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Aliens: Dark Descentis a challenging strategy game. The player is equipped with a small squad of Colonial Marines armed with pulse rifles and measly handguns against an unending and relentless force of Xenomorphs out for blood. Players will need every resource at their disposal to stop the scourge from spreading across Lethe and to new worlds, but everyone is limited in their equipment and toolset early on.
Related:Aliens: Dark Descent - Difficulty Options Explained
The best way to take the fight to the Xenomorphs is byunlocking the Laboratory— and fast! Unfortunately, unlike most other Aliens: Dark Descent facilities, the Laboratory is initially locked. It’ll take a few steps, albeit straightforward, to unlock research and new equipment opportunities through the science staff.
Unlocking Otago Laboratory Research
While it sure would be entertaining to mow down a horde of Xenomorphs using nothing but high-powered pulse rifles and smart guns, Aliens: Dark Descent is a vast departure from the recent cooperative experience ofsquad combat in Aliens: Fireteam Elite. It’s a more tactical entry in the long-runningAliens franchiseand one that rewards careful positioning and smart movement above all else.
Enter the Otago Laboratory, an unlockable facility that allows players to unlock unique blueprints and boons using materials such as Xenosamples. But first, players must spend a little time in the game world to open the lab.
Thankfully, the only requirement to unlock the Laboratory is tocomplete all objectives in the first mission, Dead Hills, and then return with Xenosamples. Once back aboard the Otago, with all goals in Dead Hills finished, you can spend Xenosamples to unlockXenotech, which requiresXenotech Blueprints. You can only acquire blueprints by killingAlien Queens, some of the game’s most challenging content. It’s worth the fight, though.
Once you have all the requirements, speak withDoctor Donald Beckerto exchange your samples for research.
It’s worth prioritizingacid-resistant armor, as players will face countless Xenomorphs in future missions. Up close and personal combat is always dangerous in the Aliens universe!
As mentioned above, players must complete the first mission following the lengthy prologue to unlock the Laboratory in Aliens: Dark Descent. Dead Hills can take an hour or two to complete, with numerous objectives scattered about the map and various nooks and crannies to explore for supplies and materials. Of course, there is opposition around every corner, which makes for slow progress.
The primary goal in Dead Hills is toreconthe situation,rescue civilians, andreestablish communications.
It’s an extensive list of objectives, and it can take players quite a bit of time andmultiple runsto finish the entire list. But, once you’re done, the reward ofunlocking research and boonsto the Colonial Marines proves ever-useful in the long-run.
Do not hesitate to return to the Otago mid-mission to restock and rest. The Colonial Marine squad willendure stress, exhaustion, and injuries during Dead Hills, and this can reduce combat ability and survivability over time. There is minimal penalty for returning to the ship, then heading back out on the mission later, sotake advantage of the mechanic.
