GAMERS DECIDE - alien games

[Top 10] Best Alien Board Games

SagaTakesAShot — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:03:20 +0000

Looking for some outerspace action? the galaxy is crawling with Aliens but if that's what you want, then this is the list for you.

If you’re looking for an adventure to the great unknown, or maybe just up for fighting some monsters not from this planet, then you can’t go wrong with Alien themed board games. These board games go above and beyond what the theme has to offer. Get ready for an adventure beyond the earth’s surface and capabilities.

When it comes to alien themed board games there’s a vast array of titles that we can throw in here (as vast as the space maybe?). Here’s a list of 10 alien themed board games that we got to enjoy over the years that you might be interested in trying out yourself. (Star Wars is a given but we didn’t include it here to give other board games with aliens a chance.)

10. Desolate

Desolate Box

You are on a rescue mission to investigate Station 4 on the moon due to unusual silence from the members in that station. Your ship suddenly loses control once you are near the station. With almost no way to reach home you decide to venture inside Station 4. You find out that aliens have overrun the station and there is no sign of your comrades. With your ship destroyed your only hope to go home is through the escape pods found deep within the station. You must find enough powercells in order to power the escape hatch and get out of there.

What’s fun about Desolate:

A solo game, well you can add players if you buy the booster and expansion, but the game is great solo.
Quickplay, Easy and fast to play, if you’re waiting for something with 15-30 mins to spare this game would be great to pull out.
Art, sure it’s only in grayscale but you get this retro horror vibe from it.

9. Alien Entity

Alien Entity Box

You are a group of stranded planetary researchers just trying to survive and get out of hostilities. One of your members has been infected by an alien and will now sabotage and infect all the other researchers. You have to contact mission control before this infection gets out of control. All of the players are passed cards which will determine your role in the ship (as a human or alien). The humans win if the satellite array is built before the alien manages to infect all the other members of your ship.

What’s fun about Alien Entity:

Mafia Game, seems to be all the rage now so Alien Entity kind of fits, only with an alien theme and the ability for players to come over to your side…. Well, you don’t get to expose the alien though.
Party Game, Easy game that you can bring to a get-together. I also count it as an ice-breaker game.
Played with as many rounds as you want, Quick game to be played in multiple rounds… you can keep playing till you get bored.

8. Cosmic Encounter

Cosmic Encounter Cover Art

Okay, instead of fighting off aliens as humans, why not be the aliens instead? Welcome to the Cosmic Age, the alien species is growing rapidly and it is now a race to colonize more planets to dominate the galaxy. There are so many species of aliens and you get to choose 1 of these races to play as. Each race has their own unique sets of abilities that will help you achieve your goal however you see fit to dominate the universe.

What’s fun about Cosmic Encounter:

Simple enough, it’s a war game but a tone easier, the basics are simple enough to get.
Replayability, there are so many species and abilities to choose from, while the game is simple to learn it takes a while to master due to all the options you have as the aliens.
Difficulty rating, the aliens come in colors! The colors show how easy or hard it is to use a certain character. So, if you’re new, use the green aliens till you get the hang of the game.

7. Thanos Rising: Avengers Infinity War

Thanos Rising Cover Art

Given that there are alien members in the popular movie franchise, we decided to put this in the list as well. In this game your goal is to ultimately put a stop to Thanos who is on a quest to collect six infinity stones to power his Infinity Gauntlet. The game is a dice and card game where all of you control a team of heroes with the common goal of beating Thanos. You’ll lose if 10+ heroes are defeated or if one team is completely depleted by the end of the turn. Another lose condition is if Thanos manages to gather all six Infinity Stones.

What’s fun about Thanos Rising: Avengers Infinity War:

Team of heroes, you can make your dream team of heroes, well at least the ones available in the game.
Critical thinking, from building your team, choosing a sector and fighting other villains.
Easy to learn, something you can bring over to game night and get to playing right away.

