June 21st 2023.
Aliens: Dark Descent – this time it's war! The latest Aliens game, Alien Isolation, takes its inspiration from XCOM and has made an impressive impact on the gaming world.
When the game released broken, many assumed that the publisher was aware of the issues but chose to push it out anyway. The PC version of Aliens: Dark Descent was the only version sent for review before launch and it was in a terrible state. We only received a PlayStation 5 copy later, and while we have not had enough time with it to judge the whole game, it seems to be less bug-ridden than the PC version.
Like any long-running movie franchise, there have been good and bad Alien video games, but nothing that could be considered definitive. The idea of an XCOM style strategy game is a refreshing new approach. Strategy games can be surprisingly tense and frightening, as anyone who has experienced a mission in XCOM can attest. Dark Descent is not a clone of XCOM, but it is obvious where the idea for the game has come from.
Dark Descent is an innovative strategy game, as it is not turn-based and runs in real-time. It has something in common with squad-based shooters like Full Spectrum Warrior, as you are controlling the team as a whole. The plot is not particularly original, but it is less predictable than usual. The dialogue and voice-acting is not of the highest quality, but it is better than one would expect.
Dark Descent has a lot in common with Alien Isolation, which is the best of the modern tie-ins. It plays up to the horror roots of the franchise, as you are better off trying to sneak around and hide than engaging in mindless shooting. Cover is important, as you are using it to stay out of sight of the aliens. When spotted, you have a short window to take them down before alerting the rest of the hive.
The developer, Tindalos Interactive, has done an excellent job in terms of not only creating a unique style of strategy hybrid but adapting so many elements of the original movie. The references are not cheap nostalgia bait but an intrinsic part of the gameplay. The graphics are surprisingly good, as they mimic the physical appearance, lighting techniques, and colour palette from the movie.
The game feels similar to the movie in terms of pacing and the slow build-up. There is an XCOM style strategy layer back at your crashed spaceship, where you heal and train new soldiers, research technologies and alien creatures. The interface is a bit fussy and unintuitive, but it is a welcome palette cleanser between missions.
Unfortunately, there are still some bugs present in Dark Descent, such as mission objectives not triggering and safe rooms not reducing stress. Fortunately, the console version seems to suffer little or no bugs. We cannot speak for the PC version, but it is a familiar situation.
All in all, Aliens: Dark Descent is a unique and innovative strategy game that captures the essence of the movie, while also incorporating modern elements. It is an enjoyable and tense experience that fans of the Alien franchise will love.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a game that takes its inspiration from XCOM, and it is an impressively original game that stands out on its own. At launch, the PC version of the game was in a terrible state, and it was assumed that the publisher knew of this, but released the game anyway. However, the PlayStation 5 version which was only received Tuesday morning seems to be far less bug-ridden.
Dark Descent is a unique and innovative strategy game, as it is not turn-based and runs in real-time. It does also have some similarities to old squad-based shooters like Full Spectrum Warrior. In terms of plot, the game is less predictable than usual, as you face not only evil corporations but also misguided cultists. The dialogue and voice-acting isn't top draw, but it is better than expected.
Dark Descent also has many similarities with Alien Isolation. It is tense and plays up to the horror roots of the franchise. While most Aliens adaptations become mindless shooters, this game realises that this is what got all the marines killed in the movie. As such, you are encouraged to sneak around and hide, and only use short, controlled bursts when you have to. Cover is important, as it is used to stay out of sight of the aliens, who will attack you when they sense you.
The game does a great job at recreating the cinematic world, as it mimics the physical appearance and lighting techniques and colour palette from the movie. The pacing and the slow build-up also feel just like the movie, and all the references are not cheap nostalgia bait but an intrinsic part of the gameplay.
The graphical quality of the game is surprisingly good, despite the game having to work within certain means. The interface for the back at your crashed spaceship is a bit fussy and unintuitive, however. In terms of bugs, it seems that the PlayStation 5 version does not suffer from them, while the PC version is far more broken.
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