The sequel's biggest structural change is upgrading the standard squad from three to four players . Players take on the role of Colonial Marines deployed to hostile locations across the Alien universe. The game supports matchmaking and AI teammates for those who prefer to play solo .
Cold Iron has also added a new fifth playable class, the Specialist, though details on its abilities and loadout remain unannounced .
Cold Iron has promised revamped progression systems and deeper class paths in the sequel. The developers also cite "gameplay and performance improvements" over the original Aliens: Fireteam Elite, though specific technical details have not been released .
Two digital editions are available at launch:
Day-one crossplay is confirmed across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Switch 2 version is expected to join the crossplay pool when it releases in fall 2026 .
The Switch 2 port arrives in a crowded window for Nintendo's new console. Cold Iron has not locked a specific month for the handheld version, stating only "this fall" .