Research-backed game lineage

XCOM

XCOM is included in the Series Atlas after independent recognition and an authoritative game-by-game roster audit. Editions, simple ports, DLC, bundles, canceled projects, and cameo-only appearances are excluded.

10 curated games 1994–2020 release span 0 connected branches
X-COM: UFO Defense coverX-COM: Terror From the Deep coverX-COM: Apocalypse coverX-COM: Interceptor coverX-COM: Enforcer cover

Release chronology

The complete path.

Ordered by researched series position, then original release date. Ports, DLC, and duplicate editions are intentionally excluded.

10 games in this lineage

01 X-COM: UFO Defense cover
Mainline1994

X-COM: UFO Defense

X-COM: UFO Defense is a strategy game that combines tactical combat with base management and global defense. Players lead an international organization tasked with defending Earth from an alien invasion. The game unfolds on two levels: a global view where players manage resources, research alien technology, and intercept UFOs, and a tactical combat mode where squad-based battles occur. Players recruit and train soldiers, build bases, and develop new weapons and equipment based on recovered alien technology. Missions involve turn-based combat against aliens in various environments, with permadeath adding tension to each engagement. As the alien threat escalates, players must balance research, defense, and offensive operations to protect Earth's nations from panic and alien infiltration. X-COM: UFO Defense's blend of strategic depth, tactical combat, and atmospheric tension creates a compelling gameplay experience in the face of a global alien threat.

Mar 1, 199485/100
02 X-COM: Terror From the Deep cover
Mainline1995

X-COM: Terror From the Deep

The war continues... X-COM: UFO Defense brought you to a galactic battlefield. X-COM: Terror from the Deep brings the alien terror into a totally new dimension. Seeking to take advantage of a weakened Earth, X-COM's deep space foes unexpectedly change strategy and launch a powerful second front against planet Earth. In the dark depths of vast oceans, long sleeping forces are awakened by reanimation signals sent out across the galactic silence by their interstellar brothers and sisters. Slowly but surely, an army of hibernating alien sea creatures awakens. Your combat now extends to the strange new worlds of the deep where superior alien technologies threaten the very survival of your planet earth.

Jan 1, 199578/100
03 X-COM: Apocalypse cover
Mainline1997

X-COM: Apocalypse

Your mission, as X-COM Commander, is to combat alien aggression and uncover their deadly intentions. But Beware! Alien infiltration into the city and its politics could see you under fire from criminal gangs, religious sects, and even the police! Alien fleets fill the skies, creatures terrorise the city, chaos reigns... Welcome to the war, welcome to the Apocalypse.

Jun 30, 199776/100
04 X-COM: Interceptor cover
Mainline1998

X-COM: Interceptor

They're back...only this time the heinous aliens are out to destroy Earth and rule the new frontier. As X-COM commander, it's your sole duty to protect humanity and the prized mining operations in outer space. You must strategically equip your X-COM fighters, amass a formidable arsenal and then fulfill your mandate by going head-to-head with the devious element. The action is fast. And the opposing forces are wicked. But if you are smart, diligent and quick, you will prevail in a masterfully fought campaign to save our planet from perilous collapse.

Jun 15, 199840/100
05 X-COM: Enforcer cover
Mainline2001

X-COM: Enforcer

The Place: America - early 21st century. The Mission: Eradicate the extraterrestrials Alien forces have invaded Earth and are terrorizing the population. To combat this sinister threat, a lone X-COM scientist has created the Enforcer, a high-tech fighting machine made of earthly robotics and scavenged alien technology. Armed with the latest high-powered weapons, the Enforcer is sent into alien hot spots to fight in adrenaline-charged battles that rage on city streets, across rooftops and in the sewers. YOU are the Enforcer.

Apr 18, 200142/100
06 XCOM: Enemy Unknown cover
Remake2012

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth. You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.

Oct 9, 201286/100
07 The Bureau: XCOM Declassified cover
Mainline2013

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

The year is 1962 and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear. A top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating a series of mysterious attacks by an enemy more powerful than communism. As agent Carter, call the shots, pull the trigger and lead your squad in a gripping third-person tactical shooter set within a covert war to protect humanity from an otherworldly enemy.

Aug 6, 201364/100
08 XCOM 2 cover
Mainline2016

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the 2012 award-winning strategy game of the year. Earth has changed and is now under alien rule. Facing impossible odds you must rebuild XCOM, and ignite a global resistance to reclaim our world and save humanity.

Feb 4, 201684/100
09 XCOM: Chimera Squad cover
Mainline2020

XCOM: Chimera Squad

XCOM: Chimera Squad delivers an all-new story and turn-based tactical combat experience in the XCOM universe.

Apr 24, 202074/100
10 XCOM Legends cover
Mainline

XCOM Legends

XCOM’s newest mobile game turn-based RPG, available in limited territories.

Release date TBA

Sources and method

Built from the public record.

Membership is researched from external official and independent sources. Mainline games, direct spin-offs, remakes, remasters, and standalone expansions are included; DLC, simple ports, duplicate editions, compilation-only duplicates, rumors, cancellations, and cameo-only crossovers are excluded.

  1. database XCOM collection — IGDB

    IGDB maintains a distinct collection record for XCOM and supplies the authoritative roster used for membership verification.

  2. reference List of video game franchises

    The independent catalog recognizes XCOM as a multi-game franchise and supports its inclusion in this major-series research sweep.