Aliens Dark Descent: Research Projects in the Laboratory Aliens Dark Descent guide, walkthrough

Laboratory allows in Aliens Dark Descent to conduct research. From our guide you will learn how to unlock access to research projects, what are the requirements for doing research and how to activate finished inventions.

Last update: 26 June 2023

Onboard USS Otago, the main base of operations in Aliens Dark Descent, there is a laboratory that can conduct research projects. On this page of our guide, we show how to get full access to the Laboratory, how to obtain Xenosamples and unlock new projects, how to start researching, and how to use invented upgrades.

• How to make Laboratory work in full capacity?
• How to begin researching projects?
• How to use new inventions?

How to make Laboratory work in full capacity?

1. The Laboratory is one of the most important areas of the base. Even after completing the prologue, it isn't fully available - as Hayes, you will only briefly meet with Doctor Becker.
2. You can visit the laboratory again,, e.g. after exfiltrating from the current mission zone (you don't have to complete the mission fully) and returning to USS Otago. In another conversation with Becker, you will learn that he needs xenosamples from eliminated xenomorphs for research purposes.

1. From this moment on, you can find Xenosamples at corpses of defeated aliens. To obtain a sample, simply interact with an alien corpse - it will be collected and counted towards resources.
2. The Alien Queen in the mine from Mission 1 also leaves a xenosample. Do not skip this step, as collecting this sample unlocks a Xenotech project - Extraction Device.
3. Before we can proceed with researching projects, you need to complete Mission 1 fully. After returning to the base from the successful mission, visit the laboratory once again. Becker informs Hayes about the possibility of researching projects.

How to begin researching projects?

To conduct research in the laboratory, the following are needed:

1. Projects - Stasis Grenade is the first exemplary project available for research. Other projects are unlocked by finding Xenotech projects during missions - they are one of the categories of collectibles and their full list and exact locations can be found in the Secrets and Collectibles chapter of the guide.
2. Xenosamples - they belong to the resources category. These are currency for research - each completed project deducts a given amount from your pool. To get as much xenosamples as possible, make sure to loot every defeated xenomorph.

Research projects don't require extra time to complete and unlocking new upgrades is a matter of one click (provided you have the needed resources).

How to use new inventions?

1. Bonuses from completed research projects are not available throughout the whole game. You need to manually activate them in situations where they will come in handy.
2. On the mission preparation screen, go to the last tab (Supplies). You'll see a list of researched inventions (area marked on the screenshot).
3. Each upgrade has to be activated manually, and it will be active for the duration of your stay in the mission area (i.e. until the next return to Otago). Activating an invention costs 2 xenosamples, so choose the ones that will be the most useful. For example, if an objective sees you investigate an area with alien eggs, activate the upgrade that allows you to remove attached facehuggers.