6. Galaxy Trucker

Galaxy Trucker Box

Let’s have something less serious and family friendly in this list. Just like earth, the galaxy also needs a sewer system. Corporation Incorporated is in charge of building and maintaining these sewer systems and now you—yes! You! get to join their ranks. You are now a Galaxy Trucker. Your job is to build a strong enough ship that can withstand the harshness of space and deliver valuable cargo across the galaxy all in record time. While the task sounds easy enough, there are Space pirates, stray meteors and other hazards you need to deal with along the way. Let’s not forget that other Galaxy Truckers tend to be competitive.

What’s fun about Galaxy Trucker:

Build the ship, all players go through a common warehouse where they look for parts of their would-be ship. You end up with different ships every game.
Competitive, for some reason the game forces everyone to be really invested with everyone’s actions and their own.
Watching your ship chip off, you will not get out of this game unscratched.

5. Space Alert

Space Alert Cover Art

Let’s face it, in reality, time isn’t something we have a lot of during a crisis and usually in board games, time is slower—sometimes all players take a long time making their move while in-game time-- only a minute or so has passed. Well, you don’t get the luxury of time in Space Alert. The game is a co-op team survival game where you have to keep your ship safe for ten minutes. During play, a central computer (app) will announce the presence of threats and will play a 10-minute soundtrack (this acts as your timer). You (and your crewmates if you play with other people) will have to decide how to act to fend off threats (aliens being one of those threats).

What’s fun about Space Alert:

Quick Game, you have ten minutes.
Stress/ Pressure, It forces you to think of quick and decisive moves to solve the upcoming threats, I think board games that allow their players to think more are great.
Chaotic, it’s part of the fun, especially if all of you are active team players but with varying opinions on what to do.

4. Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space (Ultimate Edition)

Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space Box

Things seem to look dim as the research ship you are on-board on is dealing with system failures. The malfunctioning of the ship seems to be the least of your worries as an unknown lifeform has entered and is picking your companions off one by one and turning them into horrendous monsters. Will you and your remaining crew members be able to survive? The game is a card game where the players are either human or aliens. Players need to cleverly bluff their way to victory by revealing bits and pieces about their location. As a human you win the game if you manage to reach the Escape Hatch, meanwhile the Aliens win if they manage to hunt all the humans down.

What’s fun about Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space:

Engaging, you don’t know your enemies and allies, it’s dark, every sound and clue is important.
Ultimate Edition, everything from the base game to the other editions is already included.
Aliens can be their own enemies, you know how mafia games go where the bad guys know their fellow bad guys? Over here the aliens could eat their own.

3. Clank in Space

Clank! in Space Box

Instead of finding yourself up against a dragon like the previous game of Clank!, we are now cautiously making our way through a giant spaceship filled with loot owned by the evil Lord Eradikus. Your goal is to take the loot and escape through the emergency escape pods in the ship. To do that you need to have access to the ship’s command module. Build your deck to help you go through the ship without making a – Clank!

What’s fun about Clank! In Space:

Stand alone, no need to play the previous game, if you prefer the whole alien space theme more than fantasy themed game but with a deck building mechanic, then this is the game.
Artwork, we get aliens, android and a bunch of stuff you expect in the future from this game, some still keep the medieval design… only with a futuristic touch to it.
Replayability, sort of feels like a party game that you can keep playing.

2. Twilight Imperium

Twilight Imperium Box

We’re all fighting for galactic dominance. While military might is one way to show superiority, other components such as political maneuvering and economic bargaining must be looked at in order for you to strengthen your forces. Which faction will be the strongest in the galaxy? There can only be one. The game allows 3-6 players to take command of one of seventeen available factions, each faction has their own strengths that you can use to get the upper hand in this intergalactic battle. Keep note of your objectives, and make sure you work towards them instead of focusing on military prowess (unless winning via might is one of the objectives).

What’s fun about Twilight Imperium:

Time flies by, you won’t notice, even with a lot of players the hours can be passing and you guys would still be heavily invested.
Winning Objectives, it’s not always about winning via combat, the objective system keeps people on their toes on what they have to complete first.
Replayability, there are 17 races to look at, you can try them all out every game.

