If you’re a big fan of the newest hit series to expand on theAlienuniverse,Alien: Earth,there are actually quite a few greatAlien-based games that should definitely be on your radar, and will help kill some time while you wait for the next episode.
You can play all of these Alien games now through various channels, and it’s a perfect way to fill the void if you want a more hands-on experience with the Xenomorphs.Alien: Earthwas released earlier this week, and so far has received ravereviews from critics.
6Aliens: Fireteam Elite - Free On Xbox Game Pass Now
A Must-Play Multiplayer Survival Game In The Alien Universe
Aliens: Fireteam Eliteisa standout entry in theAlienvideo game franchise, offering an excellent blend of action and compelling lore that resonates with fans of the series. Set in 2202, just 23 years after the events ofAliensandAlien 3, it fills a key narrative gap by exploring the aftermath of Weyland-Yutani’s Xenomorph experiments.
Players assume the role of a Colonial Marine stationed aboard the UAS Endeavor, responding to a distress call from the Katanga refinery. This setup not only echoes the iconic tone of James Cameron’sAliens, but alsodeepens the lore with new revelationsabout the Engineer race, Xenomorph variants, and corporate bio-weapons programs.
Fireteam Eliteis a co-op multiplayer third-person shooter game with rich environmental storytelling.. Compared to otherAliengames likeAlien: Isolation(see below), which is more focused on survival horror elements,Fireteam Eliteleans into the action-heavy,squad-based combat of the film’s military sci-fi elements.
While it may not capture the same tension asIsolation, it excels in fast-paced gameplay, engaging cinematics, andessential fan service that doesn’t feel forced, making it one of the most faithful and thrilling adaptations in theAlienuniverse.
It’s no coincidence thatAliens: Fireteam Elitealso happened to become available forfree on Xbox Game Passon the same day asAlien: Earth’s launch, and you’ll definitely want to add that to your play-next list if you’re a Game Pass member.
5Alien: Rogue Incursion - An Alien VR Nightmare
Get Up Close & Personal With The Xenomorphs
Alien: Rogue Incursionis a single-player,story-driven VR survival horror gameset in theAlienuniverse. Designed specifically for virtual reality platforms like PS VR2, Meta Quest 3, and PC VR, it emphasizes immersion, atmosphere and setting, as well as tension over the fast-paced action you’d find inFireteam Elite.
Players take on the role of Zula Hendricks, a Colonial Marine veteran, as she infiltrates a secret Weyland-Yutani facility on the planet Purdan (LV-354), overrun by Xenomorphs (surprise, surprise). The narrative isset between the events ofAlienandAliens, expanding on the series' lore and connecting to established canon through characters from the extended universe.
Unlike otherAliengames,Rogue Incursionis a VR-focused experience, making the fear of encountering a Xenomorph feel more personal, more immediate, and way more terrifying. WhileAlien: Isolationoffers a tense survival horror experience in a traditional format,Rogue Incursionpushes that fear uncomfortably into the player’s physical space.
The game received generally positive critical reception,especially for a VR game, and was praised for its immersive environments, 3D audio design, and storytelling. However, it faced some criticism for repetitive encounters and occasional technical issues. Despite these flaws, it stands out as one of the most intenseAlienexperiences to date, especially for fans seeking a standout VR game.
4Aliens: Colonial Marines - The Alien FPS You’ve Been Missing
An Unmatched Alien FPS Experience
Aliens: Colonial Marinesis a first-person shooter developed by Gearbox Software, released in 2013. The game places players in the role of a Colonial Marine named Cpl. Christopher Winter, part of a search-and-rescue team sent toinvestigate the U.S.S. Sulaco after the events ofAliens.
Set in 2179, shortly after the film’s conclusion, the story aims to be a direct sequel toAliens, reimagining what happened to key locations like LV-426 and the Sulaco, while introducing new characters andexpanding the franchise’s military sci-fi angle.
UnlikeAlien: Isolation, which emphasizes stealth and horror, orAliens: Fireteam Elite, which offers third-person co-op action,Colonial Marinesfocuses on single-player and multiplayer FPS combatwith a heavy emphasis on gunplay and squad-based tactics.
The gameplay features pulse rifles, flamethrowers, andiconic weaponry from the films, aiming to deliver a cinematic combat experience. However,Colonial Marinesis widely criticized for its poor AI, dated graphics, and inconsistent storytelling, despite its potential and strong source material.
