Aliens: Dark Descent Review

Release Date: June 20, 2023
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One X|S
Developer: Tindalos Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment

Overview

Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time tactical strategy game set in the Alien universe, where you control a squad of Colonial Marines facing off against a growing Xenomorph threat. The gameplay blends tense survival horror with squad-based tactics, requiring careful planning and quick decisions. Injuries, stress, and death are permanent, so every choice carries weight. With atmospheric environments and relentless enemy encounters, it captures the gritty, high-pressure feel the series is known for.

Story

The narrative offers a fresh take within the familiar universe, introducing morally complex characters whose motivations add depth to the unfolding events. While the plot incorporates corporate intrigue and survival elements that align with the franchise's themes, some story beats feel predictable. The pacing varies, with certain sections dragging and others delivering intense, memorable moments. Overall, the story provides a solid backdrop for the tactical gameplay, even if it doesn't break new ground.

Gameplay

Mechanics: The core mechanics blend real-time tactics with a pause-and-command system that gives you just enough control without breaking the tension. Managing stress, injuries, and permadeath adds a layer of strategy that kept me constantly thinking ahead. While it doesn't completely reinvent the genre, the way everything ties into the pressure of survival feels like a smart evolution rather than something totally new.
Controls: The controls took a little getting used to, especially with how many systems are layered into the interface, but they became second nature after a few missions. I liked how responsive the squad commands felt, even during chaotic encounters. There were a few clunky moments, particularly when navigating tight spaces, but nothing that seriously pulled me out of the experience.
Difficulty: The game is definitely challenging, with tension coming not just from combat, but from resource management and long-term squad survival. It offers multiple difficulty settings, but even on the standard mode, mistakes can spiral fast if you’re not careful. I liked that it didn’t hold my hand—it forced me to think tactically and live with the consequences of my decisions.
Replayability: There’s a solid amount of content here, but the replay value really depends on how much you enjoy experimenting with different squad builds and strategies. Once I finished the campaign, I didn’t feel a strong pull to replay it right away, but I could see myself returning later to try a higher difficulty or a different approach. It’s not packed with branching paths or radically different outcomes, but the tension and tactical freedom give it some room to breathe on a second run.

Graphics

Visual Style: The visual style leans toward gritty realism, which fits perfectly with the dark, oppressive atmosphere the game aims for. Environments are dimly lit, industrial, and often drenched in shadows, making every corner feel dangerous. It’s not flashy or overly detailed, but the grounded look helps sell the tension and horror.
Technical Performance: Performance was mostly stable for me, with consistent frame rates and smooth transitions during intense firefights. I did run into a few minor bugs—like pathfinding hiccups and animations glitching out—but nothing game-breaking. Load times were reasonable, and overall, the game felt pretty well-optimized on my setup.
Art Design: The art direction does a great job capturing that classic Aliens aesthetic, with plenty of moody corridors, flickering lights, and decaying industrial zones. Everything feels like it belongs in the universe, from the gear your marines wear to the unsettling alien nest designs. It’s not just faithful to the source—it adds its own flavor without going overboard.

Sound

Soundtrack: The music is subtle but effective, building tension without overwhelming the gameplay. I noticed it most during high-stress moments when the score ramped up and really pushed that feeling of panic. It’s not the kind of soundtrack I’d listen to outside the game, but it fits the atmosphere exactly how it should.
Sound Effects: The sound design is one of the highlights—gunfire, footsteps, doors creaking, and especially the alien screeches all sound sharp and immersive. It adds a constant sense of unease, like danger could be lurking just out of view. Little audio cues, like beeping scanners or distant movement, actually helped me stay alert and plan better.
Voice Acting: The voice acting is solid overall, though not particularly standout. Some characters have more personality in their delivery than others, but it gets the job done without feeling flat or distracting. I appreciated that the tone stayed serious throughout, matching the tension and urgency of the situation.

Multiplayer (None)

Modes: The game does not feature a multiplayer mode. The game is designed as a single-player experience, focusing on the narrative-driven campaign.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Tense Tactical Gameplay: The combination of real-time strategy with a pause-and-command system creates nonstop pressure and decision-making, making each encounter feel intense and meaningful.
Atmospheric Presentation: From dimly lit corridors to unsettling ambient noise, the game nails the oppressive sci-fi horror vibe and keeps you fully immersed in its world.
Meaningful Consequences: Losing a marine or mishandling a mission has long-term effects on your squad, which adds weight to every choice and makes the campaign feel more personal and impactful.

Cons:

Repetitive Mission Design: While the core gameplay is solid, mission variety starts to drop off in the mid-game, leading to some sections that feel overly familiar and drawn out.
Inconsistent Pathfinding: There were moments where squad members didn’t respond properly or got caught on terrain, which became frustrating during high-pressure situations.
Safe Storytelling: The narrative hits the right tone for the universe but doesn’t take many risks, with predictable twists and characters that could’ve used more development.

Final Verdict

This game delivers a solid mix of strategy, tension, and atmosphere that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s not perfect—some rough edges and repetition hold it back—but the overall experience is still rewarding, especially for fans of tactical games and sci-fi horror. I appreciated how it respects your decisions, forcing you to think several moves ahead without ever feeling unfair. If you're looking for a challenging, atmospheric squad-based experience, this one’s definitely worth your time.

My final verdict for Aliens: Dark Descent is 4 leaves out of 5.