Aliens: Dark Descent

About

Battle to keep your squad alive against the deadliest foe mankind has ever faced

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,190 reviews

story767 positive mentions

stability269 negative mentions

Captures the atmosphere and tension of the Aliens franchise perfectly.
Engaging gameplay that combines real-time strategy with squad management.
Unique mechanics, such as the stress and trauma system for marines, add depth to the experience.

Game-breaking bugs and glitches can hinder progress and lead to frustration.
Limited customization options for marines and repetitive voice lines detract from immersion.
The save system is restrictive, requiring players to use resources to save progress during missions.

story
3,706 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
75%
5%
The story of "Aliens: Dark Descent" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative that fits within the established Alien universe. While some find the plot predictable and filled with clichés, others commend its ability to evoke the tension and atmosphere of the original films, particularly in the early missions. However, the final mission has drawn criticism for feeling rushed and lacking the depth and character involvement that players had come to expect, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall storytelling experience.
- “Unique and janky but so good, with a story that has no right to be this good.”
- “Missions and the story are in keeping with the feel of the Alien universe, the character dialogue is perfectly suited to what is going on in the game, and in general the game really feels like it has been built by people who have some genuine love for the IP.”
- “The story is actually interesting - you want to know what is coming next.”
- “Sorry, guys, there is no happy ending for most marines, which I managed not to lose any through all the missions, only to see them slaughtered in the final cutscene.”
- “The story is lackluster and mostly forgettable.”
- “The last mission was the biggest disappointment of them all in this regard as it is literally a corridor with no options and on top of that they take away your squad and give you some predetermined soldiers.”
gameplay
1,755 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The gameplay of "Aliens: Dark Descent" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its unique blend of real-time strategy and tactical elements reminiscent of the XCOM series. While the mechanics, such as stress management and squad dynamics, add depth and tension, some players find them frustrating and poorly implemented, particularly the stealth mechanics and the stress system that can hinder gameplay. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging atmosphere and challenging gameplay, but it suffers from bugs and design choices that can detract from the experience.
- “The gameplay is very smooth - your marines auto fire when in combat, which lets you use their special moves rather than clicking on every enemy.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and requires some tactical thinking.”
- “The gameplay is unique and fun, but sometimes can be annoying (with the stealth and lack of control of individual squad member), it is also not optimized and atm very buggy, found numerous bugs including character stucking inside objects (such as elevator) and infinite onslaught that won't go away even though there are no xenos approaching.”
- “Game mechanics are annoying with having to monitor things like marine stress, which continually gets worse as you play through the level.”
- “Totally outdated gameplay, engine, graphics, everything looks like it's from 2005.”
- “The gameplay was alright and the world-building was interesting, but a few missions were incredibly annoying to play for me: the two missions where a single protagonist must evade an alien without engaging was not fun for me at all, and the last mission was important in advancing a mediocre story, but had no real gameplay value.”
atmosphere
819 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
36%
1%
The atmosphere in "Aliens: Dark Descent" is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive quality, effectively capturing the tension and dread of the original films. Players commend the game's sound design, visuals, and environmental details, which contribute to a haunting and claustrophobic experience reminiscent of the "Aliens" franchise. Despite some gameplay issues, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the series.
- “The atmosphere of this game is amazing, the combat very dynamic and the sneaking goodish (sometimes the team movement is just that one second too slow...).”
- “The sound design and soundtrack also contribute to building a great atmosphere that is right up there with Alien Isolation's.”
- “This game really fits quite well into the alien universe and the atmosphere was brilliant.”
- “The atmosphere is very well done and only held back by the marine chatter constantly breaking the tension.”
- “The atmosphere captures the alien/aliens universe well and the thrill is real when you survive your first xenomorph encounter.”
- “Despite some bugs, and sometimes unfair game mechanics, the atmosphere, story, presentation, and tense gameplay kept me hooked the whole way through.”
graphics
483 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
5%
The graphics of "Aliens: Dark Descent" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric visuals and attention to detail that effectively capture the essence of the Alien franchise. However, several players note that character models and animations appear outdated, reminiscent of earlier gaming generations, and some experience performance issues and graphical glitches. Overall, while the game excels in creating a tense and immersive environment, its graphical fidelity varies, leading to a consensus that it is visually appealing but not cutting-edge.