1. Nemesis: Lockdown

Minis of Nemesis: Lockdown

Well, this list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of the Alien franchise. You and your crew find yourself on a secret Martian base overrun by another alien threat. Each player has their own objectives they need to fulfill in the seemingly abandoned lab. However, the mission is made difficult due to the alien infestation where you have to either evade the aliens or destroy them.

What’s fun about Nemesis: Lockdown:

Stand alone, it’s fine if you missed the first game, you don’t need any previous knowledge from the core game since this is an entirely new setting.
Objective to turn on the other, not all the humans are allies, all of you have different objectives and some of you might get in the way of your own goals.
Area fun, You can use the labs features to your advantage and to travel to other parts of the map.

You may also be interested in:

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Are you against the aliens? or are YOU an Alien?

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The 17 Best Alien Games for PC (Blast Them To Shreds!)

jconway — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 01:27:58 +0000

Wage War Against Extraterrestrials in These Alien Games for PC

Push back the Alien Invasion and have fun blasting E.T.s to shreds in these alien games.

17. Alien Shooter 2: Conscription

Alien Shooter 2: Conscription gameplay

Alien invasion! What remains of humanity is conscripted to defend the species. Defend cities and rural outposts from frenzied hordes. Play a private soldier ordered to hunt down and kill the alien mobs before they have you for lunch.

In this top-down shooter explore labyrinthine environments while being pursued by a wide variety of scaly, reptilian-like aliens. Fight your way through the mobs, step by step, as they slowly converge on your position, wearing you down, looking for weakness. Don’t panic! The survivors of each mission are rewarded with xps and money to improve your skills and weapons.

Unique Features

• Up to 100 aliens swarm on one map at one time

• Auxiliary equipment available, including radar and battle drones

• Three game modes: Campaign, Survive, Gun Stand

Get to the chopper!

Why shoot aliens when you can also just run them over in a military grade jeep?

16. Blacksite: Area 51

Blacksite: Area 51 gameplay

Those pesky aliens have escaped Area 51 again! After a brief stint in Iraq where an alien crystal was found, you play a soldier called to destroy an outbreak of mutated creatures and enraged extraterrestrials in this second of the franchise.

In this fast paced, classic-styled first person shooter you move quickly through a variety of missions beginning in Iraq, winding through urban and rural environments until you encounter the denizens of Area 51. While under aggressive pressure, command a squad and fight.

Unique Features

• Zoom in on distant targets using the advanced M4 carbine’s holographic sight.

• Take charge of a squad of soldiers and order them to set explosives and operate turrets.

• Absorb an obscene amount of gunfire damage before dying.

First person view looking down the site of your M4 carbine.

Some of the friendly fellows you will encounter.

15. Earthfall

Earthfall gameplay

Band together with fellow survivors after an alien invasion in this post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, first person shooter. Wander abandoned neighborhoods past empty cars and darkened houses to find resources, weapons and ammunition.

Play with up to four friends. You’ll need their help! Explore the area outside the safety of your compound. Enter into houses cautiously, search rooms, and find ammuniation and other resources for the survival of your community. Dead aliens explode in green slime. Build barricades and turrets to stave off the slathering hordes.

Unique Features

• Try to survive with the help of 4 other players.

• Use 3D printers to create over 20 deadly weapons.

• Deploy barricades and turrets to defend your community.

Don’t stay out too late!

Be quick or have your head eaten off.

14. Alien Rage—Unlimited

Alien Rage gameplay

Mete out justice on behalf of humanity! Until recently, humanity has shared a mining outpost with the alien specis, Vorus, in order to mine the valuable mineral, Promethium. After a period of peace and cooperation, the Vorus get greedy and massacre the human miners and take control of the outpost. Play Jack, the soldier sent to destroy the aliens and the facility.

Explore the mining facility and kill all aliens on sight in this first person shooter. No questions asked. Obtain larger amounts of points by killing large amounts of aliens in short periods of time or by killing them in special ways (explosives or head shots). Various upgrades help you with tougher opponents like damage resistance and the amount of ammunition you can carry. Expect a boss fight every few levels!

