Games to Play If You Like Independence Day

The 4th of July is coming, and at Tech Lurker we asked ourselves: what games match the Independence Day vibe? If you're into alien invasions, epic moments, and saving the planet at the last second this list is for you. No fluff. Just action, chaos, and humanity on the edge.

Let's get into it.

XCOM

XCOM (originally known as X-COM) is a storied sci-fi strategy franchise about an elite international organization tasked with defending Earth from alien invasions. Players assume the role of XCOM’s commander, leading a clandestine global task force to counter extraterrestrial foes that often wield overwhelming technological superiority. The setting is tense and high-stakes, as alien attacks escalate worldwide, the games explore themes of desperation, sacrifice, and human resilience under pressure. First launched in 1994 and successfully rebooted in 2012, the series has endured for decades while keeping its core premise of humanity’s last stand against an unknown alien threat both engaging and relevant.



The gameplay is best known for its blend of turn-based tactical combat and strategic base-management. Combat missions involve commanding a squad of soldiers in grid-based battles where cover, line-of-sight, and flanking maneuvers are crucial, requiring meticulous planning to overcome an enemy that usually outnumbers you. Between missions, players manage XCOM’s headquarters: researching recovered alien technology, expanding facilities, managing finances, and responding to new alien activity around the globe. This gameplay formula is uniquely compelling for its unforgiving tension.

While XCOM: Enemy Unknown revitalized the franchise in 2012, it’s XCOM 2: War of the Chosen (2017) that stands as the most critically acclaimed entry to date. Widely praised for its depth, replayability, and bold improvements over the base game, War of the Chosen holds high Metacritic scores (PC: 88) and is often described as the definitive XCOM experience.

XCOM recommended products

Games

XCOM 2 Collection

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Games

XCOM 2 Collection - PlayStation 4

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Books

XCOM 2: Resurrection

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Halo

Halo tells the story of Master Chief, a supersoldier fighting to save humanity from an alien alliance known as the Covenant. Set in a rich sci-fi universe filled with ancient secrets and epic battles, the series explores large-scale war, artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity across multiple planets and galaxies



First-person shooter at its core, Halo combines fast-paced combat with sci-fi weaponry, vehicular warfare, and cinematic storytelling. It offers a mix of solo campaigns and competitive multiplayer modes, making it one of the most influential FPS franchises ever. The tone is heroic, serious, and packed with high-stakes moments, perfect for fans of alien invasions and last-stand military stories.

While Halo: Combat Evolved started it all, Halo 3 is often seen as the peak of the franchise by both critics and fans. It wrapped up the original trilogy with stunning set pieces, polished multiplayer, and a memorable campaign. If you’re into games that feel like blockbuster sci-fi films with emotional stakes, Halo 3 (or The Master Chief Collection for the full saga) is the go-to pick.

Halo recommended products

Games

Microsoft Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Xbox One

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Games

Halo Infinite – Xbox Series X, Xbox One

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Stands

Exquisite Gaming: Halo: Master Chief - Mobile Phone & Gaming Controlle...

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Helmets

Master Chief Deluxe Helmet with Stand- Helmet with LED Lights on Each ...

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Lamps

Ukonic Halo Light-Up Covenant Energy Sword Collectible Desktop Lamp Wi...

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Toys

MEGA Halo Model Replica Building Toy, 343 Guilty Spark with 609 Pieces...

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Gears of War

In Gears of War, Earth-like planet Sera has fallen into chaos after a subterranean alien species, the Locust Horde, emerges to wipe out humanity. You play as Marcus Fenix, a hardened soldier fighting alongside his squad in a desperate struggle to survive. It’s a brutal war story, packed with personal sacrifice, military camaraderie, and nonstop alien carnage.



This third-person cover shooter revolutionized the genre with its weighty, cinematic combat. Gears blends tactical movement, over-the-top firepower, and gruesome enemies in gritty urban battlefields. The tone is darker than most alien invasion games, more Black Hawk Down than Star Wars, but still full of explosive action and large-scale destruction that mirrors the chaos of Independence Day.