- “The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking, immersing players in a dark and atmospheric world that oozes with the signature eerie ambiance of the aliens universe.”
- “The absolutely stunning visuals and aesthetics, alongside the intense gameplay and atmosphere make up for a truly immersive experience.”
- “The graphics are great and are based on Hadley's Hope on LV-426, and the soundscape matches the movie.”
- “Totally outdated gameplay, engine, graphics; everything looks like it's from 2005.”
- “The bad side with this game is the animation, texture, or graphics about the characters in-game... they look a little bit old, like it was made in the 90s when PlayStation had crappy 3D games.”
- “The graphics in cut-scenes could be better.”
stability
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
97%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that can significantly disrupt gameplay. While some users noted that the game is still enjoyable despite these problems, many expressed frustration over game-breaking bugs and the need for constant reloading of saves. Overall, the game is considered quite buggy, with ongoing patches aimed at improving stability, but many players recommend waiting for further updates before diving in.
- “This game is a work of passion; I love it so much. Yes, there were some bugs, but the devs are working hard to make the game 99.9% close to bug free.”
- “I've not had any technical issues so far, and the game runs great on my system.”
- “I'm playing in 4K, epic settings, and ultra quality, and it runs great.”
- “Over the course of 2-3 hours of play, the FPS dropped to 10-15, with periodic freezes.”
- “It's not hard, it's just very buggy and the fact you can be killed in a cutscene during an autosave is unforgivable.”
- “The game is still buggy this long after the game came out, which is not a great sign and a bit disappointing.”
music
227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to evoke the atmosphere of the "Aliens" franchise, with many reviewers noting its effectiveness in building tension and enhancing gameplay. While the soundtrack is often described as nostalgic and fitting, some players expressed a desire for more variety and additional tracks, particularly during quieter moments or in the base. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the immersive experience of the game.
- “The sound design and soundtrack also contribute to building a great atmosphere that is right up there with Alien Isolation's.”
- “The music is great and very reminiscent of the film Aliens and James Horner's score.”
- “The game manages to evoke the horror of Aliens incredibly well, tied to a soundtrack that's a brilliant homage to the films.”
- “The music is a poor attempt to imitate the aliens soundtrack.”
- “My only complaint is the lack of music, and how muted it is when there is music.”
- “The music, especially the combat music, gets repetitive after a while.”
replayability
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
62%
18%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its limited value due to a linear campaign structure and lack of randomization in missions. While some enjoy replaying on higher difficulties or appreciate the customization options, the absence of significant new content or procedural generation leaves many feeling that replayability is low. Players express hope for future expansions or updates that could enhance replay value, but as it stands, the game may not offer enough incentive for multiple playthroughs.
- “Great replayability, and an all-round fun game bringing a bright future to the franchise.”
- “Now I'm on to NG+ mode, which is the perfect way to add replayability without losing your customized builds for the marines.”
- “A very replayable game even after multiple completions, as the game and its difficulty are very customizable.”
- “The lack of replay value holds it back.”
- “Don't expect a lot of replayability though past your first playthrough; not much is added in the new game plus.”
- “The linearity of the research and the linearity of soldier progression makes the game not very replayable.”
optimization
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
52%
22%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and frame drops, particularly during intense moments or when many enemies are on screen. While some users report smooth gameplay and good performance on high settings, others have noted that the game struggles even on high-end hardware, suggesting that optimization remains a concern. Developers are actively working on patches to improve performance, but many players still hope for further enhancements to address the existing issues.
- “The game ran very smooth for me, no issues at all, no crashes, no stuttering and seemed 99% bug free.”
- “The game is surprisingly very good in both gameplay and being faithful to the lore of the Alien franchise, while deeply innovating this amazing genre by bringing a very fun and optimized gameplay and boosting up the terror to match the horror of the movies.”
- “Performance is solid: on my system with a Ryzen 2600 and GTX 1060 I can get 60+ fps on medium at 1080p, while my Ryzen 5600 and RTX 3060 Ti barely breaks a sweat to get around 100+ at 1440p on epic.”
- “One of the most poorly optimized games I have ever played; Fireteam Elite was in a similar situation, but nowhere near this bad.”
- “This game is so unbelievably poorly optimized it hurts my head having to use such low graphics settings when I can run most modern games at max graphics. I had to drop the graphics down to low for the GPU intensive ones as well as drop the display to 1080 for the first time in about a year.”
- “The engine is so unoptimized that the frame rates stutter for 0.5-2 seconds any time someone speaks or while using the flashlight to highlight objects.”
grinding
