Introduction – Make Your Way To XCOM
The inspiration for this article came from a conversation I was having with a friend who loves turn-based RPGs, but didn’t knew where he could start getting into more traditional turn-based strategy games, and he said something that left me a bit surprised, on how complicated most of these games seem, and he didn’t knew how to start playing, without feeling frustrated, and his goal was to eventually be able to play XCOM. We discussed several games that could be great middle grounds before tackling the 40-hour campaign of that modern classic.
With that in mind, I have decided to rank 7 games, by order of how you can play them, and why each is a cool teaching tool on your ramp to take on XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and XCOM 2, and eventually, a lot of other more complex turn-based strategy games.
9 Kings – Learning How To Build A Base
9 Kings is a perfect entry game for players looking for a turn-based strategy, because it focuses exclusively on creating combos within a limited number of squares, using cards, to optimize space to the fullest extent. The game removes the tactical aspect of the equation by replacing it with an auto-battler system, letting you focus exclusively on building up your base and honing your skills on that. Since XCOM does feature a base-management mechanic where you need to make the most out of a limited space to build, this is a perfect starting point for commanders who must learn the ropes first.
FTL: Faster Than Light – Squad Management Under Pressure
After mastering the basics of construction, it’s time to learn how to manage your team under pressure, and I have the perfect training ground for that, with the 2012 indie classic FTL: Faster Than Light. While the game’s battle happens in real-time, the basics of command are still the same: it’s all about learning how to prioritize tasks, using a very limited number of units. FTL’s frantic, high-stakes combat will teach you how to assign each of your crewmembers to stations to increase their effectiveness, but also when to divert them to take emergency action to fix urgent issues like a hull breach, a broken aid station, or a missile control bay. It will also teach players how to prioritize targets and deal with permanent losses.
Civilization VI – Playing The Long Game
XCOM isn’t just about turn-based combat and missing 90% shots from close range. No, no. It’s also about playing the long game, and if there’s a great entry-level game to teach long-term thinking and planning, it has to be a Civilization game, in my opinion, the most approachable in 2026 being Civilization VI. Playthroughs of Civ IV will have to consider long-term planning, research prioritization, force building, and how and where to expand, making the most of the limited resources available, and often players will be thinking several turns ahead, which is a fantastic basis to tackle XCOM, but especially XCOM 2, a game where the strategic aspect has a much greater emphasis. It’s also fantastic if you want to dive into the infamous Long War mod.
