(Image credit: Daybreak Game Company)

The first Aliens: Fireteam Elite was among my favorite Alien video games , and there were a lot of reasons to be excited for a sequel.

At Summer Game Fest 2026 , we learned of many smart changes and improvements to the formula, and I was eager to go bug-hunting again. A new campaign, fully reworked classes, and four-player co-op. What could go wrong?

Months later, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2's debut has been difficult, mostly due to glaring tech issues. Despite this, it's still a welcome jolt of action for a franchise that's been focusing on making the Xenomorphs scary again in recent years.

Alien: Romulus (2024) and Alien: Earth (2025) have reestablished the acid-blooded Xenomorphs as bona fide horror icons, while games like Aliens: Dark Descent bet on tense real-time tactics and squad management; Rogue Incursion spooked VR and non-VR players alike; and we even have Isolation 2 's pure survival horror to look forward to.

Rough edges aside, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is…