As much as aliens are cliche, I’m always glad when a new alien game emerges. Surely, this thematics is processed over and over again, but it’s great when an amazing alien game comes out. As we are near the end of 2017, it’s time to test your fear levels and introduce you to some terrifying alien games. The list of the 22 best alien PC games is below. Grab a cup of tea and let’s review the games, shall we?
What is Considered Alien Games?
As the name itself suggests, video games about aliens are known as alien games. Aliens are extraterrestrial beings that are distinct from humans. You get to take on the role of a character in these games who meets aliens and has thrilling adventures with them.
In alien games, you might go to other planets or spacecraft and interact with various alien species. While some aliens might be helpful and nice, some might be a little frightening or even want to harm you. It’s up to you to work out how to communicate with them and overcome obstacles with them.
These video games frequently include futuristic settings with vibrant planets and odd creatures.
1. Alien: Isolation
First off, we’ll kickstart the list with an amazing horror game for PC. The truth be told, I think that Alien: Isolation is one of the spookiest horror games I’ve ever played. Its atmosphere is amazing and does a great job of sucking you in quickly, and Sevastopol is a varied environment here. As you’ve probably guessed, Alien: Isolation is based on the movie Alien (1979) in which Ellen Ripley fights for her life in a claustrophobic space station. You’ll do the same here, but the new star is Amanda Ripley, her daughter. Furthermore, Alien: Isolation has one of the most advanced AIs, so expect some scary Alien encounters, especially on harder difficulties. Oh, and don’t hide in the vents; he can catch you there, too!
2. Prey
We all remember that good old Prey back in 2006, which was a pretty decent game. However, Prey 2017 is a little different, clearly getting some inspiration from game series like Deus Ex or System Shock. That’s not anything bad, in fact, it’s awesome! Prey nails it when it comes to visuals, storytelling, and exploration, however, it’s not strictly an FPS game. In Prey, you are encouraged to explore and see what the game has to offer, which often leads to very good rewards. You’ll immediately recognize Prey by its GLOO Gun; cool and badass weapon.
3. XCOM 2
While we have numerous first-person shooters released this year, it’s nice to take a look at the last year’s XCOM 2. This PC strategy game nails every single aspect of such genre, showing us how a strategy game should be done. Developers, take note of XCOM 2, please! The game is intense and focuses on team play rather than going guns blazing alone against the hordes of aliens. Instead, XCOM 2 gives you a lot of space for tactical offense or defense, meaning that you can tackle your objectives in multiple ways. I’m looking forward to XCOM 3 if we ever see that game.
4. Crysis 3
Did you know that there is a PC app that can melt your GPU? Well, here you are- Crysis 3. Crysis 3 might be the most beautiful game when it comes to graphics. The effects, godrays, environment, and characters are surreal. The story, however, speaks about Prophet, a half-alien-half-human who is on his mission to put an end to the Alpha Ceph. It’s a tactical FPS game which lets you take advantage of your Nano Suit, so you can use cloak and maximum armor. The singleplayer campaign is awesome, although the multiplayer is rather forgettable.
5. Aliens vs. Predator
Aliens vs. Predator is one of my favorite movies ever and the fact that I can now play this game sends shivers down my spine! Although the game is released in 2010, Aliens vs. Predator is still a worthy mention on our list and it has aliens! Obviously, you can play two different campaigns with either Alien or Predator. This gives the game a certain depth and huge replayability value. Furthermore, the enemies are challenging and the levels are cautiously crafted to suit whatever gameplay style you prefer. It’s a highly underrated game, but don’t let that fool you- it’s a real classic!
6. Alien Shooter
Back in 2003, Alien Shooter was a revolutionary game. This top-down shooter is all about splattering a huge amount of Alien’s blood all over the place. It’s not about tactics, graphics or story here. If you want a compelling storytelling, then get the hell out! Alien Shooter gives you a possibility to release your negative energy by killing LOTS of Aliens, I mean really LOTS of them. Every mission is simple here, requiring to clear every living Alien being in the level.
