XCOM is one of the more unique games out there, taking the top-down CRPG perspective and focusing on tense encounters over complex world building and mechanics.
The result is a game series that has an identity of its own and has a genre of its own as well. While it’s tough to match the highs that the series can provide, there are a handful of games that get you close to that feeling.
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Our criteria is going to begames that focus on intense, tactical combat. That means positioning your party for battle for advantages against the enemy, and also games that feature permadeth for its characters if the player chooses it.
10Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Marvel Presents XCOM
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
A Marvel game might not be the place you’d expect to find XCOM type gameplay, butMarvel’s Midnight Sunsis made by XCOM developers, Firaxis, so you know thatthey know exactly what they’re doing here.
The combat is immediately familiar, and althoughit’s based on a card system rather than the traditional XCOM-type combat, the battlefields are similar, as is the emphasis on character positioningand the turn-based nature of the combat.
Midnight Suns adds a social element to the traditional XCOM formula, however, allowing you plenty of time to get to know a ton of iconic Marvel characters in the process.
The encounters are a bit more brief than most of XCOM’s offerings to, making Marvel’s Midnight Suns a good choice for someone new to these type of games.
9Wasteland 3
Strategy At The End of The World
Wasteland 3
When I first started playing Wasteland 3, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Immediately, I was greeted withdeep RPG gameplay, great writingand, surprisingly, combat right out of XCOM.
If you’ve ever wished XCOM came withan engaging world to explore and deep, RPG mechanics and flexibility, well then Wasteland 3 just might be your dream come true.
you may customize your team however you’d like, choose different factions to support or fight against and get lost in a unique, post-apocalyptic world that knows exactly what it’s trying to do and does it damn well.
The combat emphasizes cover and resource management to be effective and if you’re feeling up to it, turn on the permadeth option and see if you can brave the wilds of the end of the world when one slip up means the end of a possibly beloved party member.
8Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Warhammer 40k: Rogue Traderis arevelation when it comes to the CRPG genre. It calls back to late 90s boom of the genre with its writing and overall depth.
On top of all of that, you get intense,XCOM-style combat that emphasizes the use of cover in every battle and involves a healthy dose of chancewhen it comes to whether or not you’re going to connect with your shots.
Everything from enemy distance, to character class, to weapon type affects your hits in combat and the behind-the-scenes dice rolls when you line up your shot is every bit as stressful as it is in XCOM.
In addition to that combat, you’ve got an ocean-deep RPG with tons of lore, side quests, great characters and, overall, just a fantastic experience.
7Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
An Anime Flavored XCOM
Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
For those looking for XCOM-style gameplay in a different sort of setting, I implore you to try outTroubleshooter: Abandoned Children.
It’s presented in a very similar way to XCOM, focusing almost exclusively on mission-based encounters, but it’s what goes into those encounters that makes this game so special.
You play as a new Troubleshooter, who is essentially a low-level crime fighter. You, of course have a healthy suite of powers to work with, andthe story is presented with anime-style cutscenes and conversations. The entire experience just oozes with style and charm.
The combat is incredible, mixing XCOM-style cover mechanics with some wildly deep character building that allows you create the anime superhero you’ve always dreamed of being.
The story is presented in almost a TV show-like format, which, for anime fans, should hit a perfect note and the combat will satisfy anyone looking to scratch that XCOM itch.
Animal People in a Broken World
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, wears its inspirations on its sleeve very clearly, and the biggest inspiration is XCOM.
The combat is strategic, utilizing cover mechanics and a unique take on stealth gameplay to take the XCOM formula intoa fun new setting.
The world here is devoid of humans. They are all gone.What remains are the mutants, and they’re just trying to make it in this crazy new world.
Along the way, you’ll discover new abilities, find new allies to add to your team and engage in some thrilling combat that requires careful planning and a strategic use of your characters to come away the victor.
