Aliens: Dark Descent

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 69
  3. Negative: 9 out of 69

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  1. w1ll1amz
    Jul 28, 2023
    10
    I absolutely love it. This is the Aliens game I have waited for since 1986! As a lover of the X-COM games, blending squad-based strategy with Aliens (and they really nail the feel from the film) it is perfect for me. The references to the films (quotes etc) are all tongue-in cheek - an homage rather than being cheesy.

    So what are you waiting for? Get on the ready line!
  2. permafrost
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    I've played almost every Aliens game since Alien on the commodore 64 back in the mid 80's. This Aliens game has taken everything good from some of the best Alien games (Alien, Aliens 3 Sega, AVP, AVP2, AVP Extinction PS2, Aliens Isolation and Fireteam) and combined them to make a SUPER Aliens game. Highly recommended! Especially for RTS/Aliens fans.
  3. Paulystan
    Sep 7, 2023
    9
    It is one of the very few games I have bought in the last few years I have actually enjoyed playing. To start with I thought 'meh' but after trying again I realised that there was some real depth here. It could be improved but it has something that so many flash games (BG3, Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy) don't have. A story that gets you going and a play that is fun. Recommend.
  4. Spliter
    Aug 10, 2023
    10
    I have finish the game . What can i say more nowadays ?

    ++++ + Hard but not painfull + Strategic (not only stealth archer works) + Satisfying + I'm a huge fan of the Aliens Saga and i loving it ! + Management of the ressource on the map when you open a box it's open for ever no reload... + Nice Aliens Skin . ---- - What the **** with the father @ the end it's not harry    I have finish the game . What can i say more nowadays ?

    ++++
    + Hard but not painfull
    + Strategic (not only stealth archer works)
    + Satisfying
    + I'm a huge fan of the Aliens Saga and i loving it !
    + Management of the ressource on the map when you open a box it's open for ever no reload...
    + Nice Aliens Skin .

    ----

    - What the **** with the father @ the end it's not harry potter !
    - You need a Good Cofniguration (3600x + 3070 and sometimes it's laggy on EPIC) Collapse    … Expand
  5. Kazymierz
    Sep 8, 2023
    9
    The gameplay of Aliens: Dark Descent (ADD) is great. In many ways it is a Tactical RPG: You have a squad you level up, each squad has different classes with different abilities, and as you level you get traits which can be used to focus on specific benefits (increased dismemberment chance, increased accuracy, more command points, more ammo per magazine, faster reload times, etc).

    What    The gameplay of Aliens: Dark Descent (ADD) is great. In many ways it is a Tactical RPG: You have a squad you level up, each squad has different classes with different abilities, and as you level you get traits which can be used to focus on specific benefits (increased dismemberment chance, increased accuracy, more command points, more ammo per magazine, faster reload times, etc).

    What makes this unique from a Tactical RPG standpoint is the real-time combat. As the commander, you're giving your Marines commands to use abilities and reacting to situations in real-time, and you have to manage your squad's Health, Armor, Stress, and Trauma. It is in these systems that I find ADD's gameplay so rewarding, because there are systems to master here.

    From a story perspective, the game uses a formula we've seen before: Marines isolated on a planet with Xenomorphs. Tindalos does a good job telling the story, incorporating characters that are likeable, and adding a few twists that make this feel like something different.

    I strongly recommend this game. There is a learning curve for sure, but this game is to Aliens what Alien: Isolation was to Alien. It is an enjoyable game that has captured the atmosphere of the movie incredibly well.    … Expand
  6. plato1123
    Jun 28, 2023
    10
    Pretty interesting, I really like this one. Haven't really noticed major bugs yet. Level design is interesting. If you are a fan of the alien universe and/or xcom style games it's a must play. Engaging cut scenes especially.
  7. czmuchowski
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This game is everything was promised and even more. It gives good alien vibes, it makes you think ahead and plan your mission. It forces you to manage your resources, and I love that the aliens are not easy to kill, and the best tactic is to avoid them rather than just go and farm then. Great game overall!
  8. Bakayaro
    Jun 30, 2023
    10
    A squad-based tactics game with a dark, tense atmosphere and challenging tactical gameplay that constantly keeps you on your toes. Like XCOM, but with real-time combat, greater focus on squad tactics, and large hand-crafted maps with over 10 objectives per map.

