers, tankers, engineers, and more.
Valkyria Chronicles has been praised for its surprisingly engaging storyline and characters. Art direction is also on top level, made everything better by the recently released ps4 version. Definitely an underrated classic!
2. Jagged Alliance 2
The original Jagged Alliance was a popular peer to XCOM with a sequel enjoying great success. Nevertheless, Jagged Alliance 2, in particular, uses many community mods released by loyal fans over the years.
Many of these mods actually improve the original gameplay slightly. As you'd expect with games like XCOM, Jagged Alliance 2 features replayability, allowing players to choose between a huge variety of M.E.R.C.s to suit different strategic approaches. Movement for M.E.R.C is also very strategic (more so than the original XCOM!) with each character being able to walk, run, swim, crawl and crouch.
1. Silent Storm
For its time, Silent Storm praised for its destructible environments. Like XCOM, players are tasked with creating their own balanced squad (consisting of medics, snipers, scouts, soldiers, engineers and grenade launchers). The game also has a pretty good story campaign.
However, unlike XCOM, the weapons and equipment in Silent Storm strive to be much more realistic, so there is no high-tech or sci-fi content in the game.
Silent Storm struggled to make a splash upon its initial release. However, time has shown that a growing legion of dedicated fans hail this gem of a title as one of the most underrated turn-based strategy games. Highly recommended for those looking for more games like XCOM!
Today we'll talk about turn-based RPGs. To complete a level or advance along the storyline, you will have to learn to calculate your moves. The user has a small squad at his disposal. Each fighter has a number of abilities and is equipped with unique ammunition. You can defeat your enemies in different ways- brute force, relying on the landscape, sacrificing allies. What will you choose? And while you're thinking, we'll tell you about games very similar to X-COM.
Xenonauts 2 - alien “guests”
Xenonauts 2 is very similar to XCOM 2. And it's not even about the plot, although it is also tied to an alien invasion. Players will have to rebuild their base, conduct research, improve their characters' uniforms and participate in operations around the world. Xenonauts 2 is unlikely to ever win at gaming conventions and shows, but the project has potential. Just look at the developed skill system and the ability to destroy any structure. It is also worth noting the air battles. Unlike the first part, much more equipment will be involved in the battles. The release date is still unknown, but the game should not be worse than other top projects in this genre. Here are a couple of features:
- By studying technology, you will be able to open access to new opportunities. There will be a chance to send a spy to an enemy base and find secret information or cause sabotage;
- Having sent the alien to the next world, you will be able to pick up his weapon, and it is much more powerful than the earthly one;
- Each location has secrets. It is better to search every corner of the alien ship and check the destroyed building. There are both weapons and new technologies.
Without knowing the features of Xenonauts 2, many will not even pay attention to the project. Therefore, after playing, you can help others choose a game that you won’t mind spending several dozen, or even hundreds of hours on. The toy can even outshine XCOM 2. This does not apply to graphics, but to content and capabilities. Even during the construction of the base, you will have to not only arrange the compartments correctly, but also think about energy, food, free space in storage.
Kingsmen - guarding Britain and the whole world
In Kingsmen you will be leading British intelligence. You can forget about hardware and programs, the strategy was released for Android. Therefore, the gameplay is not that varied. It can be divided into two stages - battles with other gamers and base construction. The battles involve the main characters from the film of the same name - Eggsy, Harry, Merlin. To rob an enemy base, you will have to use not only characters, but also gadgets. If the operation is successful, the system will assign resources, and you can spend them in different ways:
- Build a new object on the base;
- Install traps around the perimeter;
- Install security towers;
- Upgrade your heroes.
Knowledge of turn-based tactics will come in handy during missions. Depending on the location and goals, you will have to hide behind boxes, throw grenades, and kill with different firearms. Essentially, the developers created a platformer based on the film and added a couple of standard elements that are present in any strategy. Similar games a lot, so the project will appeal only to fans of the film.
