The legendary science fiction franchise Alien has spawned no less than seven sequels, spin-offs, and crossovers, as well as novels and comics. It has also inspired some of the best video game experiences to date.
Perhaps no Alien video game is more celebrated than the survival horror masterpiece Alien: Isolation. The 2014 release is widely recognized as one of the greatest of all time within the genre. Given that the original 1979 film is considered one of the greatest horror films ever, it seems only fitting that it would also have the best game of that kind too.
But the science-fiction franchise hasn’t just inspired great horror games. For fans of the second film, Aliens, the squad-based shooter Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a masterpiece. Now the game certainly has had its flaws and controversies; indeed the game has never been bug-free despite numerous updates and patches. But despite being a AA-game from the small indie studio Cold Iron Studios, the Aliens: Fireteam Elite has a cult-like following. Its attention to detail and loving nods to franchise lore and history make it treasured by its target audience.
Still there have been plenty of misses for the franchise when it comes to video games. Perhaps most famously, Aliens: Colonial Marines bombed when it released in 2013, receiving near-universal criticism for its poorly executed story and terrible Xenomorph AI.
Aliens: Dark Descent is next for the beloved franchise, with a June 20, 2023 release date. Developed by Tindalos Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, the game promises a different kind of gameplay experience while delivering a deep and immersive story. Players will be tasked with commanding a squad of Colonial Marines as they investigate a Xenomorph outbreak on Planet Lethe.
The game’s real time, squad-based tactical combat is unique in that players must manage their squad’s mental health as well as physical health. Players must navigate a myriad of decisions to ensure that their marines don’t develop PTSD and “Xeno-phobia” as a result of the campaign missions.
While tactical real time combat may not be for everyone, the game’s quality looks impressive and represents a chance for yet another high-water mark for the Alien(s) franchise.
Tell us what you think! Will Aliens: Dark Descent be a hit? Share your reactions in the comments below or join in the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord and Facebook.
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I have tempered expectations. Starship Troopers: Terran Command, another single player RTS game taking on a sci-fi film from the same period, was developed by The Artistocrats. A team with an extraordinary amount of experience in the genre. And it’s great! It’s one of the few installments in the franchise that deserves mentioned alongside the first film and the original book.
The Battlefleet Gothic games are great, but Aliens: Dark Descent is a very different kind of strategy game than what Tindalos Interactive has developed in the past. I hope they knock it out of the park. Previous RTS games connected to Alien have had a lot of promise, and they could deliver on that promise. I hope it’s great!