Written By: Sam Santiago
If there's one thing Alien fans have always been passionate about outside the films, it's the video games. Every new release sparks the same debate. Which one captured the terror of surviving a Xenomorph infestation, and which one crashed and burned faster than a dropship on LV 426?
For many fans, Alien: Isolation still sits comfortably at the top of the hive, delivering one of the most terrifying survival horror experiences ever made. Others remember the disappointment of Aliens: Colonial Marines, a game that looked like it had all the right ingredients before ultimately falling short. Then there are the nostalgia driven players who still swear the original PlayStation's Alien Trilogy remains one of the finest entries ever released.
When Aliens: Fireteam Elite arrived in 2021, it carved out its own place in the franchise by letting players finally live out the fantasy of becoming a Colonial Marine. Trading isolation for overwhelming firepower, the cooperative shooter embraced James Cameron's Aliens while still reminding players that, no matter how many pulse rifles you bring, the Xenomorphs usually have the numbers.
Now, the fight is about to get even bigger.
Daybreak Game Company and Cold Iron Studios, in collaboration with 20th Century Games, have officially unveiled a brand new cooperative trailer for Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, giving fans another look at what promises to be an even deadlier bug hunt.
Launching Aug. 25 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam and the Epic Games Store, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release arriving this fall, the sequel once again drops players into the armored boots of Colonial Marines deployed to humanity's most dangerous front lines.
This time around, up to four players can squad up as Xenomorphs stalk dark corridors, launch surprise ambushes and overwhelm fireteams in massive swarms. Cold Iron Studios says smarter enemy AI, expanded squad mechanics and an all new customizable Specialist class are designed to make every mission feel unpredictable, whether you're cautiously clearing a hallway or desperately trying to survive an all out assault.
Of course, no Colonial Marine deployment would be complete without some familiar faces.
Players picking up the 40th Anniversary Premium Edition will receive several downloadable content packs celebrating some of the franchise's most iconic characters.
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW
The Ripley's Hive Exterminator Pack lets players outfit their Marine in gear inspired by Ellen Ripley's unforgettable appearance during the climactic battle in James Cameron's 1986 masterpiece Aliens. The pack also includes Ripley's customized pulse rifle, complete with a few fiery surprises, along with exclusive decals and additional cosmetic options.
Comic book fans haven't been forgotten either. The Herk's Mondo Pest Pack introduces gear inspired by the over the top Colonial Marine hero, including a customized pulse rifle, exclusive outfit and additional customization items.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for longtime fans is the inclusion of Alien: Romulus content.
Available separately for all versions of the game, Rain's Jackson's Star Pack brings Marie "Rain" Carradine's equipment into Fireteam Elite 2. The downloadable pack includes Rain inspired cosmetics, a modified Cryo weapon, perks, augments, decals and additional customization options that allow players to bring a little of Alien: Romulus into their next mission.
The original Fireteam Elite proved there was still plenty of life left in cooperative Alien games. With deeper mechanics, recognizable characters and new ways to customize your Marine, the sequel appears ready to expand on that foundation while continuing to celebrate nearly five decades of Xenomorph history.
The Standard Edition of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 launches Aug. 25 for $49.99, while the 40th Anniversary Premium Edition will retail for $69.99, with additional downloadable content also available separately for players looking to expand their arsenal.