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  1. Games
  2. Strategy
  3. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Stop the alien invasion in XCOM: Enemy Unknown on iOS

Features
By Lorenzo Veloria published 30 May 2013

The aliens have gone mobile

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Sectoids, Mutons, and Outsider's are coming to invade your iPad in a full version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown for the iOS. 2K is bringing the console experience to iOS devices this summer, and with the new touch screen controls, the tactical strategy title feels surprisingly good on a tablet.

The interface generally looks the same as the original game, and translates to the touch screen interface without a hitch. Thanks to the large on-screen buttons, issuing commands at the home base and in battle are exceedingly simple to pull off with the touch of your finger. In combat, your soldiers are moved into position by simply tapping on the grid location you want them to go. A double tap will confirm the action instantly or you can hit the on-screen move button, which keeps you from accidentally running your soldier into the enemy's line of fire. Every other action, like firing and using special abilities, is controlled in the exact same way.

You move the camera with on-screen buttons or by using different touch gestures like pinching two fingers together to zoom, rotating two fingers to swivel your view, or swiping your fingers across the screen to switch enemy targets. All of the gestures and touch-screen commands seem to work well without having to compromise on the gameplay. Plus, the game looks fantastic on the iPad. The only concession the developers made is that the game will feature less combat maps than the original console/PC title. But considering the number of environments in the original game, the omission of a few random maps will hardly be missed.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
The gameplay feels the same as the original

The gameplay feels the same as the original

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
The visuals are impressive on the iPad's high-def screen

The visuals are impressive on the iPad's high-def screen

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Customizing your character is as easy as touching a button

Customizing your character is as easy as touching a button

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Touch controls keep navigation plain and simple

Touch controls keep navigation plain and simple

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
CATEGORIES
iPad iPhone Platforms Mobile Gaming
Lorenzo Veloria
Lorenzo Veloria
Social Links Navigation

Many years ago, Lorenzo Veloria was a Senior Editor here at GamesRadar+ helping to shape content strategy. Since then, Lorenzo has shifted his attention to Future Plc's broader video game portfolio, working as a Senior Brand Marketing Manager to oversee the development of advertising pitches and marketing strategies for the department. He might not have all that much time to write about games anymore, but he's still focused on making sure the latest and greatest end up in front of your eyes one way or another.

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