PCGame

Xenonauts

Turn-based alien defense strategy with squad combat and global management

Goldhawk Interactive · Released Jun 16, 2014

IndieSimulationStrategy

Reviews
Very Positive
86% of 3,958
Recent reviews
Mixed
69% of 13 in 30 days
Players
22
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
2 years ago
Nov 21, 2023
Minimum PC
Integrated
1 GB RAM · 3 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 77/100 (critic reviews)

What is Xenonauts?

In this single-player strategy game, you command a multinational force defending Cold War-era Earth from an alien invasion. You send persistent squads into turn-based missions to fight aliens and recover technology, while managing funding, interceptors, bases, and research between battles.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy planning turn-based fights with persistent squads
  • +you like juggling aircraft defense, research, and limited funds

Not for you if...

  • −you want a forgiving campaign with few setbacks
  • −you prefer tactics without global resource management

What players say

86% of 3,958 reviews are positive · 69% of 13 in the last 30 days

Players praise its faithful take on classic X-COM and the freedom to approach fights in different ways. They complain about repetitive UFO assaults, frustrating cover and line-of-sight behavior, and combat balance; some also report crashes and bugs that block progress.

Players over time

▼ -33% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 47 players on Oct 11, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202622
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Nov 5, 202622
Nov 4, 202619
Nov 3, 202627
Nov 2, 202632
Nov 1, 202618
Oct 31, 202621
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Oct 22, 202636
Oct 21, 202632
Oct 20, 202631
Oct 19, 202639
Oct 18, 202635
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Oct 15, 202643
Oct 14, 202635
Oct 13, 202643
Oct 12, 202641
Oct 11, 202647
Oct 10, 202618
Oct 9, 202636
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Oct 7, 202635
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Oct 5, 202640
Oct 4, 202631
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Oct 1, 202623
Sep 30, 202622
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Sep 26, 202630
Sep 25, 202628
Sep 24, 202631
Sep 23, 202625
Sep 23, 202636
Sep 22, 202626
Sep 21, 202628

Screenshots and trailer

Xenonauts screenshot 1

Xenonauts system requirements

Minimum: Integrated, 1 GB RAM, 3 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Xenonauts?

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Minimum

OS
Windows 8 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2
Processor
Intel 2 GHz
Graphics
Integrated Graphics
Memory
1 GB RAM
Storage
3 GB HD space

Recommended

Graphics
512 MB DirectX 9.0c Compliant Video Card
Memory
2 GB RAM
Storage
Solid State Hard Drive

Does Xenonauts have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Xenonauts run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Steam features
Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Full audio: English.

Does Xenonauts use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

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