Unique Features

• Use your choice of 10 powerful weapons (ex. assault rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, miniguns), each with multiple firing modes.

• Experience huge boss fights—8 bosses on 14 levels in addition to 21 enemy types like infantry, warriors, flying drones and spiders.

• Intentionally difficult! The easiest setting is “challenging” and the next is “hard.”

Play “Jack” and rage against the aliens!

Defeat one of the many Vorus aliens.

13. Serious Sam 3 BFE

Serious Sam 3 BFE gameplay

After discovering an ancient artifact called The Time Lock, alien marauders invade Earth, bringing humanity close to extinction. Sam “Serious” Stone is ordered to alien occupied modern Egypt with a team to attempt to power up The Time Lock.

Move quickly through an urban environment, bashing aliens with your sledgehammer or blowing them to bits with a rocket launcher in this fast paced first person shooter. Search through abandoned buildings for health and weaponry. Survive!

Unique Features

• Carry unlimited amounts of weapons, including a cannon, assault rifle, rocket launcher, minigun and sledgehammer. Flip between weapons on the fly.

• No gun? Decimate the foe with your bare hands: pull eyes out of their sockets, snap necks, and twist off heads of alien bad guys.

• Fight in an abandoned urban Egypt that is bursting ripe with alien marauders.

Take your choice before you kick ass.

Double wield to take on the boss.

12. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 gameplay

Defeat the insectoid Collectors in this sci-fi action sequel of Mass Effect. Play a solider, Commander Shephard, and assemble an elite team aboard the most powerful ship every built.

Customize your appearance and military and combat training, then save the galaxy again, completing exciting quests. Immerse yourself in the world in sophisticated cut scenes and dialogue with your crew, then engage in intense third person shooter mayhem. Continue the epic storyline from Mass Effect.

Unique Features

• Improved battle system allows you to target weak areas and blow off enemy limbs with high tech weapons.

• Increased interactivity with a refined dialogue system that remembers what you say and affects the outcome.

• Command the most powerful ship in the galaxy, The Normandy.

Colonel Shephard of The Normandy

Complete quests on the most powerful ship in the galaxy, The Normandy.

11. Xcom 2

Xcom 2 gameplay

20 years after Earth’s last line of defense, XCOM, was decimated, the new alien overlords have built a new society with a sinister agenda. In XCOM 2 you are part of the resistance operating on the fringes of society, facing impossible odds, hoping to ignite a global rebellion.

Switch between a variety of views from a cutaway view of The Avenger (your mobile HQ), to map views, to tactical battle views. Build the perfect resistance squad with recruited soldiers that have individual skill trees and abilities. Choose missions and command soldiers in tactical combat. Research and improve The Avenger.

Unique Features

• Engage in guerilla combat: ambush patrols, loot gear and artifacts and save fallen comrades.

• Command XCOM’s mobile HQ, The Avenger, and you choose where and when to fight. Customize The Avenger with specialized abilities researched by your scientists.

• Explore endless amounts of maps, missions and goals from wastelands, to secret alien installations, to alien-controlled mega-cities.

Command your soldiers to ambush the aliens!

Customize each of your soldiers’ skill trees.

10. Endless Space 2

Endless Space 2 gameplay

Conquer the galaxy in 3000 AD, choosing one of ten different space faring civilizations. Build an empire by colonizing, trading and invading in this turn-based space opera.

Begin the game with one colonized system, then research different technologies and expand your trade routes. Space battle is turn based and occurs in three phases in a card based system.

Unique Features

• Design your own ships and then take the ship live against players online.

• Lead one of 8 alien empires, each with its own unique advantages, play style and story line.

• Press the Space bar for a specialized Augmented Reality screen that gives you data and infographics regarding star systems, ship stats, and diplomatic stances.

Choose one of eight space faring empires.

Design and customize your own ships.

9. Alien Isolation

Alien Isolation gameplay

Learn the true meaning of fear as you walk alone along isolated corridors of an empty starship. Each corner you turn could be your last. Try not to breathe while you hide in a supply locker, slowly listening to it coming . You are Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, sent to discover your mother’s disappearance, and whatever got her is after you.

