10 Games to Play in the Alien Franchise Before Watching Alien: Earth

With the launch of the new Alien: Earth television series over on FX, there is no better time to dive into some of the best games birthed from the legendary horror and science fiction IP. Coincidentally, the Alien franchise started right around the same time as video games began to take shape in the late 1970s, resulting in plenty of games that utilize the IP across a variety of genres. Whether an Alien fanatic fresh off the two-episode premiere of Alien: Earth or someone brand new to the series, the following ten games are the perfect way to prepare or reimmerse yourself in the world of Ridley Scott’s Alien and the horrific Xenomorphs.

• Release Date — October 7, 2014
• Developer — Creative Assembly
• Publisher — Sega
• Genre — Action-adventure
• Review Aggregate Score — 79% (Generally Favorable)

It’s impossible to discuss the best games using the Alien IP and ignore 2014 Alien: Isolation. It is arguably the ultimate Alien game, as it perfectly captures the survival horror “cat and mouse” game of the original 1979 film. Navigating the Sevastopol Station and being stalked by a single unkillable Xenomorph is peak horror gameplay and one of the best games to utilize the Alien license.

• Release Date — October 30, 2001
• Developer — Monolith Productions
• Publisher — Sierra On-Line
• Genre — FPS
• Review Aggregate Score — 85% (Generally Favorable)

Before Monolith developed the great Middle-Earth titles, it had released the cult classic PC game Aliens Versus Predator 2. Players can choose from three separate perspectives: the Colonial Marines, the Xenomorph, or the Predator. No matter which one you select, the storylines overlap with each other in surprising and unexpected ways. It can be a bit harder to track down and play on modern hardware compared to some of the other games on this list, but it’s one of the best games to blend two iconic sci-fi franchises.

• Release Date — May 13, 1999
• Developer — Rebellion Developments Ltd.
• Publisher — Fox Interactive
• Genre — Action
• Review Aggregate Score — 84% (Generally Favorable)

British developer Rebellion’s classic Aliens Versus Predator is seen by many as a breakthrough in the FPS horror genre. Like the later AvP games, players can choose between three separate game modes. Playing as a Colonial Marine does its best approximation of 1986’s Aliens. Playing as the Predator is perfect for those who prefer a more action-packed power fantasy. Last, but not least, the Alien’s stealth-tinged gameplay puts players into the shoes of one of sci-fi’s most iconic villains. And unlike some of the other PC Alien vs. Predator games, the 1999 release is readily available on modern storefronts.

• Release Date — May 1994
• Developer — Capcom
• Publisher — Capcom
• Genre — Beat ’em up

Capcom’s arcade brawler is a change of pace from most of the other entries on this list. It also happens to be one of the best games in the Alien franchise as a high-octane classic 90s beat ’em up. In the coin-op Alien vs. Predator, both Predators and Marines team up to face the Xenomorphs invading Earth. Par for the course for 1990s Capcom, the sprites are gorgeous, the gameplay is over-the-top, and the weapon selection is iconic. Alien vs. Predator is one of Capcom’s great 90s beat ’em ups and is worth tracking down and playing via emulation if you don’t have access to a physical cabinet.

• Release Date — June 20, 2023
• Developer — Tindalos Interactive
• Publisher — Focus Entertainment
• Genre — RTS
• Review Aggregate Score — 75% (Generally Favorable)

For those who prefer a more tactical approach to defeating Xenomorphs, Aliens: Dark Descent is a pitch-perfect take on the franchise. It’s a tense real-time tactical game where you command a squad of Colonial Marines, each of whom has to deal with deteriorating sanity and rising stress as they struggle to stay alive against the “perfect organism”. Dark Descent is notorious for being one of the few Alien games that effectively evokes a feeling of desperation, something that is prevalent throughout most of the films and helps cement it as one of the more unique and enjoyable games to use the Alien IP.

• Release Date — August 24, 2021
• Developer — Cold Iron Studios
• Publisher — Cold Iron Studios
• Genre — Third-person Shooter
• Review Aggregate Score — 69% (Mixed or Average)

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is one of the more action-packed takes on the Aliens franchise. It didn’t land with most players or critics, but it can be a ton of fun with the right co-op squad. Fireteam Elite leans into the power fantasy and sci-fi action of James Cameron’s sequel, Aliens, rather than the other films in the franchise, and it’s a simple yet enjoyable game that’s more than worth picking up to play occasionally in short bursts. As a bonus, Fireteam Elite pulls in lore from later films in the franchise like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, making it unique among other Alien games.

• Release Date — September 29, 2011
• Developer — Wayforward Technologies
• Publisher — Sega
• Genre — Metroidvania
• Review Aggregate Score — 76% (Generally Favorable)

If it isn’t apparent by now, the Aliens franchise isn’t afraid to experiment with different genres. Aliens: Infestation switches things up from what you’d normally expect for the IP by being a solid Metroidvania with permadeath mechanics. It’s a hidden gem that features a story taking place between Aliens and Alien 3. Central to the game’s permadeath mechanics are the unique soldiers you get to control, making it hard to lose any of them in your fight against the Xenomorphs. Aliens: Infestation is an easily missable title in the Alien franchise that absolutely deserves to be played.

• Release Date — October 20, 2000
• Developer — Argonaut Games
• Publisher — Fox Interactive
• Genre — FPS / Survival Horror
• Review Aggregate Score — 61% (Mixed or Average)

While it is loosely based on one of the worst films in the franchise and was lambasted by critics at the time of its release, Alien Resurrection is still a must-play for any fan of the franchise or first-person shooters. Even if it didn’t resonate as well with its players as other games on the list, it’s still an essential part of FPS history. It was the first game to introduce a dual-analog control scheme in a console shooter, laying the groundwork for the genre’s future on consoles. Alien Resurrection is a dark, atmospheric, and surprisingly scary game that has fared far better in hindsight.

• Release Date — July 30, 2003
• Developer — Zono
• Publisher — Electronic Arts
• Genre — RTS
• Review Aggregate Score — 64% (Mixed or Average)

Aliens Versus Predator: Extinction is a real-time strategy game set in the wider Alien vs. Predator universe, and it’s one of the IP’s most unusual experiments. Similar to other Alien vs. Predator games, Extinction allows players to choose between Marines, Aliens, or Predators, each of which has its own campaign. Depending on which you choose, you have access to entirely different tactics and units. The game is also significantly harder than most titles on this list, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a challenge. If you’ve already played Aliens: Dark Descent and want even more games adjacent to its style, Extinction is a good follow-up.

• Release Date — February 16, 2010
• Developer — Rebellion Developments
• Publisher — Sega
• Genre — FPS
• Review Aggregate Score — 64% (Mixed or Average)

Aliens vs. Predator (2010) is another Rebellion-developed title, a reboot of the studio’s original Aliens vs. Predator. It’s a modern take on a classic formula. Three playable campaigns have returned, and the differing playstyles that make the Aliens and Predators unique are also present in this 2010 reboot. Even though it isn’t nearly as groundbreaking as the original, the improved visuals and modern quality of life touches make it much more accessible.