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Xenonauts

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2014

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical

Pros

  • Faithful to original x-com gameplay
  • Deep tactical and strategic layers
  • Challenging and rewarding difficulty
  • Extensive customization and mod support
  • Immersive cold war sci-fi atmosphere

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and limited tutorials
  • Repetitive maps and some bugs
  • Tedious air combat for some players
  • Some ui and performance issues
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have extensive control over base placement, squad equipment, and strategic decisions without forced routines or fixed paths."

  • Competence
    4

    "High skill ceiling with challenging tactical combat, strategic management, and learning from mistakes emphasized."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal progress and managing own strategy rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Players report long play sessions, deep engagement, and habitual return to the game despite difficulty and frustration."

  • Cooperation
    -4

    "Gameplay centers on individual player management and tactical control; multiplayer or cooperative modes not mentioned."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players can customize soldier loadouts, base layouts, and mod the game extensively."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize balanced tactical engagements without trash talk or power imposition."

  • Escapism
    3

    "Players use the game as a challenging distraction and immersive experience away from real life."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players explore different tactics, equipment setups, and mod configurations."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Fog of war and map discovery encourage cautious exploration, though maps repeat after some time."

  • Expression
    2

    "Limited character customization but players can personalize soldier roles and equipment."

  • Fantasy
    2

    "Cold War sci-fi setting with aliens and advanced tech blends realistic and imaginative elements."

  • Fellowship
    -3

    "Game is primarily single-player with minimal social or community interaction in gameplay."

  • Growth
    4

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

  • Health
    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during tactical and strategic phases."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing beyond player-soldier attachment."

  • Leadership
    3

    "Player leads and manages bases, troops, and strategic decisions with full authority."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong emphasis on research, equipment upgrades, base building, and soldier development."

  • Relaxation
    -3

    "Game is tense and punishing, with sustained pressure and high stakes."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Visual and audio design is functional and atmospheric but not flashy or sensory intense."

  • Status
    -4

    "Achievements and progress are personal with minimal social recognition or visibility."

  • Story
    3

    "Engaging narrative with lore, research reports, and a Cold War alien invasion plot."

  • Strategy
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around deep tactical combat and strategic resource and base management."

  • Thrill
    4

    "High tension, suspense, and dread from unpredictable enemy behavior and punishing consequences."

  • Value
    4

    "Players report high value from long playtime, depth, and replayability."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat and destruction are central, with detailed tactical engagements and environmental damage."

  • Survival
    4

    "Players must manage resources and avoid losses to survive an escalating alien threat."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026