Summary
WithAlien, Ridley Scott introduced one of the most iconic and killer (in every sense of the word) alien organisms in all sci-fi cinema history – the Xenomorph.With each film, the Xenomorph variety continued to expand, and the lore about their origins was the subject of the prequel films Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Now might be the perfect time to reflect on all the creative Xenomorphs seen throughout the years in a video game capacity. Below are some of the most compelling among them.
10Ravager Xenomorph
Aliens Versus Predator: Extinction
In 2003,EA took its stab at a new Aliens Versus Predator game, except it wasn’t an FPS this time. Extinction is a real-time strategy game set in the Alien universe, specifically on the planet LV-742, and it introduces the Ravager Xenomorph type, which evolves from a Praetorian.
The first thing you might notice that’s different with a Ravager is the blue-green coloring of its mesoskeleton, a stark contrast from the standard black coat. Ravagers are also as tall as a Queen (approximately 15 feet) and their hands have developed into long, curved blades that help them tear through spaceships.
9Xenoborg
Aliens Versus Predator (1999) And Aliens Versus Predator 2
Terminator and Aliens areboth a product of the ‘80sand both directed by James Cameron, so what if those two sci-fi enemies were to merge into one? Certain Alien Versus Predator video games have that idea in mind. The 1999 AVP game from Rebellion and the 2001 sequel from Monolith both feature the Xenoborg design; however, this concept is first mentioned in the 1994 novel AVP: Hunter’s Planet.
Precisely mimicking a Xeno T-800 type cyborg with its mesoskeleton, targeting system, and the two laser cannons attached to its arms, the Xenoborg is Weyland-Yutani’s next bright idea for advancing the Xenomorph into a new type of killing machine. While the Xenoborg is an enemy type you’ll face in the 1999 AVP game, these units are used only as Easter eggs and level design assets in AVP 2.
8Specimen 6
Aliens Vs. Predator (2010)
The unique approach to the Alien Versus Predator games is that you can play through three distinct campaign stories – one where you’re a Xenomorph alien, a Predator (or Yautja), and a Colonial Marine. For the 2010 game, you’re Weyland’s special Xenomorph candidate called Specimen 6, notable for the number six branded on its forehead and its incredible awareness.
As Number Six, you wreak havoc on the facility by freeing all of your captive Xeno Drone buddies from the Weyland-Yutani scientists, including the Queen, and contributing to the kill count along the way with iconic moves. You also get to see yourselfbecome a Praetorian and finally a Queen, something not too many Xenomorphs are capable of doing in the span of such a short campaign.
7Tarkatan Xenomorph Variants
Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombatis a fighting game series withno shortage of licensed DLC charactersthat are often the most exciting reveals in each instalment. Along with horror icons Leatherface, Jason Voorhees, and Predator, Mortal Kombat X also gave you the Xenomorph from Alien with three different variations.
This Xenomorph was the result of a Facehugger impregnating a Chestburster into a Tarkatan, hence the Xeno’s teeth and the Tarkatan blades being incorporated into its mesoskeleton design.
While the Tarkatan Xenomorph will use those blades for attacks, brutalities, and fatalities, the Konjurer Xenomorph can summon Ovomorph eggs that hatch Facehuggers onto your opponents, and the Acidic variant relies on its acid-spewing abilities.
6Razor Claw Xenomorph
Alien Vs. Predator (1994)
While the majority of the AVP line of video games were released on console and PC,some appeared in the arcade, such as the 1994 one developed by none other than Capcom. It was a beat ‘em up style game that may as well be called ‘Final Fight – The Xenomorph and Yautja Edition,’ and it had a ton of original Xenomorphs in it for you to brawl.
The fiercest among them was the Razor Claw, easily identifiable by its purple mesoskeleton combined with a spiked back and a traditional black dome for its head. As in the name, this Xenomorph is graced with far deadlier and longer claws, making its features seem more like Wolverine’s than the standard fingers and sharp nails you see on a Drone.
5Boiler Xenomorph
Aliens: Colonial Marines
The Xeno Boiler looks a bit like when an Engineer gets into contact with some of the black goo and begins disintegrating, and also feels like the Aliens version of a Clicker from The Last of Us. These Xenomorphs showcase signs of gray-colored decay and are riddled with pustules all around their body, which hinder their sight and movement, attacking only based on sound.
Despite their weakened senses and appearance, the Boilers still serve their Hive with the greater purpose of functioning as ‘exploders,’ essentially blowing themselves up to spray their acid on enemies. This strategy is extremely effective in Aliens: Colonial Marines’ multiplayer, where you can control a Boiler to detonate next to a group of rival players and acquire multiple kills.
4Crusher Xenomorph
Aliens: Colonial Marines, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, And Aliens: Dark Descent
The Crusher Xenomorph first appeared in Aliens: Colonial Marines all the way back in 2013, and it became such an influential Xenomorph variant that it was later featured again in the 2021 co-op gameAliens: Fireteam Eliteand the singleplayer tactical RTS gameAliens: Dark Descent from Focus Entertainment. The Crusher even appears in the tabletop games Alien RPG and AVP: The Hunt Begins.
While the Crusher design will vary between the games, it’s most recognizable by its significantly large crest and how it charges at you, almost like if a Facehugger latched onto a Triceratops and then time traveled to the future during gestation.
The crest makes it harder to kill the creature, since it functions as the Crusher’sown defensive bulletproof shieldand battering ram, and is one of the reasons this Xeno might be the scariest you could encounter.
3Prowler Xenomorph
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite was a vast improvement over Aliens: Colonial Marines for the worldbuilding and gameplay it brought, and the key aspect bolstering it is its choice to feature a large variety of over 20 different Xenomorphs to fight during missions. One of the best new and original Xenomorphs created for this gameis the Prowler.
Easily distinguishable from the rest of the quadrupedal Xenomorphs, the Prowler has a very unique horned-like crest and red coloring throughout its design. Also absent is the presence of any tubes sticking out from the Prowler’s back. These are fierce jumping Xenos (originally called a ‘Xenomorph Jumper’), so you should expect a quick time event to get out of a Prowler’s hold once it has you.
2Raven Xenomorph
Aliens: Colonial Marines earned the unfortunate title of being one of the worst games in the Alien series, which is a shame, because it had some intriguing Xenormorph designs going for it, like this one right here. What might stand out to you about the Raven right away are its teeth, nasal cavity, and eye sockets that seem to resemble those belonging to a human.
This gives the Raven Xenomorph one of the creepiest appearances of the entire Alien species (not to mention also the spikes on its head), and to add to the scare factor, the Raven is a more massive Xeno with its entire body completely impenetrable by bullets. To defeat it in the game, you’ll have to use a Power Loader.
1Pathogen Xenomorphs And Pathogen Brute
2017’s Alien: Covenant first introduced fans to an early experimental pale-type xenomorph called a Neomorph that develops from fungal egg pods releasing airborne particles altered by the black goo chemical compound first seen in Prometheus.With its Pathogen DLC expansion, Fireteam Elite also introduces the black liquid chemical to create its own altered pale Xenomorphs.
While you see what happens to humans and Engineers when they come into contact with the chemical pathogen, Fireteam Elite shows you what happens when a Xenomorph gets exposed to it.
The Pathogen types appear very similar in design to Neomorphs, with the main differences being that they’re quadrupedal, have Predator-like mandibles, and can mutate into a heavier enemy type called a Pathogen Brute, which is a giant, meatier form with club arms.
These Xenomorphs also show up in the tie-in novel to Aliens: Fireteam Elite, titled Aliens: Infiltrator by Weston Ochse.
