13
Aliens: Fireteam Elite – The Definitive Bug Hunt
A intense co-op survival shooter that finally does the Aliens license justice with hordes of Xenomorphs and deep class customization. Rated 7.0/10.
Game Info
Verdict
A solid, respectful adaptation that nails the Aliens atmosphere and combat, held back only by repetitive mission structure.
Pros
- Authentic Aliens atmosphere and sound design
- Deep class and weapon customization
- Challenge cards add replayability
- Intense combat loops
- Fair price point
Cons
- Repetitive level design
- Matchmaking can be hit-or-miss
- Friendly bot AI is useless on high difficulty
Performance Notes
Runs at a stable 60fps on PS5/Series X. Last-gen consoles struggle. PC performance is good but can be CPU bound during massive swarms.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite discards the slow-burn horror of Isolation for the high-octane action of James Cameron’s sequel. It is a class-based, third-person survival shooter that pits a squad of three Colonial Marines against overwhelming swarms of Xenomorphs. While it suffered from a lack of content at launch, subsequent updates and the Pathogen expansion have fleshed out the experience, making it a solid entry for co-op fans.
How to Play Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Coordinate with your squad to survive waves of deadly aliens.
- Controls – Standard shooter controls; includes a cover system essential for fighting synthetic enemies.
- Progression – Level up individual classes (Gunner, Demolisher, etc.) to unlock perk grids and modifiers.
- Combat/Mechanics – manage ammo and ability cooldowns; friendly fire is active on higher difficulties.
- Tips – Always watch your motion tracker and never stray from your teammates—stragglers die fast.
Who Should Play Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Best enjoyed with a dedicated group of friends.
- Player 1 – Left 4 Dead fans looking for a modern sci-fi horde shooter.
- Player 2 – Alien franchise fans who want to wield pulse rifles and smartguns.
- Player 3 – RPG lovers who enjoy tinkering with build optimization and stats.
- Skip if – You are a solo player; the AI bot teammates are competent only on low difficulties.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Platform Performance
Generally solid performance, though intense hordes can cause dips.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (High) | 4K | 60+ | Uncapped framerate supported |
| PS5 | 4K (Checkerboard) | 60 | Occasional dips during heavy swarms |
| Xbox Series X | 4K (Dynamic) | 60 | Comparable to PS5 performance |
| Switch | Cloud Version | N/A | Cloud streaming only (varies) |
Aliens: Fireteam Elite System Requirements
Modest requirements make it accessible for most mid-range PCs.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| CPU | AMD Athlon X4 950 | AMD Ryzen 5 1600AF |
| GPU | GTX 760 (4GB) | GTX 1060 (6GB) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB | SSD Highly Recommended |
Similar Games to Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Other cooperative survival games to consider.
- World War Z – Similar swarm technology with massive hordes of fast zombies.
- Deep Rock Galactic – Procedural caves and dwarves, focusing more on exploration and mining.
- Left 4 Dead 2 – The classic genre-defining zombie horde shooter.
- Helldivers 2 – Satirical sci-fi shooter with heavier emphasis on stratagems and chaos.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite vs Competitors
How it stacks up against other horde shooters.
| Feature | Aliens: Fireteam Elite | World War Z | Deep Rock Galactic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $39.99 | $29.99 |
| Playtime | 15-20 Hours | 20+ Hours | 100+ Hours |
| Multiplayer | 3-Player Co-op | 4-Player Co-op | 4-Player Co-op |
| Metacritic | 69 | 70 | 85 |
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Story & World
Set 23 years after the original Alien films, players are stationed aboard the UAS Endeavor. The campaign takes you to the planet LV-895, exploring ancient ruins and Weyland-Yutani facilities. The story expands the lore significantly, introducing new Xenomorph variants and exploring the effects of the mutagenic pathogen, providing plenty of fan service for lore-heads.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Multiplayer & Online
Strictly cooperative focus with cross-platform support.
- Campaign – 4 acts with 3 missions each, playable with 2 other players or bots.
- Horde Mode – Defend a position against endless waves for rewards.
- Challenge Cards – Consumables that modify missions (e.g., “Pistols Only”) for extra XP.
- Cross-Play – Full support enabled across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite DLC & Expansions
Paid expansion and cosmetic packs available.
- Pathogen Expansion – New campaign campaign, weapons, and perks ($14.99).
- Endeavor Pass – Four seasons of cosmetic DLC (skins, decals, emotes).
- Hardcore Mode – Added post-launch for a permadeath challenge.
- Free Updates – New classes (Phalanx) and weapons added for free.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Community & Support
Smaller but dedicated player base.
- Official Discord – Best place to find teammates for high-difficulty runs.
- Reddit – Active theory-crafting for class builds and loadouts.
- Mod Support – Minimal; mostly client-side visual tweaks on PC.
- Updates – Development has slowed significantly since the Pathogen expansion.