Wander the empty corridors of an isolated starship as the scaled, slavering alien waits for you in this sci-fi/horror first person thriller. Interface with the ship’s computer in an attempt to solve the mystery of what happened. Follow clues. Collect resources and use your wits to survive the monstrosity that prowls the isolated ship. Use your wits to survive!

Unique Features

• Defeat a relentless, terrifying foe that reacts in real time to every move you make. Experience persistent fear.

• Use your wits to hack systems, scavenge equipment and craft items to resolve each conflict. Hide, retreat or fight depending on the situation.

• Immerse yourself in a complex story ripe with mystery and betrayal. Explore a setting with rich characters on a decommissioned trading station on the remote edge of space.

Use your scanner to detect what’s around the corner.

Look out for what’s around each corner!

8. Aliens Vs. Predator

Aliens VS. Predator gameplay

Experience three different campaigns that intertwine to form one narrative: Aliens, Predator or the Colonial Marines. Choose the invasive Aliens and infect hosts or hunt down prey as the Predator from the treetops. Or play a marine with high tech weaponry and mow down your enemies.

Each species offers different gameplay with a different style. The Aliens can climb walls and jump quickly in order to attack up close using their dripping wet teeth and claws, seeking to pin down an enemy for a facehugger. The Predator calmly decimates his enemy from above using thermal imaging and relying on stealth and tactics. The Colonial Marines carry pulse rifles, flamethrowers, auto-tracking smartguns as well as motion trackers. Play all three campaigns, then face off in multiplayer mode.

Unique Features

• As an Alien, blend into the shadows, seek prey through walls using superior senses, then pounce and propogate the hive.

• As a Predator, participate in the “trophy-kill” system using wristblades in a hyper-intense experience that has been partially censored to avoid an “Adults Only” rating.

• Play as a marine in a classic first person shooter, then play each side against one another in a 3-way online mode.

Use stealth and tactics to play the Predator.

Game over, man!

7. Prey

Prey gameplay

As a subject of an experiment meant to aid humanity, you awaken on Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in 2032—to realize that something has gone dreadfully wrong. The station has been overrun by aggressive aliens on a killing spree and you must survive using your wits and the resources you can find in order to discover what has happened in this sci-fi thriller.

Navigate the corridors of the station, keeping in mind at any point in time you could be attacked by a tentacled alien. Access computer terminals to find information and unlock disturbing secrets. Use resources and craft tools to help you survive. Don’t die!

Unique Features

• Explore the unique setting of Talos I, a lavish station reflecting corporate luxury and the height of private space enterprise. Explore a labyrinth of countless secrets.

• Develop unique powers and upgrade unique skills. Craft items, gadgets and tools using blueprints. Improvise to survive.

• Unravel the clues you have left behind for yourself to discover your past and your role in what has happened.

Shoot now. Ask questions later.

It looks like you might have something disturbing in your eye.

6. StarCraft 2

StarCraft 2 gameplay

Return to the game that perfected the real-time strategy genre. Play one of three species: Terran, Zerg, or Protoss and conquer the galaxy in single or multiplayer mayhem!

It’s a race to create an army. In multiplayer mode quickly build and collect resources to upgrade your base and military. Make split second decisions regarding what to build and what route to take. Scout the map to find your opponent and attack! In single player mode complete missions of increasing difficulty.

Unique Features

• Battle opponents of similar rank on a multitude of maps.

• Embark on co-op missions with a friend to complete intense missions and upgrade your commander with new units and abilities.

• Play through 3 cinematic story campaigns from the point of view of each race: Terran, Zerg and Protoss.

Construct a base to collect resources and build an army.

Square off against another player’s units.

5. The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified gameplay

Protect humanity in this gripping third-person tactical shooter against an alien threat whose mysterious attacks has a top secret government office called, The Bureau, investigating. As Agent Carter, you call the shots, shoot the aliens and lead a squad set during the Cold War, 1962.

