TL;DR: A bigger and better co-op bug hunt with excellent Xenomorph combat, flexible builds and four-player squads, held back by familiar missions and a lightweight story.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 knows exactly why we’re here: grab a pulse rifle, bring some friends and turn corridors full of Xenomorphs into very messy shooting galleries. Cold Iron Studios doesn’t dramatically reinvent its co-op formula, but the sequel makes several smart improvements, most importantly expanding squads to four players.

The campaign sends your Marine aboard the USS Endeavor to investigate LV-558, a Weyland-Yutani mining colony overrun by Xenomorphs. Fireteam Banshee was sent in first and subsequently disappeared, leaving your squad to discover what happened. The story mostly exists to keep the missions moving, which suits a game far more interested in bug hunting than lengthy exposition.

Four-player co-op makes a difference

The move to four-player squads immediately makes Fireteam Elite 2 feel better suited to class-based co-op. Six classes provide distinct roles, including Duelist, Marauder, Medic and Machinist, while the new Specialist offers much greater freedom to combine weapons and abilities from different setups.

That flexibility makes experimenting with builds one of the game’s strongest elements. Traditional classes retain unique modifiers and progression benefits, so there’s still value in committing to a particular role, but Specialist gives players an appealing alternative when they want to create something less conventional.

Weapons, perks and consumables deepen that experimentation. Turrets, mines and specialized ammunition can dramatically change defensive encounters, while different damage types work better against particular enemies. Fireteam Elite 2 is at its best when four players understand their roles and turn an incoming swarm into several hundred litres of acidic regret.

Xenomorph variety keeps combat alive

Mission objectives are fairly conventional: enter hostile territory, complete objectives, survive an attack and move on. Fortunately, the enemies make that familiar structure much more interesting.

Runners overwhelm through numbers, Spitters attack from range, Drones ambush and retreat, while Warriors and Prowlers create more immediate problems that demand coordinated fire. Encounters become particularly enjoyable when several types attack simultaneously, forcing the squad to prioritize threats instead of blindly emptying magazines.

Weyland-Yutani synthetics provide a useful change of pace. Fighting them encourages a more methodical approach and different weapon choices compared with the frantic crowd control required against Xenomorphs. There’s another enemy faction in the mix too, although unsurprisingly nothing is quite as entertaining as fighting the creatures advertised in the title.

Atmosphere without the horror

The six campaign acts revisit their respective locations, but returning to familiar areas works surprisingly well when those spaces are used differently. Industrial environments, oppressive darkness and harsh lighting capture the Aliens aesthetic effectively, even though Fireteam Elite 2 is fundamentally an action game rather than survival horror.

The supporting cast adds personality aboard the Endeavor, although the story remains lightweight. Characters frequently communicate during missions rather than fighting beside you, so the camaraderie never becomes as memorable as the dysfunctional chemistry of the movie’s Colonial Marines.

Progression also has an irritating co-op restriction. Players joining friends further into the campaign can earn levels, but some store access remains locked behind earlier mission completion. It isn’t disastrous, but it’s an awkward limitation for a game built around playing together.

Horde mode extends the fight

Finishing the campaign unlocks Horde mode, with waves spread across three maps. Money earned during matches can purchase turrets, mines, ammunition and other resources, while limited ammo-crate refills force squads to think carefully about when to resupply.

Challenge Cards add further replay value by introducing modifiers and additional objectives into missions. Combined with class progression and unlockable equipment, there’s enough incentive here for committed squads to continue experimenting after finishing the campaign.

There are some technical rough edges, including occasional desynchronization, enemies getting caught in geometry, slowdown during effects-heavy cutscenes and equipment sometimes becoming unequipped. None appear severe enough to derail the overall experience, although they’re noticeable blemishes on an otherwise enjoyable bug hunt.

Verdict

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is a straightforward but satisfying co-op shooter that understands its greatest strength: fighting Xenomorphs with friends. Four-player squads, varied enemies and flexible character builds make the sequel noticeably stronger, while Horde mode and Challenge Cards give dedicated players reasons to keep returning.

The repetitive mission structure, lightweight story and occasional technical issues prevent it from becoming something exceptional, but the core combat delivers where it matters. If you’ve got three friends and an unhealthy affection for pulse rifles, Fireteam Elite 2 makes a convincing case for another bug hunt.