X-Com: UFO Defense - A Guide to Downloading and Playing the Original Game on Windows 10
How to Download and Play X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10
X-Com: UFO Defense is a classic turn-based strategy game that was released in 1994. It is also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe and Australia. In this game, you are in control of X-Com, an organization formed by the world's governments to fight the ever-increasing alien menace. You must command deadly close-combat battles, research and manufacture alien technologies, and develop a strategy to save the Earth.
But how can you play this old game on your modern Windows 10 PC? There are two main methods that you can use: using DOSBox or using OpenXcom. In this article, we will explain what these methods are, how to install and configure them, and how to run X-Com: UFO Defense with them. Let's get started!
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Method 1: Using DOSBox
What is DOSBox?
DOSBox is a free and open-source emulator that allows you to run DOS games and applications on your Windows 10 PC. It simulates the hardware and software environment of a DOS computer, so you can play games that were designed for this operating system. DOSBox is compatible with many DOS games, including X-Com: UFO Defense.
How to install and configure DOSBox
To use DOSBox, you will need the following:
A vanilla version of the original X-Com: UFO Defense game (any edition) with the latest patch. You can buy it from one of these retailers.
The latest version of DOSBox. You can download it from here.
After you have downloaded and installed DOSBox, you will need to configure it to run X-Com: UFO Defense. Here are the steps:
Create a folder on your hard drive where you want to store your DOS games. For example, C:\DOSGames.
Copy the X-Com: UFO Defense game files from your original CD or digital download to this folder.
Open the DOSBox configuration file (dosbox.conf) with a text editor. You can find it in the Start Menu under DOSBox or in the installation folder of DOSBox.
Scroll down to the [autoexec] section at the end of the file. This is where you can enter commands that will be executed automatically when you start DOSBox.
Add the following lines:
MOUNT C C:\DOSGames C: CD UFO UFO
Save and close the file.
How to run X-Com: UFO Defense with DOSBox
To run X-Com: UFO Defense with DOSBox, simply double-click on the DOSBox icon on your desktop or in the Start Menu. This will launch DOSBox and execute the commands that you entered in the configuration file. You should see something like this:
You are now ready to play X-Com: UFO Defense on your Windows 10 PC!
Method 2: Using OpenXcom
What is OpenXcom?
OpenXcom is a free and open-source remake of X-Com: UFO Defense that runs directly on Windows 10 (and other platforms). It fixes many bugs that plagued the original game How to install and configure OpenXcom
To use OpenXcom, you will need the following:
A vanilla version of the original X-Com: UFO Defense game (any edition) with the latest patch. You can buy it from one of these retailers.
The latest version of OpenXcom. You can download it from here.
After you have downloaded and installed OpenXcom, you will need to configure it to run X-Com: UFO Defense. Here are the steps:
Open the OpenXcom folder and create a subfolder named UFO.
Copy the X-Com: UFO Defense game files from your original CD or digital download to this subfolder.
Run the OpenXcom executable file. It will automatically detect your game files and create a user folder in your Documents folder.
Go to the Options menu and adjust the settings to your preference. You can change the resolution, language, sound, mods, and more.
How to run X-Com: UFO Defense with OpenXcom
To run X-Com: UFO Defense with OpenXcom, simply click on the Play button on the main menu. You can choose between UFO Defense and Terror from the Deep (if you have both games installed). You can also start a new game, load a saved game, or watch a demo.
How to play X-Com: UFO Defense / UFO: Enemy Unknown on Windows 11
X-Com: UFO Defense Steam version review and tips
OpenXcom: the best source port for X-Com: UFO Defense
X-Com: UFO Defense vs XCOM: Enemy Unknown - which one is better?
Where to buy X-Com: UFO Defense / UFO: Enemy Unknown for cheap
How to install and run X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10 with DOSBox
X-Com: UFO Defense mods and fan-made campaigns
How to fix common bugs and issues in X-Com: UFO Defense
X-Com: UFO Defense strategy guide and walkthrough
How to play X-Com: UFO Defense multiplayer online
How to use custom audio and music in X-Com: UFO Defense with OpenXcom
The history and development of X-Com: UFO Defense / UFO: Enemy Unknown
How to transfer your save files from X-Com: UFO Defense to OpenXcom
The best graphics and sound settings for X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10
How to create your own maps and missions for X-Com: UFO Defense with OpenXcom
The best weapons and equipment for your soldiers in X-Com: UFO Defense
How to research and manufacture alien technologies in X-Com: UFO Defense
How to manage your base and finances in X-Com: UFO Defense
The best tactics and formations for your squad in X-Com: UFO Defense
How to deal with different types of aliens and UFOs in X-Com: UFO Defense
You are now ready to play X-Com: UFO Defense on your Windows 10 PC with improved features and bug fixes!
Conclusion
Summary of the article
In this article, we have shown you how to download and play X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10 using two methods: using DOSBox or using OpenXcom. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that suits you best. DOSBox is a DOS emulator that allows you to run the original game as it was designed, but it may require some configuration and tweaking. OpenXcom is a remake of the game that runs natively on Windows 10 and offers many enhancements and fixes, but it may not be faithful to the original experience.
Recommendations and tips
Here are some recommendations and tips for playing X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10:
If you want to play the game with mods, we recommend using OpenXcom as it has better mod support and compatibility than DOSBox.
If you want to play the game with high-resolution graphics, we recommend using OpenXcom as it has a built-in option to scale up the graphics without losing quality.
If you want to play the game with mouse scrolling, we recommend using OpenXcom as it has a built-in option to enable mouse scrolling in any direction.
If you want to play the game with keyboard shortcuts, we recommend using DOSBox as it has better keyboard support than OpenXcom.
If you encounter any problems or errors while playing the game, we recommend checking the official websites of DOSBox and OpenXcom for troubleshooting guides and forums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10 without DOSBox or OpenXcom?
A: Yes, you can try using compatibility mode or other tools like DxWnd or dgVoodoo2, but they may not work well or at all. We recommend using DOSBox or OpenXcom for better performance and stability.
Q: Can I play X-Com: UFO Defense on other platforms like Linux or Android?
A: Yes, both DOSBox and OpenXcom have versions for other platforms like Linux, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, and more. You can find them on their official websites .
Q: Can I play X-Com: Terror from the Deep on Windows 10 using the same methods?
A: Yes, both DOSBox and OpenXcom support X-Com: Terror from the Deep as well as X-Com: UFO Defense. You just need to copy the game files to a different subfolder (e.g. TFTD) and select the appropriate game when launching DOSBox or OpenXcom.
Q: Where can I find more information and resources about X-Com: UFO Defense?
A: There are many websites and forums dedicated to X-Com: UFO Defense and its sequels, such as UFOpaedia, StrategyCore, and XCOMUFO. You can find guides, tips, mods, fan art, and more on these sites.
Q: How can I support the development of DOSBox and OpenXcom?
A: Both DOSBox and OpenXcom are free and open-source projects that rely on donations and contributions from the community. You can support them by donating money, reporting bugs, suggesting features, or creating mods. You can find more information on how to do so on their official websites .
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned how to download and play X-Com: UFO Defense on Windows 10. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!