Alien: Rogue Incursion

Platforms: PC, PS VR2, Meta Quest

There is a reason why, for ten years after its release, Alien Isolation has remained one of the most pulse-pounding virtual reality experiences available. Despite somewhat dated graphics (and the necessity of locating the game’s unofficial VR mod in the first place), the opportunity to come face-to-facehugger with HR Giger’s xenomorphs felt like the entire reason VR was invented. Now, a decade on, Alien: Rogue Incursion has entered the chat; not a fan-created afterthought this time, but an official, designed-for-VR title that draws its inspiration less from Ridley Scott’s original Alien, than James Cameron’s firepower-packing successor.

Placing you behind the eyes of former colonial marine Zula Hendricks (a fan-favourite character from numerous Alien comic titles), the game sets down (violently) outside the colony of Castor’s Cradle, on the barren, storm-swept planet of Purdan — clearly picked from the same ‘wasteland escapes’ travel brochure as LV-426. As you cautiously scout the settlement’s gloomy, acid-scarred corridors — white-knuckle grip on your pulse rifle, the motion tracker’s tap-tap in your ears — the feeling of having stepped directly into a scene from Aliens is almost overwhelming. You can almost hear Bill Paxton’s grousing with each and every step.

The feeling of having stepped directly into a scene from Aliens is almost overwhelming.

VR developer Survios (Creed: Rise To Glory) has taken care to replicate the aesthetic and feel of the 1987 film down to the last bulkhead rivet, including everything from the colony’s industrial decor and green-hued ‘80s monitors, to the distinctive crackle of pulse rifle fire. Even the marine-issue hand-welder makes an appearance, allowing you to cut through sealed doors while nervously glancing over one shoulder for uninvited company. When they come (and come they will) close encounters with the xenomorphs themselves are as horrifyingly realistic as you might imagine, with any loud noise swiftly drawing attention of the fanged and clawed variety. The first time an alien comes hissing out of a vent directly above you, it’s all you can do not to fire wildly in every direction while screaming, Hudson-like, in pure, terror-driven panic.

Rifle, sidearm and shotgun ensure Zula isn’t helpless when the dinner bell rings, of course, but ammo is far from plentiful and the difficulty of fumbling through a reload while under pressure combined with the scarcity of save terminals, mean you’re rarely given license to feel at ease. And while the alien AI is somewhat inconsistent (for every wall-hopping bug dead set on your disembowlment, another will resort to hard stares as it dumbly waits to be shot in the face) and the range of enemies is limited, the game’s eight hour campaign is economical enough to keep the experience from getting tired.

Written by veteran Alien tie-in novelist Alex White, the story doesn’t quite have the punch of Cameron’s propulsive screenplay, but it does make good use of both character (Zula and android companion Davis 01 make for engaging company throughout) and setting, building towards a suitably thrilling climax that paves the way for the game’s currently in-development second act. But even without this narrative hook, Rogue Incursion could very well get by on vibes alone. Oozing authenticity from every biomechanical pore, the game offers the opportunity to bodily immerse yourself in the world of the Alien films — as long as your nerves can handle it. Terrifying, exhilarating and hugely atmospheric, Alien: Rogue Incursion is an express elevator to hell. Going down!