VR gaming has made significant strides in recent years. Advancements in hardware have allowed for more immersive and accessible experiences. One of the latest VR titles to make an impact is Alien: Rogue Incursion, a survival-horror game set in the iconic Alien franchise universe. Released on in December 2024 for PC and PlayStation VR2, and in February 2025 for Meta Quest 3, this game pushes the boundaries of what VR gaming can achieve, marking another evolution of VR gaming.
In this article, we will explore how Alien: Rogue Incursion contributes to the evolution of VR gaming, its reception, and what it reveals about the future of standalone VR experiences.
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Alien: Rogue Incursion Review
Alien: Rogue Incursion immerses players in the Alien universe. Placed in the role of Zula Hendricks, an ex-Colonial Marine, you’ll be navigating a research facility overrun by the deadly Xenomorphs. Accompanied by your android companion, Davis, you must survive against overwhelming odds using a combination of stealth, gunplay, and exploration.
The game is built upon an atmospheric foundation that replicates the tension synonymous with the Alien franchise. The dark corridors, flickering lights, and ambient sound design help create a sense of constant unease. With experienced VR developers Survios at the helm, the immersive nature of VR is an ideal medium for this type of horror experience.
One of the most ambitious aspects of Alien: Rogue Incursion is its multi-platform release. While PC VR and PlayStation VR2 versions take full advantage of high-powered hardware, the Meta Quest 3 version has stumbled in comparison. According to our review partners over at 131XR, the Meta Quest 3 version suffered from simply being too bright. However, the first update for Alien: Rogue Incursion has gone some way to fix this issue.
Critical Reception and Player Feedback
Of course, 131XR wasn’t the only place to review the game. Upon its release, Alien: Rogue Incursion received a mix of praise and criticism from players and critics alike. While many lauded its immersive atmosphere and franchise-accurate design, others pointed out areas where the game fell short.
The general feeling of the game can be summed up in a few key areas:
Strengths:
- Atmospheric Design: Many reviewers have commended the game for its ability to capture the essence of the Alien universe. The environments, sound effects, and Xenomorph animations contribute to an intense horror experience.
- Gunplay and Stealth Mechanics: Players have appreciated the variety of weapons and the ability to use stealth to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
- Standalone VR Performance: The game’s Meta Quest 3 release highlights the growing capabilities of untethered VR headsets, showcasing impressive graphics despite hardware limitations.
Criticisms:
- Repetitive Combat: Some players and critics feel that the combat becomes monotonous, with wave-based enemy encounters reducing the tension.
- Glitches and Technical Issues: A number of players reported minor glitches affecting weapon handling and AI behavior, particularly in the standalone VR version.
- Lack of Narrative Depth: While the game sets up a compelling premise, some have criticised the lack of deeper storytelling elements, which could have made the experience even more engaging.
According to Game Rant, Alien: Rogue Incursion “throws so many [xenomorphs] at the player that the fights become meaningless,” highlighting an issue where tension gives way to action-heavy sequences that reduce the horror impact. Similarly, TheSixthAxis noted that the game “really captures the look and sound of the franchise,” but criticised its design choices that make players feel like they are “fighting them rather than the Xenomorphs”.
Evolution of VR Gaming
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Alien: Rogue Incursion is its release on the Meta Quest 3. As a standalone VR headset, the Meta Quest 3 does not require a high-end PC or external console to run, making high-quality VR experiences more accessible to a wider audience.
The Quest 3 version of Alien: Rogue Incursion demonstrates how developers are beginning to optimise VR experiences for mobile hardware without drastically compromising quality. Features such as dynamic lighting, AI behavior, and environmental effects are now being implemented in ways that make them viable on untethered devices. However, the game’s limitations on Quest 3 also highlight some of the ongoing challenges with standalone VR:
- Hardware Constraints: While the game runs well, it does not quite match the fidelity of its PSVR2 and PC counterparts, showcasing the gap that still exists between standalone and high-end VR gaming.
- Optimisation Hurdles: Some players have reported frame rate drops and bugs, indicating that developers still face challenges in ensuring smooth performance on standalone systems.
Despite these setbacks, the successful implementation of a game as ambitious as Alien: Rogue Incursion on standalone VR hardware signals a promising future. As new generations of VR headsets continue to enter the market, we can expect standalone experiences to rival their tethered counterparts.
Alien: Rogue Incursion stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of VR gaming, particularly for standalone devices. While it has its flaws, the game demonstrates how far the industry has come in delivering immersive experiences without the need for expensive PC setups. As standalone VR technology continues to evolve, we can expect even greater strides, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in VR gaming.
