Alien: Rogue Incursion finally brings the beloved franchise into VR, giving fans the opportunity to experience the tense atmosphere and action the series is known for in a whole new way. As someone who enjoys VR, I’ve already played both Alien: Isolation and Aliens: Fireteam Elite in virtual reality, thanks to the efforts of the modding community. This left me very curious about how good Alien: Rogue Incursion could be, as it is a game built from the ground up with VR in mind.
Thankfully, for the most part, Alien: Rogue Incursion sticks the landing like a Xenomorph on the outside of a spaceship. The roughly 10-hour adventure places players into the shoes of one Zula Hendricks, a tough-as-nails ex-Colonial Marine, alongside her synth partner on a mission to uncover the secrets of a brand new facility on the planet Purdan.
Without spoiling too much, Alien: Rogue Incursion’s narrative feels close to both Isolation and the recently released Alien: Romulus, particularly in regard to Zula’s relationship with Davis One, her synth partner. Although, despite not having read the comic (Aliens: Defiance) in which the characters from Rogue Incursion are first introduced, hardcore series fans will surely appreciate the effort put in by Survios in Alien: Rogue Incursion and how it fits into the overarching narrative of the extended Aliens timeline.
“Alien: Rogue Incursion sticks the landing like a Xenomorph on the outside of a spaceship.”
Gameplay in Alien: Rogue Incursion feels like a modern take on the game Alien Trilogy, with players tasked with finding keycards, upgrading clearance, and progressing deeper into the Xenomorph-infested facilities of the planet.
One area where Rogue Incursion left me wanting more was with the weapons and loadout available to the player. Outside of the iconic Pulse Rifle, Zula only has access to a shotgun, sidearm, and some grenades for most of the game, all of which, thankfully, feel great to use. Still, additional gear, such as a flamethrower or even the ability to modify and upgrade your kit, would go a long way in expanding the currently limited arsenal.
Alien: Rogue Incursion also suffers from an overreliance on repetitive puzzle sequences throughout the campaign. These puzzles task players, as Zula, with bridging broken circuit panels, which usually involves moving frayed wires from one point on the board to another. Unfortunately, this sometimes means dealing with continually spawning Xenomorphs that, instead of adding tension, result in frustration and annoyance.
On the topic of Xenomorphs, Alien: Rogue Incursion lacks enemy variety, with the game primarily featuring a single type of Xenomorph. While this works, it could have benefitted from more variety to keep things fresh (beyond a few minor surprises).
Aside from combat and puzzle sequences, Alien: Rogue Incursion focuses on exploring the derelict space station, climbing through vents, and using tools to progress deeper into the hostile planet to uncover its dark secrets.
Outside of firearms, Zula has access to a Datapad, which serves as a map, log, and tool for interfacing with terminals, as well as a hand torch, radar, and other puzzle-solving tools. In true survival-horror fashion, the Datapad can only be accessed in real time, adding to the game’s tension.
Cassettes or logs are scattered throughout Alien: Rogue Incursion and can be inserted into Zula’s Datapad, unlocking additional audio clips that expand the story. The torch, meanwhile, is used to open welded-shut briefcases, doors, and lockers—essential for keeping your ammo and health supply stocked. Using the torch feels oddly satisfying, especially when opening welded doors, which requires carefully tracing along designated marks.
Gunplay in Alien: Rogue Incursion also feels excellent, requiring both hands to hold the pulse rifle and shotgun, which feels weighty and powerful, while the side arm can get you out of a pinch or save you a reload.
“Despite the often excessive amount of Xenomorph encounters, Alien: Rogue Incursion manages to keep the tension high thanks to limited resources.”
espite the often excessive number of Xenomorph encounters, Alien: Rogue Incursion manages to keep the tension high thanks to limited resources. One standout scene early in the game, where the player is introduced to the shotgun, involves calling an elevator. In classic video game fashion, this triggers an extended firefight with a horde of Aliens, requiring the player to carefully manage ammo—since the game takes away the Pulse Rifle—until the lift arrives and they can escape.
Occasionally, the game introduces sequences where Zula must physically carry an object from point A to point B. These moments add tension by forcing the player to be less accurate and rely on one hand, meaning grenades and shotguns are no longer an option.
Graphically, Alien: Rogue Incursion looks great on PC, with atmospheric lighting effects, smog, and art direction that feel true to the source material. Similarly, the voice acting and sound design are solid, giving Rogue Incursion a cinematic feel that enhances the game’s immersion.
Ultimately, if you’re a fan of the Aliens franchise and have either a PSVR2 or PC VR headset (the native Quest version will be released at a later date), Alien: Rogue Incursion is worth checking out, despite some repetitive gameplay sequences and its overall limited scope.
