Enhanced Gameplay with Simplified Graphics

Alien: Rogue Incursion first made waves in December with its debut on PSVR 2 and PC VR headsets, marking a noteworthy entry into the ‘Alien’ franchise as its first VR-native experience. Now, fans have a new reason to cheer with the game’s recent arrival on the Quest 3, thanks to developer Survios.

Back when the game launched, our team delved into those adrenaline-pumping Xenomorph encounters. We praised the thrilling tension these alien adversaries brought, likening them to cunning raptors on the hunt. However, we couldn’t help but notice the monotony in these encounters due to their frequent randomness. Adding to the challenge was a stringent save system that made progression a bit unforgiving. Ultimately, we landed on a [7/10] score in our (spoiler-free) review.

Before making its way to Quest 3, Alien: Rogue Incursion received several patches that improved the game dramatically. Available on the Horizon Store for $40, players can now experience a more balanced game. A significant update was rolled out just days ago, fine-tuning the Xenomorphs’ sensory capabilities. This change helps manage the intensity of encounters, allowing players to strategize more effectively without feeling constantly bombarded. Additionally, the save system saw an overhaul, now providing the option to choose from previous saves instead of being limited to the last one.

While we haven’t explored the Quest 3 version ourselves just yet, initial reviews are a mixed bag. The team over at ‘Gamertag VR’ highlighted some graphical improvements and disclosed a few quirks in their latest overview. They pointed out an interesting aspect of the game’s lighting; “Unfortunately, on the Quest, the eerie darkness is not as pervasive as one might expect. You have a flashlight, but for the first few hours, you’ll scarcely need it because the game isn’t dim enough.”

However, they were quick to add that the latest patch significantly improved the natural feel of Xenomorph encounters on Quest 3, a welcomed change.

For those curious about performance differences, ‘The VR Grid’ provided an in-depth comparison between Quest 3 and PSVR 2 versions. Their insights reveal some trade-offs on the Quest 3 platform due to its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor. Expect less dynamic lighting and ambient effects like steam, along with reduced draw distance. On the plus side, the in-game text is notably easier to read.

It’s worth noting that the game, though we refer to it simply as Alien: Rogue Incursion, is actually just the first installment in a two-part narrative. Survios mentioned back in December that the initial release is a “standalone adventure with a cliffhanger ending,” but there’s more to come. The story continues as ‘Part Two’ is in the works, promising fans even more challenging encounters as Zula faces tougher foes.

So, while the Quest 3 launch may have its share of adjustments, the anticipation for the continuation of this thrilling saga is sure to keep players on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for the next chapter!