Play X-com: Ufo Defense Online

X-COM: UFO Defense is a turn-based strategy game released in 1994 for MS-DOS. Developed by Mythos Games and published by MicroProse Software, it is set in a near-future science fiction world where players command a secret international organization tasked with defending Earth from an alien invasion. The game is presented from a bird's-eye view and incorporates elements of resource management and tactical combat.

Players oversee the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit, or X-COM, managing its global operations from a strategic perspective. This involves monitoring a rotating globe display to detect alien UFO activity, directing interceptor aircraft to engage them, and deploying ground teams via transport craft to investigate crash sites or conduct assaults. A core part of the game is managing the organization's finances, research, and manufacturing. Funds are allocated from member nations, which can be lost if the player fails to protect their regions, and are used to pay staff, construct facilities, and build equipment. Recovered alien technology can be studied to develop advanced weapons and gear, which is essential for survival.

When ground combat begins, the perspective shifts to an isometric, turn-based tactical map. Players command a squad of soldiers, each with a limited pool of Time Units that dictate how many actions they can perform per turn, such as moving, firing weapons, or using items. The objective in these missions is typically to eliminate all alien forces on the map, though capturing live aliens can provide significant research advantages. The environment features line-of-sight mechanics, requiring careful positioning. Success in these missions yields alien artifacts for further study and helps secure continued funding from the nations of the world.