Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like X-COM: UFO Defense (2026)
Every game below overlaps with X-COM: UFO Defense on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult.
- X-COM: UFO Defense is tagged Strategy, Classic, Turn-Based Strategy, Sci-fi, Aliens, Turn-Based, Tactical, Singleplayer by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Tactical and Strategy; published by the same company; released around the same time (2012).
The XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Pack is Now Available!
XCOM: Enemy Unknown at a glance Released 2012 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 93% positive of 58,594 Price $14.99 Turn-Based StrategyTacticalStrategySci-fiTurn-BasedAliensBase-BuildingTurn-Based Tactics
- 2
Xenonauts
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics and Base-Building.
Xenonauts is a strategy game in which you control a multi-national military organisation defending a Cold War-era Earth from alien invasion, using small squads of persistent soldiers to eliminate the extraterrestrials and recover their technology in turn-based ground combat.
Xenonauts at a glance Released 2014 Studio Goldhawk Interactive Player sentiment 87% positive of 5,069 Price $24.99 Turn-Based StrategyTurn-Based TacticsBase-BuildingManagementStrategyTacticalAliensSci-fi
- 3
Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Classic, Isometric and Turn-Based.
You've just unearthed the classic post-apocalyptic role-playing game that revitalized the entire CRPG genre. The Fallout® SPECIAL system allows drastically different types of characters, meaningful decisions and development that puts you in complete control. Explore the devastated ruins of a golden age civilization.
Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game at a glance Released 2015 Studio Interplay Inc. Player sentiment 94% positive of 25,164 Price $9.99 ClassicIsometricTurn-BasedSci-fi1990'sRetroDifficultTactical
- 4
Invisible, Inc.
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Difficult, Turn-Based Tactics and Isometric.
Take control of Invisible's agents in the field and infiltrate the world's most dangerous corporations. Stealth, precision, and teamwork are essential in high-stakes, high-profit missions, where every move may cost an agent their life.
Invisible, Inc. at a glance Released 2015 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 91% positive of 5,778 Price $19.99 DifficultTurn-Based TacticsIsometricStrategySci-fiTacticalTurn-BasedTurn-Based Strategy
- 5
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics and Sci-fi.
MECHANICUS II ANNOUNCED! Take control of one of the most technologically advanced factions in the Imperium: the Adeptus Mechanicus. In this turn-based tactical game, your every decision will weigh heavily on the outcome of the conflict. Will you be blessed by the Omnissiah?
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus at a glance Released 2018 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 14,603 Price $29.99 StrategyTurn-Based TacticsSci-fiTurn-BasedTacticalTurn-Based StrategyDifficult
- 6
BATTLETECH
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics and Turn-Based.
Take command of your own mercenary outfit of 'Mechs and the MechWarriors that pilot them, struggling to stay afloat as you find yourself drawn into a brutal interstellar civil war.
BATTLETECH at a glance Released 2018 Studio Harebrained Schemes Player sentiment 84% positive of 33,142 Price $39.99 StrategyTurn-Based TacticsTurn-BasedSci-fiTurn-Based StrategyTacticalManagementDifficult
- 7
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Sci-fi; published by the same company.
Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award winning Civilization series. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, lead your people into a new frontier, explore and colonize an alien planet and create a new civilization in space.
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth at a glance Released 2014 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 61% positive of 23,140 Price $39.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategySci-fiTurn-BasedAliensTacticalSimulation
- 8
Halo Wars
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2009).
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on PC. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all of the DLC created for the landmark real-time strategy game.
Halo Wars at a glance Released 2009 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 91% positive of 9,517 Price $19.99 StrategyBase-BuildingSci-fiSimulationAliensTacticalClassic
- 9
ENDLESS Space - Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Sci-fi and Turn-Based Strategy; released around the same time (2012).
ENDLESS Space™ is a turn-based 4X strategy game, covering the space colonization age in the ENDLESS Universe™, where you can control every aspect of your civilization as you strive for galactic domination.
ENDLESS Space - Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2012 Studio AMPLITUDE Studios Player sentiment 81% positive of 9,598 Price $2.49 StrategySci-fiTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedAliensSimulationManagement
- 10
Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Turn-Based, Isometric and Strategy.
Harebrained Schemes' biggest Shadowrun game to date, and the definitive Shadowrun RPG experience available on PC. Now a standalone title with tons of new content & improvements!
Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut at a glance Released 2014 Studio Harebrained Schemes Player sentiment 89% positive of 6,570 Price $14.99 Turn-BasedIsometricStrategySci-fiTacticalTurn-Based TacticsTurn-Based Strategy
- 11
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Turn-Based, Strategy and Tactical.
From the producer of the original Fallout comes Wasteland 2. With over 80 hours of gameplay, deck out your Ranger squad with devastating weaponry, test the limits of your strategy skills, and bring justice to the Wasteland! The choices are yours…but so are the consequences.
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut at a glance Released 2014 Studio inXile Entertainment Player sentiment 83% positive of 8,104 Price $29.99 Turn-BasedStrategyTacticalIsometricTurn-Based StrategySci-fiOld School
- 12
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based; published by the same company; released around the same time (2006).
