Sci-Fi Games To Play If You Like Alien

Key Takeaways

  • Alien: Isolation is the closest game to capturing the essence of the Alien film franchise.
  • GTFO offers an action-packed co-op FPS experience inspired by Aliens.
  • Dead Space is a timeless classic, offering a gory, atmospheric sci-fi horror experience.

As a seasoned spacefarer and horror enthusiast who’s seen more than his fair share of interstellar terrors, I must say these games truly capture the chilling essence of the Alien franchise. From the claustrophobic confines of Dead Space to the mind-bending mysteries of Mouthwashing, each game offers a unique and harrowing experience that’ll make you question your own sanity.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that movie-to-game adaptations have become less common these days. Gone are the times when four games would be released alongside every Transformers film. It seems that when a game does come out based on a movie, it usually receives mediocre reviews at best, and this is particularly true for horror games like The Blair Witch or A Quiet Place.

Regardless, numerous gaming enthusiasts yearn for video games that mirror the ambiance of their beloved movies, with one standout title that has significantly influenced various games being Alien. Here, we explore eight games tailored for fans of Alien. Ranging from survival horror to cooperative first-person shooter (FPS) games, there’s something for every gamer that embodies the movie’s spirit, and each one is well worth adding to your collection.

8. Alien: Isolation

This One Goes Without Saying

For an “Alien” enthusiast, nothing beats the recommendation of the thrilling game “Alien: Isolation“. This game comes incredibly close to being a direct film adaptation, offering an immersive experience. The majority of your time is spent in stealth mode, hiding, sneaking, and strategically managing resources as you navigate the eerily deserted Sevastopol space station.

In the game, a Xenomorph seems to be lurking in every shadow, constantly present yet always out of sight. It’s like having an unseen stalker that never leaves your side. If it catches me, the game is over, as I can’t stand against this creature like the human and robotic threats on the station. All I can do is momentarily keep it at bay with a flamethrower. The game captures the original film’s intense claustrophobia and relentless fear perfectly.

7. GTFO

Game Over Man, Game Over!

Instead of the prior entry on this list, Get The Hell Out stands out with a distinctly dynamic feel, mirroring the action-packed atmosphere of the film Aliens. A stark contrast to its predecessor’s minimalist horror, Get The Hell Out is an adrenaline-pumping cooperative first-person shooter game. In this title, players assume command of a quartet of prisoners, each with a singular mission: Get The Hell Out.

In this game, players need to battle their path past swarms of humanoid adversaries, frequently receiving instructions from “The Warden”. This journey is usually filled with intense, gory confrontations. The experience in “GTFO” can be grueling, and it’s recommended for players who are willing to collaborate with friends or risk failure together, much like the marines in “Aliens“.

6. Lethal Company

Scratching A Slightly Different Itch

In a stark shift of atmosphere, we have another cooperative game titled “Lethal Company“. This game is familiar to many gamers, but for those new to it, in “Lethal Company“, players assume the role of employees from a single entity known as “The Company”. Their task is to journey from moon to moon, gathering scrap to be sold and meet the Company’s financial targets.

In this game, known as Lethal Company, players find themselves in a challenging situation, much like the Nostromo crew from Alien. They encounter obstacles such as deadly traps, terrifying creatures, and other environmental hazards that often lead to the demise of multiple characters, causing quite a bit of laughter due to their panicked reactions. In essence, it’s an exhilarating experience where danger lurks around every corner, making it feel as though you are truly part of the action.

5. The Callisto Protocol

Possibly The Wettest Game Ever Made

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, diving into The Callisto Protocol has been an experience that’s sparked quite a debate. Critics and fellow gamers alike can’t seem to agree on it, but let me tell you, this game is something special. It draws heavily from the chilling atmosphere of Alien and another game that I’ll reveal later in our discussion. At its heart, The Callisto Protocol is a gripping third-person survival horror game set on the penal moon of Callisto.

The character needs to navigate narrow passageways, ducts, and icy courtyards in order to escape from the moon after an epidemic turns most of the personnel and prisoners into monstrous extraterrestrial beings intent on devouring the protagonist. Though it might not be the finest game available, it offers a thrilling, bloody adventure within a prison setting that’ll find your character drenched in gore, eager for more action.

4. Prey

They Could Be Anywhere

Hailing from Arkane Studios, renowned for creating games like ‘Dishonored’ and ‘Deathloop’, the game ‘Prey’ places players on a spacecraft filled with aliens. Unlike previous encounters, these extraterrestrials, known as the Typhon, are elusive and able to transform into any stationary object within the spacecraft, making them difficult to spot as they lurk while you traverse through the station.

Although it’s slightly more action-oriented than other titles on the list, there’s an unsettling sense of uncertainty about where an alien could be lurking, even though it can be neutralized once found. Fans of the movie Alien will find themselves comfortable with Prey, not just in its visuals and mood, but also because it offers a rich narrative with various conclusions to discover beneath its surface.

3. We Went Back

That Mug Wasn’t There Last Time

Platforms PC
Released April 3, 2020
Developer Dead Thread Games
Genre Adventure, Horror

Returning Back isn’t a game I’d readily suggest, given that it can be fully completed within about an hour. Despite its brevity, however, it manages to evoke a chilling sense of unease through the mysterious presence of a non-human entity lurking somewhere close by. In Returning Back, you assume the role of an astronaut who is abruptly awoken from cryosleep and must decipher the combination for the exit door.

In a manner similar to ‘Returnal’ and ‘We Went Back’, the game puts the player within a loop of time, but instead of exploring an open world, they find themselves confined to a small circular space station. With each lap, the environment becomes increasingly unsettling. The objective is to decipher ways to escape, as you confront an enigmatic entity along the way.

2. Mouthwashing

There’s No Monster Scarier Than Humanity

This unique game, found on the list and beyond, isn’t about battling an evil alien aboard a spaceship; instead, it portrays a crew grappling with their impending doom after a crash. The primary appeal for Alien enthusiasts lies in its chilling atmosphere, set within the claustrophobic, grungy confines of a ship that once transported cargo, but now serves as the stage for an unavoidable disaster.

This game challenges perception by employing unpredictable storytelling, puzzling time sequences, and dreamlike graphics. It’s recommended to approach it without prior knowledge, as even seasoned horror enthusiasts may find themselves disquieted yet exhilarated after experiencing it.

1. Dead Space (2023)

A Timeless Classic

The game Dead Space is widely recognized as the epitome of science fiction horror gaming. You’ll scarcely come across a discussion about horror games without encountering numerous references to this series, and there’s a valid explanation for that. Dead Space offers a grotesque, tense, gritty sci-fi journey that comes remarkably close to replicating the atmosphere of Alien as does Alien: Isolation.

The primary distinction between Dead Space and Alien: Isolation lies in the fact that, unlike in Dead Space, the player doesn’t feel powerless. Instead of a helpless character, you control Isaac Clarke as he slices through monstrous Necromorphs aboard the USG Ishimura. Your mission is to rescue survivors and unravel the mystery behind the eerie events happening there. Now’s the perfect moment to jump on board with Dead Space, given that its critically-acclaimed remake has been available for quite a while.

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2024-11-30 07:05