7. Halo Wars 2
This year, real-time strategy genre got its new beloved son called Halo Wars 2. Halo Wars 2 is an amazing effort from 343 Industries and it’s published by Microsoft for Windows and Xbox One console. I’m really sorry if you haven’t played this game because it kicks ass. Although it’s a strategy game, the gameplay here is more streamlined, which is to my liking, making it approachable for those who don’t like strategy games. Also, the story is very interesting and those cutscenes… oh, my GOD! I would beg Microsoft to create a complete movie out of these cutscenes!
8. Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 is a role-playing game developed by Bioware. Oh, Bioware, I like you and hate you at the same time! You screwed the ending of this beloved franchise in this game, but hey, you did an amazing job! Mass Effect 3 improved over its predecessors much, both in terms of visuals and gameplay. The game looks amazing, but still, it’s very good optimized. Gameplay-wise, the commander Shepard is more capable of fighting than ever and his voice acting is amazing, making him a nearly-perfect protagonist. I strongly recommend this game if you don’t care about the ending.
9. DOOM
Boy, oh boy! DOOM delivers a sweet taste of demons’ blood right in your face and your mouth. Being an old-school FPS game, DOOM comes with a fast-paced gameplay and lots of powerful weapons. Shotguns, assault rifles, chainsaw and various super-weapons are here for you to slay some demons. The game is set on Mars and after just a few levels, you jump right in the Hell, where the show begins. DOOM isn’t a horror game and it doesn’t teach you to run from the enemies, but kick them in the butt and send them where they belong, and that’s hell.
10. Half-Life 2
What is Bioware for Mass Effect 3, that’s Gabe Newell for Half-Life 2. Half-Life 2 is a legendary shooter game which continues the story of Gordon Freeman from the previous game. This time, Gabe decided to release the game episodically, leaving us with the cliffhanger in the second (last) episode. Nevertheless, Half-Life 2 has its own share of ups and downs, granting the players with an excellent gameplay, solid story, amazing characters and shooting sequences. I guarantee that you’ll get your daily dose of nostalgia even after five minutes of gameplay!
11. Dead Space 3
Dead Space 3 is the last game in the series which left quite a good taste in my mouth after I finished it. Despite the first two games being focused mostly on horror, Dead Space 3 still resembles the horror elements, but with slightly bigger focus on pure PC action. This works well most of the time, as the game can now focus on storytelling, introducing new characters and more open environment. The new addition her is the weapon crafting and upgrade bench, where you can assemble your own weapons in order to fight Necromorphs. Unfortunately, Visceral Studios is now closed, so it’s unlikely that we’ll see a new Dead Space game in the near future.
12. Stellaris
Look no further than Stellaris if you want an extraordinary experience that goes beyond simply coming into contact with aliens. You may rule an intergalactic empire in this big strategy game and influence the course of entire cosmos. Stellaris provides a rich and immersive gaming experience, allowing players to do everything from explore the vastness of space to form diplomatic alliances or participate in epic space battles. Stellaris will enthral strategy fans and sci-fi fans alike with its complex mechanics, vast cosmos, and flexibility to customise your empire.
13. Evolve
Many say that Evolve is a highly overrated game due to its player count, but I would say that they are wrong. Evolve is a unique game that uses an asymmetrical multiplayer structure, meaning that the gameplay isn’t about X vs X players. Instead, Evolve focuses on creating a battle between a monster and the four other players. Of course, you can be both and either be hunted by the hunters or hunt for the monster. The great thing about the monster is that it can consume surrounding wildlife and EVOLVE, to become much stronger, meaning that the game is balanced overall.
14. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Capcom is known for some great action games and the fact that the company stands behind this game tells us a lot. That’s right, folks, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition is an amazing third-person shooter game, full of explosive action, gigantic monsters and vast open world. It’s like a Dead Space 3 on steroids and without horror elements. The monsters in this game are pretty terrifying and overwhelming, which make this Sci-Fi classic even more worthy. A multiplayer mode isn’t that great, but you can still enjoy its immersive campaign for a few bucks.
15. Area 51
Area 51 is a little-known game which is a bit underrated. Released in 2005, Area 51 is a pure FPS classic that immediately drags you into its fascinating world. The cutscenes in this game are way ahead of its time and the graphics are solid, albeit nothing special for the time. Being an FPS game, Area 51 uses powerful weapons which are at player’s disposal for some Alien combat. As with many old games, I suggest that you play a singleplayer campaign as multiplayer is non-viable at this time.
16. Outlast
Outlast is a first-person psychological horror game that will make you quake in fear. Be prepared to be horrified. You take on the role of investigative reporter Miles Upshur, who learns of troubling experiments being carried out at Mount Massive Asylum thanks to a tip. You must make your way through the asylum’s gloomy corridors and dodge its insane residents while carrying only a camcorder to record the horrors you face. Outlast provides a really terrifying experience that will put your nerves to the test and leave you with lasting memories thanks to its unrelenting tension, jump scares, and eerie atmosphere.
17. Quake 4
2004 and 2005 were probably the best years for gaming because we had Doom 3 and Quake 4 released in these years respectively. While Doom 3 was more claustrophobic, Quake 4 took a very little influence from Doom 3 and expanded it into much more. Quake 4 is a true old-school FPS game which puts you in a role of a marine trying to survive on Mars. What’s more interesting is that Quake 4 features some intense turret scenes and varied gameplay all around, making it a nearly-perfect shooter.
18. The Thing
The Thing is a typical survival horror video game played from the third-person perspective. The game features solid shooting mechanics, lots of weapons and relies on gore and violence to scare the player. The Thing also contains immersive boss fights which are refreshing and always welcome in such game. You may not have heard of The Thing, but the game was very successful at the time, albeit not the most beautiful. But, if you are for some scary old-school horror games, this one is a pretty decent, to begin with.
19. Aliens: Colonial Marines
Aliens: Colonial Marines is developed by Gearbox Software, a studio which stands behind Borderlands series. Now, I must admit that Borderlands is an amazing series, unlike Aliens: Colonial Marines. If you like some fancy weapons and shooting Aliens right in the face, then go get it. Unfortunately, that’s all the game has to offer, so I would recommend it to less-meticulous gamers. The graphics aren’t especially great, neither is the story, but the fun factor is here. You can get a few hours of fun with its campaign and that’s solid for the price it holds.
20. Aliens vs. Pinball
We’ve seen Aliens fighting versus Predator and then Marines, so I think that the race will be extinct soon! The Aliens need a serious help from us and they got it in form of Aliens vs. Pinball. This pinball game isn’t about killing Aliens, neither being an Alien. As its name says, it’s a pinball game inspired by Aliens which looks gorgeous. Pinball games are always great to relax and now you can do that with Aliens vs. Pinball.
21. The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is set in a Cold War era and has that Noir feeling that I like. The detectives with their hats, old vehicles, and futuristic weapons are a great way to start. The game does an excellent job of combining tactical combat and great storytelling, and it’s not often that we see a Noir game with Sci-Fi elements. The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a unique and highly-enjoyable experience, but as always, these games are easily overlooked. Now that I told you more about it, you should try it at least once!
22. Crysis
I know, Crysis 3 is on the list already, but come one, we gotta mention Crysis. After all, Crysis is the game that kickstarted the whole franchise by being a revolutionary tech demo back in 2007. This game took much inspiration from Far Cry, so we got a beautiful vegetation-filled world with much to do and see. The players could now take advantage of Nano Suit by using maximum speed, armor or strength and upgrade weapons on-the-go. After ten years, Crysis still looks amazing, even at lower graphical settings.