Grab your flamethrowers and check your motion detectors, folks—it’s time to dive headfirst into the dark, slimy corridors of Alien video games. With Alien Romulus on the horizon this year, it’s the perfect time to take a look back at the many video game adaptations of everyone’s favorite acid-blooded xenomorphs. From the pulse-pounding to the downright bizarre, Alien games have run the gamut from terrifying to… let’s just say “less terrifying.”
As someone who loves the Alien movies—seriously, they’re basically my comfort films in a “please-don’t-let-the-xenomorph-eat-me” kind of way—I’m as excited as a facehugger with a fresh host about Alien Romulus. But before we venture into the unknown of this new installment, let’s take a quick tour of the Alien games that have terrified, frustrated, and delighted us over the years.
Alien (1982)
Let’s start with a classic. Or rather, the classic. The first-ever Alien game dropped in 1982 for the Atari 2600, and boy, was it something. Imagine Pac-Man, but instead of chomping pellets, you’re desperately trying to escape a relentless xenomorph. The game was less about horror and more about… okay, it was still terrifying, but mostly because of how basic it was. The xenomorph looked more like a pixelated mess than the sleek terror from the movies, but hey, it was 1982. Cut them some slack!
Alien 3 (1992)
Fast forward to 1992, and we’ve got Alien 3 on various platforms, from the Sega Genesis to the NES. This one loosely follows the plot of the film, except instead of being a bleak, philosophical prison movie, it’s an action-packed romp where you, as Ripley, mow down wave after wave of xenomorphs with a massive gun. I’m not sure that’s what David Fincher had in mind, but I’m not complaining. If you’ve ever wanted to turn Ripley into a one-woman army, this was your chance.
Alien Trilogy (1996)
Next up, we’ve got Alien Trilogy, released on the PS1, Sega Saturn, and PC in 1996. It’s the ‘90s, baby, so you know what that means: grainy 3D graphics and intense shooter action. Alien Trilogy blended elements from the first three films into a first-person shooter experience. Was it faithful to the movies? Eh, kind of. But was it a blast to run around shooting aliens while listening to a soundtrack that would make Jerry Goldsmith proud? Absolutely. Plus, you got to experience the eerie atmosphere of the derelict ships, which was always a nice touch.
Aliens versus Predator (1999)
Ah yes, Aliens versus Predator (or AvP for the cool kids), the game that decided, “Why pick one when you can have both?” Released in 1999, this FPS lets you choose between three campaigns: Marine, Alien, or Predator. Each had its own playstyle and horror level, but let’s be real—the Marine campaign was the one that really made you sweat. Imagine stalking through a dark corridor, motion detector beeping, and knowing something was out there but not knowing when it would strike. Now, if you played as the Alien, you were basically an acid-spitting ninja, and if you chose Predator, you were a walking death machine. It was a win-win-win.
Alien: Isolation (2014)
Now, let’s talk about the crown jewel of Alien games: Alien: Isolation. This 2014 survival horror masterpiece put you in the shoes of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, and set you on a collision course with a single, terrifying xenomorph. Unlike the previous action-heavy titles, Isolation embraced the horror roots of the original Alien movie. No pulse rifles here—just you, your wits, and the knowledge that the xenomorph could tear you apart at any moment. This game was praised for its authenticity and faithfulness to the Alien atmosphere, not to mention the sheer terror it induced. Seriously, if you play this with the lights off and a good pair of headphones, prepare for a few sleepless nights.
Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013)
And now for something… different. Aliens: Colonial Marines was hyped up to be the next big thing in Alien games. Gearbox, the makers of Borderlands, were behind it, so what could go wrong? Apparently, quite a lot. Colonial Marines became infamous for its buggy launch, poor AI, and a general lack of polish. The game was meant to be a squad-based shooter where you face down hordes of xenomorphs, but instead, it was more like a bug hunt in the wrong sense of the word. That said, it’s still a fun ride—just, you know, manage your expectations…
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s terrifying survival horror or a nostalgic pixelated chase, the Alien games have given us plenty of xenomorph-filled moments. Sure, not all of them are winners (cough Colonial Marines cough), but each one holds a special place in the heart of any Alien fan. And with Alien Romulus on the way, we can only hope for more facehugging, chest-bursting, flamethrower-wielding action.
