Aliens: Fireteam Elite stands out as a cooperative third-person survival shooter infused with RPG progression, where you team up to fend off relentless alien threats in the iconic Alien universe. Set 23 years after the original trilogy, the game puts you in the boots of a Colonial Marine aboard the UAS Endeavor, tackling a distress call from a remote planet overrun by Xenomorphs and synthetic enemies. With a focus on squad-based tactics and build customization, it appeals to fans of intense co-op action who enjoy leveling up characters and refining loadouts against overwhelming odds.
Gameplay
In Aliens: Fireteam Elite, the core experience revolves around third-person shooting and survival mechanics, where positioning and teamwork prove essential. You control a Marine in a fireteam of three, with options for human players or AI companions to fill the spots. Combat involves blasting through swarms of enemies that ambush from vents, walls, and ceilings, requiring quick reflexes and strategic use of cover. RPG elements shine through character progression, where you level up classes, unlock perks, and customize weapons with mods and attachments to suit your playstyle.
Enemies come in over 20 varieties, including 11 types of Xenomorphs like Facehuggers and Praetorians, each with distinct behaviors that demand adaptive strategies. Synthetics from Weyland-Yutani add variety, often appearing as durable foes in scripted encounters. The perk system allows deep customization, with a Perk Board that enhances abilities and stats as you gain experience. Challenge Cards introduce modifiers to missions, ramping up difficulty or altering conditions for replayability and extra rewards.
Game Modes
The game features four main campaigns, each divided into three missions that unfold across the planet LV-895 and its facilities. These include Priority One, Giants in the Earth, The Gift of Fire, and The Only Way to Be Sure, offering structured narratives with objectives like extraction, defense, and exploration. You can tackle them solo with AI or in online co-op, with five difficulty levels to scale the challenge.
Beyond the campaigns, Horde mode pits your fireteam against endless waves of enemies in survival scenarios, testing endurance and build efficiency. Various game modes support Challenge Card integration, allowing modified runs for unique twists on familiar setups. Multiplayer emphasizes online matchmaking, either public or private, without local co-op options.
Classes and Customization
Seven distinct classes form the backbone of squad composition, each with unique abilities and perks. Options include Gunner for balanced firepower, Demolisher for heavy explosives, Technician for turret deployment, Doc for healing support, Phalanx for shield-based defense, Lancer for energy weapons, and Recon for scouting and ammo provision. You level up individually or specialize in one, unlocking over 130 perks to fine-tune builds.
Weapon selection spans more than 30 types, from pistols and SMGs to rocket launchers, with attachments and stat upgrades earned through use. This system encourages experimentation, as maxing out gear improves performance in combat. Consumables and defensive setups further enhance survival, making every loadout decision impactful against the alien hordes.
Is It Worth Playing?
Aliens: Fireteam Elite suits players who crave cooperative shooters with progression depth, especially those drawn to the Alien franchise's tense atmosphere. Its mixed reception highlights strengths in satisfying gunplay and class variety, though some note repetitive level design and AI inconsistencies. Post-launch updates, including the Pathogen expansion with new missions and enemies, extended its lifespan through 2022, adding classes like Phalanx and Lancer.
If you enjoy squad tactics against horror-themed foes and don't mind online-only multiplayer, it offers solid replay value through campaigns and Horde mode. For solo players or those seeking polished AI, it might feel uneven, but the core loop of building and battling remains engaging for co-op enthusiasts.
