Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Alien Swarm VS Unreal Engine

Compare Alien Swarm VS Unreal Engine and see what are their differences

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Alien Swarm logo Alien Swarm

Alien Swarm is a F2P, Co-op, Alien, Top-down Shooter, Single and Multiplayer video game developed and published by Valve Corporation.

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.
  • Alien Swarm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-01
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

Alien Swarm features and specs

  • Co-op Gameplay
    Alien Swarm features a highly engaging cooperative multiplayer experience, allowing up to four players to work together strategically, which enhances teamwork and coordination.
  • Free-to-Play
    The game is free to download and play on Steam, providing easy accessibility without any financial commitment.
  • Developer Tools
    It includes a powerful SDK, giving players access to development tools to create custom content, encouraging creativity and extending replayability.
  • Tactical Elements
    Players can choose different classes and utilize strategic planning to overcome challenges, which adds depth to the gameplay.
  • Atmospheric Maps
    The game offers well-designed environments and atmospheric maps that enhance the immersive experience of battling aliens.

Possible disadvantages of Alien Swarm

  • Limited Content
    Despite its engaging mechanics, the game can feel limited in terms of mission variety and overall content, leading to potential repetition.
  • Aging Graphics
    Released in 2010, the graphics might feel outdated to some players compared to modern standards, potentially affecting immersion.
  • Matching System
    Players might experience issues with the matchmaking system which can occasionally lead to unbalanced teams or longer wait times.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    New players might find the game challenging due to its emphasis on teamwork and strategy, requiring time to learn optimal playstyles.
  • Sparse Updates
    Updates and new content releases have been infrequent, which might disappoint players looking for ongoing development and new features.

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

Alien Swarm videos

Ben 10: Alien Swarm REVIEW (w/ KuroTheArtist!) - Diamondbolt

More videos:

  • Review - Alien Swarm - Another 'Forgotten' VALVE Game
  • Review - Game Review: Alien Swarm Reactive Drop

Unreal Engine videos

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

Category Popularity

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Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Alien Swarm and Unreal Engine, you can also consider the following products

Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded - Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded combines the elements of Role-playing, Top-down, Action, and Shooter.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

HELLDIVERS - Helldivers is an Adventure-based, Shoot em’up, Co-op, Single and Multiplayer video game developed by Arroshead Games Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Assault Android Cactus - Assault Android Cactus is an Action, Arcade, Top-down Twin Stick Shooter, Co-op, Single and Multiplayer video game developed and published by Witch Beam.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.