With over 6 million units sold and unprecedented critical acclaim from fans and press around the world, Sid Meier's Civilization is recognized as one of the greatest PC game franchises of all-time. Now, Sid Meier and Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding new ways to play and win, new...
Sid Meier's Civilization IV at a glance Released 2006 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 57 Price $19.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedClassicAddictiveSimulationTacticalManagement
- 13
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based; published by the same company; released around the same time (2006).
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete at a glance Released 2006 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 7,789 Price $4.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedClassicSimulationAddictiveOld SchoolIsometric
- 14
Into the Breach
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based Tactics.
Control powerful mechs from the future to defeat an alien threat. Each attempt to save the world presents a new randomly generated challenge in this turn-based strategy game.
Into the Breach at a glance Released 2018 Studio Subset Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 22,246 Price $14.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based TacticsTurn-BasedSci-fiTacticalIsometricSimulation
- 15
Another World
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Retro, Sci-fi and Old School.
Also known as Out Of This World™, Another World is a pioneer action/platformer that released across more than a dozen platforms since its debut in 1991. Along the years, Another World™ has attained cult status among critics and sophisticated gamers alike.
Another World at a glance Released 1991 Studio Éric Chahi Player sentiment 83% positive of 2,044 Price $9.99 RetroSci-fiOld SchoolDifficult1990'sClassicAliens
- 16
Gloomhaven
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Unforgiving and Strategy.
Lead your band of mercenaries in the land of Gloomhaven, work with unsavoury individuals, shape the fate of the region, fight your way through horrific places and get rich or die trying in this ruthless Tactical-RPG.
Gloomhaven at a glance Released 2021 Studio Flaming Fowl Studios Player sentiment 82% positive of 16,097 Price $34.99 Turn-Based StrategyUnforgivingStrategyDifficultTacticalTurn-Based TacticsTurn-BasedIsometric
- 17
IXION
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and Simulation.
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
IXION at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 17,614 Price $10.49 StrategyBase-BuildingSimulationManagementDifficult
- 18
XCOM: Chimera Squad
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics and Turn-Based Strategy; published by the same company.
XCOM: Chimera Squad delivers an all-new story and turn-based tactical combat experience in the XCOM universe.
XCOM: Chimera Squad at a glance Released 2020 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 71% positive of 23,443 Price $9.99 StrategyTurn-Based TacticsTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedAliensSci-fiTactical
- 19
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Tactical, Sci-fi and Aliens; published by the same company.
The year is 1962 and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear. A top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating a series of mysterious attacks by an enemy more powerful than communism.
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified at a glance Released 2013 Studio 2K Marin Player sentiment 70% positive of 12,080 Price $19.99 TacticalSci-fiAliensStrategyRetroTurn-Based
- 20
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics and Tactical.
A tactical game combining the turn-based combat of XCOM with story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Take control of a team of Mutants navigating a post-human Earth. Created by a team including former HITMAN leads and the designer of PAYDAY.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden at a glance Released 2018 Studio The Bearded Ladies Player sentiment 90% positive of 20,534 Price $34.99 StrategyTurn-Based TacticsTacticalTurn-BasedTurn-Based StrategyDifficult
- 21
Homeworld Remastered Collection
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Sci-fi and Classic; published by the same company.
Experience the epic space strategy games that redefined the RTS genre. Control your fleet and build an armada across more than 30 single-player missions. Choose unit types, fleet formations and flight tactics for each strategic situation.
Homeworld Remastered Collection at a glance Released 2015 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 88% positive of 14,159 Price $3.49 StrategySci-fiClassicSimulationTactical
- 22
Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Turn-Based, Isometric and Strategy.
Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition is the capstone title in Harebrained Schemes' Shadowrun series - and now includes the all-new, 6+ hr Shadows of Hong Kong Bonus Campaign. Experience the most impressive Shadowrun RPG yet, hailed as one of the best cRPG / strategy games of 2015!
Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition at a glance Released 2015 Studio Harebrained Schemes Player sentiment 87% positive of 4,839 Price $19.99 Turn-BasedIsometricStrategyTurn-Based TacticsSci-fiTactical
- 23
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Turn-Based Tactics, Turn-Based and Strategy.
Step into the wacky heroic fantasy universe of the Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. Lead a team of unlikely and clumsy heroes in an epic and challenging tactical RPG. Live an adventure filled with humor, surprises and silly encounters.
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos at a glance Released 2020 Studio Artefacts Studio Player sentiment 87% positive of 8,064 Price $5.24 Turn-Based TacticsTurn-BasedStrategyTurn-Based StrategyTacticalDifficult
- 24
Sid Meier's Civilization V
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 7 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Strategy and Turn-Based; published by the same company; released around the same time (2010).
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Sid Meier's Civilization V at a glance Released 2010 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 210,613 Price $29.99 Turn-Based StrategyStrategyTurn-BasedAddictiveTacticalSimulationClassic
Common questions
What game is most like X-COM: UFO Defense?
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to X-COM: UFO Defense" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with X-COM: UFO Defense. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.