How to Download and Play X-COM: UFO Defense, the Classic Sci-Fi Strategy Game
If you are a fan of strategy games, sci-fi, or aliens, you may have heard of X-COM: UFO Defense, one of the most influential and beloved games of all time. But what is this game about, and how can you play it today? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we guide you through the process of downloading and playing X-COM: UFO Defense, as well as enhancing it with mods and tips.
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What is X-COM: UFO Defense?
A brief introduction to the game's premise, genre, and features
X-COM: UFO Defense (also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe) is a 1994 science fiction strategy game developed by Mythos Games and published by MicroProse. The game puts you in charge of X-COM, a secret organization formed by the world's governments to fight an alien invasion. You must manage your bases, intercept UFOs, research alien technology, and lead your soldiers in turn-based tactical battles against the extraterrestrial threat.
The game combines real-time management simulation with turn-based tactics, creating a unique and immersive experience that challenges your strategic thinking, resource management, and combat skills. You can customize your bases, equip your craft, train your soldiers, and choose your missions. You can also research new weapons, armor, vehicles, and facilities based on the alien artifacts you recover. The game features a dynamic campaign that adapts to your actions and decisions, as well as randomly generated maps and missions that ensure no two games are alike.
A summary of the game's critical acclaim and legacy
X-COM: UFO Defense was widely praised by critics and players alike for its deep gameplay, engaging atmosphere, and high replay value. The game received numerous awards and accolades, such as PC Gamer's Game of the Year in 1994, Computer Gaming World's Hall of Fame in 1996, IGN's Best PC Game of All Time in 2007, and PC Gamer's Best Game Ever in 2014. The game also spawned a successful series of sequels, spin-offs, remakes, and spiritual successors, such as XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012), Xenonauts (2014), Phoenix Point (2019), and many more.
X-COM: UFO Defense is widely regarded as one of the best games of all time, and a must-play for any strategy fan. If you want to experience this classic game for yourself, read on to find out how to download and play it.
How to Download X-COM: UFO Defense from Steam
A step-by-step guide on how to purchase and install the game from Steam
One of the easiest ways to download and play X-COM: UFO Defense is through Steam, the popular digital distribution platform. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Create a free Steam account if you don't have one already. You can do this by visiting and following the instructions.
Download and install the Steam client on your computer. You can do this by visiting and clicking on the "Install Steam" button.
Launch the Steam client and log in with your account.
Search for "X-COM: UFO Defense" in the Steam store, or visit directly.
Add the game to your cart and proceed to checkout. The game costs $4.99 USD, but it often goes on sale for less.
Once you have purchased the game, it will appear in your library. Click on it and select "Install" to download and install the game on your computer.
Once the installation is complete, you can launch the game from your library or from your desktop shortcut.
A note on the game's compatibility and system requirements
X-COM: UFO Defense is an old game that was originally designed for DOS, a pre-Windows operating system. Therefore, it may not run smoothly on modern computers or operating systems. To solve this problem, Steam provides a DOS emulator called DOSBox that runs the game in a virtual environment. However, DOSBox may have some issues with sound, graphics, or performance, depending on your system configuration.
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To avoid these issues, you may want to tweak some settings in DOSBox or use a different emulator. You can find more information and guides on how to do this online, such as .
The minimum system requirements for X-COM: UFO Defense are:
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
Processor: 1.0 GHz
Memory: 256 MB RAM
Graphics: DirectX 7 Compatible 3D Card
Storage: 100 MB available space
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
How to Enhance X-COM: UFO Defense with OpenXCom
An explanation of what OpenXCom is and how it improves the game
If you want to enjoy X-COM: UFO Defense with better graphics, sound, interface, and gameplay options, you may want to try OpenXCom, a fan-made open source project that aims to improve and modernize the game. OpenXCom is not a mod, but a complete reimplementation of the original game engine that fixes many bugs, glitches, and limitations of the original game, while preserving its core gameplay and feel. OpenXCom also adds many new features and options that enhance the game's replay value and customization, such as:
High resolution graphics and sound
Improved mouse and keyboard controls
Customizable user interface and hotkeys
New difficulty levels and ironman mode
New gameplay options such as random stats, soldier diaries, alien base alerts, etc.
