DaRmaZat A Tight, Tense Return to Xenomorph Horror.
Ever since Alien: Isolation carved out its legacy, the Alien series has been searching for a way back to single-player survival horror. After diversions into co-op shooting with Aliens: Fireteam Elite and tactical strategy in Aliens: Dark Descent, Alien: Rogue Incursion returns to the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere the franchise is known for. Survios, who first launched the game as a VR experience, has rebuilt it for PC and consoles and released it as the Evolved Edition, presenting PART ONE of a planned two-part saga.
Between Alien and Aliens: The World of Rogue Incursion
This opening chapter unfolds between Alien and Aliens, stranding former Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks and her synth partner Davis ONE on Purdan—also catalogued as LV-354. What begins as a rescue mission for their missing friend Carver quickly spirals into something larger: a deserted Gemini Exoplanet Solutions facility, Castor’s Cradle reduced to wreckage, and traces of Weyland-Yutani’s darker ambitions.
From the moment you step into Purdan, nothing feels safe. Industrial corridors, abandoned labs, and research chambers stretch before you, their windows shattered from Xenomorph attacks, flickering lights throwing crimson-stained shadows across the walls. Bulkheads groan under magnetic storms, and faint rattles hint that something deadly could drop in at any moment. Scattered drives, corrupted logs, and terminals slowly piece together the story, and the grim setting and tense scenario are sure to thrill fans of the Alien franchise and its lore.
The Hunt Never Ends
Recalling the best of Alien: Isolation, Rogue Incursion delivers edge-of-your-seat intensity, while bloodied stairwells and sudden ambushes echo F.E.A.R.. The alien encounters themselves feel frantic rather than cinematic, with Xenomorphs skittering across ceilings, clinging to walls, and lunging with sudden speed, and, when killed, collapsing into corrosive pools of acid that punish sloppy spacing. Occasionally, the relentless creatures also respawn in cleared corridors, which some may find punishing, but it undeniably sustains the sense that Purdan never stops pressing in on you.
Every firefight demands situational awareness rather than twitch reflexes, and when Davis covers your flank with disciplined synth fire, combat flows better than when Zula shoulders the burden alone. Whether it’s grenades, the Pulse Rifle, or the Spearhead shotgun and revolver, each offers dependable fallback firepower. But resources are always scarce—Stim Injectors, ammo, grenades—and running dry after a reckless skirmish can turn the next ambush into a white-knuckle scramble. Just like in Alien: Isolation, save terminals double as lifelines, though they’re often spaced far apart. It can be frustrating in the moment, but again, they do a great job of keeping the tension high.
More Than Just Shooting
Of course, the alien motion tracker returns, giving you a chance to spot a lone attack—or brace for a full wave of aliens. Collecting Intel disks is essential to understanding what’s going on, and as you progress, you’ll increasingly rely on the hand torch to burn through doors and ammo suitcases. You begin with a simple CC clamp, tackling wiring puzzles that get tougher as the campaign goes on—later, a high-voltage variant becomes necessary to overcome them.
These are simple but effective palate cleansers, with hints of old-school Terminator-style logic puzzles, alongside the more traditional button prompts that are clearly remnants of the VR edition. Taken together, they slow the tempo just enough to contrast the chaos without deflating the suspense, and with X-Rays potentially lurking around any corner, you’ll keep glancing around nervously—even while dealing with another circuit.
Imperfect Yet Unshakable
However, not every element of Rogue Incursion lands equally cleanly. Some voice delivery is muffled or rushed, but fortunately, the writing succeeds at layering mystery with corporate conspiracy. The Pulse Rifle’s audio also lacks the satisfying punch longtime fans might crave, some sound mixing lets effects overpower dialogue, and subtitles occasionally cut off—especially at higher resolutions.
In my playthrough, a rare glitch with Davis stepping into my space temporarily stalled movement, and enemy pathing sometimes went haywire during slower, walking sim-style moments later in the game. Yet overall performance was solid, with zero stutters.
Final Thoughts
This first part of Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition succeeds in capturing an old, effective formula and in giving it enough polish to feel immediate again. Zula’s hunt through Purdan mixes satisfying combat with challenging puzzles, while tactile tools like the motion tracker, torch cutting, and wiring repairs enrich the gameplay experience. Admittedly, the sound design and voice work lack proper balance, and a few technical hitches remain, but when the lights flicker and the vents shriek, this game proves that a Xenomorph encounter can still make your skin crawl.
Additional Information
Release Date: Sep 30, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Survios
Publisher: Survios
Website: Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition
Relevant links: Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition on Steam
