The Aliens franchise has struggled to produce standout games since Alien: Isolation in 2014. While Aliens: Fireteam Elite provided some co-op fun, it lacked the immersive tension fans love. Enter Aliens: Dark Descent—launching June 20th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC—a blend of real-time tactics, survival horror, and persistent strategy. Here are 13 key things you should know before jumping in.

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1. Story Setup

Set on the planet Leith, a local uprising triggers a Xenomorph outbreak. You’ll command Mako Haze, a Weyland-Yutani administrator, and Jonas Harper of the USCM as they lead a Marine squad to contain the threat, repair the stranded ship Otago, and uncover Leith’s secrets.

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2. Real-Time Squad-Based Combat

Control up to five Marines in real-time, each with unique skills. Manage:

• Suppressive fire to pin enemies.
• Precision shots for powerful delayed strikes.
• Tactical tools like flares, traps, and fire hazards to turn the battlefield in your favor.

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3. Time-Slowing Tactical Mode

Combat is fast and deadly, but a time-slow mechanic gives you breathing room to issue orders. It doesn’t fully pause the game unless adjusted through accessibility settings—so urgency still matters.

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4. Enemy Variety

Expect more than just Xenomorphs:

• Face Facehuggers, Runners, Praetorians, and even Queens.
• Deal with rogue synthetics, Weyland-Yutani agents, and hybrid bioforms.

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5. Persistent, Reactive Environments

Levels retain your impact:

• Welded doors remain sealed.
• Motion trackers offer real-time updates across missions.
• Infestation levels increase if left unchecked—ignore the threat too long, and it’s game over.

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6. Five Marine Classes

Customize your squad with roles like:

• Medic: Healing and stress relief.
• Gunner: Heavy suppression and smart gun use.
• Recon: Stealth tactics and silent kills.
  Each Marine has unique traits and can be visually customized with scars, hairstyles, and more.

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7. Weapons & Vehicles

Outfit your Marines with:

• Firearms: M41 Pulse Rifles, flamethrowers, RPGs.
• The APC: Deploy it to transport squads and mow down Xenomorphs with turret fire.

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8. Stress & Morale Matter

Marines accumulate stress that affects performance. Proper rest and downtime between missions is vital to keep them sharp—and sane.

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9. Permadeath Is Real

Knocked-out Marines can be rescued mid-mission—but if they die, they’re gone for good. You’ll need to recruit and train replacements, making every decision in the field count.

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10. Base Management: The Otago

Between missions, your ship functions as your command center:

• Deliver speeches to boost morale.
• Conduct research to unlock gear like Hive Jammers and stasis grenades.
• Upgrade weapons, manage your roster, and prepare for future missions.

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11. Flexible Accessibility & Difficulty

Customize your experience with:

• Scalable difficulty settings.
• The option to turn the time-slow feature into a full tactical pause for more strategic gameplay.

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12. Smart Delivery & Cross-Gen Play

• Xbox: Buy once, play on both Xbox One and Series X|S via Smart Delivery.
• PlayStation: PS4 and PS5 versions are bundled for dual-platform support.

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13. PC System Requirements

Minimum Specs:

• CPU: AMD FX-6300 / Intel i3-6100
• RAM: 8GB
• GPU: Radeon R9 380 / GTX 960 (3GB VRAM)

Recommended Specs:

• CPU: Ryzen 7 1800X / i7-9700K
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: RX 5600 XT / RTX 2060 (6GB VRAM)
• SSD recommended for 1080p / 60FPS on Epic settings

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Final Thoughts

Aliens: Dark Descent promises a gripping fusion of real-time strategy, survival horror, and deep squad management. Whether you’re a die-hard Aliens fan or just love tactical games, these 13 points should prepare you for the hostile world of Leith.