Greetings Marines! 👋

We’ve put up this Aliens: Dark Descent FAQ for us to answer common questions you may have.

Q: What is Aliens: Dark Descent?
A: Aliens: Dark Descent is a squad-based action game developed by Tindalos Interactive in collaboration with 20th Century Studio and published by Focus Entertainment.

In this original Alien story, Planet Lethe’s human colonies are inexplicably falling to the Xenomorph species, while a rogue Weyland-Yutani scientist foments a sinister rebellion against the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Command your squad of Colonial Marines to uncover Planet Lethe’s secret and put an end to a new Xenomorph menace!

Q: What game genre or type of game is Aliens: Dark Descent?
A: Aliens: Dark Descent is a tactical squad-based action game where players have a top-down view of their squad of 4 Colonial Marines who players issue order to in real-time. Strategically plan out your raids to complete as many objectives as possible in each run before extracting your team to return back to your base.

Slow down time with the press of a button to make strategic decisions during combat. Extract your Marines safely at the end of long missions and watch them gain experience and level up, unlocking precious advanced skills and specialties. Make sure to monitor your Marines’ health and stress levels on the field however, because death is permanent in the game and losing your units forever, a real possibility.

Q: How is the game played?
A: In Aliens: Dark Descent, you control a squad of 4 Colonial Marines, issuing orders in real time. You will infiltrate large open levels filled with wonders from the Alien franchise, while annihilating enemies with your squad. Strategically plan out your raids to complete as many objectives as possible in each run before extracting your team to return back to your base. Slow down time with the press of a button to make strategic decisions during combat. Extract your Marines safely at the end of long missions and watch them gain experience and level up, unlocking precious advanced skills and specialties. Make sure to monitor your Marines’ health and stress levels on the field however, because death is permanent in the game and losing your units forever, a real possibility.

The Otago ship, which has suffered serious damage after crashing on Moon Lethe, acts like your base of operations. Over the course of the game, you will rescue specialists and salvage repair materials, unlocking many perks and improvements that will directly impact the performance of your marines. Expand the armory to unlock weapons, the medbay for faster recovery times between missions, the workshop to unlock specializations and perks and more.

Q: Can you play with a pad?
A: The game has been developed from the ground up with pad accessibility in mind. Controlling your marines is highly intuitive on both keyboard and pad.

Q: What happens between missions?
A: The Otago ship, which has suffered serious damage after crashing on Moon Lethe, acts like your base of operations. Over the course of the game, you will rescue specialists and salvage repair materials, unlocking many perks and improvements that will directly impact the performance of your marines. Expand the armory to unlock weapons, the medbay for faster recovery times between missions, the workshop to unlock specializations and perks and more.

Q: What does ‘persistent world’ mean?
A: With its objective-based mission structure and the many ways a run can spiral out of control, the player will likely not be able to clear all of a level’s objectives in one go. The persistent nature of Aliens: Dark Descent’s world means that any door welded, sentry gun positioned, motion tracker set or shortcut unlocked stays in-between runs, providing massive benefits to players who take the time to plan ahead for future missions.

Q: Who are we?
A: Focus Entertainment offers fresh and unique experiences to players around the world. Our editorial policy stands out thanks to innovative concepts, inventive gameplay and original worlds that transcend the boundaries of video games.

With over 20 years of experience and success, we put our passion and creativity at the service of gaming by creating unforgettable stories. For everyone's entertainment. More about us: https://www.focus-entmt.com/company

Tindalos Interactive is an independent video games studio located in Paris and created in 2010. Specialized in PC games, their studio's objective is to tell bold, epic stories using deep and innovative gameplay mechanics for players around the world.

They aspire to bring immersive adventures to our player, as well as push the envelope as to what kind of story can be told through a video game, and how much fun can be had while doing so. More about them on the Tindalos Interactive website.

Q: Who are the protagonists of Aliens: Dark Descent?
A: During your playthrough, you will follow the journey of the resourceful Maeko Hayes - fresh Deputy Administrator of the Weyland-Yutani Pioneer station, and Sergeant Jonas Harper - hardened Colonial Marine of the U.S.S. Otago’s USCM response team.

Q: Where is Aliens: Dark Descent happening?
A: Aliens: Dark Descent’s story is set after the events of Alien, Aliens and Alien 3. The game takes place on a moon called Lethe.

Q: How long is the campaign?
A: Aliens: Dark Descent’s full campaign playtime should be around 20 hours. If players wish to complete secondary objectives to extend their immersive experience in this new original Alien story, they can expect to spend 30 hours on the game.

Q: Do I need to have watched Alien movies to play the game? Is this a new Alien story?
A: You do not need to have previously watched the Alien movies to play the game and enjoy its narrative. Aliens: Dark Descent’s story is entirely new and original.

Q: On which platforms is the game available?
A: The game is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam and the Epic Games Store.