New mod support and compatibility with many existing mods
New translations and localization for different languages
New platforms such as Linux, Mac OS X, Android, etc.
OpenXCom is free and open source, meaning anyone can download, play, modify, or contribute to it. It is also compatible with any version of X-COM: UFO Defense, including the Steam version.
A step-by-step guide on how to download and install OpenXCom
To download and install OpenXCom, you need to have X-COM: UFO Defense installed on your computer first. Then follow these steps:
Visit
Click on the "Download" button and choose the version that matches your operating system and platform. For example, if you are using Windows 64-bit, choose "Windows x64".
Save the file to your computer and extract it using a program like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
Open the extracted folder and copy the "UFO" and "TFTD" folders from your X-COM: UFO Defense installation folder to the "data" folder of OpenXCom. For example, if you installed X-COM: UFO Defense from Steam, you can find these folders in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom UFO Defense".
Run the "openxcom.exe" file to launch OpenXCom. You can also create a shortcut to it on your desktop or start menu for easier access.
Enjoy playing X-COM: UFO Defense with OpenXCom!
A list of some of the best mods for OpenXCom and how to enable them
One of the best features of OpenXCom is its mod support, which allows you to add new content, features, graphics, sounds, and gameplay options to the game. There are many mods available for OpenXCom, ranging from minor tweaks and fixes to major overhauls and expansions. Here are some of the best mods for OpenXCom and how to enable them:
Mod Name
Description
How to Enable
X-Piratez
A total conversion mod that turns X-COM into a post-apocalyptic pirate adventure. You play as a band of female outlaws who fight against the oppressive alien regime and other factions in a dark and gritty world. The mod features new graphics, sounds, music, weapons, items, enemies, missions, research, base facilities, and more.
Download the mod from or click on this link: [X-Piratez]. Extract the mod to your OpenXCom "mods" folder. Run OpenXCom and go to "Options" > "Mods". Enable "X-Piratez" and restart OpenXCom.
Final Mod Pack
A compilation of several mods that enhance and expand the original game. The mod adds new graphics, sounds, music, weapons, items, enemies, missions, research, base facilities, and more. The mod also balances and fixes some aspects of the game.
Download the mod from or click on this link: [Final Mod Pack]. Extract the mod to your OpenXCom "mods" folder. Run OpenXCom and go to "Options" > "Mods". Enable "Final Mod Pack" and restart OpenXCom.
X-Com Files
A mod that adds a prequel campaign to the original game. You play as a special agent who investigates paranormal and alien activities around the world. The mod features new graphics, sounds, music, weapons, items, enemies, missions, research, base facilities, and more. The mod also integrates elements from other X-COM games such as Apocalypse and Interceptor.
Download the mod from or click on this link: [X-Com Files]. Extract the mod to your OpenXCom "mods" folder. Run OpenXCom and go to "Options" > "Mods". Enable "The X-Com Files" and restart OpenXCom.
Xeno Operations
A mod that adds a sequel campaign to the original game. You play as a new X-COM organization that faces a new alien threat in a futuristic setting. The mod features new graphics, sounds, music, weapons, items, enemies, missions, research, base facilities, and more.
Download the mod from or click on this link: [Xeno Operations]. Extract the mod to your OpenXCom "mods" folder. Run OpenXCom and go to "Options" > "Mods". Enable "Xeno Operations" and restart OpenXCom.
These are just some of the many mods available for OpenXCom. You can find more mods on the official OpenXCom website, the OpenXCom mod portal, or other online forums and communities. To enable a mod, you just need to download it, extract it to your OpenXCom "mods" folder, and enable it in the game options. You can also disable or uninstall a mod at any time.
