Aliens: Dark Descent gets a release date and a new gameplay trailer

Focus Entertainment has announced the release date for its upcoming Aliens tie-in.

Aliens: Dark Descent will be released on June 20 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One and PC, and is being developed by French studio Tindalos Interactive, which previously worked on Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2.

The game is described as a “strategic, real-time, squad-based tactical action game” and has players controlling a squad of Colonial Marines to stop a Xenomorph outbreak.

Focus also released a new gameplay trailer, which can be seen below:

“Recruit, level up and command your squad of Colonial Marines in real time as one unit with intuitive controls on both keyboard and mouse or controller,” reads a description provided by Focus.

“Watch how commands issued over comms are swiftly obeyed by the marine best-equipped for the situation according to their abilities and equipment.

“Players will need to use their wits to navigate expansive, persistent and reactive levels and complete objectives. But be cautious and monitor each marine’s vitals – death is permanent for any who fall in combat.”

The game’s official site says players will face off against numerous Xenomorph types, including Facehuggers, Praetorians (also known as the Royal Guard Alien) and Alien Queens.

Players will not only have to manage their soldiers’ health and resources, but also their sanity to prevent a mental breakdown in the heat of battle.

Aliens: Dark Descent was first introduced during Summer Game Fest 2022, at which point it was given a simple ‘2023’ release window.

In a statement at the time, Tindalos CEO Romain Clavier said: “The entire team at Tindalos is dedicated to delivering a gaming experience faithful to the spirit of the Alien franchise, and adding its own, never-seen-before elements to this iconic universe.

“The gameplay we have developed is unique, inspired from our favourite tactical and CRPG games and packaged in nerve-wracking, real-time action.

“Translating from film to our game the sheer terror caused by the deadliest species known to man was quite a challenge, but I’m confident most of you will end up in strung-out shape – as Hicks himself would say.”