Board games have become the new collectible thing on the block, especially when they adapt from beloved franchises. Ravensburger’s new game based on the Sci-fi institution Alien feels like a spiritual successor to another popular board game Horrified. Yet it uses the suspense element of the Ridley Scott films to carve out its own unique essence.

ALIEN: FATE OF THE NOSTROMO

Published By: Ravensburger

Available: Target, Amazon, and local retailers.

As the typical Universal Monsters mark, the co-op survival horror board game Horrified could do no wrong. But what was most impressive about that game gets amped in Alien FOTN…the detail. From the moment you open the box to be greeted by a ferocious Jonsey to navigating a jettison from the ship while being chased by a xenomorph all the things that fans love about this franchise are at least touched on in this game.

In the game, up to five players will navigate the Nostromo gameboard to complete objectives and get through one of five final missions while being chased by a vicious space monster living in the ship. Much like Sigourney Weaver’s character Ripley, players will need to craft weapons and items to help them survive. FOTN has a sharp dichotomy in the phases of the game. There’s a calmness to talking amongst your friends and planning out moves through the board’s specific chambers. Once you shift to the monster phase, the Alien is merciless as the counter which keeps track of how much time you have left is constantly being hit upping the tension.

At its core, there’s a solid co-op strategy game here. Its only flaw is single-player games are near impossible to win because nearly every “encounter” card you draw in the monster phase brings down your morale countdown soo much that most of your moves are spent finding supplies to keep you alive instead of focusing on objectives.

While that might be the one drawback, there’s a ton of good stuff that tips the scales in the game’s favor. Unlike most games in its price ranger ($29.99) there’s replayability for various reasons. Alien FOTN features five possible final missions you can play through and increased difficulty when you add a second nemesis character, science officer Ash.

Yet where this game becomes stellar is when you get into its intricate detail. The gorgeous thematic artwork on the board and packaging calls out details the most diehard fans will love. It even puts encounters with the cat as a danger! You’ll get six well-sculpted miniature figures to use in the game modeled after Ripley, Brett, Dallas, Lambert, Parker, and the Alien. The details aren’t just a skin for the game, Ravensburger designed a game that incorporates the barrier terror of the franchise. There isn’t just a feeling of dread seeing the alien figure on the board getting closer to your friends, as you approach different areas of the board you’re greeted by mystery doors that could lead to instant encounters with the Alien. I would have liked to have seen the face huggers incorporated here, but other surprises are just as terrifying.

For a mass produced game Alien Fate Of The Nostromo packs a level of detail usually reserved for limited edition games. This one will not only look great among your collectibles but pulling it out for board game night will lead to your horror and science fiction friends having a great night.