Enhanced Gameplay with Simplified Graphics

With its initial debut on PSVR 2 and PC VR headsets last December, Alien: Rogue Incursion brought an exciting VR-native experience to the legendary ‘Alien’ franchise. Now, after much anticipation, developer Survios has rolled it out for Quest 3 users as well.

Back when it first launched, we explored this game deeply, putting its Xenomorph encounters in the spotlight. The thrilling, raptor-like hunting behavior of these enemies certainly heightened tension. However, the game felt bogged down by repetitive encounters and a save system that added unnecessary frustration. At that time, we placed our bets on a solid [7/10].

Since then, the game has undergone a series of updates before making its way to Quest 3, where it’s now available on the Horizon Store for $40. Among the tweaks, there’s one crucial patch from a few days back. Survios adjusted the Xenomorph spawning to dial back their once annoyingly sharp awareness, preventing them from swarming players inaccurately. They also softened the rigid save system, giving players the option to load from previous saves.

We’ve yet to dive into the Quest 3 edition, but initial feedback is varied. ‘Gamertag VR,’ a prominent YouTube channel, offers a comprehensive look at the latest Quest release, though they point out a couple of graphical hiccups.

"The mystery of the shadows feels diminished on Quest. Oddly, for the game’s opening hours, you hardly need your flashlight, as the setting simply isn’t dark enough," they shared.

Yet, Gamertag VR does credit the more realistic Xenomorph interactions, likely thanks in part to the recent patch before the Quest 3 premiere.

For those keen on comparing the Quest 3 experience directly with PSVR 2, ‘The VR Grid’ on YouTube provides a side-by-side analysis. They highlight the sacrifices made for the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, featuring less dynamic lighting and fewer ambient effects like steam, though it scores with more legible in-game text.

While we’re calling it Alien: Rogue Incursion, it’s just the beginning of a two-part narrative. Survios clarified in a December statement that this initial installment is a "standalone adventure ending on a cliffhanger," promising more to come.

The studio is already on the next chapter, aiming to thrust Zula into encounters with fiercer adversaries and introduce her to tougher challenges. A continuation certainly worth keeping an eye out for!