Aliens: Dark Descent isn’t just another squad shooter, actually

If you see the announcement trailer for Aliens: Dark Origin at last June’s Summer Games Fest and thought, OK, another team-based shooter, well, think again. A gameplay video featured by IGN on Tuesday shows off the real-time tactical action game, which launches on June 20.

You’re forgiven for the confusion (if you were confused) – last year’s trailer was almost entirely cinematic, presenting the dire close-up threat we’ve come to expect from the Alien franchise. In Dark descent, the player is the squad commander with an isometric overhead view that allows them to survey the field. Well, when the place is lit, as often not in an Aliens tent.

For those concerned about their decision-making skills in the heat of battle, there’s a bullet-time feature that slows down time enough to distribute commands like a pro. And yes, permadeath is inside on the table Aliens: dark descent. Would you expect anything different? However, I hope they still save. I wouldn’t want too many beloved comrades-in-arms to be dragged away like this.

As for the story, Aliens: dark descent tells the story of a colonial marine detachment whose ship has crashed on Planet Lethe (root word of deadlybtw) and, why not, investigate a Xenomorph outbreak there.

Aliens: dark descent, developed by Tindalos Interactive, will be available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X at launch on June 20.