73
MONSTER
Drop into the gripping journey of Aliens: Dark Descent, a squad-based, single-player action game in the iconic Alien franchise. Lead your soldiers in real-time to stop a new and terrifying kind of Xenomorph outbreak on Planet Lethe.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
76
Critics are split on Aliens: Dark Descent's story. Some praise its engaging, immersive narrative with tough decisions and well-developed relationships, while others criticize its lack of depth, character development, and originality. Despite mixed reviews, the game captures the essence of the Alien franchise, offering an enjoyable sci-fi experience with more positives than negatives. Perfect for fans seeking a compelling narrative in a survival-horror setting.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
76
Positive (80-100)
62%
Mixed (50-79)
35%
Negative (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Critics are split on Aliens: Dark Descent's story. Some praise its engaging, immersive narrative with tough decisions and well-developed relationships, while others criticize its lack of depth, character development, and originality. Despite mixed reviews, the game captures the essence of the Alien franchise, offering an enjoyable sci-fi experience with more positives than negatives. Perfect for fans seeking a compelling narrative in a survival-horror setting.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
82
Critics generally praise Aliens: Dark Descent for its unique gameplay combining real-time strategy, tactical management, stealth, and survival horror elements. Positive aspects highlighted include squad missions, strategic combat, and immersive progression. However, some critics mention drawbacks like AI issues, control problems, and tedious boss fights. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience despite its flaws, appealing to fans of the genre.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
82
Positive (80-100)
71%
Mixed (50-79)
29%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Critics generally praise Aliens: Dark Descent for its unique gameplay combining real-time strategy, tactical management, stealth, and survival horror elements. Positive aspects highlighted include squad missions, strategic combat, and immersive progression. However, some critics mention drawbacks like AI issues, control problems, and tedious boss fights. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience despite its flaws, appealing to fans of the genre.
Graphics and Visual Design
Expand for full analysis
80
Critics applaud Aliens: Dark Descent for its detailed, atmospheric visuals that capture the essence of the Aliens franchise, praising its isometric 3D graphics, HR Giger influences, and fearsome Xenomorphs. Some critics note issues like rigid animations and graphical glitches, but overall, the game successfully immerses players in the dark, menacing world of the Alien universe, creating a visually stunning and authentic experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
80
Positive (80-100)
67%
Mixed (50-79)
29%
Negative (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics applaud Aliens: Dark Descent for its detailed, atmospheric visuals that capture the essence of the Aliens franchise, praising its isometric 3D graphics, HR Giger influences, and fearsome Xenomorphs. Some critics note issues like rigid animations and graphical glitches, but overall, the game successfully immerses players in the dark, menacing world of the Alien universe, creating a visually stunning and authentic experience.
Music and Sound Design
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79
Critics praise Aliens: Dark Descent for its immersive sound design and music, featuring familiar Alien franchise sounds and intense combat-enhancing music. Voice acting impresses with attention to detail, although some critics note inconsistencies and lack of music in certain moments. Despite minor flaws, the game captures the tense, fearful essence of the Aliens franchise, offering a faithful and immersive experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
79
Positive (80-100)
53%
Mixed (50-79)
47%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics praise Aliens: Dark Descent for its immersive sound design and music, featuring familiar Alien franchise sounds and intense combat-enhancing music. Voice acting impresses with attention to detail, although some critics note inconsistencies and lack of music in certain moments. Despite minor flaws, the game captures the tense, fearful essence of the Aliens franchise, offering a faithful and immersive experience.
