Aliens: Dark Descent — Everything We Know

It's been a long time coming, but finally, after several years of wallowing around in the ashen corners of Moon Lethe, the xenomorphs will be making a grand return to consoles and PC. Although not quite the much-needed Alien: Isolation sequel that fans have been asking for, Aliens: Dark Descent will still (here's hoping, at least) scratch that sci-fi itch that H.R. Giger left all those years ago.

So, what do we actually know about the upcoming squad-based horror game? Well, a little research has given us something of a clear picture of what's to come on launch day. And so, if you're curious to know more about Tindalos Interactive's upcoming game, then be sure to read on. Here's everything you need to know about Aliens: Dark Descent.

What Is Aliens: Dark Descent?

Aliens: Dark Descent is an upcoming real-time strategy game by Tindalos Interactive, a firm best known for its highly acclaimed Battlefleet Gothic: Armada series. In this top-down adaptation of H.R. Giger's horrifying Aliens universe, players take on the role of a squad leader whose sole purpose is to whittle down a new form of xenomorph that has planted roots on Moon Lethe. Curious to know more? Here's everything we've dug up on its story, gameplay, platforms, and release date.

Story

So, what do we actually know about the story? Well, as unfortunate as it is to admit, not a whole lot, as it goes. What we do know, however, is that Aliens: Dark Descent will be set on Moon Lethe. According to the relatively short blurb, Lethe has seen a sudden surge in xenomorph activity, and has in turn led the Colonial Marines to both investigate and cull the herd, so to speak.

“In Aliens: Dark Descent, command a squad of hardened Colonial Marines to stop a terrifying Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe,” the blurb confirms. “Lead your soldiers in real-time combat against iconic Xenomorphs, rogue operatives from the insatiable Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and a host of horrifying creatures new to the Alien franchise. You are the commander. They are your weapon.”

Gameplay

Contrary to popular belief, Aliens: Dark Descent is not a first-person shooter, nor anything that even resembles Alien: Isolation in the slightest. Instead, players can expect a full-fat top-down RTS experience, and one that puts you front and center in a squad-based action extravaganza that revolves entirely around H.R. Giger's dark and dreary world of the xenomorph underworld.

According to Tindalos Interactive, you will assume control over a squad of four, and will have the task of issuing commands and leading the team either to their salvation, or to their eventful deaths. With a real-time strategy format, every action counts, and every consequence is irreversible. It's your role, as the faction commander, to punch through step-by-step, and learn how to keep your squad alive through thick and thin.

“Infiltrate large open levels and annihilate enemies with your squad, dispatching orders strategically and intuitively at the touch of a button,” the official description reads. “Tread carefully, as death is permanent and your foes will adapt their tactics to your actions while hunting you down. Forge unique paths for survival, uncovering shortcuts, creating safe zones, and setting up motion trackers in a persistent world where your actions impact levels forever.”

Development

Aliens: Dark Descent is being developed by Tindalos Interactive and Focus Entertainment, two reputable companies who have been leading forces behind countless award-winning IPs including A Plague Tale, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, and most recently, Evil West. The game was first shown during the Summer Games Fest back in June 2022.

Tindalos Interactive, a company best known for the Battlefleet Gothic: Armada series, will be heading the developing on Aliens: Dark Descent. According to John Bert, director of Tindalos Interactive, the game was inspired by a mixture of tactical shooters and role-playing games, in general. Knowing this, the two meshed together will no doubt lay the foundations on which Aliens: Dark Descent will build from.

Trailer

The good news is, Focus Entertainment hasn't been overly stubborn about keeping a lid on the upcoming game. In fact, it was only last June (2022) that the studio brought a cinematic trailer to the table, giving fans of the franchise a sliver of coal to keep the fire stoked. Since then, the project hasn't really been seen, or at least not from a gameplay perspective. Even still, you can catch a glimpse of the squad-based chapter in the video above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Aliens: Dark Descent will be launching on an undisclosed date in 2023 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. If what some fans of the horror saga are saying turns out to be true, then we could see upcoming RTS chapter hit both consoles and PC sometime around October, during the height of the Halloween festivities, perhaps? Until Focus Entertainment shed a little extra light on this, though, it's mostly just speculation and second-hand rumors.

So, will there be any special editions outside of the digital one? In short, no. Or at least, not yet, anyway. This isn't to say Focus Entertainment won't be lifting the veil on anything at all, though. In most cases, both digital deluxe and collector's editions are revealed in the months building up to the release date. And if those previously mentioned rumors are on the money, then again, this could put the announcement anywhere between May and July. Nevertheless, you should take this with a grain of salt.

For more information on the Aliens: Dark Descent launch, be sure to follow the official social handle here. We'll be sure to let you know of anything even remotely enlightening should it come to pass. Until then, rest assured that H.R. Giger's notorious xenomorphs are back, and that they'll be hitting our screens at some point this year.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Aliens: Dark Descent when it eventually drops? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.