Master the Shadows: 5 Expert Tips for Aliens: Dark Descent

Aliens: Dark Descent, developed by Tindalos Interactive and Focus Entertainment, is a squad-based tactical RTS game. In this game, players assume the role of Colonial Marines and venture into various dark and Xeno-infested locations within a semi-open world setting. Although comparisons have been made to the XCOM series, Aliens: Dark Descent presents a higher level of challenge due to the absence of the luxury of waiting and strategizing at one's leisure.

Nevertheless, the game offers players an array of tools and gameplay mechanics to counterbalance its difficulty. These include support vehicles, special abilities, and a great deal of freedom for players to decide their approach to each mission.

5 Manage Stress Levels

In Aliens: Dark Descent, players will encounter a crucial gameplay mechanic known as the stress meter. As Marines face Xenomorphs and witness horrifying events during deployment, their stress levels will gradually increase. Once the stress reaches a certain threshold, Marines will experience a trauma level, which significantly hampers their combat abilities. However, there are ways to alleviate stress levels. Building Shelters and taking breaks during deployment, as well as seeking treatment at the Psychiatric Care Unit in the Otago's Medical Bay, can help reduce stress. Monitoring stress levels is vital in the field, as uncontrolled stress can lead to Marines becoming disobedient, less accurate, less mobile, and overall less effective. Creating safe Shelters at regular intervals, free from alien infestation, can minimize the negative impact of stress on the entire squad.

4 Treat Every Room As A Potential Threat

In Aliens: Dark Descent, maintaining a clear line of sight is vital for the Marines. The presence of Xenomorphs lurking just beyond visibility adds a constant element of danger. To enhance their field of vision and identify interactive objects like Datapads, Materials, and Terminals, Marines can rely on the Flashlight.

It's important to note that not every room will be infested with large, menacing enemies. However, spotting eggs can be more challenging, and they pose a significant threat as they can unleash Facehuggers upon the squad. To minimize the risk, it is recommended for the squad to move cautiously with the Flashlight activated. This allows them to identify potential threats early on, preventing them from evolving into catastrophic situations. Additionally, players should prioritize clearing rooms and familiarize themselves with all available entrances and exits.

3 Use The ARC

The ARC serves as a heavily armed support unit, providing various means of assistance to players during missions. Its primary function is to transport players to different areas of the mission location, offering a faster and safer mode of transportation compared to traveling on foot. Additionally, the ARC is capable of extracting players and bringing them aboard Hunslet's ship, which will then transport them back to the Otago for complete recovery.

During deployment, the ARC has the flexibility to be repositioned across the map. This allows it to serve not only for fire support purposes but also for extraction. Whenever players encounter trouble in close proximity to the ARC, it will unleash a powerful barrage of machine gun fire, swiftly neutralizing most threats before they have a chance to approach the Marines.

2 Check The Map For Points Of Interest

To effectively navigate Aliens: Dark Descent, players must stay aware of various objectives, materials, corridors, and dangers. One useful strategy is to utilize the Map feature, which not only allows players to scan the surrounding environment but also ensures the collection of all available Materials and Xenosamples in a mission area. Unlike the limited information provided by the Heartbeat Monitor during exploration, the Map displays all points of interest within the explored area.

In addition to scanning the environment, the Map screen provides players with the ability to review their Objectives and the overall mission Brief. It also offers a Legend that explains the meaning of different icons on the map. For players seeking more detailed information about the game, the Squad Recap and Codex can be accessed from the Map screen.

1 Don't Be Afraid To Extract

Losing a marine in the field of Aliens: Dark Descent is a permanent setback, as they will not respawn upon returning to the Otago. This emphasizes the importance of strategizing and making careful decisions during gameplay.

Aliens: Dark Descent is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.