The 10 best strategy games like XCOM to play on PC in 2024

Rejoice, fans of XCOM! Whether you’ve been following the legendary series from its beginning or jumped on the alien extermination train with 2012’s reboot of the franchise, this list will help you find strategy games that offer similarly engaging tactical combat. Our lineup has something for different kinds of tacticians, from fans of sci-fi to those who prefer planning strategic maneuvers in more realistic settings.

While there are many good turn-based tactics games, we think that these titles are simply the genre’s cream of the crop. There’s a lot to enjoy here: you can engage in desperate attempts to stop the alien invasion, take command of a crew of mutants, or become a sci-fi priest who has to slaughter his enemies in the name of the Emperor. Sounds fun? There are more great games like XCOM for you to discover!

Ranking of the best games like XCOM

Recruit your crew, equip its members with weapons, and prepare for battle! Now is the time to test your strategic skills in these turn-based tactics games. All generals, experienced or not, should find something worthy of their time on this list. Ready? Let’s proceed to the next turn. Here's our ranking of the best games like XCOM.

10. BATTLETECH (Included with PC Game Pass)

Get in the robot! With BattleTech, players can immerse themselves in tactical mech battles, spending hours upgrading and customizing their machines to become unstoppable vehicles of destruction. Set in a distant future, the campaign tells a pretty engaging story where you’ll take on a key role in the galactic conflict.

As the game that opens our ranking of the best games like XCOM on PC, BattleTech shines the brightest with its strategic gameplay, which is full of intricate mechanics that should meet the expectations of those who enjoy deep customization. While there’s a main storyline to follow, players have significant freedom and can choose to explore the galaxy, looking for various missions to complete. If you’re interested in this game, definitely check out the mods as well; the community has solved many of BattleTech’s issues and added tons of extra content.

Good news for all Game Pass members: you can play BattleTech at no additional cost, as it is included in the service's catalog. Users who are interested in starting their subscription will find the current offers below.

9. Phoenix Point (Included with PC Game Pass)

If we’re talking about games like XCOM, we can’t dismiss the title that was developed by the father of this classic franchise, Julian Gollop. Phoenix Point bears many similarities with his most famous series, as it also falls into the category of turn-based strategy games.

It also has a familiar scenario: the Earth is invaded by aliens. This time, they evolve and change forms, adapting to humanity’s strategies. It’s an interesting mechanic that requires employing new tactics to keep up with the constant mutations of your enemies. If you're looking for great turn-based games, Phoenix Point is definitely worth checking out.

8. Phantom Doctrine

Tired of aliens? Got it. Let’s drop the laser guns for now and pick up a classic Colt or MAC-10. Phantom Doctrine presents an alternate version of the Cold War. What differentiates it from other games like XCOM is that it has a cool spy theme combined with advanced stealth mechanics.

The game offers a lengthy single-player campaign where your task is to use tactical skills to stop a grand conspiracy. Other than engaging in combat, you will also conduct investigations, which, admittedly, get a little boring at times. Luckily, you can also jump into multiplayer to battle it out with friends.

7. Miasma Chronicles

Here’s something very fresh. Miasma Chronicles was released on May 23, 2023, and it was met with a warm reception. It’s a story about a man and his robotic brother embarking on a journey through a post-apocalyptic version of America.

What’s great about Miasma Chronicles, especially when compared with other turn-based tactics games, is that it has a very engaging plot. But that doesn’t mean that the strategic aspect lags behind, as it also provides lots of fun. The ruined world is simply stunning to look at, so it’s a neat title for all tacticians who enjoy feasting their eyes on beautiful visuals.

6. Wartales (Included with PC Game Pass)

While vastly different from the science fiction series rebooted by Firaxis in many aspects, Wartales still managed to find a place in our ranking of XCOM-like games due to its deep tactical mechanics and similarities concerning the battle system. This sandbox RPG throws you straight into a massive fantasy world full of wonders and dangers. Mostly dangers.

Here, a realm consumed by a ruinous plague is your theater of action. In Wartales, you’ll recruit your own pack of mercenaries and have the party explore a vast world at will, looking to get rich or die trying. A mixture of RPG and survival mechanics greatly complements turn-based action, encouraging the testing of different approaches to the presented challenges.

5. Invisible Inc.

Become an agent and fight against villainous corporations in a cyberpunk setting. Invisible Inc. is definitely one of the best games like XCOM, as it mixes turn-based tactics with roguelike elements. For many players, it’s a match made in heaven.

Klei Entertainment’s title allows you to choose from a selection of 10 different agents to dive into the futuristic world of randomly generated levels. It’s definitely a fun blend of the cyberpunk setting, tactical battles, and turn-based spy maneuvers. Be advised, though: the game can get very challenging, especially on higher difficulties.

4. Gears Tactics (included with Game Pass)

While the Gears of War franchise is usually associated with big guns, even bigger muscles, and hordes of aliens to eliminate, it also received a strategic spin-off. And it’s actually really good! Gears Tactics offers an entirely different gameplay than other entries in the series, but it’s definitely not inferior to them in terms of quality.

This turn-based alien game drops you into a well-known universe, but the story takes place before the events depicted in the first Gears of War. It’s the beginning of the Locust invasion. While the pacing remains fast, it refreshes the series’ formula with an isometric perspective and tactical options. If you love the franchise, you should definitely check it out.

3. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden

If commanding a team of animal-like mutants seems crazy enough to grab your attention, Mutant Yero Zero: Road to Eden will offer you a satisfying tactical experience. After the Earth is destroyed by nukes, you will have to survive in a dangerous, ruined world.

Road to Eden mixes exploration with tactical combat that focuses on advanced stealth mechanics. You will be sneaking in the shadows, avoiding the lights, and trying to ambush the enemies in order to get the first hit in without them even noticing. It’s very enjoyable: creative, beautiful, and so captivating that it really sucks the player into its post-apocalyptic world.

2. Jagged Alliance 3

Here’s another fresh take on a franchise of classic turn-based strategy games. Jagged Alliance 3 will transport you to Grand Chien, a fictional country set somewhere in Africa. What awaits you is a true festival of tactical battles. The goal? To save the president!

To complete the mission, you will have to hire a bunch of mercenaries. And there are many of them to recruit, so you can tweak your dream team however you want. Jagged Alliance 3 offers hours of complex tactical combat for all virtual generals. It’s one of the best modern representatives of its genre.

1. Xenonauts

Xenonauts is an outstanding example of the evolution of the classic formula and a true successor to the XCOM franchise. It also pits the players against the alien invaders in a well-balanced mixture of strategic development and thrilling battles.

In Xenonanuts, you will not only have the ability to command the soldiers during their fights against aliens; there’s also an advanced management aspect to it, with building bases and strengthening the Earth’s defense. It’s a perfect choice for players who enjoy challenging turn-based games with an incessant atmosphere of impending disaster.

That’s all we’ve got for you, commander! What do you think about our ranking of games like XCOM? Did you find any interesting titles on the list? Maybe you have your own picks? Let us know in the comments section below!