Its attempt to retcon elements ofAliensandAlien 3proved controversial. While itdiffers from modernAliengamesby being more action-heavy and less atmospheric, it’s still worth checking out.
3Alien vs. Predator (2010) - A Throwback To An Early Alien Hit
One Of Many Alien vs. Predators, But One Of The Best
Alien vs. Predator(2010), developed by Rebellion, is a unique entry in theAlienfranchise because itisn’t a conventionalAliengame.It blends three distinct campaigns into one experience, allowing players to step into the roles of a Colonial Marine, a Xenomorph, and a Predator. It’s one of manyAlien vs. Predatorgames released throughout the years, but easily one of the most beloved.
Rather than focusing solely on the survival horror or military action seen in otherAliengames, itdelivers a multi-perspective narrativethat explores the strengths and limitations of each species.
The game takes place in 2230,over 50 years after the events ofAlien 3,on the planet BG-386, where Weyland-Yutani has uncovered an ancient Predator temple. This setup triggers the return of the Xenomorphs and draws the attention of the Predators.
The intersecting campaigns provide unique gameplay styles, withtense horror sequences as the Marine,stealthy, parkour-style hunting as theAlien,and high-tech methodical stalking as the Predator. Each campaign reveals a different angle of the story, making the universe feel larger and more interconnected.
What makesAlien vs. Predatorstand out is its ambitious scope and fan-service-driven gameplay. It successfully brings together elements from both franchises, offering a brutal, fast-paced experience that remains one of the mostmemorable crossover games of its era,especially for fans wanting to enjoy the full spectrum of theAlienuniverse.
2Aliens: Dark Descent - A Real-Time Alien Strategy Game
Choices Have Consequences In Dark Descent
Aliens: Dark Descentis a real-time tactical squad-based strategy game that brings a fresh andthoughtful approach to theAlienfranchise. Released in 2023, it stands out for blending tense, atmospheric horror with strategic gameplay, placing players in command of a squad of Colonial Marines tasked with containing a Xenomorph outbreak on the moon Lethe.
The gameemphasizes permanent consequences,permadeath, stress mechanics, and resource management, making every decision feel important and urgent. Set in 2198,Dark Descenttakes place 19 years after the events ofAliensandAlien 3, expanding the franchise’s lore with a story centered around a top-secret Weyland-Yutani experiment gone wrong.
The campaign follows Deputy Administrator Maeko Hayes and Sergeant Jonas Harper as they attempt to stop the spread of the Xenomorph threat while uncovering corporate secrets and surviving both alien and human enemies. What makesDark Descentgreat is its ability to capture the dread of theAlienuniverse ina genre rarely explored by the franchise.
Compared to otherAliengames likeIsolationorFireteam Elite, it places more emphasis onthoughtful squad control and strategy,includes deeper customization, and has a strong narrative. It’s a standout not only amongAliengames, but within modern tactical strategy titles overall.
1Alien: Isolation - Arguably The Best Alien Game Ever Made
Isolation Captures Everything That Makes The Original Film Great
Alien: Isolationis widely regarded as thequintessentialAlienvideo gameexperience and arguably the best ever madebecause it captures the raw tension,isolation, and atmospheric dread that defined Ridley Scott’s original 1979 film.
Unlike other titles that focus on action or squad combat,Isolationstrips the experience down to survival horror,placing players in the shoes of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she searches for answers aboard the decaying space station Sevastopol.
Set in 2137, fifteen years afterAlienand decades beforeAliens, the game fits perfectly within the early timeline of the franchise, exploring the fallout from the Nostromo’s disappearance. The setting is meticulously crafted, with retro-futuristic design, flickering lights, analog tech, andambient soundscapes that make every corner terrifying.
Gameplayrevolves around stealth, exploration, and evasion.Armed with only basic tools and limited resources, players must avoid a single, deadly Xenomorph that hunts with some of the best AI in video gaming history. This AI truly responds to your choices, learning, adapting, and reacting to the player’s actions. There’s no overpowering it, only surviving it.
Alien: Isolationstands out because it respects its source material deeply while delivering a nerve-wracking, immersive experience. It’s a masterclass in horror game design that redefined what fans expect from theAlienfranchise.
