Alien: Rogue Incursion Review – An Ambitious but Flawed Debut

In Alien: Rogue Incursion, players are thrust into a gripping, immersive story that delves into the sinister mysteries of the eerie planet Purdan. Discover the comprehensive details within.

Distinction To Earlier Titles 

While Rogue Incursion introduces fresh elements to the series, inevitable parallels arise with earlier titles, such as Alien: Isolation’s innovative virtual reality mod experience. While navigating isolation, you find yourself in a uniform setting, where stealth, environmental awareness, and the constant threat of a menacing force converge to create a sense of unease. Rogue Incursion presents a lean towards an action-oriented strategy, setting itself apart from other games with its intense focus on fast-paced gameplay and tactical decision-making. While the incorporation of diverse armaments and combat scenarios in some games may enhance excitement, these additions unfortunately undermine the intense fear I experienced throughout Alien: Isolation, a title that mastered the art of creating unease.

While Isolation boasted a singular, terrifyingly relentless Xenomorph that relentlessly stalked players, Rogue Incursion takes a different approach, prioritizing intense, back-to-back confrontations that can’t help but diminish the sense of unease and tension. A relentless fight often transforms genuine moments of terror into monotonous inevitabilities. As players venture through the sport’s perilous environments, the focus shifts from an apprehensive exploration of the unknown to a meticulous balancing act between conserving resources – including ammunition and health – and progressing through the treacherous terrain.

Can a narrative achieve depth in a darkish universe where shadows loom and hope seems to dwindle? 

Alien: Rogue Incursion is a narrative-driven shooter that boasts phenomenal vocal performances and weaves an enthralling, expertly crafted story. As Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks, you’re dispatched to the distant planet of Purdan, tasked with uncovering the sinister secrets hidden beneath the surface by clandestine corporations that prefer to keep their true intentions shrouded in mystery.

As Zula’s quest for truth propels her forward, players take on her persona, navigating the treacherous halls of the ominous GES facility, where hidden dangers lurk in every shadow? As I immersed myself in her story, the profound emotional toll of her odyssey and underlying drives became palpable, echoing broader concerns about resilience in the face of corporate opportunism.

The narrative echoes iconic sci-fi films from the 1980s, reminiscent of the action-packed thrills found in Aliens, while drawing parallels with more contemporary releases, such as Alien: Covenant. As I navigated the narrative’s midpoint, one pivotal scene crystallized the sport’s relentless intensity and sense of desperation, forever altering my perception of its world. This was the moment when Zula, her options dwindling to just six bullets and a solitary pistol, was held in a precarious state of restraint, leaving me breathless and reeling from the stark realities of this unforgiving environment. As she navigated through the eerie darkness, she encountered eight Face Hugger pods, each one meticulously marked for entry. As ammunition depleted, the realistic face-hugger mannequin’s slow crawl seemed eerily synchronized with my digital avatar’s jerky movements, prompting an unexpected surge of physiological responses: my virtual heart began pounding with a life-like intensity, threatening to palpate against my non-corporeal chest. As I walked through the bustling streets of Tokyo, it was the perfect moment to wear my trusty haptic vest – it could have truly amplified the sensory experience.

As the Face Huggers’ eerily lifelike movements unfolded on screen, their sinister intentions became palpable, rendering me motionless with anticipation, my breathing suspended as I was inexorably drawn into the heart-pumping terror of Zula’s desperate plight. As my interest in this virtual world’s vast expanse evolved into an unsettling apprehension about the possibility of its artificial inhabitants taking hold within me, genuine fear took hold.

As a sudden and striking incident unfolds mere seconds later, I find myself compelled to perform the “Handbook Synth Separation” procedure on my long-standing acquaintance, Davis 01. As the mechanic’s tools struggled to detach his lifeless head from the synthetic body, a sense of macabre intimacy unfolded, crystallizing the visceral horror that virtual reality seeks to convey. As Davis’s gaze locked onto his options, his face a mask of stunned incredulity, I was suddenly reminded of the intricate web of emotions that bound me to my synthetic ally.

A sudden plot twist leaves a frustrating lack of closure? As the sport concludes, a triumphant declaration greets players: “Zula Hendricks Will Return” – accompanied by a dazzling splash display that heralds the arrival of Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part Two? The status of whether this is a DLC or full sequel remains ambiguous, but Survios confirms its current development stage.

Atmospheric Immersion Meets Technical Flaws 

Rogue Incursion’s atmospheric design stands out immediately. Survios has painstakingly recreated environments that pay meticulous homage to the Alien franchise’s iconic visual identity. In the dimly lit analysis facility, flickering lights cast an unsettling array of shadows, plunging gamers into an immersive experience that’s both eerily authentic and heart-stoppingly terrifying. As I delved further into the darkened passageways, eerie whispers reverberated through my being, heightening an already palpable feeling of trepidation and foreboding. As I take each new step, the possibility of detection by the audio-reactive Xenomorphs sends shockwaves through my consciousness, leaving me perpetually on edge, fearing an instant swarm response to any perceived threat.

The sport excels in its overall visual display, but stumbles once filming commences. You can’t help but marvel at the lavish environments and meticulously reimagined cinematic elements, artfully blended with distinctive designs that instill a sense of nostalgia. I often experienced technical issues, most prominently on my personal computer. While efficiency showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistencies marred the experience: video glitches, memory lapses, and infrequent but devastating bugs threatened to derail what was otherwise a captivating adventure.

Before launching the product, Survios tackled some of these concerns by implementing pre-release patches across all platforms. Despite the replacement, inefficiencies persisted on my computer. The introduction of a “Dynamic Decision” setting proved instrumental in ensuring a consistently secure framerate, thereby enabling me to overcome the notorious “out-of-video memory” bug. Despite this, however, a notable decline in visual consistency was observed throughout gameplay.

