Thomas Quinn Jefferson assisted me through an early chapter of the Alien: Rogue Incursion game on my PC-based Virtual Reality setup.
While playing a demo of Rogue Incursion under the direction of Survios’ artistic director, I initially followed his instructions to take down a pair of xenomorphs in the opening level. Two figures stood out, one unobstructed in the open terrain, while the other remained concealed just beyond the edge of the field, both seemingly in full view. Inside the dimly lit industrial space, steel pipes crisscrossed every direction, yet their presence was still difficult to discern.
While I initially trusted Jefferson’s words, I still couldn’t help but frequently glance at my movement tracker with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. As I pored over the PC terminal’s screen, my excitement turned to disgust; it was smeared with blood, rendering any visual comprehension impossible. Without hesitation, I used my hands to wipe away the viscous residue, the sticky texture a stark contrast to the sterile digital world I was trying to decipher. Shaking off the morbid thoughts, I refocused on the task at hand, driven by an insatiable curiosity.
Rogue Incursion aims to recapture the intense tension of Alien: Isolation, where hiding in lockers was a desperate attempt to evade a xenomorph that proved far too formidable to confront head-on. By channeling James Cameron’s bombastic power from Aliens, this new game hopes to create a thrilling experience for players. With the silence of a seasoned warrior, you prepare yourself for an onslaught of threats from every direction, knowing that the slightest misstep could trigger a full-blown invasion, yet remaining poised and ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
The film’s pivotal third act served as a profound source of inspiration for Jefferson. The Alien queen’s domain trembles as Ripley, fueled by determination, dons her gear, secures herself, and plunges headfirst into the eerie darkness of the hive, unleashing a frenzy of fury upon the unsuspecting Xenomorphs. We aimed to bring innovative gaming experiences, with a focus on delivering exceptional virtual reality (VR) content.
If you raise your head high enough, you’ll find a small flashlight activated by a gentle tap. When accidents occur and you sustain an injury, consider utilizing a comprehensive wellbeing kit to provide prompt medical attention. After reloading the revolver’s cartridges, I smoothly spun the cylinder to its proper alignment, whereupon it clicked firmly into position. And accordingly, I secured the heartbeat rifle, ready to fire.
During the demo, one notable moment occurred when I dropped the tracker near a nearby crate, freeing up my hands to fully utilize the Pulse Rifle with its enhanced accuracy when wielded with both hands. With a legacy of pioneering VR’s most immersive experiences, Survios has consistently demonstrated its mastery of embodying players within virtual worlds. Here, the studio’s expertise shines as you don an arsenal of weapons strategically mounted across your physical form.
As I navigated the precarious crawl through the air duct, I narrowly escaped harm as a wiring panel nearby unexpectedly sparked, threatening to cut short my mission. Without the freedom to roam an open space, I found myself even more intimidated by the xenomorphs’ presence. Throughout my various encounters, I was fortunate enough to receive assistance from my artificial companion, Davis 01.
“The aspect that resonates with me about VR,” noted Alex White, author of Rogue Incursion, “is its capacity to foster intimacy.” This immersive experience allows you to forge meaningful connections not only with the xenomorph but also with other characters, such as Davis 01, and even the eerie spirits of the location through which you’re exploring. Here’s a revised version: By leveraging robust character development, VR enables a seamless alignment of player emotions and intentions with those of protagonist Zula Hendricks, thereby elevating the overall gaming experience. We hope you achieve the success that each of us envisions, free from the potential nightmares that could accompany it.
In the pioneering era of game design, the focus was on fundamental interactions: hacking into terminals, analyzing log data displayed on screens, and uncovering crucial keycards to gain access to previously inaccessible regions. As the xenomorph’s razor-sharp claws raked across my armor, I stumbled backward, my frantic breathing the only sound amidst the eerie silence. The metallic stench of its acidic blood clung to my suit like a noxious shroud as I limped away from the carnage, my mind racing with the intensity of the fight. In my panic, I forgot the simple mechanics of reloading my weapon, leaving me vulnerable and defenseless in the face of such unrelenting horror.
“Jefferson referenced a metaphor about predator and prey, using ‘mouse modifications’ to illustrate the complexities.” As the pace quickens, it’s like being caught between two opponents – one right on your tail and another lurking ahead. Rapidly you are the goal. As consistency in unpredictable shifts becomes an integral component of our forecast, this unpredictability is what truly renders the experience thrilling to engage with.
As a seasoned gamer, I previously spent hours meticulously searching through virtual containers in the Half-Life: Alyx model for scarce resources. At one point, I found myself genuinely admiring the retro-futuristic aesthetic and exceptional lighting design on display, as well as the unique physical characteristics of my surroundings. I spotted a knowledge card resembling a military-grade floppy disk in appearance; instinctively, I snatched a crumpled piece of paper from the nearby desk and dispatched it unceremoniously to its fate in the trash can.
“That’s the first instance many users will encounter such scenarios in virtual reality,” Jefferson hints. What could potentially exist on the planet of an alien?
I experienced the game on a Quest headset in wired PC VR mode, but I’d love to play it on PlayStation VR2, where its OLED display with HDR would truly bring Alien: Rogue Incursion to life. The forthcoming title is expected to pose significant challenges for developers in both graphics and physics spheres, particularly regarding Quest headsets; following my inquiry about the possibility of delaying the standalone release, a Survios representative remained tight-lipped.
Survios confirms that Alien: Rogue Incursion will land on December 19, simultaneously launching on PlayStation VR2, PC VR, and Oculus Quest.
