Alien: Rogue Incursion Review (PS5 & PC)

Alien: Rogue Incursion has quickly become a fan favorite among VR gamers. It offers a gripping mix of action, suspense, and immersive storytelling. From the eerie tension of Alien to the explosive battles of Aliens, the series has delivered countless unforgettable moments. Now, with Alien: Rogue Incursion, the franchise takes its first steps into virtual reality, letting players experience its thrills and chills like never before. Offering a whole new level of immersion, VR draws players directly into Alien’s suspenseful and dangerous world. However, the worry about whether this VR game captures the iconic atmosphere and excitement that fans expect lingers. In this review, we will go through the ups and downs of Alien: Rogue Incursion to give you a chance to make your judgment.

A Perfect Franchise

The story of Alien: Rogue Incursion drops you right into the combat boots of Aula Hendrick. Aula is a former Colonial Marine whose mission quickly turns into a disaster. After crash landing near a creepy research facility, players quickly realize things aren’t just bad; there are Xenomorphs lurking in the shadows. What begins as a desperate fight to survive becomes a thrilling mystery as players uncover the dark secrets buried within the facility. 

From the moment you land, the story pulls you in with a constant tension that keeps you guessing and sweating to the end. The game’s developer, Survios, has absolutely nailed the alien vibe. The dim corridors, flickering lights, and the ever-present hum of machines are so true to the series. The silence in the game is a type that makes you lean forward to wonder, “What was that noise?” And, of course, it could be something with claws waiting to attack anything moving with a breath. Additionally, the game offers a synthetic companion that keeps players wondering if they are on their side or whether to keep one eye on them.

This first chapter of Alien: Rogue Incursion is only the beginning of a larger story. However, it sets the stage beautifully. The narrative strikes a fine balance between heart-pounding action sequences and more suspenseful moments. While the game ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you hungry for more, it’s the kind of anticipation fans love. Ultimately, this debut chapter has laid an excellent foundation for what’s to come.

When VR Meets Aliens

Virtual reality is about putting players in the thick of the action, and Alien: Rogue Incursion doesn’t waste this opportunity. The game takes full advantage of VR’s potential using full-body inverse kinematics (IK). This means your in-game avatar replicates all your moves, whether ducking, dodging, or making an unplanned flail; it genuinely feels like you’re fully immersed in the game.

Where the game truly shines is in its engagement. Familiar tools like the welding torch, motion tracker, and handheld terminal are thoughtfully designed and integrated into the experience. The motion tracker deserves special mention; it’s an absolute highlight. Every beep that signals a Xenomorph is closing in makes your heart race and your palms sweat. It’s exactly what fans of the franchise would expect. The handheld terminal is another standout, serving as your map, inventory, and hacking tool. Tossing it into a console to unlock doors or complete tasks feels natural.

That said, the game isn’t without its hiccups. The IK system, while generally impressive, has some drawbacks. Occasionally, your weapons or limbs clip through walls or objects, momentarily breaking the immersion. The weapon sway animation, which keeps your gun moving while standing, can sometimes feel slightly off and sometimes messes with aiming. These issues are minor but noticeable. Despite these small flaws, Alien: Rogue Incursion uses VR mechanics in clever ways, making it a must-play for fans eager to dive into the Alien universe like never before.

Satisfying Yet Imperfect

Combat is a central element of Alien: Rogue Incursion, and the game equips players with a modest but effective arsenal. The primary weapons include a revolver, a shotgun, and the iconic pulse rifle, each offering distinct advantages. Ammo is scarce enough to encourage strategic resource management. 

The revolver and shotgun stand out as the most satisfying weapons. Reloading the revolver, which involves manually inserting each round, strikes a balance between tension and speed. The shotgun’s pump-action reload is equally engaging, delivering a powerful blast that feels reliable in every encounter. These weapons are fun to use and pack a satisfying punch.

