Alien: Isolation

[Gusington]

If you posted something of note above I missed it.

[JudgeDredd]

Sorry Banzai Cat - what did you say again?  ;D

[BanzaiCat]

What?  :D

[Jarhead0331]

What?  :D

There should be compulsory pornography for Asian chicks with tits that big.

[JasonPratt]

That second death on the Two Joes live feed was hilarious. 

Yeah, keep in mind, however it may look on Youtube, it's going to look and sound better "live" on a next-gen system or, better, a bulked PC.



...I mean the Alien game.  ::) :P

Also, note that if you're playing with a vibratorDAMMIT!  >:( If you're playing with a controller that has vibration, the xeno's steps will cause it to tremble. That's extra immersion.

(Great, thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness month, everything I type is going to sound like a double-entendre, so just... whatever.   :-[ O:-) )

[TacticalWargames]

It's scaring the sh1t out of me. Very tense and close to the original Alien film.

[JudgeDredd]

Ok - this slipped off page one quite fast.

What's the score? You lot still playing it? Does it eventually get as tedious as I think it might with no real combat aspect?

I get the immersion...but what about past that?

Just keeping my eye on this for the Steam sale in November

[BanzaiCat]

Disclaimer: I'm not playing it nor do I own it, but I watched all of MetraGamer's 'Let's Play' videos for the game from beginning to end.

Your mileage will vary, depending on:

- If you are or are not a fan of the original Alien and Aliens movies.
- If you love stealth-type games.

A lot of complaints I've read on the game essentially say "YAWWWN" because not much happens. Sure, okay...maybe not. But it's the environment, the Alien AI randomizing your encounters, and the pure tension that all mesh to make this a highly interesting experience. Watch a video or two; I recommend a 'No Commentary' video. PewDiePie has videos where he talks throughout, and he's annoying, so avoid those. I also recommend Angry Joe's Let's Play video; though he has commentary and he's playing it with 'Other Joe,' it's entertaining to see their reactions.

A video or three should give you a good idea. As a reviewer said, it's more about the Alien not being there, than it actually being there. Especially when you hear it banging around in the ducts...you know it's only a matter of time before it arrives and starts hunting you.

And the later stages of the game are awesome. The ending kind of sucks - that's my only complaint. It's very open-ended, that's all I will say about that.

There IS combat in the game. It's not the end-all of the game, though; it's a means to an end and should generally be avoided if possible, because big noises draw Mr. Banana-Head like a starving dog to food. Movement will, also - you need to use your motion tracker prolifically if you want to survive, because the Alien isn't always noisy in announcing its arrival in the area. The combat is more likely against the AI drones though ammo is so rare you'll more often be avoiding them than engaging them, because they are tough sons-of-bitches. This is not DOOM where you're running around blowing everything up, and that's probably part of why some people don't like the game. The Alien is pretty much indestructable; flamethrowers piss it off and it will run off when you blast it with one, but it WILL be back to hunt you. I've not seen anyone try other weapons on it but I doubt highly that they'd do anything other than make it mad. Humans and AI drones are pretty much the only things you can take out in the game. And no, there's no Colonial Marine 10mm automatic weapons. As mentioned, there is a flamethrower; there's also a revolver, a wrench you use as a tool and as a beating weapon (which is good against humans but not so much against AI drones), a bolt gun, a shotgun, smoke bombs, EMP mines, noisemakers, and other things. The materials to make these, as well as the ammo, as I mentioned, is few and far between, though. There are MedKits you can build and use, also.

Patience in this game is a big, big virtue. Not to mention balls.

The haters wanted the action and explosions of Aliens. The fans appreciate it for being more true to Alien with the tension and what you can't see.

As I said, your mileage will probably vary.

I'm definitely going to pick it up at some point, just not for fifty bucks. Its more a matter of economics for me than not wanting to buy it.

[JasonPratt]

I can't imagine it would get "tedious", exactly...  ???

However, I've been lucid dreaming for 8+ hours every night for almost 40 years, and I already have trouble enough dealing with stress and nightmares in that (interesting though it usually also is). I very seriously doubt I'll be adding to my nightmare fodder with this game, despite being curious about the experience and loving the late 70s future retro atmosphere being so true to the first film.

[Jarhead0331]

The haters wanted the action and explosions of Aliens. The fans appreciate it for being more true to Alien with the tension and what you can't see.

As I said, your mileage will probably vary.

I'm definitely going to pick it up at some point, just not for fifty bucks. Its more a matter of economics for me than not wanting to buy it.

I said from day one that although this game looks great, it is not the Alien game I wanted to see made.  I want to see a Colonial Marines game done RIGHT. Still, like you, I will eventually buy this. For once, I can wait for a sale.

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks Banzai Cat for that detailed post.

I think it's a sale item for me...though I seem to be trying to convince myself otherwise...mainly because I LOVE the original ALIEN movie.

I'm just not convinced it's enough for me to be scared throughout the game to be able to enjoy a game. I think I'd have much preferred the visceral blasting of hundreds of xenomorphs charging at me and my marine buddies. That game (an early Aliens one who's name escapes me) was scary enough AND I had a shit load of weapons.

I think the idea is pretty cool...I'm just not sure it would be my bag. In fact, I'm convinced it won't be...but then I question that because the retro look and the lighting and the atmosphere and the xenomorph and the feel of the ALIEN movie...they make me all confused again.

As with yourself and JH - a huge cut in price would persuade me to give it a punt.

[BanzaiCat]

I want to see a Colonial Marines game done RIGHT.

Absolutely agree. I've said it before - I'm not a fan of stealth games. I'd rather be a CM with a smart gun than a scared little girl.

[mirth]

I'd rather be a CM with a smart gun than a scared little girl.

"Why don't you put her in charge?"

[BanzaiCat]

Granted, that's not a terrible idea.

If you read Newt's Tale (by Dark Horse Comics), you'd get the backstory of the colony and Newt's experiences.

Rebecca is a badass of sorts.  O0

[Jarhead0331]

Rebecca is a badass of sorts.  O0

You mean "was" a badass of sorts. I was pretty annoyed at how cavalierly Rebecca and CPL Hicks were killed off in their sleep in the beginning of Alien 3.