XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Item: XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Rating: 63
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-12-21

Summary

High replayability and long-lasting gameplay
Turn-based combat praised for excellence
Mods and DLC significantly enhance experience
Game launch failures after recent updates
Frustrating RNG mechanics in combat
Frequent crashes causing progress loss

Emotions

Frustration30%Satisfaction11%Nostalgia7%Excitement6%Disappointment6%

Sample precision
Helpful reviews: 49%
Unhelpful reviews: 50%
Protest reviews: 1%

63%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
37%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 553
Negative points: 415
Gameplay points: 563
Perf. points: 128
Rec. points: 114
Misc points: 18

Point	Description	Importance
High replayability and longevity Description Players frequently mention the game's high replayability due to random maps, permadeath, mods, and expansions. Many return to replay it annually, citing hundreds of hours of playtime. Importance 46%	Players frequently mention the game's high replayability due to random maps, permadeath, mods, and expansions. Many return to replay it annually, citing hundreds of hours of playtime.	46%
Turn-based combat excellence Description The game is widely praised for its turn-based tactical combat, which is described as deep, engaging, and well-designed. Mechanics like cover, destructible environments, and thoughtful strategy are highlighted as standout features. Importance 45%	The game is widely praised for its turn-based tactical combat, which is described as deep, engaging, and well-designed. Mechanics like cover, destructible environments, and thoughtful strategy are highlighted as standout features.	45%
Holds up despite age Description Despite being dated, the game retains its charm, balance, and replayability. Many reviewers consider it a classic that still delivers a nearly unbeatable experience for its genre. Importance 41%	Despite being dated, the game retains its charm, balance, and replayability. Many reviewers consider it a classic that still delivers a nearly unbeatable experience for its genre.	41%
Mods and DLC enhance experience Description Mods like Long War and DLC expansions (e.g., Enemy Within) are highly regarded for adding significant content, challenge, and replayability. The modding community is noted as a major strength. Importance 30%	Mods like Long War and DLC expansions (e.g., Enemy Within) are highly regarded for adding significant content, challenge, and replayability. The modding community is noted as a major strength.	30%
Engaging story and narrative Description The game's story is frequently described as well-crafted, suspenseful, and immersive. It enhances the tactical gameplay and keeps players invested in the campaign. Importance 23%	The game's story is frequently described as well-crafted, suspenseful, and immersive. It enhances the tactical gameplay and keeps players invested in the campaign.	23%
Strong base management mechanics Description The game's base management is praised for its depth and strategic value, blending resource allocation, squad development, and progression into the core gameplay loop. Importance 22%	The game's base management is praised for its depth and strategic value, blending resource allocation, squad development, and progression into the core gameplay loop.	22%
Superior to XCOM 2 Description Many reviewers prefer this game over XCOM 2, citing less restrictive mechanics, better accuracy systems, and a more enjoyable campaign structure. It is often described as the best in the franchise. Importance 21%	Many reviewers prefer this game over XCOM 2, citing less restrictive mechanics, better accuracy systems, and a more enjoyable campaign structure. It is often described as the best in the franchise.	21%
Visuals and UI praised Description While not cutting-edge, the game's graphics, UI, and visual design are described as well-done and immersive for its time. They effectively support the tactical gameplay. Importance 11%	While not cutting-edge, the game's graphics, UI, and visual design are described as well-done and immersive for its time. They effectively support the tactical gameplay.	11%
Emotional weight of permadeath Description The permadeath system creates a strong emotional attachment to soldiers, adding tension and stakes to every mission. Players celebrate surviving soldiers and mourn losses deeply. Importance 10%	The permadeath system creates a strong emotional attachment to soldiers, adding tension and stakes to every mission. Players celebrate surviving soldiers and mourn losses deeply.	10%
Balanced difficulty and AI Description The game's difficulty settings and enemy AI are well-designed, offering a fair but challenging experience. Players appreciate the leeway in tactics and the impact of decisions. Importance 10%	The game's difficulty settings and enemy AI are well-designed, offering a fair but challenging experience. Players appreciate the leeway in tactics and the impact of decisions.	10%

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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Emotions