Aliens: Dark Descent Reviews
Aliens: Dark Descent is a more than exciting title with much to offer, especially in terms of gameplay, thanks to an exciting mix of game genres. The developers have managed to capture the Alien atmosphere perfectly, and this could be a dream come true for fans of the movie prequel. I would love to see a second installment allowing players more tactical options. Additionally, it's a shame that the game didn't avoid annoying bugs that spoil the overall impression of an otherwise great game.
Review in Czech | Read full review
It's a result that seems to have been created by people who love the franchise, and wanted to put their own spin on it.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Aliens: Dark Descent showcases care and respect for the works that it is based upon. This is the antithesis of a cash-grab – this is a game that tried to deliver something different, something exciting that isn’t a mere rerun of previous offerings. It’s moody, the odds are clearly stacked against your squad but that makes each success even more rewarding, and the tactical scope is extremely enjoyable. Fans of a good real-time squad-based game shouldn’t think twice and just dive into this nightmare, weapons blazing.
Aliens: Dark Descent does a wonderful job of blending genres, taking the familiar troop management and base building of XCOM, then plying it with stealth mechanics, and a surprising amount of customisation. There’s a tense story brewing under the surface and a genuine horror at every turn. You will absolutely feel every death. A high difficulty curve may be offputting for some players and others could encounter a glitch or two along the way, but none of it is enough that I can’t recommend this as one of 2023’s best games and a delightful horror experience that really gets under your skin.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time strategy game where you have to think hard about your choices. The story isn't Oscar-worthy, but it's still compelling enough to enjoy Aliens: Dark Descent. You have to be a real fan of the movies and this genre game, otherwise you will get bored quickly.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Aliens: Dark Descent offers an unique look at the Aliens universe. However, it's full of technical issues at the moment.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Although I might seem down on Aliens: Dark Descent, there is a great game here under the inconvenience that is the main systems constantly getting in your way of trying to have fun. Balancing this out so scenarios aren’t piling on top of one another at the same time would definitely alleviate some of the frustrations I had being gated into outlandish fights. With a game where permadeath for characters is such a vital component, having bugs and technical issues that cause you to lose progress can be gut-wrenching, and it’s something I experienced far too often. Aliens: Dark Descent isn’t exactly what I had hoped for, but there’s plenty of room where improvements can be made.
"Aliens: Dark Descent" packs a powerful punch that gives fans and newcomers something to love with this latest entry into the "Alien" catalog of video games.
Aliens: Dark Descent captures the essence of the franchise in a way few games have managed to. The tactical approach, the innovative stress mechanic, and the absorbing storyline make it a must-play for any fan of the series or tactical games in general. It’s a descent into darkness that will challenge and thrill you in equal measure. Plus that main menu animation cannot be beat!
Ultimately the shift to real-time combat was a difficult transition that the game was unable to effectively make. For me, the simplistic systems do too little to provide longevity or replayability. However, if you have wanted to get into XCOM but couldn’t because you hate turn-based combat, this may be the game for you. The story, too, is worth your time, but as for me, my time with Aliens: Dark Descent is over.
Aliens Dark Descent is currently my favourite game of 2023, which is a massive surprise as it’s one of the most challenging games I’ve played in ages. That’s not usually my style of game. It has exceptionally well-realised game mechanics paired with challenging difficulty, all wrapped up in an engaging little story that adds to the ever-increasing lore of the Alien franchise. If you get the chance, please try this game but be warned, be prepared for pain!
it has the potential to improve and I may revisit it after a few more patches, but as it stands right now, Aliens: Dark Descent is more risk than reward.
These are slight issues in the grand scheme of things. Aliens: Dark Descent managed to do something that no tactical game even came close to it: fill me with dread and fear. Not fear of losing progress or losing a marine, the actual fear of opening a door, of what lies beyond it, of what lurks in the shadows. It achieves heights that until now I considered that only Alien Isolation could, to turn even the most mundane activity into the most excruciating, anxiety-inducing and nerve wrecking thing anyone will ever do. You ask me if I’m ready to leave the shelter 5 years from now and my reply will be the same: “No, I am not ready”. I don’t think I ever will.
If you’re after a passable RTS, there are worse options to plump for than Dark Descent. Ably evoking the claustrophobic and unsettling mood of the Alien franchise, Dark Descent may please fans of the franchise with its desperate firefights and tense stealth sections. However, it doesn’t push the envelope in regards to anything it does, failing to wholly immerse you in its story thanks to mediocre dialogue and vapid characters, compromised by finnicky management systems, leaving you confined to a temporarily terrifying but otherwise banal and toothless RTS. It may be tempting for Alien devotees, but don’t be surprised if Dark Descent devours your patience quicker than an alien pouncing on its military prey.
Aliens: Dark Descent captures the unique atmosphere of the 1986 film, and delivers a thrilling tactical experience.
While Aliens: Dark Descent adds an interesting RTS-twist to the typical tactical RPG, and nails the visual aesthetic of the film, the not-quite polished systems and underwhelming plot diminish what could have been one of the best games of the year.
Aliens: Dark Descent is one of the best Aliens games, period. That said, there are a few caveats. It perfectly recaptures the same action-horror vibes that made the original movies such a treat to watch. It’s a tactical, hardcore, strategy game that doesn’t hold your hand at all. If you are a fan of the franchise, this is an absolute must-play, but be aware that it is far from perfect and there are still some frustrating decisions here.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a title that offers a solid experience within the genre of games inspired by the Alien franchise. With an ambience extremely faithful to the movies, it'll definitely please fans of the series looking for a challenge, even if too steep, in tactics and strategy.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
My time with Aliens: Dark Descent has been a great experience. I enjoyed building up my squad and exploring each area carefully. The game runs really well, and I haven’t had any frame issues, but I did have to replay a mission as one of my marines bugged out. I feel if Tindalos Interactive were to make an RTS like AVP: Extinction. Then it would be in great hands. I was happy I could play this on my Steam Deck even though it isn’t verified yet. I would have liked to have been able to use more than one squad, and my initial thought was that combat was turn-based like XCOM, which was a shame, but still fun. Adding upgrades to weapons would be a good addition, or maybe adding some attachments that increase stats. I did find it annoying that I couldn’t manually save my game. If you love Xenomorphs or anything from the Alien franchise, then I highly recommend picking this game up and supporting the developers so we can get more games like this in the future maybe even one based on predator Honestly Aliens: Dark Decent is an excellent game that’s why I give it the Thumb Cultures Platinum Award.
Glitches and annoyances aside, Aliens: Dark Descent is a fantastic experience for any fan of the Aliens franchise. A much higher level of care is clearly on show here than in some previous titles, and that helps stave away the annoyances mentioned in this review. It's a tough-as-hell game that feels immensely rewarding when things go right and you manage to achieve a victory over the Xenomorph scum with little to no injury. It rewards planning and keeps you on edge with the constant reminder that even the basic Xenomorph can ruin your day if not taken with the utmost caution.