A brand-new trailer was recently unveiled for the upcoming Alien-themed game Aliens: Fireteam Elite. The multiplayer third-person shooter is the latest in a long line of titles the cinema-born franchise has enjoyed over the decades, with more recent entries including the critically acclaimed survival horror Alien: Isolation and the less positively received actioner Aliens: Colonial Marines.
Developed by Cold Iron Studio, alongside Disney's 20th Century Games, the game is touted as "a standalone sequel to the original Alien trilogy". However, with its action-focus, Aliens: Fireteam Elite looks far more Aliens than it does Alien, making it something of the total opposite to the last major title Isolation, which was an entirely survival horror-driven experience.
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Either way, a new Alien title within the gaming world is always music to a fan's ears (there's also a television project on the way). Even if the thought of hearing a Xenomorph – or more – scraping the cold mesh flooring of an overhead vent system sends shivers down one's spine. Here's everything you need to know about Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
What is Aliens Fireteam Elite about?
The game is said to be based on the 1986 sequel Aliens and set 23 years after the original three films (thankfully it doesn't appear to be taking the abomination that is Alien: Resurrection, or any of the Alien Versus Predator entries, into account, though there are apparent strands of Prometheus DNA in the trailer).
The game sees you play a "hardened" Colonial Marine aboard the UAS Endeavor, on which you respond to a distress call from the outer colonies. While the plot doesn't sound particularly original, sometimes it makes sense for a title like Alien to go back to basics (here's looking at you, every movie since Alien 3).
Where Alien is concerned, less can be more, which is something many fans learned with the likes of bloated, convoluted, and pretentious films like Prometheus. This isn't the first time an Alien game has allowed players to control a Colonial Marine, proving once again that James Cameron's action-heavy Aliens remains a favorite among fans, especially where the gaming world is concerned.
Playing a marine also means that you'll be fending off swarms of Xenomorphs, as well as plenty of deadly Weyland-Utani Droids. You have our deepest sympathies…
Aliens Fireteam Elite Gameplay
The third-person shooter will see players enjoy online experiences, not unlike Left 4 Dead (which the Aliens: Fireteam Elite trailer has drawn comparisons with) in which they'll be able to team up with real friends or AI players.
Alongside them, you'll fight Xenomorphs in realistic environments using state-of-the-art weaponry. While this game is set to be more action-oriented than survival horror, it does of course incorporate much of the latter. Like the sequel Aliens, it sounds like Aliens: Fireteam Elite will adopt multiple genres, namely action, horror, and sci-fi.
As for settings, there seems to be plenty to explore, from the familiar cold and metallic settings of a spacecraft – which will be at times hidden beneath the Xenomorph's environment-altering secretion - to more ‘worldly' locations, such as tropical zones and ancient temples reminiscent of Prometheus. You can also clearly see marines exploring a derelict spacecraft in the trailer, approaching the iconic telescope-like pilot seat that would be operated by a ‘space jockey' or ‘engineer' in another life.
Another bonus alongside the co-op mode is that you can create and customize your marine – things such as class, weapons, equipment, stats, and more. Classes include Gunner, Demolisher, Technician, Doc, and Recon, each of which has special abilities and perks. You'll also be able to improve your skills and techniques using a ‘Perk Board'.
Moving from heroes to enemies, there will be 11 different species of Xenomorph in the game, each of which will rival your player in terms of strategy, strength, speed, and intelligence. However, unlike Aliens: Colonial Marines, this time players won't be able to play as one of the Xenomorphs – something titles before that game even incorporated, such as 2010's Alien Vs Predator.
There are also four-story campaigns in the game, each of which contains three missions. Your marine can either team up with two fellow marines, who can be either NPC or real players. And if battling Facehuggers, Xenomorphs and Droids wasn't enough, there are five difficulty settings too.
Aliens Fireteam Elite single player mode
While Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a co-op game first, meaning the game has been designed and created with the online experience in mind, there is, fortunately, a single-player option. The campaign mode features storylines unique to the Alien franchise, taking place 23 years after the events of the original trilogy, with up to four hours of gameplay.
Aliens Fireteam Elite Trailer
As you can see, Aliens: Fireteam Elite isn't short on action, and isn't shy when it comes to pulse-pounding horror, either. It's clear the game has taken plenty of inspiration from Aliens, and the gameplay footage doesn't disappoint.
However, there is a lack of originality to be called out. While new species of Xenomorph are always welcome (so long as you're not alone and armed to the teeth), it's something fans already encountered in Aliens: Colonial Marines.
The real deal-breaker, though, will be in the gameplay, and the trailer does tease potential connections with Prometheus, in the form of the giant engineer statue and the derelict spacecraft, which might at least offer some new storytelling for players to navigate.
Aliens Fireteam Elite release date
Aliens: Fireteam Elite will be responding to our distress calls on August 24, 2021. The game is currently available for pre-order.
Aliens Fireteam Elite platforms
Aliens: Fireteam Elite will be available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Aliens Fireteam Elite crossplay
The good news is that cross-gen play is possible with Aliens: Fireteam Elite. The bad news is that cross-platform play won't be. In other words, PS4 players will be able to co-op with PS5 players, but neither will be able to play with an Xbox player.
Aliens Fireteam Elite news
A brand-new trailer was recently revealed, showing plenty of gameplay footage and cut scenes.
An official website for the game is currently active.
Aliens Fireteam Elite Collector's Edition
The Aliens: Fireteam EliteDeluxe Edition will also be available for purchase. This edition allows you to download both the digital PS4 and PS5 versions of the game. It also includes the Endeavor Veteran Pack and the Endeavor Pass which includes several DLC pass bundles, such as class kit skins, weapon appearances, and accessories (which will become available at a later date as part of free downloads and updates).
The Aliens gaming franchise hasn't been quite as controversial as its cinematic counterpart, but the titles are still known to be hit or miss. 2013's Aliens: Colonial Marines was considered a misfire by fans and gamers alike, and while Aliens: Fireteam Elite looks to be, for all intents and purposes, a resurrection of the former, it also looks like it wields much more focus in terms of gameplay and execution.
Nevertheless, the question is, will Aliens: Fireteam Elite live up to the quality of Alien: Isolation? Or will it just be another bug hunt? There's only one thing we can do while we wait to find out: stay frosty.
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