X-COM: Apocalypse: 6 Open Source Clones Compared
OpenApoc is the actively developed, X-COM: Apocalypse-specific reimplementation here: it requires the original game's files, is written in C++/SDL2, and supports extensive modding including human-readable XML savegame editing. Project: Xenocide, despite being listed as an Apocalypse clone, describes itself in its own readme as a remake of the different X-COM: UFO Defense (a.k.a. UFO: Enemy Unknown), built in C# on MonoGame rather than SDL2, and needs no original assets at all since it's a standalone remake. Xenowar is another standalone, asset-free option distinguished by a custom mod format (.xwdb) with its own mod-building tool, but development on it has halted.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Semi-playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 1d ago
- Stars
- 592
- Contributors
- 55
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires the original X-COM: Apocalypse game files to run.
- Modding support
- YesFull modding capability allowing changes to nearly anything in the game; human-readable savegame editing via XML.
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- OSX, Android, iOS
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- Android, iOS
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 4y ago
- Stars
- 4
- Contributors
- 4
- License
- —
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoThe game is standalone and does not require original X-COM assets.
- Modding support
- YesSupports mod files with .xwdb extension; includes a mod builder tool (ufobuilder.exe) for creating custom graphics mods.
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 2mo ago
- Stars
- 2
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- MIT
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoGame is a standalone remake built from scratch with no dependency on original X-COM assets.
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, OSX, Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
| Title | OpenApoc | Xenowar | Project: Xenocide | UFO2000 | UFO: Alien Invasion | X-Force: Fight For Destiny |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Semi-playable | Playable | Unplayable | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX | OSX, Android, iOS | Windows | Linux, Windows | Linux, OSX, Windows | Windows |
| Play in browser | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | Android, iOS | No | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||||
| Development status | Active | Halted | Active | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 1d ago | 4y ago | 2mo ago | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Stars | 592 | 4 | 2 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 55 | 4 | 1 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| License | GPL-3.0 | — | MIT | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | — | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||||
| Requires original assets | YesRequires the original X-COM: Apocalypse game files to run. | NoThe game is standalone and does not require original X-COM assets. | NoGame is a standalone remake built from scratch with no dependency on original X-COM assets. | — | — | — |
| Modding support | YesFull modding capability allowing changes to nearly anything in the game; human-readable savegame editing via XML. | YesSupports mod files with .xwdb extension; includes a mod builder tool (ufobuilder.exe) for creating custom graphics mods. | — | — | — | — |
| Preview | | | | | |
Known limitations
- features: Aeroscape (air combat) is only partially implemented.
Frequently asked questions
Are the X-COM: Apocalypse clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these X-COM: Apocalypse clones use?
OpenApoc (GPL-3.0); Project: Xenocide (MIT).
Do I need to own the original X-COM: Apocalypse to play these clones?
Xenowar and Project: Xenocide run standalone, no original files needed; OpenApoc requires original game assets to play.
Which X-COM: Apocalypse clone is the most actively maintained?
OpenApoc and Project: Xenocide are currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to X-COM: Apocalypse.