Voice Acting
Expand for full analysis
62
Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Aliens: Dark Descent. Some praise it for bringing depth to characters, while others criticize inconsistencies and weaker performances, impacting player immersion. Positive feedback highlights excellent supporting cast performances, while negative feedback points out flaws in battle exclamations and inconsistent delivery. Overall, while some critics appreciate the humanization of characters, others find the voice acting mediocre and hindering player engagement.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
62
Positive (80-100)
20%
Mixed (50-79)
70%
Negative (0-49)
10%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Aliens: Dark Descent. Some praise it for bringing depth to characters, while others criticize inconsistencies and weaker performances, impacting player immersion. Positive feedback highlights excellent supporting cast performances, while negative feedback points out flaws in battle exclamations and inconsistent delivery. Overall, while some critics appreciate the humanization of characters, others find the voice acting mediocre and hindering player engagement.
Technical Performance
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59
Aliens: Dark Descent faces major technical issues on PC, including bugs, crashes, and glitches that affect gameplay, according to multiple critics. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 experiences are limited, making it hard to assess their technical performance accurately.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
59
Positive (80-100)
9%
Mixed (50-79)
64%
Negative (0-49)
27%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Aliens: Dark Descent faces major technical issues on PC, including bugs, crashes, and glitches that affect gameplay, according to multiple critics. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 experiences are limited, making it hard to assess their technical performance accurately.
Replay Value
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71
Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Aliens: Dark Descent. Positive aspects like challenging gameplay, customization options, and interesting missions contribute to replayability. However, criticisms include repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and limitations in progression system. Overall, while the game offers engaging features, negative aspects may impact its overall replay value by potentially leading to boredom and lack of variety.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
71
Positive (80-100)
42%
Mixed (50-79)
50%
Negative (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Aliens: Dark Descent. Positive aspects like challenging gameplay, customization options, and interesting missions contribute to replayability. However, criticisms include repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and limitations in progression system. Overall, while the game offers engaging features, negative aspects may impact its overall replay value by potentially leading to boredom and lack of variety.
Overall Verdict
73
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
73
Positive (80-100)
52%
Mixed (50-79)
47%
Negative (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Critics have mixed opinions on Aliens: Dark Descent, leaning towards the positive side. Praised for its fresh take on the Aliens franchise, immersive real-time strategy gameplay, and captivating atmosphere, some call it the best Aliens game ever. However, technical issues, slow start, and squad control problems are noted as weaknesses. Despite flaws, the game offers a fun and immersive experience, blending action, horror, and strategy for fans of the franchise.
73
MONSTER
Reviews
138 reviews found92
Impulsegamer
Jun 26, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Aliens Dark Descent establishes its own rules and delivers a true Alien experience, making it a great addition to the franchise.
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90
Hooked Gamers
Jun 22, 2023
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Aliens: Dark Descent is one of the best games in the franchise's history, with compelling storytelling and satisfying gameplay. Boss fights and home base could be improved.
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88
Xbox Tavern
Jul 26, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised for its fresh take on the Aliens franchise and its understanding of the source material.
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85
GameGrin
Jun 29, 2023
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Aliens: Dark Descent is an absolutely brilliant experience, incredibly well-balanced, and definitely worth giving a try.
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85
But Why Tho?
Jun 19, 2023
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Aliens: Dark Descent is a fun and immersive real-time strategy squad game, despite its minor flaws. The reviewer enjoyed every second of it.
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83
Player 2
Jun 30, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A wonderful addition to the franchise with authentic gameplay and strategic game systems, but held back by fixable issues.
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80
GameSpew
Jun 19, 2023
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Impressive game for Alien fans, well worth picking up
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80
Cultured Vultures
Jun 23, 2023
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The game is praised as arguably the best Aliens game of all time, with ample inspiration from its peers and a fresh role-playing experience. The overall verdict is positive.
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80
TheSixthAxis
Jun 19, 2023
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The game is praised for its fresh approach, strategic gameplay, and capturing the feel of the original films. The reviewer finds the default difficulty challenging enough and wishes there was an option to change the setting partway through the game.
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80
Checkpoint Gaming
Jun 22, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Aliens: Dark Descent is an excellent addition to the Aliens canon, recommended for fans of strategy games, survival horror games, or Aliens fans.
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