Premium action-strategy game
Aliens: Dark Descent is a paid action game based on the beloved sci-fi film franchise. This game from Focus Entertainment departs from the usual survival horror of its predecessors and instead adopts a gameplay approach more focused on real-time strategy and action. You get to control a squad of Colonial Marines sent to stop a Xenomorph outbreak in this single-player game.
Aliens: Dark Descent features improved graphics that focus on the massive scale of its environment, plus squad-based strategy gameplay. Essentially, the game feels like a modern reimagining of games like Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich or Wasteland 3.
Stop a Xenomorph invasion
The premise for Aliens: Dark Descent doesn’t directly tie into other titles under the Alien franchise. Still, it does feature a lot of elements that make it right at home and still recognizable by the fans. In this game, you lead a squad of battle-hardened Colonial Marines. You are sent to stop Xenomorphs, the iconic alien race, from taking over Moon Lethe.
However, they are not the only enemies as you also get to face rogue operatives as well as other alien races — all of them having distinct visual designs. In terms of gameplay, you can customize your squad to fit your play style. Enlist different character classes and equip them with various weapons. Be careful, though, as it has a permadeath feature included; units who die on the battlefield die permanently.
The game features a base-building mechanic, where you get to hire units and research new techs. It also requires you to keep an open eye as there are environmental hazards and secret paths and caches that can help you in your quest. As a squad-based game, it feels like it missed out on a multiplayer mode. Imagine going on missions with other players on a cooperative run.
Every decision made counts
What sets this thrilling strategy game from its peers is its extremely immersive atmosphere and premise. Some parts of the maps and enemies are also concealed from the naked view through the fog of war mechanics, forcing players to think twice or thrice about every single move. All movements across the map must be well thought out, as each step may lead the team into an ambush by the Xenomorphs.
Resources and supplies must be managed carefully too, as the player leads their squad toward escape. With the threat of permadeath and the lurking Xenomorph around the corner, each session is definitely geared to be exciting. Furthermore, there is also a slowdown feature that puts the squad into inescapable situations and forces the player to make crucial decisions on the spot. However, it is not all about being a tough game — players can modify accessibility options and lower the difficulty settings to a level with which they are comfortable.
A refreshing addition to the franchise
Overall, Aliens: Dark Descent is a welcome addition to the growing Aliens portfolio. By allowing you to take a more aggressive stance instead of the usual fear and stealth-based gameplay, you experience Xenomorph encounters differently. Additionally, it has a lot of gameplay features that keep it challenging, most notably the permadeath involved. It doesn’t have a co-op mode yet, but it’s still a recommended entry to the franchise.
