Last spring, excitement buzzed as the set of the upcoming FX and Hulu series “Alien: Earth” welcomed fans of the iconic horror franchise. Now, a new virtual reality (VR) game, “Alien: Rogue Incursion,” attempts to immerse players in the chilling universe of Alien, but falls short in capturing the series’ signature essence.
“Alien: Rogue Incursion” is a VR-exclusive addition to the long-standing legacy of Alien video games. Traditionally, titles that use the singular “Alien” draw inspiration from the original slow-paced horror experience, while those using “Aliens” adopt the more action-oriented tone seen in James Cameron’s sequel. However, Rogue Incursion deviates from this convention, showcasing an abundance of Xenomorphs that transforms it into a frantic action experience rather than a survival-horror adventure.
Despite the developers’ efforts to evoke the atmosphere of “Alien: Isolation,” with familiar elements such as movement scanners and android designs, the immersive dread of its predecessor is lost. Players encounter Xenomorphs that lack the menacing intelligence depicted in previous iterations of the series. In multiple encounters, players can dispatch enemies with relative ease, significantly diminishing the tension and horror expected from an Alien title.
Gameplay primarily revolves around simple mechanics: players collect tools to solve puzzles or gain access to restricted areas, only to find themselves facing Xenomorphs that can be taken down with minimal strategy. The lack of variety in combat encounters and the absence of stealth elements lead to a predictable experience that undermines the game’s potential.
Visually, “Alien: Rogue Incursion” suffers on the Quest 3 platform, where graphics do not meet the immersive standards seen in more robust VR environments like Steam VR and PSVR 2. Reduced visual fidelity hampers the game’s atmosphere, often resulting in a fuzzier experience that detracts from the fear factor inherent in the franchise.
Despite its shortcomings, the narrative of Rogue Incursion remains engaging, exploring familiar themes and characters from the Alien universe. As the game is only Part One of a larger story, players can expect intriguing plot developments that resonate with established fans of the series.
Overall, “Alien: Rogue Incursion” provides a decent experience for players on certain VR platforms but is best appreciated for its narrative depth, especially on the Quest 3. While the game does offer fun VR mechanics, its lackluster monster encounters and diminished visual quality leave much to be desired. As the de facto Alien VR game available, it ultimately appeals more to dedicated fans rather than newcomers seeking a frightening journey into the Alien universe.
