Good news for Alien fans who’ve been starving for a proper survival horror experience. A previously cancelled Alien game has been resurrected at Eidos Montreal with a significantly increased budget of nearly $75 million, and it’s bringing back one of the franchise’s most polarizing characters: Ripley 8 from Alien: Resurrection. According to Insider Gaming, this isn’t the Alien: Isolation sequel we already know about. This is something completely different, and it sounds wild.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Meets Xenomorphs
The new Alien game is being described internally as “Shadow of the Tomb Raider with Xenomorphs,” which is an incredibly specific comparison that tells you a lot about what Eidos Montreal is going for. This is a single-player arcade survival horror game set aboard a decaying space station where you’ll be dodging both Xenomorphs and a Special Operations unit. The gameplay mix includes combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving, with heavy emphasis on stealth and resource management.
Players will control a character named Aubrey, an engineer equipped with tools like grappling hooks and magnetic boots for navigating the station. Puzzles range from repairing broken machinery to cracking security codes, while the AI is designed to adapt to your tactics rather than just rushing you mindlessly. It’s aiming for that tense, methodical survival horror feel rather than the action-heavy shooter approach we’ve seen in games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
The Budget Jumped From $30M to $75M
Here’s where things get interesting. When this project first surfaced back in 2020, it was estimated to cost around $30 million. The new revived effort at Eidos Montreal is now budgeted at just under $75 million, which is a massive increase that signals serious commitment from publisher Embracer Group. For context, that’s approaching the budget of major AAA releases. Alien: Isolation reportedly cost around $50 million to make, while recent Alien films like Romulus had budgets of $80 million.
That level of investment suggests Embracer believes there’s real potential here, which is reassuring given how many Alien games have been cancelled or stuck in development hell over the years. Survios originally announced an Alien VR game back in 2022 that’s been plagued with issues and only recently escaped VR exclusivity. The Knights of the Old Republic-style Alien game from 20th Century Fox got canned years ago. Having a well-funded project at an established studio like Eidos Montreal is actually pretty rare for this franchise.
What Happened to the Original Version?
The original version of this game was reportedly in development at a different studio before getting cancelled for unknown reasons. Eidos Montreal, known for Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and more recently Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, picked up the project and essentially started over. That explains the dramatic budget increase and the 2028 release window, they’re building this thing from scratch with a much more ambitious scope.
Ripley 8 Is Making a Comeback
One of the most surprising revelations is that Ripley 8, the clone version of Ellen Ripley from Alien: Resurrection, will appear in the game. For those who don’t remember or tried to forget, Ripley 8 is a genetically engineered clone with Xenomorph DNA mixed into her genetics, giving her superhuman strength, acidic blood, and a psychic connection to the aliens. She was controversial when the movie came out in 1997, and opinion remains divided today.
According to leaked documents, there’s internal hope at the studio that Sigourney Weaver could reprise her role and provide voice work for the character. A first approach has reportedly been made, though nothing is confirmed. Having Weaver back would be huge for the game’s credibility and fan appeal, though her involvement would likely come with a hefty price tag that could explain part of that $75 million budget.
Besides Ripley 8, two other characters have been mentioned. The main protagonist Aubrey is an engineer navigating the space station, while Ryuzo is described as someone who uses the station as his fortress and is likely an antagonist. How these characters interact with Ripley 8 and what role she plays in the story remains unknown, but her presence suggests the game might be set post-Resurrection in the timeline.
Release Timeline and Platforms
The game is targeting a 2028 release across all major platforms, which means PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC at minimum. However, it’s important to note the project is still in early development as of December 2025, so that timeline could easily shift. Three years is a reasonable development window for a $75 million game, but delays are common in this industry, especially for ambitious survival horror titles.
By 2028, we might even be looking at next-generation console launches. PlayStation 6 is widely expected sometime between 2027 and 2028, so this could end up being a cross-gen title or potentially a next-gen exclusive depending on how development progresses. That would actually work in the game’s favor given the increased power for lighting, atmosphere, and AI systems that are crucial for horror games.
Eidos Montreal’s Track Record
Eidos Montreal is a fascinating choice for an Alien game. Their Deus Ex titles showed they can handle dark, atmospheric sci-fi with excellent environmental storytelling and multiple gameplay approaches. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, despite lukewarm initial reception, was actually a solid single-player experience with great character work. On the flip side, Marvel’s Avengers was a notorious disaster that cost Square Enix hundreds of millions of dollars.