How to Play X-COM: UFO Defense
A brief overview of the game's two modes: map mode and battle mode
X-COM: UFO Defense is divided into two main modes: map mode and battle mode. In map mode, you manage your bases, craft, soldiers, research, and finances. You can also view the world map and monitor the alien activity. In battle mode, you command your soldiers in turn-based tactical combat against the aliens. You can also explore the terrain, collect items, and complete objectives.
The game alternates between these two modes depending on the situation. For example, when you intercept a UFO or launch a mission, the game switches to battle mode. When you finish a battle or return to base, the game switches back to map mode. You can also save and load your game at any time in either mode.
Some basic tips and strategies for managing your bases, intercepting UFOs, and researching alien technology
Here are some basic tips and strategies for managing your bases, intercepting UFOs, and researching alien technology:
Build multiple bases around the world to cover more regions and increase your income. However, be careful not to overextend your budget or spread your resources too thin.
Build radar facilities and hangars in your bases to detect and intercept UFOs. You can also build missile defenses and laser defenses to protect your bases from alien attacks.
Build living quarters, general stores, laboratories, workshops, and alien containment facilities in your bases to accommodate your personnel, equipment, research, and production. You can also build other facilities such as psionic labs, hyper-wave decoders, mind shields, etc. based on your research progress.
Hire and train soldiers with high stats in bravery, reactions, accuracy, strength, and psionics. You can also equip them with different weapons, armor, items, and roles based on their skills and preferences.
Intercept UFOs with your craft and engage them in aerial combat. You can choose to shoot them down or follow them until they land. You can also choose to ignore them or retreat if they are too strong or too far away.
Launch missions to investigate crash sites, landed UFOs, alien bases, terror sites, or other events. You can choose which soldiers and equipment to bring with you on your transport craft.
Research alien technology and artifacts to unlock new weapons, armor, vehicles, facilities, and more. You can also interrogate live aliens or perform autopsies on dead ones to learn more about their origins, motives, and weaknesses.
Some basic tips and strategies for commanding your soldiers, fighting aliens, and completing missions
Here are some basic tips and strategies for commanding your soldiers, fighting aliens, and completing missions:
Use the time units (TU) system to plan your moves and actions. Each soldier has a certain amount of TU that they can spend on moving, shooting, throwing, using items, etc. You can also reserve TU for reaction fire, kneeling, or snapshot.
Use the morale and stamina system to monitor your soldiers' mental and physical condition. Each soldier has a certain amount of morale and stamina that can affect their performance and behavior. Morale can decrease due to fear, panic, wounds, deaths, etc. Stamina can decrease due to fatigue, exhaustion, weight, etc.
Use the inventory system to manage your soldiers' equipment and items. Each soldier has a certain amount of weight and space that they can carry on their body or backpack. You can also access the transport craft's inventory to store or retrieve items during a mission.
Use the cover and line of sight system to position your soldiers and target your enemies. Each tile on the map has a certain level of cover and visibility that can affect your soldiers' and enemies' chances of hitting or being hit. You can also use smoke grenades, flares, or night vision to create or reduce visibility.
Use the terrain and environment system to explore the map and interact with objects. Each tile on the map has a certain type of terrain and environment that can affect your soldiers' and enemies' movement, damage, resistance, etc. You can also use explosives, fire, or electricity to destroy or manipulate objects.
Use the mission objectives system to complete your goals and end the mission. Each mission has a certain type of objective that you need to accomplish in order to succeed. For example, you may need to eliminate all aliens, capture a live alien, recover an alien artifact, etc. You can also abort the mission if you are in danger or have no hope of winning.
Conclusion
A recap of the main points of the article
In this article, we have shown you how to download and play X-COM: UFO Defense, the classic sci-fi strategy game that lets you fight an alien invasion. We have also shown you how to enhance the game with OpenXCom, a fan-made project that improves and modernizes the game. We have also given you some basic tips and strategies for managing your bases, intercepting UFOs, researching alien technology, commanding your soldiers, fighting aliens, and completing missions.
