Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 (PS5) Review: A Deeply Disappointing Downgrade

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 represents a significant step backward for the franchise, according to Push Square's review. The sequel suffers from a dramatic visual downgrade despite featuring a sharper look than its predecessor. The environments lack the artistry and direction of the first game, with corridors that feel empty and repetitive—sometimes literally recycling the same locations. This is particularly frustrating given the iconic nature of the Alien universe's visual identity.

The narrative fails to engage, even by the standards of a co-op shooter. While Weyland-Yutani experiments and Prometheus lore elements appear, their execution feels lacklustre. Story revelations are drawn out and painfully obvious hours before they're formally revealed. A mission aboard an Engineer's ship, which should evoke dread, instead features a character discussing jealousy over comms. The low-resolution pre-rendered cutscenes feel more suited to arcade machines than a 2026 PS5 release, culminating in a climax described as anticlimactic.

Hub NPCs in the Endeavour area suffer from brutal voice acting and poorly written dialogue that undermines immersion. While NPCs in the first game offered substantial lore, the sequel forces players through lengthy, poorly-fitting interactions—though skipping is mercifully available.

Performance is a critical issue. On both base PS5 and PS5 Pro, the game runs smoothly during corridor traversal and brief combat moments but becomes choppy when Xenos swarm and gunfire intensifies. This performance degradation during core gameplay is described as borderline headache-inducing. Additionally, the review notes that DualSense haptics remain underutilized.

The core gameplay does retain some appeal. Squad sizes increased from three to four players, maintaining the turn-your-brain-off fun of blasting Xenos cooperatively. A variety of Xeno types—from acid-spitters to charging bull-like creatures—provides some tactical variety, though their AI doesn't match the first game's implementation. Enemy health bars for larger creatures are absent, removing satisfying visual feedback. Public matchmaking is available but can be lengthy; AI companions lack tactical awareness.

Character customization emerges as a potential saving grace. Six archetypes with mixable skills allow fine-tuned builds across perks, abilities, and weapon attachments. Players unlock additional options through progression, enabling diverse strategies—from shotgun-based builds to energy weapon setups. Challenge cards add further variety by either assisting or complicating individual levels. A horde mode unlocks after campaign completion.

Despite moments approaching so-bad-it's-good territory and decent build customization, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 fails to amplify what made the original work. The review concludes it's a half-hearted co-op tie-in that inexplicably abandoned the charm that defined its predecessor.