How to Play UFO: Enemy Unknown on DOSBox
Do you love classic strategy games that challenge your tactical skills and strategic thinking? Do you want to experience one of the best games of its genre that has inspired many sequels and spin-offs? Do you want to relive the thrill of defending Earth from an alien invasion with limited resources and high stakes? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should definitely try UFO: Enemy Unknown, also known as X-COM: UFO Defense in North America.
UFO: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based strategy game that was released in 1994 for MS-DOS. It is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made, and has received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and replay value. In this game, you take control of X-COM, a secret organization that is tasked with defending Earth from an extraterrestrial threat. You have to manage your base, research alien technologies, equip your soldiers, and engage in tactical combat missions against various types of aliens.
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However, playing an old DOS game on a modern computer can be tricky. That's where DOSBox comes in. DOSBox is a program that emulates the functions of MS-DOS, including sound, graphics, input, and networking. DOSBox allows you to run old DOS games and applications on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other platforms. With DOSBox, you can enjoy UFO: Enemy Unknown without any compatibility issues or glitches.
In this article, we will show you how to install DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown on your computer, how to configure them for optimal performance, and how to play the game with some tips and tricks. By following these steps, you will be able to experience one of the most immersive and addictive strategy games ever made.
How to Install DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown
The first step is to download DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown from their respective websites. You will need both programs to play the game.
To download DOSBox, go to and click on the Downloads section. Choose the version that matches your operating system (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.) and follow the instructions to install it.
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To download UFO: Enemy Unknown, go to and search for UFO: Enemy Unknown. You will find the game page with a brief description, screenshots, and a download link. Click on the download link and save the file to your computer. The file is a ZIP archive that contains the game files.
Once you have downloaded both programs, you need to install them on your computer. The installation process is simple and straightforward.
To install DOSBox, run the setup file that you downloaded and follow the instructions. You can choose the default settings or customize them according to your preferences. You will also need to create a shortcut for DOSBox on your desktop or start menu for easy access.
To install UFO: Enemy Unknown, you need to extract the ZIP archive that you downloaded to a folder of your choice. You can use any program that can handle ZIP files, such as WinZip, WinRAR, or 7-Zip. You can name the folder anything you want, but we recommend something simple and descriptive, such as "UFO". This folder will be your game folder, where all the game files are stored.
The next step is to mount your game folder as a virtual drive in DOSBox. This will allow DOSBox to access the game files and run the game. To do this, you need to edit the DOSBox configuration file, which is called "dosbox.conf". You can find this file in the folder where you installed DOSBox, or in your user folder under "Documents\DOSBox".
Open the dosbox.conf file with a text editor, such as Notepad. Scroll down to the end of the file and look for the line that says "[autoexec]". This is where you can add commands that will be executed automatically when DOSBox starts.
Add the following command below the "[autoexec]" line: mount c c:\ufo. This command tells DOSBox to mount your game folder (c:\ufo) as drive C in DOSBox. If you named your game folder differently, change the command accordingly.
Save and close the dosbox.conf file. Now you are ready to run DOSBox and play UFO: Enemy Unknown.
How to Configure DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown
Before you start playing UFO: Enemy Unknown, you may want to adjust some settings in DOSBox and in the game itself to improve your gaming experience. Here are some of the most important settings that you can tweak:
Video Settings
The video settings affect how the game looks on your screen. You can change the resolution, scaling, filtering, and fullscreen mode of DOSBox.
To change the resolution of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "windowresolution=original". Change "original" to any resolution that you prefer, such as "800x600" or "1024x768". Save and close the file.
To change the scaling of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "output=surface". Change "surface" to any scaling method that you prefer, such as "overlay", "opengl", or "openglnb". Save and close the file.
To change the filtering of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "scaler=normal2x". Change "normal2x" to any filtering method that you prefer, such as "hq2x", "advinterp2x", or "none". Save and close the file.
To switch between windowed mode and fullscreen mode in DOSBox, press ALT+ENTER on your keyboard. You can also edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "fullscreen=false". Change "false" to "true" if you want DOSBox to start in fullscreen mode by default. Save and close the file.
Sound Settings
The sound settings affect how the game sounds on your speakers or headphones. You can change the volume, mixer, and sound card emulation of DOSBox.
To change the volume of DOSBox, press CTRL+F11 or CTRL+F12 on your keyboard to decrease or increase the volume respectively. You can also edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "mixer --listmidi". Change the values after "=" to any number between 0 and 100 that you prefer. Save and close the file.
To change the mixer of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "mixer --listmidi". Change the values after "=" to any number between 0 and 100 that you prefer. Save and close the file.
To change the sound card emulation of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "sbtype=sb16". Change "sb16" to any sound card type that you prefer, such as "sbpro1", "sbpro2", or "none". Save and close the file.
