Die-hard fans of the original Alien film at times prefer its mysterious cosmic-horror lens to the James Cameron “vicious insect” approach; the egg-morphing explanation of Xenomorph reproduction is a terrifying take on body horror, preferred by some over a Queen laying Ovomorphs in a termite-like hive. It is ironic then that Alien: Isolation, an homage to the horror vibes of the original film, has the best iteration of the Xenomorph hive to date when it comes to video games.

Now don’t get me wrong! There are some fantastic adventures through Xenomorph hives in games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite, Alien Trilogy, and Aliens: Infestation (just to name a few). But what those games all have in common is that they are action-shooters, games in which players can live out their childhood dreams of serving in the Colonial Marines and fighting through “another bug hunt.”

Alien: Isolation does what no other game in the franchise does: it immerses players in the genuine horror of the Xenomorph nest.

The developers at Creative Assembly and Feral Interactive build a sense of dread within players, forcing them to spend the first half of the game crawling about Sevastopol Station, to step over bodies with holes punched through foreheads and abdomens, to rifle through files and documents containing missing person reports. When players finally see the Xenomorph for the first time, slowly twisting itself down from an air-shaft, the terror is palpable. That it is only one Xenomorph haunting the corridors of Sevastopol gives players just enough hope to keep going.

When players finally descend into the reactor core and see the unmistakable webbing of the Xenomorph hive, it is a jaw-dropping moment. Then the cold dread follows upon the realization that there are in fact many Xenomorphs roaming the station; and that to survive, Amanda Ripley must go into the hive itself.

And this is where the game seals its status as one for the ages. Everything about the hive targets and attacks players’ anxieties. From the suddenly overwhelmed Motion Tracker displaying dozens of pings to the gross-out factor of standing wastewater that floods the floor of the hive, triggering innate fears of infection and disease, this is a place of dread.

Most disturbing is the discovery of Sevastopol’s missing persons, trapped and webbed within the walls of the hive. Family members, community leaders, innocents contorted and frozen in agony are everywhere, even in unexpected places like the maintenance tunnels. Unlike the other games within the franchise, this hive gives players a deeper sense of horror. This isn’t a target practice factory like so many of the action-orientate Aliens games; this is a place of death and despair.

And just when the tension seems to be insurmountable, players get a new adversary. Facehuggers crawl from their eggs and scatter among the twisted webbing, fallen electrical wires, and standing water. These creatures can instantly end Amanda’s story by attaching themselves to her face.

Most Aliens games allow players to struggle and fight off these foes; Alien: Isolation not only threatens players with the true danger of the Facehugger, it throws them in a hive full of them. I know I doomed Amanda to becoming a host several times in my latest playthrough as I was too busy creeping through the hive in my attempts to avoid the drones to even notice the Facehuggers approach.

The hive itself feels visceral, disgusting, and claustrophobic. Amanda must crawl through maintenance tubes and hide behind desks. Every movement calls a drone. Even the save station is without mercy, beeping loudly in the only open space in the core, giving players no choice but to expose themselves if they wish to risk a save.

I certainly enjoy fighting my way through Xenomorph hives in games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite. I absolutely love the intelligence and tactics of the hive in Aliens: Dark Descent. But never have I felt the dread and fear of such a place as I have in Alien: Isolation. So if you’re looking for a way to celebrate on this Alien Day, consider a trip to Sevastopol for old time’s sake. Just don’t expect to make it out alive.

Tell us what you think! Does Alien: Isolation have the best iteration of the Xenomorph hive among all of the Alien video games? Share your reactions in the comments below or join in the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.

Featured Image: SEGA