Enhanced Gameplay with Simplified Graphics

When Alien: Rogue Incursion made its debut on PSVR 2 and PC VR headsets last December, it was a significant addition to the well-loved ‘Alien’ franchise, being its first VR-centric game. Now the developers at Survios have expanded its reach, launching it on the Quest 3.

In our initial review on launch day, we were thrilled by the adrenaline-pumping Xenomorph encounters, largely due to their cunning, raptor-esque hunting behavior. However, this excitement was often marred by the repetitive nature of the random encounters. Our enjoyment was further hindered by a rather unforgiving save system. Overall, we rated the game a solid 7 out of 10.

Before making its way to the Quest 3, the game didn’t just sit idle; it received several updates. The most noteworthy patch just dropped a few days ago, aiming to adjust the Xenomorph’s spawning mechanics by tweaking their senses of hearing and vision. This change should make them less overwhelming and overly precise in tracking players down. Players also now enjoy a bit more leniency with the save system, which lets them load from previous saves, not just the most recent one.

We’ve yet to immerse ourselves in the Quest 3 version, but early buzz seems to suggest mixed feelings. For a detailed look, ‘Gamertag VR’ on YouTube provides insightful commentary on the latest Quest release while pointing out a few graphical inconsistencies.

“One issue with the Quest version is that it doesn’t maintain the dim atmosphere you’d expect,” Gamertag VR notes. “There’s a flashlight attached to your head, yet throughout the initial four to five hours, it’s practically redundant because the game isn’t dark enough to warrant its use.”

Despite this, it’s reported that encounters with the Xenomorph feel more authentic, likely due to the aforementioned patch improvements coinciding with the Quest 3 release.

For those seeking a direct comparison, look no further than ‘The VR Grid’ on YouTube. They offer a side-by-side analysis of how the game fares on Quest 3 versus PSVR 2 using a base PS5. You’ll notice that while the overall gameplay vibe remains consistent, the Quest version sacrifices some dynamic lighting and realistic ambient effects like steam for performance on the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. On a brighter note, reading in-game text is noticeably easier.

Though we’re focused on Alien: Rogue Incursion, technically, it’s just ‘Part One’ of a two-part saga. Survios clarified in a late December announcement that while this installment is a “standalone adventure ending on a cliffhanger,” there’s definitely “more on the horizon.”

Currently, the studio is knee-deep in developing ‘Part Two’, which promises to further unravel Zula’s tale, confronting her with fiercer foes and more intense challenges.