Divisive Alien Game Deserves a Second Chance on Nintendo Switch

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Despite the popularity of the Alien franchise, there haven’t been many video games based on it. We had Alien: Isolation in 2014, which is widely considered the best, followed by Aliens: Fireteam Elite in 2021 and Aliens: Dark Descent in 2023. That’s only three games in almost a decade – a surprisingly small number, especially since new Alien movies and shows are still being made, and Isolation is often praised as a top horror game. While Fireteam Elite and Dark Descent are both excellent, it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen another game with the same immersive, terrifying atmosphere as Isolation.

A game called Alien: Rogue Incursion was originally released for virtual reality in 2024. I didn’t pay much attention to it initially because I don’t have a VR headset, and VR gaming hasn’t become as popular as some expected. Exclusive games like Rogue Incursion are mostly enjoyed by those who can afford the expensive technology. Luckily, an Evolved Edition was released for PS5, PC, and later the Nintendo Switch 2. This move caused some controversy, and many people have dismissed the game because of it. However, I think Rogue Incursion is surprisingly good – it’s almost as compelling as Alien: Isolation, which is often considered the best Alien game ever made.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Is Far Better Than It Gets Credit For

Let me be clear: I don’t think Alien: Rogue Incursion is as good as Isolation. Isolation is a masterpiece of horror, and it’s incredibly difficult to top. It’s easily the best game in the Alien series, and only a direct sequel could possibly surpass it. This is important because many players hoped Rogue Incursion – the first first-person shooter Alien game since Isolation – would recapture some of that magic. After a decade since Isolation’s release, people were really wanting that same intensely frightening experience. Rogue Incursion doesn’t quite deliver on that front, but it’s not really trying to, so the negative comparisons aren’t entirely fair.

While Alien: Rogue Incursion is still a scary game – it’s a tense first-person shooter, and you’ll definitely feel jumpy, even on the Switch 2’s smaller screen – it feels like it would have been better received if it had simply been called Aliens. It’s more focused on action, putting you in the role of a former Colonial Marine. The game strikes a balance between the careful exploration of Isolation and the satisfying gunplay of Aliens: Colonial Marines, although the latter received a lot of criticism overall. The xenomorphs remain terrifying, and the limited ammo keeps every encounter incredibly stressful.

One common complaint about Rogue Incursion: Evolved Edition is that it lost some of the magic that made the original VR version so unique when adapted for standard console controls. I understand that perspective, and I agree the VR version is better overall. However, I believe the console version still offers a remarkably immersive experience. It achieves this through clever UI design integrated into the game world, gyro controls on the Switch 2 that mimic the head-tracking of VR, and exceptionally well-done animations that draw you into the gameplay. I also appreciate that Rogue Incursion was ported to consoles at all, given the significant effort required and the fact that it might otherwise have remained limited to the now-declining VR market.

If you’re looking for a quick but captivating first-person shooter with a compelling story and memorable characters, especially if you’re a fan of the Alien universe, Rogue Incursion is definitely worth checking out. It’s a great way to pass the time while we wait for the next Alien: Isolation game and the second part of Rogue Incursion (which doesn’t have a release date yet). And now that it’s officially available on the Nintendo Switch 2, I think that’s where you’ll have the best experience. Despite a few flaws, the Switch 2 is the ideal platform to play Alien: Rogue Incursion.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Is Almost A Great Fit On The Nintendo Switch 2

Although Alien: Rogue Incursion doesn’t look its best on the Nintendo Switch 2 – especially in performance mode, which I recommend avoiding – it actually plays better on this handheld console than anywhere else. It’s not about the game running faster; even in quality mode, it mostly stays at 30 frames per second. The real improvement comes from the gyro controls, which are much more effective on Nintendo devices. Using the console’s motion controls to aim while fighting the aliens feels surprisingly like playing in virtual reality, as much as a standard console can achieve.

You can also use the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, but it’s much more difficult and less natural to use. It doesn’t feel as engaging either. The Switch 2’s potential mouse controls would make it the better way to play, but that’s still a big ‘if’ right now. To be honest, like other third-party games on the Switch 2, it has some problems that need fixing. This is partly because the game was created using the Unreal Engine 5, which can cause performance issues on the Switch 2. While major problems can be fixed with updates – and the mouse controls might even be working by the time you read this – these issues prevent this version from being the absolute best way to experience Alien: Rogue Incursion.

It’s fantastic to have another first-person shooter on the Nintendo Switch 2 – the console really needs more of them! I’m also glad to see Alien: Rogue Incursion appealing to a growing fanbase, and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did. We don’t get many Alien games, so it’s important to celebrate the ones we do get. However, that doesn’t mean we should accept mediocre releases, and Rogue Incursion is definitely more than just the best of a limited bunch. In fact, its quality makes the wait for a new Alien game worthwhile. Whether Rogue Incursion deserved the mixed reactions it received is up to you, but if you’re a fan of the Alien franchise, I’m confident you’ll have a great time playing it.

I’m really curious – are you planning on checking out Alien: Rogue Incursion when the new Nintendo Switch 2 comes out? I’d love to hear what you think! Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum – come join the discussion!

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2026-04-28 22:16