It's not hard to pin down exactly what makes space so terrifying. The vacuous beyond is so dauntingly unexplored that there are bound to be horrors out there unknowable to humans. While many believe that being alone in the universe is one of the most terrifying possibilities imaginable, there is, of course, the alternative terrifying reality that aliens exist, and they're all out to get us, just like in Alien.
Luckily, humans have prepared for ravenous creatures to descend from the stars for quite some time, creating video games based on the Alien franchise that depict xenomorphs doing what they do best: eating people. While not all of them have been winners, there's a number of compelling games mixed in there to sweeten the deal. Here's which ones are worth revisiting, and which ones are worth avoiding.
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With a lot of promise but only a middling reception, 2010's Aliens vs. Predator is a peculiarly interesting game. It offered three campaigns, one for humans, one for the xenomorph, and one for Predator. On top of that, there was an online multiplayer component to offer the game some replayability. Plus, Aliens vs. Predator offered some brutal kills, all of which seem like a recipe for success.
Unfortunately, the game was held back by some lackluster design choices, with critics at the time citing lazy design and boring visuals. While the game still has its fans, many were hoping for a meatier experience out of the game, one that felt a bit fresher. Had Aliens vs. Predator released in a different year – 2010 saw the launch of Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, Fallout: New Vegas, and many other iconic games – perhaps it would have fared better, but history hasn't been quite so kind.
On the opposite end of the Aliens vs. Predator spectrum is Aliens vs. Predator 2. While the name is somewhat deceiving, it's not a sequel to 2010's AvP. Rather, it's a first-person PC game from 2001, a golden era of shooters on the platform. The game still boasts a positive user and critic score on the review aggregate site Metacritic, with many heaping praise on it for its direction and design.
Aliens vs. Predator 2 gets a lot right. It captures the speed and lethality that makes xenomorphs terrifying, and while not every element has aged well, it's no small wonder why the game has earned such a positive reputation. It may not be in the conversation as much as other games from the era, like the ever-relevant Half-Life, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth booting up for those with the means to do so.
For a long time, fans wondered what exactly happened that made Alien: Colonial Marines such a disaster. The game was steamrolled at launch for its atrocious AI, and disappointing gameplay, which turned it into a generic shooter more than the horror-centric game fans were hoping for.
Unfortunately, a big part of the problem was a single typo, which wrote "tether" as "teather," causing enemies not to track the player as they should. Fixing that typo in the game's INI file makes for a significantly better experience, but it wasn't discovered for years, resulting in the worst game that the Alien franchise has ever seen.
While it's sometimes critiqued for overstaying its welcome, Alien: Isolation has been repeatedly praised for its atmospheric design and stellar implementation of the xenomorph. Releasing in the wake of indie horror darling Outlast, Alien: Isolation is viewed by many as one of the best horror games of the Xbox One and PS4 generation, though it did eventually release on the Switch.
Alien: Isolation is a high note for the franchise, both in terms of the games and the movies. It stays true to the formula of the original Alien, while at the same time incorporating some of the best aspects of the franchise that have debuted since. One can hope that the next game carries on the trend, but only time will tell.
With Aliens: Fireteam set to debut this year, fans may soon have another notable entry in the franchise to enjoy. Whether or not it's notable for the right reasons remains to be seen, though. In the meantime, fans can relive the gems, or experience the lackluster games that the franchise has to offer.