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The reviews highlight a prevalent sentiment that grinding in the game can be tedious and monotonous, particularly during the latter missions where players often feel compelled to repeat levels for minimal experience points. While some appreciate the tension and challenge, many find the gameplay loop becomes frustratingly repetitive, leading to long, drawn-out missions that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite the option to farm resources, the consensus suggests that the grinding mechanics could benefit from refinement to enhance player engagement.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I originally loved this game, but the tedious and monotonous last two missions and the absolute lackluster and effortless ending ruined the entire game for me.”
- “The main part of the game are the missions, all of them are unique and massive with a bunch of mission objectives, but after a certain amount of game hours they become more tedious and long because of infestation level and difficulty from hive aggressiveness.”
- “A rather large portion of those hours were spent grinding the same level over and over again for XP to level up marines.”
humor
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
8%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in both intentional and unintentional moments, such as outdated character models, quirky dialogue, and absurd glitches. While some elements, like repetitive squad responses and humorous references to the Alien franchise, initially elicit laughter, they often become tiresome over time. Overall, the humor can be entertaining but is frequently overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics and poor scriptwriting.
- “Gaming the stealth system with the APC, turret kill zones, and grenade spam is how you beat this game because, hilariously, heavy turrets, rockets, and even airstrikes don't trigger detection.”
- “I was actually laughing hysterically because the titan was literally on top of Hayes and Cassandra, and they were clipping inside of it!”
- “There's some humorous events, dialogue, and great references littered throughout, and the level designs are both authentic to the film and equally claustrophobic and labyrinthine.”
- “You got a generally hectic life or IBS or something where you routinely save and exit games; this will literally be unplayable. You will just be stuck redoing the same save point over and over and over, like an unfunny version of Groundhog Day.”
- “Also, Hunslet won't shut up and is not funny.”
- “Sergeant Harper, the male lead, is not funny, charismatic, tough, or cool in any way.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive world and strong character connections, evoking feelings of fear, stress, and attachment to the marines. Players appreciate the depth of emotional engagement through voice acting and the pressure of managing both physical and emotional well-being during intense missions. However, some critiques point to a lack of depth in the story and character models, which detracts from the overall emotional impact.
- “I will recommend this game despite its many flaws, and hope people give it a chance, for this is a game that actually made me feel like I was in the alien universe.”
- “The emotional attachment to your marines is real.”
- “You'll find yourself emotionally invested, fighting for your own life and for the memory of those who came before.”
- “Such a generic, boring story with an insulting ending.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its depth while others find it simplistic and lacking in meaningful interactions. While certain characters like Maeko show potential, many others feel underdeveloped and stereotypical, leading to a disconnect during key story moments. Overall, the character design and development could benefit from more polish and customization options, but the game remains enjoyable despite these shortcomings.
- “Surprisingly, this game has a lot to show you in terms of character development.”
- “The character development is nice too.”
- “Some critiques, the characters all look a bit off, could have used a bit more polish on the character design, and a few more customization options would be appreciated, but frankly, it's an awesome game and you should buy it.”
- “The story is very boring, with practically no redeeming dialogue and character development.”
- “Game has scant customization of the marines, barely enough depth to the character development pathways; limited weapons and enemies; soldier management and doom clock racing are the only strategic elements outside of combat.”
- “Character development feels like a placeholder and oversimplified.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some praising the absence of microtransactions and the full character customization available from the start, which contrasts with the typical cash grab mentality seen in other titles. However, there are concerns about the game's overall design being perceived as a cash grab, despite its engaging gameplay and adherence to the source material. Overall, while the game avoids exploitative monetization practices, it still faces skepticism regarding its value and authenticity.
- “Plus, no microtransactions!”
- “Full character customization right off the bat (no unnecessary microtransactions to sell you camo skins).”
- “Yet another sub-par aliens game designed as a cash grab.”
- “There's potential in building more to this game and I hope the creators do that; aliens is and always has been a story cash grab.”
- “Nothing warms the cockles of my consumeristic heart than market exploitation and soulless cash grabs, or of sleazy corporations sidling up to you, getting an arm around your shoulder and saying 'look at the future corporate dystopia!' as if the same people selling me a game about the Weyland-Yutani aren't just as bad.”