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| Aliens: Fireteam Elite |
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
| Platform | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X/S |
| DESIGN | |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
| Developer(s) | Cold Iron Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Cold Iron Studios EU: Focus Home Interactive |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Director(s) | Matt Highison |
| Producer(s) | Tyler Sparks |
| Designer(s) | Kris DeMeza |
| Programmer(s) | Casey Miller Michael Noonan Jered Windsheimer |
| Writer(s) | Chris L'Etoile |
| Composer(s) | Austin Wintory |
| Series | Alien |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Release Date | August 24, 2021 |
| Download Link | PlayStation | Xbox | Windows |
| Price | Standard Edition: PlayStation ($29.99) | Xbox ($29.99) | Windows ($29.99) Aliens: Fireteam Elite Into the Hive Edition: PlayStation ($39.99) | Xbox ($39.99) | Windows ($39.99) Aliens: Fireteam Elite Ultimate Edition: PlayStation ($59.99) | Xbox ($99.99) | Windows ($59.99) |
Aliens: Fireteam Elite, released in 2021, is a third-person shooter game that was developed by Cold Iron Studio in collaboration with Disney's 20th Century Games (operating under the name of 20th Century Studios). Serving as a standalone sequel to the original Alien trilogy, the game takes a different approach compared to Alien: Isolation. While Isolation emphasized survival-horror elements, Fireteam Elite leans more towards the action-packed style of Aliens: Colonial Marines.
Gameplay
Although it draws its inspiration from the second film in the Alien series, the game's storyline serves as a sequel to the trilogy, unfolding 23 years after the events of the original films. Players take on the role of a Colonial Marine stationed aboard the UAS Endeavor, a spacecraft assigned to answer a distress signal from the outer colonies.
In this game, there are seven distinct character classes available: Gunner, Demolisher, Technician, Doc, Phalanx, Lancer, and Recon. Each class offers a unique gameplay experience. The heart of the game consists of four-story campaigns, each comprising three missions. Throughout these missions, players are joined by two companions who can be controlled either by another player or by AI.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite offers an array of challenges with its five difficulty levels and a diverse roster of twenty enemy types. The game incorporates elements of weapon customization and character progression, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While local co-op play is not supported, players can engage in online matchmaking, either publicly or privately.
One distinguishing feature is the absence of loot boxes or microtransactions, aligning with the developers' decision to focus on player enjoyment. The creators have also outlined plans for post-launch downloadable content (DLC).
The gameplay showcased in the reveal trailer and hands-off demos draws parallels to the acclaimed Left 4 Dead series, highlighting cooperative gameplay dynamics in an intense and action-packed setting.
Plot
In the year 2202, an unexpected distress call jolts the USS Endeavor into action, prompting it to investigate the seemingly destroyed Katanga refinery station orbiting the planet LV-895. To get to the bottom of the mystery, a fireteam of Colonial Marines is dispatched to board the station. Their shocking discovery: the station has been overrun by the menacing Xenomorphs.
In a heroic effort, the Marines manage to rescue Dr. Timothy Hoenikker, the sole survivor of the station and a scientist from Weyland-Yutani. Hoenikker unveils a disturbing truth: Weyland-Yutani had stumbled upon Xenomorph eggs and a transformative substance known as the "Pathogen" on LV-895. The corporation had been clandestinely breeding Xenomorphs and conducting experiments with the Pathogen until the Xenomorphs broke free.
Determined to uncover the full story, the Marines descend to the surface of LV-895. There, they come across ancient Engineer ruins that had been studied by Weyland-Yutani. A chance encounter leads them to Cynthia Rodriguez, another survivor from the corporation. Believing they are aiding her, the Marines journey deeper into the treacherous landscape, combating both Xenomorphs and Weyland-Yutani combat synthetics. However, they soon realize that Rodriguez is, in fact, a rogue Mother AI named SN/TH/YA. After shutting her down, they stumble upon the menacing "Asset Zero," an intact Engineer starship loaded with the hazardous Pathogen, set to be dispatched back to Earth. Recognizing the immense threat, the Marines disable the ship's power source to prevent its liftoff.
Returning to the Katanga refinery station, the Marines embark on a perilous mission to overload its fusion power core, effectively eradicating the Xenomorph hive onboard. Despite their success, they provoke the Xenomorph Queen and must narrowly escape the ensuing explosion.
While their mission proves triumphant, LV-895 still harbors Xenomorphs and substantial reserves of the Pathogen. Both Weyland-Yutani and their rival Hyperdyne Systems rush to stake their claim on the planet. The USS Endeavor and its valiant Marines take a stand, committed to preventing the Xenomorph menace from spreading and keeping the dangerous Pathogen out of the wrong hands.
The narrative journey is expanded further by the prequel novel "Aliens: Infiltrator," penned by Weston Ochse and published by Titan Books. This engaging book unveils the events leading up to the game's outset, enriching the overall storyline.
Development and release
Cold Iron Studios was established in 2015 by a group of former Cryptic Studios employees, known for their work on titles like City of Heroes and Star Trek Online. Their expertise laid the foundation for the studio's formation. In March 2019, the studio was acquired by FoxNext Games. FoxNext, primarily a mobile game publisher, aimed to broaden its scope by venturing into larger-scale AAA projects through Cold Iron's development of a new Aliens game.
With time, FoxNext underwent changes in ownership, being acquired by Disney. Subsequently, Cold Iron Studios was sold to Scopely, and later on, to Daybreak Game Company, creating a series of transitions for the studio.
The game itself, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, was launched on August 24, 2021, across various platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S. Following its release, the game received its first paid expansion titled "Pathogen" on August 30, 2022. This expansion introduced a range of new content, including three fresh missions, eight additional weapons, new outfits, perks, emotes, accessories, and new enemy types inspired by those seen in the movie Alien: Covenant.
Reception
Aliens: Fireteam Elite garnered a range of reviews, ultimately resulting in a "mixed or average" reception, as indicated by review aggregator Metacritic.
IGN provided a positive review, noting the intense shootouts against xenomorphs but mentioning that uneven pacing and repetitive level design held it back from achieving classic status. Eurogamer praised the suspenseful approach to xenomorph attacks, highlighting the tension derived from their ability to approach from any direction. GamesRadar+ raised concerns about the lack of cutscenes and character animations, impacting the overall experience.
Game Informer expressed disappointment in the repetitive nature of levels, feeling that varied objectives could have enhanced mission distinctiveness. GameSpot appreciated the rewarding perk system, especially its impact on class-specific gameplay. PCMag lauded the cinematic visuals while criticizing the audio design for its generic and grating qualities. PC Gamer appreciated the Challenge Cards and their influence on making missions more chaotic and fulfilling.
On the other hand, Destructoid criticized the AI of co-op bots, highlighting varying responsiveness and effectiveness. Kotaku pointed out poor pathfinding that caused enemies to charge from the same few points. Polygon praised the game's balance, emphasizing the soldiers' limited power and its impact on making battles more intriguing and satisfying.
Despite the varied reviews, Aliens: Fireteam Elite managed to secure the position of the best-selling retail game in the UK during its release week.
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