    I've played dozens of different games in the strategy/tactics genre, and this is the first game that took me 3 evenings to    A squad-based tactics game with a dark, tense atmosphere and challenging tactical gameplay that constantly keeps you on your toes. Like XCOM, but with real-time combat, greater focus on squad tactics, and large hand-crafted maps with over 10 objectives per map.

    I've played dozens of different games in the strategy/tactics genre, and this is the first game that took me 3 evenings to complete the first mission on Hard difficulty. Your marines have many tools at their disposable, but they are physically frail and prone to injury, dismemberment, abduction, and permanent death. On top of this, you have to manage their stress levels. Injuries and drawn-out conflicts can rapidly increase their stress levels, which left unchecked will develop into long-lasting traumas that negatively impact performance in various ways.

    The horror movie-like lighting and sound effects combine to recreate the atmosphere of tension that the Aliens movies are known for. There are four difficulty settings ranging from reasonably relaxed to deeply taxing, and their individual parameters can be tweaked as desired to create your own custom difficulty.

    A large update was released yesterday which fixes a slew of bugs, and adds a few features. The developers frequently engage with the players on platforms such as Steam and Reddit in a wholesome way.    … Expand
  9. Jt0429
    Jun 29, 2023
    8
    Good-
    Unique take on the strategy genre; Incredible atmosphere; Intense gameplay.
    Bad- Story doesn’t have a good payoff; Bad first impression from the tutorial. Thoughts- When it gets going, there’s nothing quite like Aliens: Dark Descent in the market. Its unique take on the genre alone should be enough to get fans of strategy games through the door. If, on the other hand, you    Good-
    Unique take on the strategy genre; Incredible atmosphere; Intense gameplay.

    Bad-
    Story doesn’t have a good payoff; Bad first impression from the tutorial.

    Thoughts-
    When it gets going, there’s nothing quite like Aliens: Dark Descent in the market. Its unique take on the genre alone should be enough to get fans of strategy games through the door. If, on the other hand, you want to experience the world of the Alien franchise with a clever new story, you’re better off looking elsewhere.    … Expand
  10. Supahgloo
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    A really good effort. It's a bit like XCOM. It's hard, Graphics are great. Good story too. I like it!
  11. Wahya
    Jun 25, 2023
    8
    Don't know why this game is getting a bad wrap. It's probably the second game next to Alien Isolation that correctly adapts the Alien franchise to a video game. And of course IGN didn't like it again lol. Yeah there are a few bugs, but definitely not as money and none game breaking like other AAA releases seem to have nowadays. The game is incredibly challenging and it sucks to lose aDon't know why this game is getting a bad wrap. It's probably the second game next to Alien Isolation that correctly adapts the Alien franchise to a video game. And of course IGN didn't like it again lol. Yeah there are a few bugs, but definitely not as money and none game breaking like other AAA releases seem to have nowadays. The game is incredibly challenging and it sucks to lose a marine you invest a lot of resources into due to permadeath. Dialogue is great, some people have labelled it cheesey but I didn't have an issue with it. There were moments in cutscenes that I was on the edge of my seat and jumping scared, just like the movies. The game is faithful to the canon while still taking its own creative liberties that won't upset die hard fans. Really hoping we get to continue the story of Deputy Administrator Maeko Hayes sooner rather than later. Highly recommend this game to any fan of the Alien franchise or fans of the XCOM games.… Expand
  12. GABRIEL1030
    Jul 9, 2023
    9
    The game is fantastic, with nice scenery and architecture, and the atmosphere is a whole Alien universe. Tense and addictive gameplay, with a mix of action and gore. Amazing product!

    Graphics 8
    Gameplay 8
    Endless appeal 10
  13. ici_chacal
    Jul 13, 2023
    10
    I did not expect such an great game ! Atmosphere is amazing with very good grapics and sound quality. I recommend it if you want to play with your brain in coope :)
  14. daklar808
    Jul 4, 2023
    9
    This game was a surprise! After so many trash Alien IP games i had almost given up, but this game is special. It truly imagines what an Alien game should be, don't listen to the haters. It's so much fun to play smart and effectively. This game rewards smart players who think before they leap. With the modest price tag of $40 it is more than worth it. It's a tough game sure, but only if youThis game was a surprise! After so many trash Alien IP games i had almost given up, but this game is special. It truly imagines what an Alien game should be, don't listen to the haters. It's so much fun to play smart and effectively. This game rewards smart players who think before they leap. With the modest price tag of $40 it is more than worth it. It's a tough game sure, but only if you go in guns blazing and play on higher difficulties. The developers should be commended for crafting an original and FUN experience. A sequel that builds on the strengths of this game would be amazing. The only thing that could make this game better for me is more robust marine customization options, but it is a minor gripe at most. Bravo focus entertainment, bravo indeed!… Expand
  15. ender666
    Jul 24, 2023
    10
    Amazing game, intense gameplay, perfect atmosphere, graphic, aliens, weapons, story.. like it, not too easy..
  16. HeyJoe-PCRPGHUN
    Jun 22, 2023
    10
    Sh*t can happen really quickly, troubles are escalate really fast, so it's a challenging game but also a really good one, has the proper vibe for a Aliens game, I enjoy to play every moments of it. :)