Take charge of a specialized group of agents in order to wind your way through a series of missions and mysteries. Collect schematics and alien weaponry to help the entire squad and advance their abilities. Complete missions for experience while serving the US at the height of the Cold War.

Unique Features

• As Agent Carter, you possess a variety of special abilities: healing your squad, lifting them out of combat, and summoning combat drones.

• Command your squad (Commando, Engineer, Support and Recon) to utilize their specializations, then gain more experience to unlock more feats.

• Enter “Battle Focus Mode” to slow down game time and order units to tactical positions.

Agent Carter back home.

Aliens!

4. Aliens: Colonial Marines

Aliens: Colonial Marines gameplay

Another glorious day in the Corp! In this sequel to the classic Aliens film, air drop into hostile environments inspired by the series and lock and load.

Whether in single player or four player co-op, wield deadly weapons with your marine unit: pistols, grenades, flamethrowers, smartguns and shotguns. Use resources in the environment to survive: prevent access by welding torches and use motion detectors to track the scaly aliens. Collect ammo and armor from fallen comrades.

Unique Features

• Competitive multiplayer mode allows competition between two sets of up to five players each in different scenerios.

• Create an awesome killing machine with an extensive upgrade system. Earn experience to obtain perks and new weapons for your squad.

• Experience the thrill of James Cameron’s classic by wielding pulse rifles, motion trackers and flamethrowers.

Game over man!

A facehugger and an unwitting victim

3. Crysis 3

Crysis 3 gameplay

Defeat the Alpha Ceph, leader of the technologically advanced alien race called The Ceph in the year 2047 in this post-apocalyptic first-person shooter. You are on a mission of revenge with a powerful tool called the Nanosuit in the third of the Crysis trilogy.

Navigate the environment as Prophet, equipped with the Nanosuit. Use a wide array of gadgets and weapons like the compound bow and then select between explosive or electric arrows depending on the situation. Hack security codes, Ceph tech, sentry turrets and turn them against the Ceph.

Unique Features

• Play in single-player mode or play in 8 other different modes: Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, Crash Site, Capture the Relay, Hunter, Assualt, Cell Vs. Rebel, Developers Choice, Max Team Deathmatch.

• Use the new ability called “Rip and Throw” and befuddle and confound hostile players by manipulating the environment to your advantage.

• Operate the high tech Nanosuit: invisibility cloak, silent takedowns, armor mode.

Prophet and his Nanosuit

Defeat enemies using a wide array of weapons including the compound bow.

2. Evolve Stage 2

Evolve Stage 2 gameplay

Test your metal in 4v1 combat in this next-generation free multiplayer shooter. Play one of the four hunters or play one of the monsters!

As the monster, choose your special abilities, your monster type, then wander the environment, consuming the wildlife until you evolve into more and more powerful iterations. As a hunter, choose from 20 different characters and 4 classes.

Unique Features

• Choose to be the monster and you become the boss battle! Use your savage abilities to wreak havoc and kill the human hunters.

• Choose a hunter that fits your playing style: Trapper, Support, Assault or Medic.

• Grab 1-4 friends and play a game in 4v1 play. It’s free!

Play one of four hunters.

Customize and play a monster.

1. Destiny 2

Destiny 2 gameplay

As one of humanity’s last remaining Guardians, you must fight and reclaim the world from the maniacal invader, Ghaul, in this second of the popular series.

Choose one of three classes—Warlock, Hunter and Titan—then choose a humanoid race or a humanoid machine. Enter into a variety of PvE battles and gain experience to customize and improve your character.

Unique Features

• Play Destiny 2 in 3 different modes: campaign, cooperative combat, and competitive multiplayer.

• As a Guardian, wield a wide array of new weapons like thundering hand-cannons and deadly rocket launchers or submachine guns and long-range sniper rifles. Build an arsenal and bring it to combat.

• Can’t make a decision? Develop each of the three classes separately in game play.

Who said Guardians don’t have style?

One of a multitude of environments in Destiny 2.

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Defeat alien species using wit and strength

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