40 Best iOS Games Of All Time

5. XCOM: Enemy Within

Release date: November 13, 2014

Developer: Firaxis Games

Publisher: 2K

If aliens really invaded the Earth, many science fiction movies speculate that all the nations of the world would set their differences aside, sing “Kumbaya” and get right down to business fighting back — together. In reality, while we do tend to unite in the face of an external threat, it probably wouldn’t be anywhere near as simple.

XCOM: Enemy Within knows this. So now instead of only dealing with technologically advanced extraterrestrials, you have to handle a rogue human organization as well, one that’s hoping to rule the world after the aliens are defeated. To win the war on both fronts, you might have to go to ends you hadn’t considered in the first game, like genetically enhancing soldiers with alien parts or turning them into cyborgs that are more man than machine.

And that’s just the story! Gameplay got a nice boost from Enemy Unknown as well, with new alien units to confront, more weapons for XCOM and new missions as well (plus Base Defense, which is more of a “new old” deal to longtime fans of the franchise. Once again, it shined on touchscreens, becoming one of the very best games you could get for your iPad.

That makes it all the more tragic that XCOM 2 supposedly isn’t being developed for mobile. Excuse me while I go off in the corner and cry a little.

Next: World of Goo HD