5Vanguard Bandits
Strategy Mechs
Vanguard Bandits
Let’s go way back for this one. Back to 1998. Playstation 1 folks, yup, there were SRPGs on that console as well. One of the best and possibly most underrated titles of that ilk was Vanguard Bandits.
You take control of a variety of knights and soldiers fighting in a civil war and you do so via giant mechs that are controlled by the user’s thoughts.
The combat here is turn-based, emphasizing player positioning in every scenario, and the encounters can get brutal if your planning is off.
After you select your attacks, you’re treated to some slick animations for its time, getting to see some back and-forth mech action based on whether you decided to defend, attack or counter-attack.
There are also special abilities to use that can sway the tide of a battle as well. The combat is reminiscent of what an XCOM mech game could be like and the jump from mission to mission keeps the pace flowing the same way.
It’s a hidden gem that deserves your time and delivers the type of gameplay XCOM fans would fall in love with.
4King Arthur: Knight’s Tale
A Dark Take on King Arthur
King Arthur Knight’s Tale
King Arthur: Knight’s Taletakes a bit of a different approach to the famous mythology and puts you in the armor of Sir Mordred, the man who killed King Arthur. However, Arhtur struck a killing blow as well, leaving you both dead.
Arthur gets resurrected, goes mad and seeks to rule the world, so Mordred is brought back to end his reign. It’s a compelling way to start an age-old tale and the rest of the game follows suit.
Combat is turn-based and takes place on a grid system. Everything from positioning, to cover, to planning multiple turns ahead are paramount here as the difficulty is intense, and you’re able to find yourself overwhelmed if you don’t consider multiple options.
It’s also very mature, matching the stakes and themes that are seen in XCOM games and there is even permadeth for those that want to embark upon the ultimate challenge.
Superhero Tactics
Capes delivers some of the best tactical combat around and does it by putting you in the boots of a group of superheroes trying to take back a city that has long been run by villains.
Combat has you and your team taking on enemies in a variety of different scenarios and figuring out the best course of action turns it into somewhat of a puzzle game.
Your power suite is immense, allowing you toteleport places, summon ice spikes and a variety of other awesome powersthat light up the screen.
The story that plays out is a fun one too, with a sort of lighthearted tone that can quickly give weigh to serious events and your team is made up of some fun personalities that evolve over time as well.
It’s a different spin on the genre, but a relatively compact one that is definitely worth trying.
2Darkest Dungeon
Pain in Game Form
Darkest Dungeon
On the surface, you might not see the XCOM similarity with Darkest Dungeon.
Upon playing though, you’ll find yourselfbuilding up a base and recruiting new and more powerful characters, managing the injuries of characters you’ve used and engaging in deeply strategic and high-risk combat with permadeth baked into its DNA.
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When you view it in that light, it is absolutely a game for fans of XCOM.
You’ll be trading in the cover-based combat for a turn-based affair, but positioning still matters, albeit on a 2D field and every swing or shot you take at the enemy must be carefully calculated or else you will suffer the dreaded end of one of your beloved heroes.
XCOM has always been a hardcore style game and, having been through the Darkest Dungeon and back,I’ve never felt stress playing a game like I have with this one, so if that pulse-pounding decision-making fuels you, try this one out, and you won’t be disappointed.
1Valkyria Chronicles
World War 2 With Anime on Top
Valkyria Chronicles
Valkyria Chroniclesas a series is a mirror image of XCOM, just covered in an anime filter. It involves building your allies up with new units who all have unique abilities and incredibly strategic gameplay where one mistake can be the permanent end of one of your characters.
The combat is heavily reminiscent of XCOM, involving guns, the use of cover, different unit types as well as the ability to miss your shots depending on your positioning.
It’s a drawn-out affair whenever you start combat here, but its always engaging thanks to great voice acting, clever level design and a great story to keep the whole experience cohesive.
There are 4 games in the series and each one brings something different to the table, but the excellent tactics-based combat always remains a pillar and ensures any fan of the genre will get their money’s worth.
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