The pulse rifle, however, doesn’t quite hit the mark. Its heavy recoil and clunky aiming make it difficult to use, especially during the chaotic moments when Xenomorphs are charging towards you. While the game offers a stabilization feature to help steady your aim, it feels too stiff and doesn’t allow much personalization. As a result, the pulse rifle ends up feeling more awkward and less reliable compared to the other weapons in your arsenal.

Beyond firearms, the game provides additional tools like motion-activated mines and a syringe for healing. The motion tracker, however, steals the spotlight as your ultimate lifeline in the chaos. It relentlessly builds tension as it detects nearby enemies, keeping players constantly on edge. One unforgettable moment has you placing the tracker on the ground while waves of Xenomorphs close in. Players must keep glancing to track enemy movements while frantically managing their defenses. This mix of strategy and action highlights the game’s knack for delivering intense and memorable gameplay moments.

The Thrill

Visually, Alien: Rogue Incursion is a mixed bag. On one hand, the lighting, shadows, fog, and particle effects are superb. Notably, they create an atmosphere that feels ripped straight from the films. The Xenomorphs themselves are impeccably designed, with fantastic animations that make them genuinely terrifying. Watching them stalk you from walls, ceilings, and floors is a thrilling experience, heightening the sense of danger.

On the other hand, the textures often fall short, even on high-end PCs with maximum settings. Many environmental assets appear low-resolution, which diminishes the game’s otherwise immersive presentation. Interestingly, the PSVR2 version boasts higher-resolution textures and advanced haptic feedback. Consequently, it’s the superior platform for players seeking the best visual and sensory experience.

The sound design in Alien: Rogue Incursion is nothing short of spectacular. Audio plays a key role in building tension, and the game nails it with a soundscape that pulls you right into its world. From the low hum of machinery to the distant, chilling screams of Xenomorphs, every sound feels immersive. 

Additionally, the iconic beeping of the motion tracker deserves special mention. It’s a masterclass in how audio can create suspense and keep you on edge. Even the rifle’s distinctive firing sound adds to the experience, making every firefight feel cinematic. For fans of the Alien franchise, the audio alone is enough to make the game worth playing.

Stars of The Game

The undeniable stars of Alien: Rogue Incursion are, of course, the Xenomorphs. These iconic creatures are brought to life with terrifying precision and steal the spotlight in every encounter. From their fluid movements to their ability to crawl seamlessly along walls and ceilings, the Xenomorphs feel like a horrifying real threat. Every time they appear, you’re on edge, never knowing what direction the danger might come from next.

What makes these creatures so memorable is their detailed design and lifelike animation. Watching them sneak through the shadows or hearing their low growls echo in the distance creates constant tension. The developers have clearly invested their efforts into making the Xenomorphs authentic to the franchise.

However, the Xenomorphs are not without their flaws. Occasionally, their AI acts strangely, with some enemies crawling aimlessly or pausing mid-attack. These moments, while rare, can disrupt the tension and slightly diminish the fear factor. Additionally, the game could benefit from introducing more alien types to keep encounters fresh and varied.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Xenomorphs remain the heart and soul of Alien: Rogue Incursion. Their presence alone is enough to take the game to the next level. The game has the potential to deliver the same kind of terror and excitement that fans have come to expect from the Alien franchise. Ultimately, the Xenomorphs are, without question, the driving force behind the game’s most intense and memorable moments.

Verdict

Alien: Rogue Incursion delivers an immersive and engaging VR experience that captures much of what makes the Alien franchise so beloved. Its atmospheric environments, compelling story, and faithful recreation of iconic elements make it a worthwhile adventure for fans. While the game isn’t without flaws, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

For die-hard Alien enthusiasts, this game is an easy recommendation. It fulfills the dream of stepping into the world of aliens. The game offers moments of tension, excitement, and unmatched terror. For others, it’s still a compelling experience, particularly for those looking for a VR game that effectively blends action and suspense.

As the first chapter in a larger narrative, Alien: Rogue Incursion lays a solid foundation for future installments. If Survios can address the game’s shortcomings and expand on its strengths, the sequel has the potential to be truly exceptional. Until then, this game stands as a testament to the power of VR to bring iconic franchises to life.