Phoenix Point similar games & best alternatives

Phoenix Point

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One • 2020

Should you play it?

The acclaimed strategy game from the creator of X-COM. Fight tactical battles on procedural maps against a foe that adapts to your tactics. Manage diplomacy and economy on a global scale. Research, explore, overcome. Now includes Steam Workshop support for mods!

What works
  • Innovative tactical aiming system
  • Deep soldier customization and multi-classing
  • Engaging strategic diplomacy and base management
  • Challenging and rewarding combat
  • Immersive lovecraftian sci-fi setting
Things to keep in mind
  • Some ui and quality of life issues
  • Repetitive late-game missions
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Some balancing and pacing problems
  • Limited social and multiplayer features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Darkest Dungeon®

  • Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game

  • Disgaea PC

  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown

  • XCOM® 2

  • Lords of Xulima

  • Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

  • Solasta: Crown of the Magister

  • X-COM: UFO Defense
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich

  • Fantasy Wars

  • Shardpunk
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    Songs of Syx
  • Autonomy

    MENACE
  • Competence

    Inkshade

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

Phoenix Point: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Fellowship, Relaxation.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have significant control over squad composition, loadouts, and tactical decisions in combat and strategic layer."

    Capsule for MENACE MENACE

    "Players have significant control over squad composition, multi-classing, tactical aiming, and strategic decisions on base management and diplomacy."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game features challenging tactical combat requiring skill and strategic planning, with a steep difficulty curve and rewarding mastery."

    Capsule for Inkshade Inkshade

    "The game offers challenging tactical combat with skill-based aiming, resource management, and strategic planning requiring mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player campaign and personal progression rather than direct player-vs-player competition."

    Capsule for Space Tyrant Space Tyrant

    "Focus is on personal campaign progression and strategic choices rather than direct player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement, though some find campaign repetitive."

    Capsule for Kubifaktorium Kubifaktorium

    "Players report long play sessions and multiple campaigns, though some find late game repetitive and grindy."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Players can ally with factions and cooperate with NPCs, but multiplayer cooperation is limited and most gameplay is solo or AI interaction."

    Capsule for Sands of Salzaar Sands of Salzaar

    "Players interact with multiple factions diplomatically and can ally or antagonize them, but gameplay is mostly single-player."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive soldier customization, mod support, and tactical variety allow players to create unique squads and strategies."

    Capsule for XCOM® 2 XCOM® 2

    "Extensive soldier customization, multi-classing, and tactical aiming encourage creative approaches to combat and strategy."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Interactions emphasize balanced faction relations and emergent politics rather than exerting authority or dominance over others."

    Capsule for Star Traders: Frontiers Star Traders: Frontiers

    "Interactions with factions emphasize negotiation and alliance rather than domination or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Dark, immersive sci-fi atmosphere provides escape from reality; players engage with philosophical and ethical themes."

    Capsule for The Fall The Fall

    "Players engage in a dark, apocalyptic sci-fi world offering immersive distraction from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest and enjoyment of tactical challenge."

    Capsule for Bionic Dues Bionic Dues

    "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest in tactical strategy and sci-fi themes."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players experiment with different weapons, strategies, and level designs."

    Capsule for BattleBlock Theater® BattleBlock Theater®

    "Players experiment with multi-classing, weapon loadouts, tactical aiming, and strategic diplomacy."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of interconnected maps, treasure hunting, and revisiting locations are core gameplay."

    Capsule for Sins Of The Demon RPG Sins Of The Demon RPG

    "Strategic map exploration and uncovering new havens and mission sites is a core gameplay element."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Players customize their army composition and character builds, expressing playstyle preferences through unit and gear choices."

    Capsule for Undead Horde 2: Necropolis Undead Horde 2: Necropolis

    "Players customize soldier appearances, gear, and abilities to express playstyle preferences."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Dark fantasy setting with Lovecraftian elements, supernatural creatures, and imaginative lore."

    Capsule for Grim Dawn Grim Dawn

    "Set in a Lovecraftian sci-fi world with mutated creatures and advanced technology, offering strong fantasy elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -1

    "Primarily a single-player experience with limited social or community interaction."

    Capsule for The Fermi Paradox The Fermi Paradox

    "Primarily single-player experience with limited social interaction beyond faction diplomacy."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, train troops, and improve their characters over a long campaign."

    Capsule for Never Second in Rome Never Second in Rome

    "Players develop soldiers, research technology, and improve strategic capabilities over long campaigns."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of turn-based strategy games with no physical activity."

    Capsule for Brigandine The Legend of Runersia Brigandine The Legend of Runersia

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of turn-based strategy games with no physical activity."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and strategic planning, not suited for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Wild Bastards Wild Bastards

    "Requires focused attention during tactical combat and strategic management, not suited for idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social or emotional connections; interactions are mostly strategic and impersonal."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

    "Limited social or emotional connection; interactions are mostly strategic and impersonal."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead multiple squads and manage army-wide strategies, assuming a leadership role."

    Capsule for Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga

    "Players lead multiple squads and manage bases and diplomacy, guiding overall campaign direction."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating resources, unlocking tech, and upgrading equipment and buildings."

    Capsule for First Feudal First Feudal

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating resources, upgrading equipment, and advancing technology."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "The game is challenging and can be frustrating, with tension in combat and difficulty spikes."

    Capsule for Banners of Ruin Banners of Ruin

    "Game is challenging and can be frustrating, with sustained tension especially in late game."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visuals and sound design contribute to atmosphere and immersion, though not highly stimulating."

    Capsule for Surviving the Aftermath Surviving the Aftermath

    "Visuals and sound design create an atmospheric experience, though not highly stimulating."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements and recognition are mostly personal; no social status or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Weird West: Definitive Edition Weird West: Definitive Edition

    "Achievements and recognition are mostly personal; no social status or leaderboards."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative is engaging though somewhat simple and short; players interact with characters and lore."

    Capsule for Jack Move Jack Move

    "Narrative and lore are engaging and integrated with gameplay, though some find it less compelling than XCOM."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Heavy emphasis on strategic planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

    Capsule for Songs of Syx Songs of Syx

    "Heavy emphasis on tactical combat, resource management, diplomacy, and long-term planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tense combat and survival elements create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Kingdom Come: Deliverance Kingdom Come: Deliverance

    "Tense combat and evolving threats provide suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report good value for time and money, with many hours of gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Prime World: Defenders Prime World: Defenders

    "Players report many hours of gameplay and replayability, offering good value for time and money."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves shooting and defeating alien enemies with various weapons."

    Capsule for The Mobius Machine The Mobius Machine

    "Combat involves shooting, disabling, and destroying alien enemies with various weapons."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing threats, resources, and base defense to survive."

    Capsule for Sunkenland Sunkenland

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing resources and defending against escalating alien threats."

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Last update: 01/06/2026