The Xenomorph of Alien franchise fame has been around for several decades and in that time, it has become a practically unavoidable science-fiction horror icon. Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece set an amazingly high bar in terms of atmospheric set and sound design with the addition of gruesome set pieces and masterful monster appearances that would haunt viewers’ dreams for decades. It’s only natural with such an explosively popular franchise and widespread fanbase that video game developers would want to get their shot at portraying that license. Indeed, the Alien franchise has seen its share of video game adaptations across the many years since the release of the original.

Unfortunately for fans, constant use of the Alien franchise has only produced a handful of titles that are worthwhile. Whether it’s the handling of the Xenomorph itself or the characters and mechanics with which players are tasked with reacting to it, good Alien games are hard to come by. That said, there are some diamonds amongst the rough that prove what the Xenomorph is worth to interactive entertainment when handled properly. These few and proud games span genres and decades, bringing a wide variety of experiences that serve to invite players deeper into the Alien universe. In a series marred by difficult and underwhelming releases, these are the best Xenomorph appearances in video games.

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