Aliens: Dark Descentis a squad-based tactical RTS set in the iconicAliensuniverse and features many of the feared Xenomorphs that fans will be familiar with from the films. From Facehuggers to Queens, Tindalos Interactive and Focus Entertainment have included a wide range of deadly adversaries within their semi-open world environment, along with a few new additions in the form of crazed cultists and bio-mutant Guardians.
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While many of the enemies will be dependent upon locations and progression through the story, the game also features a mechanic similar toXCOMcalled an Infestation Level, in which progressively more difficult enemies will spawn if it is not addressed. Similarly, if a Hunt is called by the Xenomorphs, players can expect some heavier enemies to make an appearance.
10Eggs
While Eggs may seem like a harmless environmental feature, rather than an enemy, they can cause the death of a Marine just as easily as any other enemy type. Eggs will frequently house Facehuggers, which will spring onto squad members and kill them gruesomely if they are not quickly saved with an Extraction Device.
Eggs will detect when a player is nearby, thus springing a trap so long as they have Facehuggers available. Fortunately, these mine-like obstacles can be destroyed with the grenade launcher, thus making the area safe to pass through.
9Cultists
A new addition to theAliensuniverse is the inclusion of a human enemy faction called the Darwin Era Cultists. These deranged individuals live in reverence of the Xenomorphs and wish to be transformed into Guardians. While many players were skeptical at first, the human vs human combat is minimal and only occurs in certain areas.
Cultists will either have firearms of their own or attempt to charge the squad with melee weaponry. In either case, they should be relatively easy to put down and only present much of a challenge due to their large numbers. In general, they are much easier to deal with than Xenomorphs due to their lack of combat abilities.
8Drones
Drones are the standard Xenomorph enemy type and the most frequent opponent players will encounter throughout the game. These fast-moving, agile aliens are extremely deadly and cannot be allowed into close range. What’s more, even when killed they will bleed a toxic Acid that will harm anyone it touches.
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Drones also possess a fast side-step ability that can dodge shotgun blasts from close range. It is best to take them down with a combination of Suppressive Fire and Flares since this will slow their movement as well as increase the accuracy of squad members.
7Guardians
Another new addition inAliens: Dark Descentis the Guardians. These part-human, part-cyborg, part-xenomorph adversaries are more intimidating in appearance than they are in combat since typically they will attack alone and from long range. Guardians will also often possess important loot when killed.
When encountering a Guardian, players should always find cover and make use of the crouch mechanic to ensure that the incoming fire doesn’t do too much damage. As for offense, any weapon will do, and often Guardians can be worn down and taken out in a simple firefightwithout having to use many special abilities.
6Facehuggers
The iconic Facehuggers are among the most terrifying alien specimens ever imagined in science fiction, and the danger they present inAliens: Dark Descentis no different. These creatures can be hard to spot and move at a very fast pace, latching onto targets' faces and killing them slowly.
Fortunately, Facehuggers can be taken out with a few shots provided that they are a safe distance away, but for those unfortunate enough to be gripped by one, players will need to ensure they have the Extraction Device Xenotech upgrade applied to their squad prior to deployment.
5Runners
Runners are a high-speed variation of the standard Drones but will do just as much damage if they are allowed within striking distance of any Marines. These agile Xenomorphs will move at a considerably higher speed than other enemy types, but they lack the armor that makes other Xenomorph types more dangerous.
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Much like Drones, Runners are able to avoid shotgun blasts with their side-stepping ability, so the best course of action is touse any fire-based weapons, which will cause prolonged damage even while the runner is still moving. Alternatively, the Grenade Launcher area-of-effect ability should take them out in a single hit if timed correctly.
4Warriors
Warriors are a formidable Xenomorph variant that is much tougher than the standard Drone. In addition to their bonus armor, they also possess a head-butting ability which will cause a knockdown on Marines and render them temporarily incapacitated. If allowed into close range, they will also do more damage than a standard Drone.
Dealing with Warriors can be difficult as they are often hard to distinguish from Drones, but if they are, the best course of action is to use special abilities such as the Shogun Blast and Incinerator Unit to attempt to sap as much health as possible from the target. Players can also target specific enemies by clicking on them, and ensuring that Warriors are a priority target will also increase survival chances.
3Crushers
Crushers are the tank unit of the Xenomorph world and though they might move at a slower pace, they possess considerably more armor and can do more damage than any aforementioned enemy types. Crushers will also use a ground-smash AoE ability, which can knock down the entire squad if they are in range.
It is best to remain mobile when facing Crushers to avoid their AoE smashing ability, while simultaneously unleashing as much firepower as possible onto the beasts.Strategically placing Sentry Turretswherever a Crusher might appear will also greatly assist in taking them down quickly with minimal damage.
2Praetorians
Praetorians are, as their name suggests, an elite lieutenant class of Xenomorphs whose primary ability lies in the calling of other Xenomorphs to fight for them. Despite their large size, these creatures are extremely agile and will often avoid confrontation and call upon the rest of the hive to attack instead. They can also abduct Marines and take them away to perish, even if they are not wounded.
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These creatures need to be taken down as quickly as possible and are best defeated using a combination of the Grenade Launcher (provided they have not abducted anyone) and Shotgun Blasts. Alternatively, players can Stealth Kill these opponents provided they have anupgraded Marine in the Recon classwith the Sniper Rifle and Silencer.
1Queens
Queens are rare boss-type enemies players will encounter on several occasions throughout the game. These matriarchal creatures will often be surrounded by Eggs and Facehuggers, which can make fighting them considerably more difficult than standard enemies. Queens also possess a larger health bar than any other enemies and have more powerful, deadly attacks.
These enemies will require maximum firepower to take out, and they can sometimes be led into traps such as exploding barrels and Sentry Turrets. It is sometimespossible to avoid confronting a dormant Queen, though killing them will often result in receiving Xenotech Blueprints, so it can be incredibly valuable to take them down when the squad is suitably armed.
Aliens: Dark Descentis available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