The studio has also faced significant layoffs recently as part of Embracer Group’s cost-cutting measures following their failed Saudi Arabia investment deal. That raises questions about stability and whether they have the resources to see this project through. However, the fact that Embracer is investing $75 million suggests the Alien game is considered a priority project that will be protected from further cuts.
Multiple Alien Games in Development
This Eidos Montreal project is separate from the Alien: Isolation sequel that Creative Assembly announced and is also separate from Survios’ Alien: Rogue Incursion series. That means we potentially have three different Alien games in various stages of development right now, which is unprecedented for the franchise. The Isolation sequel is probably the furthest along and could arrive before 2028, while Rogue Incursion Part 2 is scheduled for 2026.
Having multiple projects gives fans different flavors of Alien experiences. Isolation focuses on pure stealth survival horror with a single unkillable Xenomorph. Rogue Incursion is more action-oriented VR combat. This new Eidos game seems to be splitting the difference with a mix of stealth, action, platforming, and puzzles in a Tomb Raider-esque structure. If all three actually launch, 2026-2028 could be a golden age for Alien gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is developing the new Alien game?
Eidos Montreal, the studio behind Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. They’re owned by Embracer Group and have taken over a previously cancelled project from another developer.
When will this Alien game release?
The target is 2028 across all major platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. However, the game is still in early development as of December 2025, so delays are possible. The release window could shift depending on how production goes.
Is this the Alien Isolation sequel?
No, this is a completely separate project. Creative Assembly is making Alien: Isolation 2, which was officially announced. This new game from Eidos Montreal is a different experience with different gameplay mechanics and story.
Will Sigourney Weaver voice Ripley 8?
Potentially, but nothing is confirmed. According to sources, there’s internal hope at Eidos Montreal that Weaver could reprise her role from Alien: Resurrection. A first approach has been made but no deal is in place yet.
What is the gameplay like?
It’s described as “Shadow of the Tomb Raider with Xenomorphs.” Expect a mix of combat, platforming, stealth, and puzzle-solving aboard a decaying space station. You’ll use tools like grappling hooks and magnetic boots while managing resources and solving environmental puzzles.
How much is the budget?
Just under $75 million, which is a massive increase from the original $30 million budget when the project first surfaced in 2020. This makes it one of the most expensive Alien games ever developed.
What platforms will it be on?
All major platforms, which currently means PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Given the 2028 release window, it’s possible next-generation consoles like PlayStation 6 could be included if they launch before the game.
Who is the main character?
The protagonist is Aubrey, an engineer who uses equipment like grappling hooks and magnetic boots to navigate the space station. Other characters include Ryuzo, a potential antagonist who controls parts of the station, and Ripley 8 in an unknown role.
Why was the original game cancelled?
The reasons for the original cancellation haven’t been publicly disclosed. Projects get cancelled for various reasons including budget issues, development problems, publisher decisions, or strategic shifts. Eidos Montreal has revived it with a much larger budget.
Can Eidos Pull This Off?
The big question is whether Eidos Montreal can deliver on this ambitious vision. A $75 million budget is nothing to sneeze at, but modern AAA games often cost $100-200 million or more. They’re threading a needle between survival horror atmosphere, action gameplay, platforming mechanics, and puzzle-solving while also trying to nail the Alien aesthetic and tension. That’s a lot of moving parts, and we’ve seen plenty of promising Alien games fall apart in development.
The Tomb Raider comparison is smart because it gives a clear gameplay reference point, and Eidos Montreal sister studio Crystal Dynamics has extensive experience with that formula. If they can capture even a fraction of the environmental storytelling and atmosphere from their Deus Ex games while implementing solid stealth and combat, this could be something special. The inclusion of Ripley 8 is risky given how divisive that character is, but it also shows they’re willing to take creative swings rather than just retreading the same ground.
Three years is a long time to wait, and a lot can happen between now and 2028. But for the first time in years, we have an Alien game in development with adequate funding, an experienced studio, and an interesting creative direction. That alone is worth getting cautiously optimistic about. Just maybe don’t pre-order anything until we actually see gameplay footage.