Forged of Blood - a cruel world
The game is scheduled for release in 2018. Critical Forge creates an old-school turn-based isometric strategy game. The gamer will have to control a squad of warriors, archers and magicians, and confront animals, marauders, and guards. The team focused on creating thoughtful battles and a developed leveling system. Basically you have to travel around the world and liberate cities from invaders. Similar elements are present in every turn-based strategy, but what will really please you in this game are the types of locations:
- Snow-covered ruins;
- Outskirts of the city;
- Impenetrable forest;
- Destroyed fortresses.
The gameplay is divided into two standard parts - travel across the world map and constant battles. After the battle, the gamer will receive the experience necessary to upgrade heroes and equipment. As for battles, the zone is divided into hexagram fields. In order not to lose, you should learn to calculate your moves (each character has a different number of action points) and use skills correctly. If desired, you can rely on brute force or punish enemies with magic. To summarize, we can conclude that Forged of Blood has every chance of becoming a top game in the turn-based strategy genre.
Phantom Brigade - controlled by robots
Phantom Brigade - turn-based strategy in Front Mission style. Events take place in an alternative universe. The protagonist's homeland was occupied by invaders. The main task is to assemble a team of the coolest robots and liberate their native lands. It all starts with getting to know the base. In the hangar you can upgrade the robot, and at the operations table you can select a mission. Let's get acquainted with the types of tasks:
- Robbery;
- Escort;
- Assault;
- Penetration.
After a successful operation, the robots will receive experience for pumping, and the protagonist will receive resources for construction. Phantom Brigade is a game that will delight you with an interesting development system, thoughtful battles, huge tactical capabilities and a good mech editor. But in this strategy, robots play far from the most important role. In the cockpit sits a person with unique talents and skills. The player’s task is to keep him safe, because without a pilot, the huge robot will turn into a pile of scrap metal.
Iron Oath - calling on the best warriors
Iron Oath has every chance to become best game 2019. The official release date is still unknown, but the developers have promised to launch an alpha test next year. Get ready for a journey into dark fantasy. Visit different time periods. Before the eyes of gamers, heroes will grow old and die. Everyone has their own interesting story, skills and talents. Gather a team and travel through nine locations (50 zones in total). But the gameplay is not limited to walking through colorful territories, because it will be possible to build cities, destroy settlements, rob and seize enemy property. So, the world map will change at your discretion.
The developers have announced only four main characters so far. By the time of release, they promise to please players with eight more. But no matter what the hero is, he needs a team. It will be possible to recruit both ordinary warriors and various monsters. Allies will often die, so it’s better not to get attached to them, but to let them go and start getting new ones. As you become stronger, you will gain access to new dungeons, raids and opportunities - building a settlement, managing a guild, robbing a criminal camp. As for battles, develop tactics, use the landscape and use the heroes’ skills in time.
Surely many are familiar with the developers who came up with The Long War add-on for XCOM. So, just recently, these guys decided to found their own company, called Long War, and begin developing a brand new turn-based strategy.
Game description
As you might guess, the first game will be similar to the world-famous strategy XCOM. Events will unfold on Earth, and you will have to fight with aliens. According to the team, they do not plan to copy the gameplay, so a completely new one awaits us, and most importantly global strategy. The Kickstarter company will launch very soon, which means everyone will be able to contribute.
Terra Invicta is an online strategy game 2016, in which players will have to not just fight off aliens, but make every effort to protect the entire Earth. Fortunately, you will have time to prepare before the invasion. Thanks to the latest technologies scientists were able to determine the exact location and time of landing. This important information will change your entire life.
At the very beginning, it will be necessary to gather a council of scientists, officials and military leaders in order to jointly try to unite all nations. The more allies you have, the stronger you will become and will be able to provide a worthy rebuff to the aliens. The technologies that you will be able to learn also depend on this. Since at the beginning it is necessary to take care of defense (build defensive turrets, walls, etc.), strategy and tactics will play a key role. Some, for example, will prefer to wait for the aliens and fight on Earth, while others will go into outer space and prevent an invasion. Unfortunately, on at the moment This is all the information, but very soon the employees of the new company will definitely share with us interesting details regarding the gameplay.