X-COM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based tactical video game developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2012. Players take on the role of the commander of the X-COM organization, tasked with defending Earth from an alien invasion. The game combines strategic base management with tactical combat, where players must recruit soldiers, research new technologies, and manage resources. In combat, players control a squad of soldiers in grid-based missions against alien forces. Each soldier can be customized and developed through experience, allowing for diverse strategies. The game is known for its challenging difficulty and permadeath feature, where fallen soldiers are permanently lost.