As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of virtual reality experiences that have left me both awestruck and disappointed. However, Alien: Rogue Incursion, dear readers, is one of those rare VR games that manages to straddle the line between these two extremes with aplomb.
Even though Alien: Rogue Incursion doesn’t significantly expand the boundaries of the Virtual Reality realm, it still offers an engaging and complete gaming experience that VR owners should seriously think about, particularly if you’re deeply invested in the Alien franchise.
The latest Alien video game delivers a well-rounded virtual reality adventure, though it may not be groundbreaking enough to earn innovation awards or surprise longtime series enthusiasts. However, it’s a highly refined game from start to finish that offers engaging action-packed gameplay for both veteran fans and newcomers, promising plenty of playtime for all.
Essentially, Rogue Incurison primarily focuses on action rather than horror. Unlike Alien: Isolation from 2014 where you’re persistently pursued by a massive Xenomorph while gathering limited resources, this game leans more towards the style of the Colonial Marines, offering a more action-packed experience.
This game skillfully uses Virtual Reality, fully engulfing you in a mysterious planet teeming with aggressive creatures. The enigma that unfolds keeps you hooked, making you eager for more. Furthermore, it offers great value for money, although it’s just the beginning of a larger story. However, don’t anticipate this initial installment to be an absolute game-changer.
The action-packed virtual reality game, Rogue Incursion, offers a fun gaming experience, but it doesn’t quite manage to distinguish itself significantly within the competitive VR market.
Alien: Rogue Incursion screenshots & details
- Price (Standard Edition): $39.99 USD / £32.99 GBP / $59.95 AUD
- Developer: Survios
- Release Date: December 19, 2024 (February, 13, 2025 on Meta Quest 3)
- Platforms: PlayStation VR2 (through PS5), PCVR (through Steam using Meta Rift S, Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3s, Valve Index), Meta Quest 3
- Reviewed on PS5
It’s a Xenomorph party
Landed unexpectedly into a puzzling predicament, you find yourself assuming the character of Zula Hendricks following her and her robotic companion’s emergency landing on the enigmatic planet Purdan. Eager to fix the ship and depart from this world swiftly, it won’t be long before your plans are disrupted, as one might anticipate. To appreciate the subsequent events fully, it’s best if you’re not aware of them yet, but they follow a rather typical trajectory until the climactic end.
In no time at all, it becomes evident that Aliens are omnipresent in this game, often concealed near corners or slithering through air vents overhead. They’re seldom far from sight. Initially, the frenetic speed adds excitement, making you constantly alert, but eventually, it can become monotonous.
In Rogue Incursion, the gear setup is quite convenient as you can quickly swap weapons on your back and retrieve tools from your waist belt. However, due to the intense combat scenarios, it might seem like your main weapon seldom departs from your grip.
After you’ve reloaded following a battle and put your weapon back on, another Xenomorph is already bounding into the room. Not even designated Safe Rooms, designed for relaxation as you save the game, are immune to the alien threat. They can attack you even when you’re merely trying to catch your breath.
It’s advantageous that the AI system anticipates its opponents’ actions, as it’s tricky to monitor them, especially when they have headphones on and are hiding or moving in tight spaces. Their unpredictable movements make it difficult to guess their next destination because they can scale walls and dangle from the ceiling. It’s hard to foresee where they’ll go next.
Engaging in battles can be genuinely tense moments, especially when you struggle to reload ammunition in a shotgun or accidentally drop your weapons. Despite the thrill of combat, it’s disappointing that the surroundings don’t offer as much interactivity as they do in other notable VR shooting games.
In this scenario, you’re limited to only using the items you started with, there are no opportunities for improvising or finding alternative tools to aid you.
Sinking your teeth in
From the get-go, it’s essential to understand that Rogue Incursion is merely the initial chapter in a larger narrative. Fortunately, the developers are working diligently on what follows, but it may take some time before we see it. Consequently, diving into the game immediately means experiencing only a piece of the complete story, a portion of the expansive world, and a selection of weapons that will undoubtedly grow in number over time.
Regardless, the initial segment remains quite sizable. Essentially, it resembles a Metroidvania-style game, which means there’s a lot that will encourage you to revisit locations you’ve been before. As you acquire new tools, they’ll uncover new routes, and with higher security clearance, you’ll be able to unlock doors that were previously inaccessible.
As you progress, you’ll come across an abundance of ammunition and syringes for healing, as well as numerous opportunities to expand your vocabulary. Nearly every room you enter contains at least one computer terminal that allows you access to a broad spectrum of past residents’ communications.
If you take some time to enjoy the details of this game, whether it’s playing on a harder setting or aiming for the Platinum Trophy on PS5, you can expect several dozen hours of gameplay. Given that perspective, it’s not a long stretch to say that’s a reasonable amount of time for what’s being presented as an introductory chapter. In future, with the next edition out, this could become one of the more extensive first-person shooter (FPS) experiences in virtual reality (VR).
The Verdict 3 / 5
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great value | Overwhelming spawn rates |
| Solid mechanics | Not particularly scary |
| Incredibly polished, not a single bug throughout | Ends without a proper conclusion |
Regardless of perspective, Rogue Incursion delivers a polished VR adventure, even at its low points. It skillfully utilizes available hardware and ensures your time is valued from beginning to end. While it may not present groundbreaking or revolutionary elements within the genre (which means there’s no immediate need to dive in), with future developments on the horizon, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Still, I mostly enjoyed my time with the game as a fan of the series, though the Aliens themselves were far too populous for my liking. I’m eager to see what lies ahead and will definitely be circling back for the next installment.
Read More
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- Excitement Brews in the Last Epoch Community: What Players Are Looking Forward To
- The Renegades Who Made A Woman Under the Influence
- RIF PREDICTION. RIF cryptocurrency
- Smite 2: Should Crowd Control for Damage Dealers Be Reduced?
- Is This Promotional Stand from Suicide Squad Worth Keeping? Reddit Weighs In!
- Epic Showdown: Persona vs Capcom – Fan Art Brings the Characters to Life
- Persona Music Showdown: Mass Destruction vs. Take Over – The Great Debate!
- “Irritating” Pokemon TCG Pocket mechanic is turning players off the game
2024-12-18 17:18