Keyboard Settings
The keyboard settings affect how the game controls on your keyboard. You can change the key mapping, layout, and sensitivity of DOSBox.
To change the key mapping of DOSBox, press CTRL+F1 on your keyboard to open the key mapper. You can drag and drop the keys on the screen to assign them to different functions. You can also save and load your custom key mapping profiles. Press ESC to exit the key mapper.
To change the keyboard layout of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "keyboardlayout=auto". Change "auto" to any keyboard layout that you prefer, such as "us", "uk", or "fr". Save and close the file.
To change the keyboard sensitivity of DOSBox, edit the dosbox.conf file and look for the line that says "sensitivity=100". Change "100" to any number between 1 and 1000 that you prefer. Save and close the file.
After you have configured DOSBox to your liking, you can run UFO: Enemy Unknown and access the main menu. To do this, follow these steps:
Double-click on the DOSBox shortcut on your desktop or start menu to launch DOSBox.
At the DOS prompt, type c: and press ENTER to switch to drive C.
Type cd ufo and press ENTER to change to the game folder. If you named your game folder differently, change the command accordingly.
Type ufo and press ENTER to run the game. You will see a splash screen with the game title and a loading bar.
After a few seconds, you will see the main menu with four options: New Game, Load Game, Intro, and Quit. Use the arrow keys and ENTER to select an option.
How to Play UFO: Enemy Unknown
Now that you have installed and configured DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown, you are ready to play the game. In this section, we will give you a brief overview of the game mechanics and objectives, as well as some tips and tricks for playing effectively.
Game Mechanics and Objectives
UFO: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based strategy game that consists of two main modes: Geoscape and Battlescape. In Geoscape mode, you manage your base, research alien technologies, equip your soldiers, and monitor global activity. In Battlescape mode, you engage in tactical combat missions against various types of aliens.
The game has four difficulty levels: Beginner, Experienced, Veteran, and Genius. The difficulty level affects various aspects of the game, such as enemy strength, funding, research time, etc. You can choose your difficulty level at the start of a new game.
The game has two main objectives: to defend Earth from an alien invasion and to discover the origin and purpose of the aliens. To achieve these objectives, you have to perform several tasks, such as:
Build and expand your base with various facilities, such as hangars, laboratories, workshops, living quarters, etc.
Hire and train your soldiers with various skills, such as firing accuracy, reactions, bravery, etc.
Research alien technologies and artifacts with your scientists to unlock new weapons, armor, vehicles, etc.
Manufacture equipment and items with your engineers to equip your soldiers and vehicles.
Purchase and sell equipment and items with various countries and organizations to generate income and improve relations.
Intercept and shoot down UFOs with your interceptors or fighter craft.
Deploy your transport craft or dropship with your soldiers and vehicles to investigate UFO crash sites or landed UFOs.Engage in tactical combat missions against various types of aliens in different terrains and environments.
Capture and interrogate live aliens with your stun weapons and containment facilities.
Locate and assault the alien base on Earth and the alien base on Mars.
The game is not linear, and you can choose how to approach each task. However, you have to balance your resources, time, and morale, as well as deal with the consequences of your actions. For example, if you ignore UFO sightings or fail to protect a country from alien attacks, you may lose funding or support from that country. If you lose too many soldiers or vehicles in combat, you may have to recruit or manufacture new ones. If you fail to research or manufacture certain items, you may miss out on some advantages or opportunities.
The game is also dynamic and unpredictable, as the aliens will adapt to your strategies and tactics, and launch different types of attacks and missions. For example, the aliens may try to infiltrate your base, abduct civilians, terrorize cities, sabotage facilities, or mind control your soldiers. You have to be prepared for any situation and respond accordingly.
Tips and Tricks
UFO: Enemy Unknown is a complex and challenging game that requires careful planning, quick thinking, and good luck. Here are some tips and tricks that may help you play the game more effectively:
Managing Your Base
Build multiple bases around the world to cover more regions and increase your detection and interception capabilities.
Build radar facilities and hangars in each base to spot and shoot down UFOs.
Build laboratories and workshops in each base to speed up your research and manufacturing.
Build living quarters and general stores in each base to accommodate your personnel and equipment.
Build missile defenses and laser defenses in each base to protect them from alien attacks.
Transfer items and personnel between bases as needed to optimize your resources.
Rename your bases, soldiers, vehicles, etc. to make them more memorable and personal.
Researching Technologies
Research laser weapons and plasma weapons as soon as possible to improve your firepower.
Research personal armor and power armor as soon as possible to improve your survivability.
Research medikits and motion scanners as soon as possible to improve your support capabilities.
Research alien alloys and elerium-115 as soon as possible to unlock new items and facilities.
Research UFO components and alien corpses as soon as possible to gain more information and resources.
Research live aliens as soon as possible to learn their weaknesses and secrets.
