Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 arrives as a direct follow-up to Cold Iron Studios’ 2021 co-op shooter, and it knows exactly where its priorities lie. This isn’t an attempt to recapture the slow-burning terror of the original Alien, nor does it have much interest in delivering a particularly ambitious piece of science-fiction storytelling. Instead, it takes its inspiration from the more action-oriented side of the franchise and sends squads of Colonial Marines into dark installations, hostile colonies and Xenomorph-infested corridors with enough ammunition to make survival temporarily possible. The campaign provides a reasonable framework for the action, involving another escalating biological crisis, corporate interference and increasingly dangerous expeditions, but the narrative rarely develops into something memorable. Objectives such as rescue operations, investigations and retrieving information keep the story moving, yet the military characters and dialogue are often generic, making this very much a game where the plot exists to get the squad to the next firefight rather than being a major attraction in its own right.
That focus works because the firefights themselves are still the main reason to play Fireteam Elite. The sequel expands squads from three players to four, and that additional Marine makes a noticeable difference to the chaos and the tactical possibilities. Six classes offer distinct approaches to combat, while the unlockable Specialist provides even more freedom by allowing abilities from other classes to be combined into a customised build. Weapons, attachments, perks and equipment give the game a satisfying progression loop, and experimenting with different combinations can make repeat runs feel meaningfully different. The perk grid is particularly effective at encouraging players to fine-tune their favorite class rather than simply chasing bigger numbers, while the arsenal provides plenty of options for dealing with the various Xenomorphs, synthetics and other threats. It may not reinvent the co-op shooter, but we found that it understands how satisfying it can be to combine a well-built loadout with three teammates who know what they are doing.
The underlying controls are immediately familiar for anyone who has spent time with modern third-person shooters. Running, aiming, taking cover, rolling away from attacks, using class abilities and reviving fallen teammates all work within a well-established framework, and the pace of the combat suits it well. Swarms can suddenly turn a relatively controlled encounter into a desperate retreat, and the need to watch several directions at once gives the better fights a convincing sense of panic. Resource management also adds some tension, as ammunition and health supplies cannot always be wasted without consequence. On PS5, the controls are generally responsive and accessible, with a useful range of settings including aim sensitivity, ADS speed, button remapping and field-of-view options, although the absence of analogue dead-zone adjustment is an unfortunate omission. The addition of a fourth player can also occasionally make the camera feel a little more crowded during particularly hectic encounters, but it rarely gets in the way of the action for long.
Unfortunately, Fireteam Elite 2 still struggles with the same issue that affects many games built around repeated co-op encounters: eventually, the formula becomes very predictable. Most missions follow a straightforward route from one combat encounter to another, with occasional defensive arenas and simple side areas along the way. There are more enemies and some environmental variety, and the Horde mode and Challenge Cards help extend the game’s lifespan after the campaign, but the basic rhythm changes very little. Some maps also contain routes and spaces that appear more elaborate than the gameplay actually allows them to be, creating the impression that there should be more exploration than there really is. The result is a campaign that is best enjoyed in shorter bursts, where the quality of the shooting and the camaraderie of a good squad can carry the experience before repetition begins to set in.
Playing with other people is also considerably more enjoyable than relying on the game’s AI companions. Bots can fill empty squad slots and provide a functional way to experience missions, but be ready to expect inconsistent behaviour from both friendly AI and enemies. Synthetic teammates can position themselves poorly, appear passive or fail to offer much meaningful support beyond basic assistance, while enemy behaviour can sometimes feel simplistic as well. Technical issues are another blemish on an otherwise solid PS5 experience. Performance is generally good and can remain stable even when the screen is filled with Xenomorphs and effects, but brief stutters during transitions between areas are noticeable and can be particularly unwelcome when they happen during combat. Smaller bugs involving movement, rendering or interactions also appear often enough to remind you that the game could use further polish. None of these issues completely derail the experience, but they do prevent the sequel from feeling as refined as its best moments suggest it could be.
Visually, the sequel is at its strongest when it leans into the atmosphere of the Alien universe. Steam-filled corridors, flickering lights, industrial architecture and particle effects do a convincing job of making familiar environments feel threatening, while the Xenomorphs themselves are appropriately detailed and unsettling. Lighting and environmental effects represent a clear improvement in presentation, particularly when the screen fills with smoke, sparks, acid and swarming enemies. Human characters are less convincing, however, with facial models and animations sometimes looking noticeably dated compared to the environments around them. Dialogue scenes are especially vulnerable to this contrast, as awkward animations and stiff performances can undermine the atmosphere that the missions work hard to establish. It is a game that looks considerably better when the Marines are fighting for their lives in a dark corridor than when they stop to have a conversation.
The audio presentation is similarly uneven, although the sound effects do much of the heavy lifting. The distinctive screeches and movements of the Xenomorphs, the roar of weaponry and the general industrial ambience all help sell the setting, and there are moments when simply hearing something moving through a ventilation shaft is enough to create the right kind of anticipation. Dialogue is a bit of a weak point, with military clichés and flat or occasionally irritating performances doing little to make the characters memorable. As with the visuals, the game is at its most convincing when it lets the environment, creatures and combat speak for themselves rather than asking players to become invested in its cast.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is therefore an incremental sequel rather than a dramatic reinvention, but that doesn’t stop it from being an entertaining one. Its story and characters are rarely compelling, its missions eventually become repetitive, and solo players are still unlikely to get the best out of the experience. Yet put together a capable squad and the game’s strengths become much easier to appreciate. The shooting is fast and satisfying, the class and loadout systems offer plenty of room for experimentation, and the Alien licence gives the familiar co-op formula an atmosphere that generic sci-fi shooters struggle to replicate. We would have liked to see Cold Iron Studios take more risks with the sequel’s structure and storytelling, but if the objective is simply to survive waves of Xenomorphs with friends while experimenting with increasingly destructive weapons and abilities, Fireteam Elite 2 delivers exactly that. It’s better with friends, better in short bursts, and perhaps a little too comfortable with repeating the formula established by its predecessor – but for fans of co-op action and the Alien universe, there is still plenty of bug-hunting fun here.
Score: 7.0/10