Even though the greatest downfall of the game is the slow start, once you finally see the Xenomorph, the suspense really kicks in. You are constantly turning around and listening to every little pop or thud in the game. They add tools that will help you advance in the space station as well as detect the Alien. There is a controller that "hacks" terminals and doors, and just like in the movie there is a motion detector that vibrates and beeps when something is near. By collecting a few scrap items and blueprints laying around the space station you can assemble med kits and a few weapons. The weapons dont really do anything to the Alien and it takes too much with the gun to kill the "Working Joe" Androids.
There is a puzzle aspect of the game and it's intense to try and solve a puzzle while staying hidden, quiet and not being killed by the damn Alien. Even on Easy difficulty dying happens A LOT!! The Alien A.I. is the smartest to date and is different every time you load from the last save. Staying hidden is a challenge. You can hide in lockers, look around and hold your breath to avoid detection. You can also become a contortionist and squeeze into a tiny rolling cabinet. Hiding in the duct system can be helpful, unless of course the Alien is staring you in the face...
The graphics in the game are sharp and deliver a package that hasn't been seen before. At times there is a frame rate issue during the cutscenes. The look of the game feels as if it was filmed alongside the first Alien movie.
Though there is little in-game music, the ambient noises and sound effects make up for it. This game is best played with a headset or on a surround sound turned up to 11...
In Alien: Isolation you play as Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley. The story takes place in 2137, 15 years after Alien, and you are investigating the disappearance of Ellen Ripley. You are sent to the space station Sevastopol to search for the flight recorder of the Nostromo. When you arrive on the station you discover choas, upheaval, and of course, an Alien...
Being a fan of the Alien Universe and remembering how it felt the first time I saw Alien, I must say this is the successful Alien game that people have been looking for. It is not just a game but it is an experience! I would be too chicken to try and play this game with the Occulus Rift and a Headset... NO WAY!!!
-Joe
7/10