A recommendation to try out X-COM: UFO Defense for yourself
X-COM: UFO Defense is a game that deserves its reputation as one of the best games of all time. It is a game that offers a deep and immersive gameplay experience that challenges your strategic thinking, resource management, and combat skills. It is also a game that offers a high replay value and customization with its dynamic campaign, randomly generated maps and missions, and mod support.
If you are a fan of strategy games, sci-fi, or aliens, you owe it to yourself to try out X-COM: UFO Defense for yourself. You will not regret it.
FAQs
Q1. How long is X-COM: UFO Defense?
A1. X-COM: UFO Defense is a game that has no fixed length or end date. The game lasts as long as you want it to last, or until you either defeat the aliens or lose the game. The game's difficulty and pace depend on your actions and decisions, as well as the game's settings. However, a typical playthrough of X-COM: UFO Defense can take anywhere from 20 to 100 hours or more.
Q2. How hard is X-COM: UFO Defense?
A2. X-COM: UFO Defense is a game that is notoriously hard and unforgiving. The game has a steep learning curve and requires a lot of trial and error. The game also has a lot of randomness and unpredictability that can make it frustrating or rewarding depending on your luck. The game also has five difficulty levels that affect the game's challenge and balance. However, X-COM: UFO Defense is also a game that is fair and rewarding. The game gives you a lot of freedom and options to play as you like. The game also gives you a lot of satisfaction and accomplishment when you overcome its challenges.
Q3. How many X-COM games are there?
A3. X-COM: UFO Defense is the first game in the X-COM series, which was followed by several sequels, spin-offs, remakes, and spiritual successors. Here is a list of the main X-COM games and their release dates:
X-COM: UFO Defense (1994)
X-COM: Terror from the Deep (1995)
X-COM: Apocalypse (1997)
X-COM: Interceptor (1998)
X-COM: Enforcer (2001)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)
XCOM: Enemy Within (2013)
XCOM 2 (2016)
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen (2017)
XCOM: Chimera Squad (2020)
There are also many fan-made games and mods that are inspired by or based on the X-COM series, such as Xenonauts, UFO: Alien Invasion, UFO: Aftermath, UFO: Extraterrestrials, etc.
Q4. What is the difference between X-COM: UFO Defense and UFO: Enemy Unknown?
A4. X-COM: UFO Defense and UFO: Enemy Unknown are the same game, but with different names depending on the region. The game was originally released as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe, and later as X-COM: UFO Defense in North America. The game was also released as X-COM: Enemy Unknown in Japan. The game's content and gameplay are identical in all versions, except for some minor differences in spelling, grammar, and localization.
Q5. What are some similar games to X-COM: UFO Defense?
A5. X-COM: UFO Defense is a game that has influenced and inspired many other games in the strategy, sci-fi, and alien genres. Some of the games that are similar to X-COM: UFO Defense are:
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) and its sequel XCOM 2 (2016) are the official remakes of X-COM: UFO Defense by Firaxis Games. They feature updated graphics, sound, interface, and gameplay options, while retaining the core gameplay and feel of the original game.
Xenonauts (2014) and its sequel Xenonauts 2 (2021) are fan-made spiritual successors to X-COM: UFO Defense by Goldhawk Interactive. They feature a similar premise, setting, and gameplay to the original game, but with some changes and additions to make them more realistic and challenging.
Phoenix Point (2019) is a game by Julian Gollop, the creator of X-COM: UFO Defense. It features a similar premise, setting, and gameplay to the original game, but with some new features such as procedural enemies, factions, mutations, etc.
Jagged Alliance 2 (1999) is a game that combines turn-based tactics with role-playing elements. It features a similar gameplay to X-COM: UFO Defense, but with a different setting and theme. You play as a mercenary leader who fights against a dictator in a fictional country.
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001) is a game that combines turn-based tactics with role-playing elements. It features a similar gameplay to X-COM: UFO Defense, but with a different setting and theme. You play as a member of the Brotherhood of Steel who fights against mutants and raiders in a post-apocalyptic world.
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