Video game adaptations of the Alien franchise have generally fared well, from the atmospheric terror of Alien: Isolation to the squad-based chaos of Aliens: Fireteam Elite. However, despite the franchise’s perfect potential for virtual reality, no one has dared to create a fully VR Alien experience—until now. Alien: Rogue Incursion is a groundbreaking experience that proves this universe was made for VR. Here’s our Alien: Rogue Incursion Review
The Alien franchise, particularly the first two films, holds a place of reverence in cinematic history. Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) defined sci-fi horror with its haunting atmosphere, the menacing presence of the xenomorph, and a terrifying sense of isolation. Then came James Cameron’s Aliens (1986), which masterfully pivoted the series into action horror without losing the dread that made the original so memorable. Together, these films influenced countless works in horror, sci-fi, and action genres, both in cinema and gaming.
Alien: Rogue Incursion takes elements from both films but leans more towards the sequel with its focus on action horror. If for some reason, you’ve ever wondered how you would do if you were placed in that universe, now’s your chance.
In your face
Set in the Gemini Exoplanet Solutions research facility on the planet Purdan, the story of Alien: Rogue Incursion places players in the shoes of Zula Hendricks, who must survive a xenomorph outbreak. Unlike the philosophical musings of Ridley Scott’s recent Alien prequels, the narrative here is straightforward, serving primarily as a vehicle to deliver intense gameplay. Hardcore fans might enjoy the world-building details scattered throughout, but the story itself isn’t what makes this game shine.
If there’s one thing Rogue Incursion gets absolutely right, it’s the presentation. The developers have captured the Alien universe’s signature lo-fi, retro-futuristic aesthetic with stunning fidelity. From claustrophobic hallways to the eerie openness of outdoor hunting grounds, every environment is meticulously detailed. Playing on the PSVR2, the OLED screen makes the interplay of darkness, flickering lights, and the faint illumination of fire pop beautifully, drawing you further into the immersive nightmare.
The sound design is equally impressive. From the iconic screech of a xenomorph to the spine-chilling patter of a facehugger, every audio cue is a heart-pounding reminder of the dangers lurking around you. Random creaks and distant crashes add to the unease, and the spatial audio makes every sound feel frighteningly real.
The xenomorphs themselves are a marvel to look at. Their towering, imposing figures and grotesque detail are terrifying up close. Seeing one lunge at you in VR—or worse, crawl out of the shadows—is a pulse-racing spectacle that VR delivers like no other medium can. I only wish they were a bit harder to deal with. As much as the AI does its best to keep you in your toes, unloading a few bullets into them is an easy way to fix the bug problem.
The first encounter with the Xeno was actually quite underwhelming. Just randomly popping up from a distance in a well-lit open area which gave me all the time in the world to get my gun and unload a few shots before it could even have a chance to come close to me. But rest assured that the deeper you progress in the game, they do give you a scare or two as they lurk in every shadow, vent, or random corner.
While Alien: Isolation captured the slow-burn dread of Ridley Scott’s original film, Rogue Incursion feels more akin to Cameron’s action-packed Aliens. The gameplay strikes a balance between horror and adrenaline-fueled action, making full use of VR’s immersive controls. Healing requires you to jab a stim shot into your arm. Weapons like the pulse rifle and revolver demand realistic actions like reaching over your shoulder or manually reloading, creating a great, hands-on experience. Even using the in-game map or checking objectives involves using a virtual tablet like you would in real life.
All those cool animations you see from your favorite FPS game? You do all of it now here and it feels great. Reaching over my shoulder for a motion scanner and pointing it towards the sound I just heard will never get old.
This interactivity makes Rogue Incursion a full-body experience, engaging players in ways traditional FPS games can’t. The intuitive controls heighten the tension as you juggle reloading, navigation, and survival—all while xenomorphs and facehuggers relentlessly hunt you down.
The game isn’t without its flaws. Inventory management can be cumbersome, with small, gray icons that make it difficult to quickly select items. While it’s a minor gripe, it can disrupt the flow of an otherwise seamless experience. Plus, the usual VR game problem of having to fiddle through objects close to each other before you can finally get the one item you were meaning to get. I only wanted to reach for a tool and suddenly the entire desk is on the floor.
I also wish there was a bit more opportunity for improvisation. If I’m placed in a position where my bullets run out, I wish I was able to pick up a hammer from the ground and throw it at a Xenomorph to temporarily delay it. It probably wouldn’t have worked as effectively but having that would’ve added so much more to the immersion. While you can pickup random items and inspect them up close, the game only really highlights certain ones that have gameplay implications.
Alien: Rogue Incursion Review Final Verdict – 8/10
Alien: Rogue Incursion is a masterclass in VR gaming, bringing the Alien universe to life in a way that feels both fresh and authentic. If you own a Meta Quest 3, PSVR2 or a Steam VR device, this game is an absolute must-play. Whether you’re a die-hard Alien fan or a VR enthusiast looking for the next big thrill, Alien: Rogue Incursion delivers on all fronts. It’s a terrifyingly beautiful ride through one of sci-fi horror’s most iconic worlds. Until Alien: Isolation 2 comes around, this is a great way to tide all of us over.
This review was made using a game code for the PS5 provided by the publisher.