Twin-stick/co-op alien action 👽🫸🫷🔫

I discovered Alienation on the PS Plus game catalog recently. As soon as I saw it was a well-reviewed twin-stick shooter with co-op, I knew it had to be worth trying. Once loading the game up for the first time, I realized it was created by one of my favorite PlayStation developers and had even more faith in the game.

Alienation is a top-down twin-stick shooter developed by Housemarque, known for their expertise in creating intense and visually stunning arcade-style games and also 2021's standout release Returnal. Alienation was released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, the game takes place in a world overrun by an alien invasion, and players are tasked with selecting a unique character class to battle hordes of extraterrestrial foes. The game's cooperative multiplayer is a significant highlight, allowing up to four players to team up online and combine their skills to fend off the alien threat.

What sets Alienation apart is its dynamic and visually impressive gameplay. The game boasts a high level of destructibility in its environments, with explosions, particle effects, and lighting contributing to a chaotic and immersive experience. The character progression system is another strong point, offering a variety of customizable abilities and weapons to enhance the player's chosen class. The constant barrage of enemies and the need for strategic teamwork create an intense and satisfying cooperative shooter experience.

The game has tight controls, challenging gameplay, and cooperative focus. Its emphasis on online multiplayer and the unpredictable nature of alien encounters contribute to the game's replayability. With its fast-paced action, striking visuals, and cooperative mayhem, Alienation has solidified its place as a standout title in the twin-stick shooter genre, showcasing Housemarque's commitment to delivering exhilarating and visually impressive gaming experiences.

This game ended up being quite a bit of fun. There are even still some people playing it, as I had another human player join my game through matchmaking. Some elements of it made their way into Returnal such as the ability to time your reloads for quicker animations, much like Gears of War's active reload.

Let's jump into the gameplay and first impressions video as we discover what Alienation plays like nearly 8 years after the initial release of the game.