Last spring, a visit to the set of the upcoming FX and Hulu series Alien: Earth captured the eerie world of the Alien franchise, setting up expectations for the VR game Alien: Rogue Incursion. This title, however, does not fully deliver the immersive experience one might hope for. Although designed to draw players into the Alien universe, it struggles to portray the franchise’s signature terror due to its frustrating mechanics and a notably diminished representation of its titular monster.
Rogue Incursion attempts to distinguish itself from previous titles in the Alien franchise, which typically either explore the slow-burning dread of the original film or lean into the action of the sequel, Aliens. The struggle lies in striking a balance; while the game features numerous encounters with Xenomorphs, they feel more like fodder than formidable foes. The gameplay focuses heavily on combat rather than stealth, which undercuts the horror elements. Early in the game, players encounter a Xeno in an encounter that lacks tension—Zula Hendricks, the protagonist, simply dispatches it without the build-up one might expect from an Alien title.
Generally, players are encouraged to adopt a strategy of waiting for the Xenomorphs to come to them, negating the need for stealth or clever maneuvering. This gameplay loop grows stale quickly; the excitement turns into predictability as the encounters play out in a similar manner throughout the game’s four-hour length. Rather than a visceral struggle for survival, the experience feels like a series of uninspired challenges.
While exploration in VR is generally a draw, Alien: Rogue Incursion suffers visually on the Quest 3 compared to other platforms. The lower graphical quality limits immersion—shadows and environmental details appear muddled, sapping the atmosphere from crucial moments in the game.
Despite these shortcomings, there is a redeeming quality in the story. The narrative introduces fresh perspectives on familiar characters and themes from the broader Alien mythos, crafted by Alex White, an author well-versed in the franchise. However, the game ends abruptly, presenting itself as Part One, leading to a sense of frustration rather than satisfying closure.
To summarize, Alien: Rogue Incursion could be considered a decent experience on some VR platforms, yet Quest 3 players might better appreciate it if viewed as the only option available, rather than the optimal way to engage with the Alien universe. While it showcases an intriguing story and a relationship between characters, the simplistic enemy encounters and the constraints in visual fidelity detract from its overall potential. Ultimately, the game’s merits lie in its narrative, even if they are overshadowed by gameplay mishaps.