Gears of War 2 is often hailed as the high point of the franchise, praised for its emotional story beats, refined gameplay, and memorable set pieces—like sinking cities and battles inside living creatures. It captures that same "humanity on the brink" vibe as Independence Day**, only grittier and more grounded. **Plus, the “emergence day” in Gears lore is a direct parallel to July 4th chaos, making it a perfect thematic fit**.

Did You Know?
The original Gears was one of the first Xbox 360 games to fully push Unreal Engine 3’s capabilities, setting new standards for gore, physics, and realism. It also helped define Xbox's identity as the "shooter" console for years.

Gears of War recommended products

Games

Gears of War: Reloaded – PlayStation® 5

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Games

Gears 5: Standard Edition – Xbox One

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Throws

Just Funky Gears of Wars Fleece Blanket | Licensed Gears of War Mercha...

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ACE COMBAT

Ace Combat is a long-running aerial combat franchise that places you in the cockpit of advanced fighter jets as a military pilot fighting to protect your homeland from overwhelming threats. While the enemies are usually other nations or rogue factions, the sheer scale of the missions often involving giant airborne weapons, satellite lasers, and superweapons, feels straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster.



At its core, Ace Combat is an arcade-style flight simulator with cinematic flair. You’ll pull off high-G maneuvers, engage in massive dogfights, and execute precision strikes against impossible odds. The mix of realism and fantasy tech creates the perfect middle ground between authenticity and pure spectacle. It’s that exact energy that mirrors Independence Day, you're the underdog pilot facing an unstoppable threat from the skies.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is widely considered the best modern entry in the series. It was praised for its gorgeous visuals, intense missions, and surprising narrative depth. It puts you front and center in battles that feel like saving the planet, especially with its thunderous soundtrack and overwhelming odds. If the President’s speech from Independence Day gave you chills, this game gives you the joystick to follow through.

Ace Combat recommended products

Games

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (PS4)

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Games

ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition - Compatible for NSW - UK P...

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Aircraft

1/72 Scale for F14D F14 VF11 Tomcat ACE Combat Aircraft Fighter Die-ca...

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Helldivers

Helldivers throws you and your squad into brutal intergalactic warfare as elite soldiers fighting to protect “Super Earth” from alien threats. The tone is satirical but the action is real. You’ll drop into hostile planets, complete high-risk objectives and try not to die (or accidentally kill your teammates) in the process.



It’s a top-down twin-stick shooter with online co-op at its heart. Precision, teamwork and chaos are constant. Friendly fire is always on, which makes coordination crucial and often hilarious. Every mission feels like a desperate last stand, just like the iconic alien battles in Independence Day. It’s war, but with personality.

Helldivers 2 took the formula to the next level. With third-person action, better visuals and deeper systems, it became a massive hit in 2024. It earned praise for its addictive combat, community, driven war effort and satirical tone that felt both absurd and strangely patriotic. If you ever wanted to yell “FOR DEMOCRACY!” while launching a hellpod into a bug nest, this is your game.

Did You Know?
The game’s galaxy map evolves based on real-time player progress globally. When players push back an alien race, it’s a shared victory. That massive-scale, united effort captures the exact spirit of Independence Day.

Helldivers recommended products

Games

Helldivers 2 - PlayStation 5

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Soundtracks

Helldivers 2 Original Game Soundtrack

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Aircraft

Sony PlayStation Game Sweet Liberty My Leg T-Shirt

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Final Thoughts

For us at Tech Lurker, Gears of War captures the Independence Day feeling better than any other game. Its raw intensity, desperate battles and alien invasion narrative align perfectly with the film’s most iconic moments. That said, every title on this list brings its own version of high-stakes chaos and heroism. So this 4th of July, grab your controller and jump into the fight.

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