Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The heart of Alien Trilogy’s gameplay lies in its faithful first-person shooter mechanics blended with the tension and pacing of the three original films. Players step into the boots of Lt. Ellen Ripley, traversing 30 total missions—ten in each film-inspired section—where every level demands you to eliminate a set number of Xenomorphs, locate key items, or activate critical switches. This mission-based structure keeps the action focused and varied, ensuring you’re never far from the next objective or looming alien threat.

The game further heightens the challenge with its diverse roster of enemies, ranging from the stealthy facehuggers and fast-moving chestbursters to hulking warrior aliens and the deadly dog aliens introduced in Alien³. Each type brings its own gameplay twist: facehuggers emerge from vents in tight corridors, chestbursters can break out of unsuspecting NPCs, and queens serve as gauntlet-closing bosses for each section. On top of the Xenomorph threat, you’ll face Company troopers—equally lethal foes who might draw a bead on you before the aliens do, turning each firefight into a tense crossfire scenario.

To survive, you’ll have an arsenal of classic colonial marines weaponry at your disposal: a reliable pistol, pump-action shotgun, rapid-fire pulse rifle, devastating flame thrower, and the iconic smart gun. Resource management plays a key role as ammo, health packs, and valuable upgrades are scattered throughout nasty, labyrinthine levels—sometimes hidden behind destructible walls or in secret compartments that reward the thorough explorer. Tools like the auto-mapping system, motion tracker, night-vision goggles, and shoulder-mounted lamps offer vital situational awareness, though their limited battery life constantly reminds you to make every shot and step count.

Graphics

For its era, Alien Trilogy pushes the PlayStation and PC hardware admirably, employing pre-rendered backgrounds and textured 3D sprites to immerse you in familiar locations like the derelict Nostromo, the hive-infested prison planet, and the claustrophobic LV-426 colony complex. The dark, moody color palette—punctuated by flickering lights and occasional green or red emergency glows—captures the eerie aesthetic of Ridley Scott’s and James Cameron’s films, making every corridor feel like a visual echo of the silver screen.

Creature design remains a standout, with each Xenomorph variation animated to slink, leap, or pounce in ways that induce genuine anxiety. The facehuggers scuttle across floors and walls, chestbursters spring from shocked NPCs, and full-grown warriors hiss with menacing detail. Even the level geometry adds to the dread: ventilation shafts, maintenance tunnels, and industrial catwalks are all rendered with jagged edges and rust-colored textures that hint at decay and danger lurking just out of sight.

While modern gamers might notice the dated pixelization and occasional texture pop-in, the game’s strong art direction and atmospheric lighting more than compensate. Frames remain largely stable, and load times are brief, letting you stay immersed in the terror rather than break for lengthy loading screens. Overall, the visual presentation holds up as a nostalgic trip that still delivers frights through its bold, evocative style.

Story

Alien Trilogy doesn’t reinvent the wheel narratively but rather serves as an interactive anthology of the franchise’s first three entries. You advance chronologically through events inspired by Alien, Aliens, and Alien³, revisiting iconic scenes—whether it’s exploring the doomed Nostromo, battling through the LV-426 colony, or navigating the grim corridors of Fiorina “Fury” 161. The plot progression is largely delivered through brief cutscenes, mission briefings, and the occasional text crawl, keeping the focus squarely on gameplay while still giving fans familiar beats to latch onto.

Despite its truncated storytelling, the game effectively channels the core tension and horror that made the films legendary. You never lose sight of Ripley’s lone struggle against an unstoppable foe, and the uneven pacing—alternating between build-up and sudden swarm attacks—mirrors the cinematic approach. The inclusion of Company marines turning traitor or succumbing to infection adds a layer of unpredictability, reminding you that not all threats wear fangs.

Character development is minimal, largely limited to Ripley’s stoic professionalism and the occasional distressed transmission from off-screen allies. Yet this sparseness serves the game well, maintaining an oppressive atmosphere rather than bogging down the action with verbose dialogue. Fans looking for an original narrative twist might be left wanting, but for purists seeking a streamlined homage to the movies, Alien Trilogy delivers the essentials.

Overall Experience

Alien Trilogy stands as a testament to the power of licensed games done right. It combines a solid FPS engine with the evocative settings of the Alien universe, delivering a tense, methodical shooter experience that rewards patience and precision. Though mission objectives can sometimes feel repetitive—search, switch, kill—the constant threat of ambush ensures that few sections feel truly dull.

Replay value is notably bolstered by hidden areas, bonus ammo, and health upgrades scattered throughout the game. Speedrunners and completionists will find plenty to do, from discovering every secret room to perfecting runs on higher difficulty settings. The motion tracker’s distinct beeps and the steady tick of your lamp’s battery gauge create a palpable sense of dread that remains potent even on subsequent playthroughs.

Ultimately, Alien Trilogy is a must-play for fans of the franchise and retro FPS enthusiasts alike. Its dated visuals and straightforward progression might deter modern gamers seeking flashy graphics or open-world freedom, but the core experience—relentless atmosphere, well-designed levels, and the thrill of facing down a queen—holds up remarkably well. If you crave a slice of classic sci-fi horror packaged in a competent shooter, Lt. Ripley’s mission is one worth embarking on.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10