Aliens: Dark Descent Gameplay Trailer Takes A Deep Dive Into The Xeno Hive

Aliens: Dark Descent releases in just a few weeks, and a terrifying new gameplay trailer shows what you can expect from this xenomorph-infested nightmare.


Published: May 25, 2023 10:04 AM /

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Marines blasting xenomorphs with flamethrowers in Aliens: Dark Descent

Focus Entertainment and Tindalos Interactive have released a chilling new gameplay trailer for Aliens: Dark Descent. It offers a deep dive into the tactical strategy game's mechanics and narrative ahead of its impending release for PC and consoles on June 20th.

The trailer kicks off with an introduction to the story. You'll play as Weyland-Yutani admin Mako Hayes and colonial marine Jonas Harper, who must team up to battle xenomorphs after their ship crashlands on the planet Lethe. Focus and Tindalos are promising a narrative filled with "terrifying revelations" and hitherto-unseen elements of the Alien universe. You can take a look at the new trailer right here.

If you're not much of a strategy genius (like me), Aliens: Dark Descent shouldn't be too off-putting. The devs describe its gameplay as "approachable, fast-paced tactical planning", and you'll have access to the ability to slow down time at any stage if the action gets too overwhelming for you. I know I'll be making liberal use of that; I'm one of those hopeless monsters who uses tactical pause in RTS games. Sorry, pros!

The trailer also discusses the Squad Behavior System, which will cause each of your squad members to respond to your orders intelligently and carry out orders automatically. Of course, you can also micromanage them if you prefer, and you'll have plenty of tactical options for doing so. Will you set fire to a corridor to slow the tide, or deploy a sentry gun to mow your enemies down as they rush you?

As well as objectives, you'll also have to manage your marines' health and stress levels. Aliens: Dark Descent features permadeath, so when a marine dies, that's it - you can't get them back. Choices you make therefore have a permanent effect, and that's true of the levels too; doors you hack will remain open, for instance, while doors you've welded shut won't be open again if you revisit that stage.

Aliens: Dark Descent launches for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on June 20th. It promises a more tactical alternative to recent Aliens games like Fireteam Elite, which have been more combat-focused. Stay tuned to TechRaptor for more Dark Descent news, and make sure to check under your bed for facehuggers before you sleep tonight.

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