Aliens: Dark Descent Review — Intense Tactical Horror with Rough Edges

Title	Aliens: Dark Descent
Released	June 19, 2023
Developer(s):	Tindalos Interactive
Publisher(s):	Focus Entertainment, SA
Platform(s):
Genre	RTT, Action, Horror
Rating	M
Price	$39.99

Completed on the PC on Normal

HowLongToBeat Time: 25 Hours | My Clear Time: 18hrs 36min

Background

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Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time tactical strategy game set within the Aliens franchise, taking a more action-oriented approach in contrast to the series’ traditional horror elements. Developed by Tindalos Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, the game was released on June 20, 2023, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

Set 19 years after the original Aliens trilogy, Aliens: Dark Descent follows a squad of Colonial Marines as they are dispatched to a remote planet in response to a distress signal. Players take control of the squad, managing resources and navigating hostile environments infested with Xenomorphs. The game places a strong emphasis on tactical combat, squad management, and strategy while maintaining the high-stakes tension the Aliens franchise is known for.

The development team for Aliens: Dark Descent includes:

Experience

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Before descending into Aliens: Dark Descent, my experience with the franchise included playing Aliens vs Predator (2010) and Aliens: Fireteam Elite, both of which explored different facets of the Aliens universe. I’ve seen and own Alien and Aliens, the two cornerstone films, as well as Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and Alien: Romulus.

My favorite Aliens game was the 2010 Aliens vs Predator, which captured the franchise’s balance of action and horror. These experiences shaped my expectations for Aliens: Dark Descent, where I hoped to see a mix of tactical strategy and the intense thrills the series is known for.

Impressions

Introduction

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Aliens: Dark Descent begins with you taking control of Administrator Hayes, observing the daily operations of Weyland-Yutani personnel aboard the Pioneer Station. At first, everything feels routine, but things quickly become unsettling, building toward the kind of threat the Aliens series is known for.

As the situation spirals out of control, you’ll command a squad of Colonial Marines in tactical, real-time combat, facing off against the relentless Xenomorphs in a race for survival. The game successfully blends the tension of the franchise with fresh, strategic gameplay.

Gameplay and Mechanics

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Command Points
The backbone of your tactical flexibility. Every special ability—suppressing fire, turret placement, sealing doors—costs Command Points. Since they don’t regenerate naturally, each choice becomes a risk-versus-reward calculation.

Stealth & Cover
Enemies patrol, line of sight matters, and sound can trigger swarm responses. Using crouch movement, cover, and fog of war becomes essential for ambushes or avoiding unnecessary confrontations.

Passives & Class Growth
Marines evolve into class-based specialists with passives that shape their battlefield role—stress mitigation, medical efficiency, or weapon mastery. Veteran marines aren’t expendable—they’re investments.

Weapon Loadouts
Your arsenal directly impacts strategy. Shotguns dominate close quarters; AP rounds counter synthetics. With limited gear slots, flexibility is as critical as firepower.

Research & Development
Between missions on the Otago, you invest salvaged tech into new gear and upgrades—motion trackers, turrets, and more. Your R&D path determines your future survivability.

Marine Status
Injuries, trauma, and quirks build up over time. Poorly managed marines may disobey orders or break under stress. Keeping them mentally and physically healthy is a full-time job.

Art & Audio

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Aliens: Dark Descent doesn’t chase realism—it leans into atmosphere. Environments are grimy, industrial, and claustrophobic, echoing the franchise’s roots. Dim lights, hissing vents, and tight corridors all contribute to a sense of pressure that works with, not against, the overhead camera.

Character models are simple but effective. You’re not studying faces—you’re trying to keep them alive. Clean silhouettes, clear enemy designs, and an uncluttered interface make the action readable at a glance.

Sound is where the game excels. Motion tracker pings raise tension instantly. The hiss of Xenos, distant screams, and the thrum of sentry guns build unease without overdoing it. The soundtrack kicks in at just the right moments—high-stress during alerts, subdued during downtime.

Some standout tracks:

Aliens Dark Descent: Main Theme – Begins with an oppressive, dramatic entrance before soaring into notes that evoke curiosity and wonder tinged with dread.

Running Battle – A tense, high-tempo score that matches the urgency of survival during combat, with subtle touches like hissing woven in.

Unique Features and Mechanics

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Stress System
More than just a stat—stress causes breakdowns, erratic behavior, and long-term debuffs. Extraction isn’t defeat—it’s part of managing marine survival.

Persistent World Structure
Every action leaves a mark. Welded doors stay sealed, bodies stay down, and objectives carry over between deployments. It encourages cautious planning and long-term thinking.

Hive Aggression Meter
A global alert level that escalates based on noise, time spent planetside, or failed stealth. The longer you’re active, the more organized and aggressive the Xenomorphs become.

Abduction Consequences
If a marine’s body is left behind, it can be repurposed by the Hive, influencing later missions. Losses don’t just hurt your squad—they can come back to haunt you.

Single-Squad Command Philosophy
You control a squad with unified commands—less micromanagement, more strategic cohesion. It keeps things fluid without diluting tactical depth.

Time Dilation Wheel
Slows time to let you issue orders without full pause—though the option for true pause is available in the settings. It offers a nice middle ground for both casual and hardcore players.

Voice Acting

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The voice acting in Aliens: Dark Descent is serviceable. It gets the job done without drawing too much attention to itself, which fits the grounded, tactical tone the game goes for. Administrator Hayes carries the bulk of the emotional weight, and while not a standout performance, it’s steady enough to support the story’s early tension.

Squad banter and combat barks are frequent but not grating, with just enough variation to avoid feeling robotic. Panic responses under stress add a bit of flavor, though repetition does creep in during longer sessions.

There’s nothing here that elevates the material, but nothing that drags it down either.

Verdict

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Aliens: Dark Descent is one of the best recent entries in the franchise, capturing the atmosphere with a lived-in Lethe station, authentic sound design, and a tense balance between dread and adrenaline-fueled action. The music supports the mood well, the Xenomorph Queens feel intimidating, and the gunfire and alien sounds hit the mark.

Combat feels satisfying, and the story offers solid moments. The late-game introduction of a new enemy adds a fresh, unsettling twist that stands out visually and narratively. However, its linear mission structure limits replay value, making New Game+ mostly about achievement hunting rather than fresh challenges.

The mechanical depth may overwhelm players unfamiliar with real-time tactics or seeking something more casual. For those who invest time learning the systems, the experience becomes a tense and rewarding tactical romp.

That said, occasional crashes disrupt the flow and highlight some rough edges. Despite this, Aliens: Dark Descent brings tactical ambition and respect for the franchise but is held back by mechanical quirks, limited replay, and stability issues.

TLDR

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Pros

• Atmospheric Design & Audio:
  Captures the gritty, tense Aliens vibe with authentic sound, music, and art that boost immersion.
• Satisfying Combat:
  Tactical gameplay feels rewarding and engaging.
• Memorable Enemies:
  New and classic foes add variety and tension.
• Strong Tactical Depth:
  For fans of real-time tactics, it offers solid complexity.

Cons

• Poor Replay Value:
  Game’s linear design doesn’t encourage multiple playthroughs beyond achievements.
• Steep Learning Curve:
  May overwhelm players new to RTT or expecting casual gameplay.
• Occasional Crashes:
  Stability issues impact overall experience.
• Limited Character Detail:
  Functional visuals sacrifice deeper character engagement.

References

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1. Aliens: Dark Descent – Launch Trailer
2. Running Battle – Doyle W. Donehoo
3. Aliens: Dark Descent Main Theme – Doyle W. Donehoo