    There is some story too with the action, RPG & strategy elements of the game, so far so good. Decent story too but I just at the beginning of the story, so hard to tell yet, have good it    Sh*t can happen really quickly, troubles are escalate really fast, so it's a challenging game but also a really good one, has the proper vibe for a Aliens game, I enjoy to play every moments of it. :)

    There is some story too with the action, RPG & strategy elements of the game, so far so good. Decent story too but I just at the beginning of the story, so hard to tell yet, have good it is exactly.

    I recommend to play NOT in story difficulty level, so you get some challenge from the aliens & really have to think, and level up & build your squad, & try out some different tactics, strategies when the aliens get really annoyed by your marine squad... :)))

    PS: To make the game less unforgiving, you can check the gameplay settings, so you can have more save slots. ;)    … Expand
  17. Matopics
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    juego complicado definitivamente "NO para CASUALS", recuerda a el AVP:extinction de PS2, gran jugabilidad, buenos gráficos, gran RTS !!!
  18. MessyStinkman
    Jun 26, 2023
    8
    I'm very impressed. ADD pulls a lot of inspiration from a lot of really good games and combines them in a setting that's respectful of the source material while doing a great job of feeling like an actual Aliens bug hunt. The mission objectives get added on as your squads discover more of the colony/infestation, and it really does have a great , progressive feeling of being a dynamicI'm very impressed. ADD pulls a lot of inspiration from a lot of really good games and combines them in a setting that's respectful of the source material while doing a great job of feeling like an actual Aliens bug hunt. The mission objectives get added on as your squads discover more of the colony/infestation, and it really does have a great , progressive feeling of being a dynamic campaign that is changing in scope as you learn more about it. I've never played a strategy game before where I'll go in expecting to accomplish x objective, but will instead discover some valuable items then fend off a brutal alien attack and need to extract - then come back the next day with a fresh squad and finish what I came to do. It just feels good.

    The only really major thing that I don't like is the stealth. When your squad is detected, the xenos will begin hunting you for a period of time, and I don't feel like there's enough options to avoid being spotted. That said, this isn't Thief, this is a game about state-of-the-badass-art marines blowing up bugs, so I understand why sneaking around isn't a huge focus.

    I really like it, at least so far. Worth a purchase and I can't wait to fire it up again.    … Expand
  19. Necrobis
    Jun 22, 2023
    10
    This game is everything was promised and even more. It gives good alien vibes, it makes you think ahead and plan your mission. It forces you to manage your resources, and I love that the aliens are not easy to kill, and the best tactic is to avoid them rather than just go and farm then. Great game overall!
  20. Mandulum
    Aug 12, 2023
    8
    Mostly enjoyed this one. The story could use some originality but was enjoyable. Gameplay isn't as good as XCOM (for me) and the soldier "down time" is insane (my A team needed a 10 day rest?) but I still enjoyed it.

    Date Completed: 2023-08-11
    Playtime: 28h
    Enjoyment: 8/10
    Recommendation: Yeah

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 66 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 66
  3. Negative: 2 out of 66
  1. Riot Pixels
    Oct 30, 2023
    65
    Aliens: Dark Descent is an atmospheric RTS, but it irritates me because of raw gameplay elements, half-baked stealth mechanics and identical mazes.
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  2. Ragequit.gr
    Aug 13, 2023
    80
    Aliens: Dark Descent manages to absorb the player, with its main arsenal being the strong atmosphere and the high level of challenge. However, I feel that it would need a better sense of control during battles to make it a truly memorable game.
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  3. GameCritics
    Aug 8, 2023
    70
    If all of its technical issues can be fixed, Aliens: Dark Descent will prove to be something special. It treats the franchise with respect and care — and when working properly — it nails the tension the series is famous for. Unfortunately, a full, completed release simply should not have this many technical issues, nor cause so much frustration that has nothing to do with the aliens themselves.
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