ive played 1,2, and also 3. x-com 3 is one of the most interesting games ive played (but ive never finished it because it was waaayy long game) the one thing that differs from the first two is that you can also play in REAL TIME (turn based is optional) and there is a whole new different strategy. the only different thing about this is that your in a city and not the whole world.
WARNING: dont buy x-com 4 it sucks!! (because its not even an xcom game) they changed it to a flight simulartor game ... stupid game developers