The Alien franchise has released many video games based on its horrific sci-fi universe. These video games have covered a multitude of genres from strategy to adventure and most notably shooters. Of the numerous Alien games, there are plenty of noteworthy additions, such as Aliens: Infestation, but few compare to the latest entries, Alien: Isolation and Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
Alien: Isolation and Aliens: Fireteam Elite has captured the essence of the Alien universe perfectly. Both excel in satisfying fans old and new while being compelling video games in their own right. Moreover, they are considered to be among the best additions to the Alien franchise's video games. While arguments can be made for both Alien: Isolation and Aliens: Fireteam Elite, one stands well above the other as the better Alien game.
9 Action - Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite touches upon the action aspect of the Alien franchise. Rather than cowering in fear, players fight against the Xenomorph horde as Colonial Marines. With allies and the right equipment, swarms of Xenomorphs are nothing more than a harmless infestation, hence why they are referred to as bugs.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite effectively reflects the action-packed sequences seen throughout the Alien franchise. This game perfectly captures the danger and thrill of being a Colonial Marine in a Xenomorph hive. While Alien: Isolation has similar moments, it fails to capture the action of the Alien franchise.
8 Horror - Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation draws upon the element of horror present throughout the Alien franchise. Alone, players must trek through Sevastopol Station while avoiding what appears to be a single Xenomorph. With nothing more than intuition and a few handy tools, players can fend off the Xenomorph threat but never truly overcome it.
Alien: Isolation does well to invoke the same fear present throughout the Alien franchise. This game successfully makes players feel helpless as they can do nothing more than delay the Xenomorph lurking on Sevastopol Station. Even though Aliens: Fireteam Elite boasts a number of intense scenes, it does not capture the horror of the Alien franchise.
7 Setting - Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite takes players to various locations throughout the campaign. The story takes place on LV-895, a jungle planet bordering the known systems. The campaign will take players to the Katanga orbital mining refinery, LV-895's surface, and under LV-895's surface to deal with the Xenomorph threat.
Every location that players travel to is immensely similar to those seen in the Alien franchise. Everything from the abandoned ruined station to the Xenomorph-infested caves makes for a perfect setting. While Alien: Isolation takes place in a similar location, it lacks the diversity of Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
6 Story - Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation takes place between the events of Alien and Aliens. It follows the story of Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, who is searching for answers regarding the disappearance of the Nostromo and her mother. From beginning to end, this story engages players and keeps them invested.
Alien: Isolation ties in well to the ongoing story of the movies while providing a new and interesting basis. Moreover, it provides a great deal of information regarding the Alien universe and its characters. Even though Aliens: Fireteam Elite has a campaign, it does little to further the overall narrative of the Alien franchise.
5 Enemies - Aliens: Fireteam Elite
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Aliens: Fireteam Elite features twenty-five different enemies for players to face. These foes consist of Xenomorphs, Weyland-Yutani Synthetics, and Pathogens. While many of these enemies are recurring figures in the Alien franchise, there are frightening new additions as well.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite's inclusion of a multitude of adversaries furthers the fact that this is an Alien game. Everything from the Facehuggers to the Xenomorph Queen reminds players of notable moments within the Alien franchise. While Alien: Isolation features a few memorable enemies it fails to compare.
4 Characters - Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation features a few memorable and well-developed characters throughout the story. Each character has sound reasons behind their actions and drives the story in their respective ways. Many of these characters are akin to those seen in the Alien franchise with significant differences that set them apart.
The characters of Alien: Isolation added depth and separated it from other survival horror games. Every major character, chiefly Amanda Ripley, had a compelling story that inspired players to be invested. Even though Aliens: Fireteam Elite presented a few characters, they lacked any semblance of depth.
3 Nostalgia - Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite features many different elements that imbue fans with a sense of nostalgia. Fighting against Xenomorph hordes as Colonial Marines reminds fans of the Alien franchise's beginnings. This feeling alone invokes a great deal of enjoyment.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite also works to include various easter eggs throughout the campaign. Everything from the Power Loader to the Space Jockey can be found by perceptive players. While Alien: Isolation includes various nostalgia-inspiring moments and easter eggs, it is nothing compared to Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
2 Atmosphere - Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation features an atmosphere akin to that of the films. From beginning to end, players cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of fear and hopelessness. This dreadful atmosphere is much like that of the original Alien films which have horrified countless fans.
The fact that Alien: Isolation was able to capture the frightening ambiance of the films alone is impressive. However, it is far more terrifying than the Alien movies for the sole reason that it pits players face-to-face with a Xenomorph. While Aliens: Fireteam Elite does the same, players have the gear necessary to counteract the Xenomorph threat, unlike Alien: Isolation.
1 The Better Alien Game - Alien: Isolation
While both games are compelling additions to the franchise, Alien: Isolation is the far better Alien game. It boasts much of what Aliens: Fireteam Elite has to offer but it capitalizes on the strengths of the Alien franchise. From beginning to end players know that Alien: Isolation is an Alien game first and a survival horror game second.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite, however, sacrifices many important elements of the Alien franchise in favor of being a fun action shooter. Moreover, Alien: Isolation works to include itself in the overarching story and theme of the Alien franchise, which it does extraordinarily well. Overall, Alien: Isolation is the better Alien game and maybe even the best Alien game of all time.