Aliens cover
1989BGG rank #3,879

Aliens

by David McKenzie, Barry Nakazono · Leading Edge Games

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Players1–9
Time90m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age10+

About the game

What is Aliens?

Aliens allows players to recreate three key battle scenarios from the 1986 science fiction/horror film. The scenarios include "The Reactor Room" (nine marines vs. the aliens in their lair), "Operations and Air Ducts" (the surviving marines face an alien assault and pursuit), and "Ripley vs. The Queen" (Ripley uses a powerloader in her final battle with the Alien Queen). Includes a 17" x 34" game map, character cards, and counters, all featuring photos from the movie. Marines can have very short life spans in this game, especially if they don't work together. Game play is fast and intense - does a good job of creating the sense of urgency felt when watching the movie. Missions can be made more brutal with optional rules - plus some rule variants add to some fun "what if" scenarios. Add the Aliens Expansion and you can virtually re-write the entire movie script!

How it plays

Mechanics

Cooperative GameDice RollingScenario / Mission / Campaign GameSquare GridVariable Player Powers

On the shelf

Categories

FightingHorrorMovies / TV / Radio themeScience Fiction

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Aliens?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?