Summary
Anybody who enjoys turn-based combat and tactical role-playing games will have come across theXCOMseries at some point in their gaming lives. Few virtual experiences can match that of customizing one’s squad of combatants and sending them out to save humanity from evil alien invaders.
When enjoying a game, it’s sometimes nice to try similar titles from that genre. Several, such asMario + RabbidsandMutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, offer their own unique take on thatXCOMflavor. In terms of mobile games,XCOMitself has made its way into players' pockets, but these similar titles are also worth checking out in their own right.
10Xenowar
Blasting Aliens In Turn-Based Combat
There are two aspects to the gameplay inXenowar: the ‘Geo Game’ and the ‘Tactical Game.’ The former is the overall control that each team has over the seven regions of the world, while the latter is the combat action on the ground.
If the aliens manage to take full control, doing so by making crop circles and attacking cities, they win the game. Thus, the player must destroy UFOsand build basesto maintain enough control to find their source and wipe them out. Combat is very similar toXCOM, but both sides are able to take reaction shots, so positioning and caution are critical to success.
9Aliens Versus Humans
More Than Just An XCOM Clone
Prior to the 2012 rebootXCOM: Enemy Unknown, there had not been a new game in the series for over a decade. That’s why Leisurerules Inc. decided to intervene and developan alien battlinggame for iOS. They createdAliens versus Humans, very much inspired by and based upon the originalX-Comgame from 1994.
Featuring base-building and management mechanics, randomly generated battle maps of varying terrain, and customizable soldiers, it’s certain to scratch thatXCOMitch. There is an option to design player-versus-player maps too, with classic game modes like Capture the Flag keeping the gameplay fresh.
8Strike Team Hydra
Solid Sci-Fi Strategy With No Frills
Gameplay is the main focus ofStrike Team Hydra, putting everything into the turn-based conflicts and ensuring that they are refined. Extra distractions like base management and research are not present here, with shopping being the only other activity players can engage in outside of combat.
Across the 28 story missions, players can find loot to upgrade their fighters, or sell it to buy better gear. There are also 20 side missions, which are very useful for strengthening the squad. Morale is an interesting mechanic in this game, granting bonuses to characters with high morale and the opposite for those in a state of panic.
7Demon’s Rise
Turn-Based Fantasy With Quirky Characters
BeforeStrike Team Hydra, the development team worked onDemon’s Rise, a more fantasy-oriented turn-based game, and spent many years improving it. Choosing six of the 30quirky and diversecharacters, each with their own unique abilities, players will tackle 85 levels with a variety of enemies from goblins to demon lords.
Just as inStrike Team Hydra, the focus is on combat, with the chosen warriors leveling up through experience and unlocking new abilities. Cover, terrain and morale all play important roles in success when battling in the ancient city of Angor.
6Warbits+
Virtual Combat Saves Lives
The 20 campaign missions inWarbits+have players virtually battling their enemies, rather than killing one another in a real galactic war. The grid-based gameplay and vibrant color palette are reminiscent of the stellarAdvance Warsgames, with players also capturing bases in order to buy more units and upgrades.
Challenge mode features a further 12 skirmish missions and 12 puzzles. There is also a map editor, so that players can create their own conflict scenarios. The ability to play online and even being able to play the game in portrait mode are very popular features with fans too.
5Templar Battleforce
Tactical Warfare With A Branching Story
Tactical and strategic combat from a top-down perspective is on offer inTemplar Battleforce, which has plenty to keep players occupied for a long time. There are over 55 scenarios to play through, with branching storylines and multiple endings. The game also offers over 800 customization options when it comes to the player’s chosen Templar Knights.
Those features make this title endlessly replayable, and it feels unique every time given the different approaches and more than 25 types of enemies. From rogue humans to gargantuan monsters, the Templars face all sorts of dangerous foes as they defend the Star Traders.
4Chaos Reborn: Adventures
Mobile Turn-Based Strategy From The Creator Of XCOM
Another highly customizable experience, players control a power wizard inChaos Reborn: Adventures, a mobile port of the PC game fromXCOM’s original creator. A remake of the 1980s cult classicChaos: The Battle of Wizards, this version features a number of enhancements, such as the ability to buy equipment, and RPG elements.
The survival of the wizard is crucial, as players also control friendly mythical creatures and can even hire mercenary units to assist on the battlefield. The turn-based combat is satisfying, and players can engage in multiplayer battles too, testing their magical skills against others.
3Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
Fast-Paced, Cutthroat Action
Bringing thestrategic tabletop gameto mobile devices,Warhammer 40K: Mechanicusis also available on PC and consoles. Obviously, there are some graphical downgrades for this port, but gameplay is faster overall and plays out on smaller maps, making battles very fast-paced and brutal.
One of the game’s main strengths is customization, allowing for many different loadouts and abilities for Tech-Priests. The longer players stay in a mission, the harder it is, but the better the loot. Over 50 such missions await anybody willing to take control of the Adeptus Mechanicus army.
There is a lot to love aboutThe Banner Saga, from its deep and branching story to the beautiful art-style and excellent combat. Drudge soldiers and enemy clans will attack the 25 playable characters in this brutal world, which is inspired by Norse mythology and Viking culture.
Survival is difficult, and the story changes depending on the choices players make, and who ultimately lives and dies. The developers clearly indended that players have to live with the consequences. This feature is rather reminiscent ofXCOM’s ironman mode, where permadeath is all too familiar.
The PlayStation classicFinal Fantasy Tacticswas later re-released on Sony’s portable PSP console asFinal Fantasy: War of the Lionswith many upgrades and new features. The added movies, scenarios and jobs are all present in the mobile port, but now with intuitive touchscreen controls too.
Introducing players to the world of Ivalice, players control Ramza and other soldiers as they battle a demonic evil that is taking over the world. Combat is turn-based, often being compared with a game of chess. Permadeath is also a feature in this game, soplayers must be carefulwhen they engage in combat.