Noticable pixelation and blurriness frequently marred my experience, especially when I most wanted to focus on the meticulously crafted environments and absorb the rich details that once defined this setting before the update. With a high-end gaming PC, it was astonishing to discover the need to fine-tune settings once more. Will Survios prioritize refining their game’s performance and visual consistency to cater to players who might be testing the graphics capabilities of their hardware?

Sound Design and Emotional Engagement 

The alien-themed video game Alien: Rogue Incursion’s exceptional sound design seamlessly blends into the experience, exponentially increasing the sense of immersion for players. The sports’ musical rating, expertly blended with intricately designed sound effects, harmoniously combine to elevate the horror atmosphere seamlessly. In an eerie silence punctuated by unsettling creaks and growls, the unmistakable signs of an Alien’s presence reverberate through the desolate landscape, distilling the quintessence of survival horror. I was perpetually on edge throughout my entire gaming experience.

Within this unsettling cacophony, the emotional depth is further underscored by the outstanding vocal performances of Andia Winslow as Zula and Robbie Daymond as Davis 01. The individual portrayals significantly enhance the storytelling proficiency, infusing vitality into the characterizations. As Zula’s voice wavered between concern and indignation, the tension became almost palpable, drawing the audience in with unbridled emotional investment. As I watched the pairs’ battle against insurmountable challenges unfold, their skillful execution only intensified my emotional investment, crafting a profound experience that resonated deeply within me.

What’s left to destroy?

While Alien: Rogue Incursion’s blend of combat and exploration is engagingly immersive, a closer inspection reveals that the balance between stealthy maneuvers and more forceful approaches often skews decidedly towards the latter. While there’s no need to hide from the enemy here,

Equipped with a versatile arsenal, Zula wields a pulse rifle, shotgun, and grenades, providing a diverse range of options to tackle emerging threats, allowing her to utilize these tools with precision and consistency. Although the long-lasting flamethrower was disappointingly absent, I had genuinely expected to see it, as it would have had a striking visual effect. As I gazed upon the fiery spectacle of the igniter’s flame, a fleeting thought struck me: what an unparalleled thrill it would be to witness such a mesmerizing display while simultaneously dispatching another deadly Xenomorph.

As I initially crossed paths with the deadly Xenomorphs, my heart raced with unbridled excitement, punctuated by flashes of primal fear that fueled either the instinct to fight or flee for survival. However, as the game unfolded, the initial thrill of those intense moments gradually gave way to a sense of familiarity, with the once-fearsome confrontations devolving into a monotonous pattern of capture, reload, and rinse-and-repeat. As a professional editor, I would suggest improving the text in the following way:

While conducting tests on the bottom issue, Cinematic, it was disconcerting to witness the sophistication of the Xenomorph’s visual expertise so starkly compromised. Soldiers would typically form a straight line, waiting expectantly for the inevitable onslaught of gunfire. The regular issue supply provides an extra layer of balance to expertise, but I found myself leaning heavily towards the fight offered by the Expert or Insane modes. These levels present an exceptionally challenging expertise that only skilled gamers would find beneficial. 

To access hidden areas and learn about the game’s narrative, players must solve software-based puzzles that unlock doors and terminals, revealing messages from the station’s residents. As I delved into this concept, I was captivated by its immersive potential: the sensory experience of scrubbing away bloodstains on console screens to reveal crucial intel, the thrill of untangling circuit-based conundrums while Xenomorphs lurked menacingly nearby? These scenes created genuinely intense and unforgettable moments that lingered long after viewing.

The Brutal Truth About Saving: Where Progress Meets Peril 

One of my most significant criticisms of Rogue Incursion is undoubtedly its flawed save system. Players often find themselves traversing vast expanses of game territory only to succumb to crushing consequences for mistakes made along the way. Stations for logging information are extremely rare and usually concealed within secure compartments accessed by means of secret doors or panic rooms. If you miss just one opportunity, you’ll face the consequence of replaying a multitude of storylines you’ve already mastered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a system where dialogue sequences didn’t feel like tedious reruns, but rather allowed you to fully immerse yourself in the story without worrying about prolonged restarts?

If Survios had implemented checkpoint-based saving features, the precious playtime lost to frustration could have potentially been avoided. With the pill interface, you’re able to save your progress at all times, always carrying a method for higher highs and lower lows. As a passionate proponent of the philosophy “Save at all times and save usually,” I firmly believe that builders should prioritize providing users with the ability to save at every opportunity. Notably missing from this setup is the ability to relive and re-experience pivotal moments within the simulation.

Is Alien: Rogue Incursion a worthy addition to the beloved Alien franchise? The answer lies within its eerie corridors and terrifying denizens. 

Alien: Rogue Incursion stands as a well-intentioned yet imperfect addition to the esteemed Alien series, its potential overshadowed by some notable missteps. Despite its captivating atmosphere, compelling narrative, and well-developed characters, the experience ultimately falls short due to an accumulation of technical issues and unresolved plot threads. While further enhancements could propel this experience into a robust VR horror offering, it currently falls short of delivering a deeply unsettling and immersive horror adventure.

While indulging in Alien-style hunting adventures with substantial weaponry might be a primary draw for some players, it’s essential to note that this experience will likely require subsequent enhancements to reach its full potential.

Alien: Rogue Incursion is set to launch on Quest in February, prompting me to return to the GES Facility for a final exploration. Until that moment, if you decide to don your best suit of armor and take on the corporation, this game will leave you pondering what lurks in the shadows at midnight and whether you’ll emerge unscathed to face another dawn. In a desolate area of the barren planet Purdan, not even the slightest whisper would pierce the stillness of the air, rendering your screams inaudible to the entire universe.

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