Game Overview
A tense alternate-history Cold War becomes humanity’s last line of defence when alien craft begin crossing the skies. Xenonauts puts you in command of an international military agency that must contain the invasion before panic, destruction, and collapsing government support end the war before it truly begins. Its mood is deliberately hard-edged and methodical: victories feel earned, losses hurt, and every casualty can leave a lasting mark on your campaign.
Command begins on the global map, where you place bases, manage radar coverage, launch interceptors, and decide which emergencies deserve your limited resources. Downed UFOs lead to turn-based tactical missions built around action points, line of sight, cover, breaching buildings, and carefully coordinated squads; a careless advance can cost an experienced soldier permanently. Captured aliens, weapons, and wreckage feed an extensive research programme, unlocking better armour, aircraft, vehicles, and tools while revealing what the invaders are planning. Soldiers gain experience and specialise in battlefield roles, but the campaign constantly forces difficult choices between protecting regions, pursuing technology, and rebuilding after disasters.
Rather than simplifying the old formula, Xenonauts leans into the demanding strategic detail that defined the original 1990s X-COM games. Its grounded visual style, destructible environments, varied alien threats, and air-combat layer make it feel more like a military simulation than a cinematic power fantasy, while the clean interface prevents much of the management from becoming tedious. Campaigns remain highly replayable because base placement, research priorities, soldier survival, and UFO activity reshape every run. Fans of XCOM: UFO Defense, Phoenix Point, or Firaxis’s XCOM who want a slower, harsher, more systems-driven challenge find plenty to enjoy, although newcomers should expect to learn through painful mistakes.
Screenshots
Installation
- Click the green button below to be redirected to UploadHaven.
- Wait 15 seconds, then hit “Free Download.” (Free downloads may be slower — upgrade to UploadHaven Pro for faster speeds.)
- Once downloaded, right-click the .zip file and choose “Extract to Xenonauts.” (You’ll need 7-Zip for this.)
- Open the extracted folder and run the game as administrator.
- Enjoy! 🎮 If you see missing DLL errors, check the _Redist folder inside and install what’s needed.
System Requirements
- OS:Windows 8 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2
- Processor:Intel 2 GHz
- Memory:1 GB RAM
- Graphics:Integrated Graphics
- Hard Drive:3 GB HD space
- Sound:Integrated
- Monitor:1280×720 pixels minimum
Setup Guide & Troubleshooting
How do I fix missing DLL errors for Xenonauts (v1.65w)?
After extracting Xenonauts (v1.65w), navigate to the _Redist or _CommonRedist folder inside the game directory and install DirectX, Vcredist, and any other dependencies included.
What should I do if the downloaded file is corrupted?
The full archive is 2.55 GB — make sure your download completed fully before extracting. Use 7-Zip to extract the files. If you still see a "file corrupted" error, re-download and try again.
Why should I run the game as administrator?
Right-click the game executable and select "Run as Administrator" to avoid save file issues and permission errors. This is especially important on the first launch.
How do I update my GPU drivers for this game?
The game won't launch — what should I try?
Try running in compatibility mode, install the latest DirectX runtime, or install the All-in-One VC Redist Package.
My antivirus is blocking the game — is it safe?
Antivirus false positives are common with pre-installed games. Temporarily pause your antivirus during extraction to prevent it from quarantining game files. You can re-enable it after the extraction completes.