Prioritize the research projects that are most relevant or urgent for your situation.
Equipping Your Soldiers
Equip your soldiers with the best weapons, armor, and items that you have available.
Equip your soldiers according to their roles, skills, and preferences. For example, equip snipers with long-range weapons, scouts with fast weapons, medics with medikits, etc.
Equip your soldiers with different types of weapons and ammo to deal with different types of enemies. For example, equip some soldiers with laser weapons for accuracy, some with plasma weapons for damage, some with stun weapons for capture, etc.
Equip your soldiers with different types of grenades for different situations. For example, equip some soldiers with smoke grenades for cover, some with flashbang grenades for stunning, some with high explosive grenades for destruction, etc.
Distribute your equipment evenly among your soldiers to avoid overloading or underloading them.
Combat Missions
Combat missions are the most exciting and challenging part of the game. You have to lead your squad of soldiers against the alien forces in various terrains and environments. Here are some tips and tricks for combat missions:
Use the map and radar to locate the enemy and plan your moves. You can also use the motion scanner to detect nearby movement.
Use cover and concealment to protect your soldiers from enemy fire. You can use walls, trees, buildings, vehicles, etc. as cover. You can also use smoke grenades to create concealment.
Use flanking and surprise to gain an advantage over the enemy. You can use doors, windows, roofs, tunnels, etc. to flank the enemy. You can also use flashbang grenades to surprise the enemy.
Use teamwork and coordination to maximize your effectiveness. You can use the fireteam system to assign your soldiers to different groups and give them orders. You can also use the communication system to talk to your soldiers and give them commands.
Use caution and patience to avoid unnecessary risks. You can use the time units system to control your soldiers' actions and movements. You can also use the reserve time units option to save some time units for reaction fire or other actions.
Conclusion
UFO: Enemy Unknown is a classic strategy game that will test your skills and imagination. It is a game that you can play for hours and hours, and never get bored or tired of it. It is a game that will make you feel like a real commander of a secret organization that is fighting for the fate of humanity.
If you want to play UFO: Enemy Unknown on your modern computer, you can use DOSBox to run it without any problems. DOSBox is a program that emulates MS-DOS and allows you to play old DOS games and applications on various platforms. With DOSBox, you can install, configure, and play UFO: Enemy Unknown with ease.
If you enjoyed UFO: Enemy Unknown, you may also want to try its rebooted version, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which was released in 2012. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a modernized remake of UFO: Enemy Unknown, with improved graphics, sound, interface, and gameplay. It is also a highly acclaimed game that has received many awards and praises. You can download XCOM: Enemy Unknown from or other online platforms.
We hope that this article has helped you learn how to play UFO: Enemy Unknown on DOSBox, and that you have fun playing this amazing game. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to share them with us in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Q1: What are the differences between UFO: Enemy Unknown and X-COM: UFO Defense?
A1: UFO: Enemy Unknown and X-COM: UFO Defense are the same game with different names. UFO: Enemy Unknown was the original title of the game in Europe, while X-COM: UFO Defense was the title of the game in North America. The only differences between them are some minor spelling and terminology changes.
Q2: What are the system requirements for DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown?
A2: DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown are very lightweight programs that can run on almost any computer. However, here are some recommended system requirements for optimal performance:
ComponentRequirement
Operating SystemWindows XP/Vista/7/8/10 or Mac OS X 10.6 or higher or Linux or other platforms supported by DOSBox
CPUPentium 4 or higher or equivalent
RAM512 MB or higher
Hard Disk Space100 MB or higher
Video CardAny card that supports OpenGL or DirectX
Sound CardAny card that supports Sound Blaster or compatible
KeyboardAny keyboard that supports QWERTY layout or compatible
MouseAny mouse that supports two buttons or compatible
Internet ConnectionOptional for downloading DOSBox and UFO: Enemy Unknown
Q3: How can I play UFO: Enemy Unknown in multiplayer mode?
A3: UFO: Enemy Unknown does not have a native multiplayer mode, but you can use a third-party program called to play it online with other players. UFO2000 is a free and open-source program that allows you to create and join multiplayer matches of UFO: Enemy Unknown, as well as customize your soldiers, weapons, maps, and rules. You can download UFO2000 from its official website and follow the instructions to install and run it.
Q4: How can I mod UFO: Enemy Unknown or use cheats?
A4: UFO: Enemy Unknown has a large and active modding community that has created many mods and patches for the game. Some of the most popular mods are . You can also use cheats in the game by editing the save files or using a hex editor. However, we do not recommend using cheats, as they may ruin the fun and challenge of the game.
Q5: What are some other similar games that I might enjoy?
A5: If you liked UFO: Enemy Unknown, you might also enjoy some of its sequels and spin-offs, such as , which is a turn-based strategy game that involves World War II and sci-fi elements. 44f88ac181