Aliens: Dark Descent is a strategy game where you command a squad of soldiers as they face creatures from the Alien films. However, rather than using brute force, you must sneak around and avoid detection, both to keep the aliens unaware of your presence and to stop your troops from panicking and missing their shots. It's this combination of stealth, survival, and strategic real-time combat that makes it stand out as an unnerving horror experience.

Set in the Aliens franchise of films, you play Maeko Hayes, a low-level administrator in a distant galaxy who discovers his base has become infested by Xenomorph aliens. You lead a squad of special forces as they attempt to wipe out the invaders and gather intelligence to unravel the mystery of their appearance.

You guide your troops through the different areas of the base, gathering resources and upgrading as you shoot and defeat the aliens you encounter. While a full-frontal attack is possible, being spotted alerts all the other aliens nearby. This makes reaching your objectives harder and also increases your troops' stress level, which in turn makes them miss shots. The better approach is usually slower and more considered, stealthily sneaking through the hallways and only engaging in combat when absolutely necessary.

The result is a game that feels like a good horror movie by making you avoid enemies or risk panic amongst your team and a horde of aliens relentlessly pursuing you. Carefully and strategically making your way unseen through each new area, then ending off each mission with a tense climax as you finally face the enemy makes for a thrilling experience.