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ICBM

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

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Quick resume

ICBM is a real-time strategy game of nuclear destruction. Research new technologies, build up your nuclear stockpile and use a combination of ships, planes and missiles to strike at the heart of your opponents’ cities while keeping your population safe from harm.

Global score

92/100

Genres

Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep strategic gameplay
    • Extensive research and customization
    • Active modding community
    • Engaging multiplayer with alliances and betrayals
    • Good value for price

    Cons

    • Lackluster presentation and graphics
    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Limited diplomacy and story elements
    • Ai can be cautious or dumb at times
    • Performance issues with many units

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Fantasy, Intimacy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose research paths, build strategies, and customize strike plans, allowing significant control over gameplay decisions."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game requires strategic thinking, managing research and production, and adapting to AI tactics, providing skill challenges and feedback."

    • Competition
      3

      "Includes multiplayer modes with alliances and betrayals, encouraging comparison and competition among players."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long play sessions and habitual engagement, supported by modding community and replayability."

    • Cooperation
      2

      "Diplomacy and alliances exist, including shared research and radar data, but gameplay can also be solo or competitive."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players can customize strategies, research different technologies, create strike plans, and mod the game extensively."

    • Domination
      2

      "Game involves exerting superiority through nuclear strikes and strategic dominance, including backstabbing allies."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game as a distraction and stress relief, enjoying the dark humor and apocalyptic scenarios."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "The tech tree and multiple strategies encourage trying new approaches and experimenting with different tactics."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "The game uses a fixed map (Earth) with limited new area discovery, focusing more on strategic variation than geographic exploration."

    • Expression
      2

      "Customization of units, strike plans, and modding allows some degree of player expression."

    • Fantasy
      -1

      "The game simulates plausible Cold War nuclear conflict scenarios, with some futuristic tech but grounded in realism."

    • Fellowship
      2

      "Multiplayer and alliances foster community feeling, though solo play is also common."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players learn complex mechanics, develop strategies, and improve skills over time."

    • Health
      -5

      "The game is a sedentary computer strategy game with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and active management, especially during combat phases."

    • Intimacy
      -3

      "Social interactions are mostly strategic and competitive with limited emotional sharing or close relationships."

    • Leadership
      3

      "Players lead their faction’s research, production, and military actions, making strategic decisions and guiding alliances."

    • Progression
      4

      "Research and production systems emphasize accumulating technologies and units to gain power and advantages."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Some players find the pacing and strategic planning relaxing, though nuclear war phases introduce tension."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visual and auditory effects of nuclear explosions and strategic gameplay provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status
      1

      "Multiplayer and leaderboards offer some recognition, but not a dominant focus."

    • Story
      -3

      "No narrative or lore; gameplay is context-free strategic simulation without story immersion."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic planning, research, resource management, and tactical decision making."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Tense moments arise from nuclear escalation and uncertain AI behavior, creating suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      3

      "Players report good value for price due to depth, replayability, and modding support."

    • Violence
      5

      "The game centers on nuclear warfare, destruction of cities, and combat between military units."

    • Survival
      4

      "Players must manage defenses and resources to avoid destruction and survive nuclear attacks."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026