Uncovering the Best Xenonauts Alternatives for Turn-Based Strategy Fans

Xenonauts offers a captivating and challenging turn-based strategy experience, pitting a multinational military organization against an alien invasion in a Cold War-era setting. With its deep tactical ground combat, strategic management, persistent soldiers, and emergent simulation, it's a spiritual successor to classic X-Com games. However, if you've exhausted its depths or are looking for a fresh take on the genre, there are many excellent Xenonauts alternative games worth exploring.

Top Xenonauts Alternatives

Whether you crave more alien encounters, diverse tactical challenges, or unique strategic layers, these games offer compelling experiences for fans of turn-based combat and base management.

X-COM

X-COM

The original inspiration for Xenonauts, the X-COM series provides the definitive extraterrestrial combat experience. Available on Commercial platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and Steam, X-COM features intense sci-fi turn-based combat and strategic global defense that will feel immediately familiar to Xenonauts players.

Final Fantasy Tactics

Final Fantasy Tactics

For those who enjoy the tactical RPG elements of Xenonauts, Final Fantasy Tactics offers a rich narrative and deep tactical turn-based combat within the Final Fantasy universe. This commercial title is available on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and Playstation, providing a fantasy-themed simulation and gaming experience with intricate turn-based battles.

Shadowrun Returns

Shadowrun Returns

Shadowrun Returns blends an isometric RPG with tactical turn-based elements, set in a unique cyberpunk fantasy world. This commercial game, available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, and Steam, provides a deep setting and engaging turn-based combat that will appeal to fans of Xenonauts' tactical depth.

Fire Emblem Heroes

Fire Emblem Heroes

Nintendo's popular strategy RPG series, Fire Emblem, offers a mobile-friendly experience with Fire Emblem Heroes. This freemium game for Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad features free-to-play turn-based gaming that provides a different flavour of tactical combat for those looking for a Xenonauts alternative on the go.

Pathway

Pathway

Pathway delivers approachable, fast-paced squad skirmishes in a thrilling early 20th-century pulp-adventure setting. This commercial game for Mac, Windows, Linux, Steam, and GOG.com offers a unique blend of gaming, pixel graphics, and turn-based combat that serves as a fun and engaging Xenonauts alternative, especially if you enjoy a more focused tactical experience.

Into the Breach

Into the Breach

Into the Breach offers a highly strategic turn-based combat experience where humanity fights giant monsters with powerful mechs. This commercial title, available on Windows, Steam, GOG.com, Nintendo Switch Online, and Humble Bundle, focuses on intricate squad-based turn-based gaming, providing a puzzle-like approach to combat that Xenonauts fans might find refreshing.

Invisible, Inc.

Invisible, Inc.

Invisible, Inc. combines turn-based tactics with stealth and roguelike elements, putting you in control of covert agents. This commercial game is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPad, Steam, GOG.com, and Playstation. Its isometric view, moddable aspects, and intense squad-based turn-based gaming provide a unique and compelling Xenonauts alternative with a focus on infiltration and strategy.

Jagged Alliance

Jagged Alliance

Jagged Alliance tasks you with reclaiming an island sector by sector with a team of mercenaries. This commercial Windows title, available on Steam and GOG.com, focuses on squad-based turn-based combat and works offline, offering a different take on tactical operations compared to Xenonauts.

UFO: Alien Invasion

UFO: Alien Invasion

UFO: Alien Invasion is a free and open-source strategy video game heavily influenced by the X-COM series, much like Xenonauts itself. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it features gaming, multiplayer, and RTS elements, making it an excellent open-source Xenonauts alternative for those who enjoy fighting alien invasions without a price tag.

Underrail

Underrail

Underrail is an old-school turn-based isometric indie RPG focused on exploration and combat in a unique subterranean world. This commercial Windows title, available on Steam, offers a deep single-player and survival experience with isometric views and turn-based combat that will appeal to players who appreciate the tactical depth of Xenonauts but desire a different setting and emphasis on RPG elements.

Each of these Xenonauts alternative games offers a unique twist on the turn-based strategy genre. Explore their features, platforms, and settings to find the perfect fit for your next tactical adventure!

Charlotte King

Charlotte King

Specializes in writing tutorials and reviews about design software and UI/UX tools.