XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Game review by Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Thrilling sci-fi strategy game with violence and gore.

PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 2012
Rate game

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 19 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate game
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown Game: Screenshot #1
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown Game: Screenshot #2
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown Game: Screenshot #3

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that while XCOM: Enemy Unknown might be a strategy game, it's a "Mature"-rated game because of strong violence, gore, and blood. Players can kill or be killed in a graphic manner. There is also strong profanity in the dialogue sequences, and the online multiplayer matches support open-dialogue between gamers.

Community Reviews

sadfjsdkfkdjfajdklflkasdfkljsdf
sadfjsdkfkdjfajdklflkasdfkljsdf Adult
April 30, 2019
age 10+

its good but tough

be ready to ask for a refund if you dont know how to play

This title has:

Too much violence
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
March 10, 2019
age 14+

Extremely Well-made Tactics and Base-Management Strategy game

Violence: Moderately bloody violence against aliens, blood is yellow. When your soldiers are killed there's a brief splash of red blood. No injury detail. Bloody alien autopsies are shown, but with little detail. Some missions feature aliens terrorizing human populace. The only instance of gore is in the first mission, a man is seen with his stomach torn open, another with his eyes missing. Not horribly graphic, in the context, it would probably fit into a PG-13 rating. | Language: In the campaign, there's rare usage of very mild language such as damn and hell. During combat, when injured your soldiers will rarely shout out sh*t or f*ck. This can be turned off in the settings, but even when left on it's possible to go an entire playthrough without hearing it.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
See all 10 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Earth is under an extraterrestrial attack and so the Earth’s governments unite to form a paramilitary organization, known as XCOM, to fight back against this unknown enemy. You're in control of this elite squad of super soldiers, to battle the aliens on our turf and prevent them from taking over the planet. Gamers do this by creating and defending an operational base, researching alien technologies, and planning and executing turn-based attacks against the aliens (including the deployment of air units like the Interceptor and Skyranger). Despite some differences in control, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PC versions of the game play out the same.

Is It Any Good?

XCOM: ENEMY UNKNOWN is a refreshing change compared to most other games available today. From Firaxis, the award-winning team behind Civilization, comes this action-heavy strategy game that delivers thrills and spills. The turn-based strategy spans more than 70 missions around the globe, which keeps things fresh, but choosing the right man or women for the job can be just as critical as following through with tactical combat. While the graphics can sometimes be a bit glitchy, the pacing and progression, single and multiplayer maps, and thoughtfully designed soldier depth all add up to an engrossing strategy game worthy of your time, attention, and money.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether it's a good idea to resurrect older computer game franchises, like XCOM, and create a new experience for the modern age. Or should classic games be left as is, and game developers should move onto new intellectual properties (IPs)?

  • This game contains a lot of violence and gore. What is the impact of this kind of violence on the player?

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love strategy and action games

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon magic wand on orange background
    Magic and Fantasy
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a ghost and vampire
    Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a UFO
    Space and Aliens
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate