Alien: Isolation

A great stealth / survival horror game.

The ambiance, world and sound design are top notch and will make you feel like you’re in the first Alien movie being relentlessly chased.

The graphics are still gorgeous today and even more impressive on the Steamdeck where it runs maxed out at 60fps while sipping power.

The gameplay is mostly stealth with bits of survival horror and you unlock new gear and accessories during the main story to keep things fresh.

The main complaint about the game seems to be its length and while it is long for the genre I felt it didn’t pad its length artificially, there’s just a lot of content there. But it does get a bit tiring to be chased by an Alien for 16h to 20 hours, after a while it’s not so much a horror game but just a very stressful one which can get tedious.

I played it on ‘Normal’ which I found challenging enough with the Alien frequently killing me 3-4 times in a row in the toughest spots anyway. The game interestingly recommends ‘Hard’ for the experience the developers intended but after trying it it made the game way more tedious and the Alien even more on your tail at all times forcing you to wait under furniture too frequently for the game to be fun imho so consider that when picking the difficulty level.

i really liked this game. i'd never really been exposed to the alien franchise before this, but the new movies pale in comparison to this.

In short, this game is probably the most intense game of hide and seek that you will ever play.
You're playing a constant cat and mouse game with the Alien, and it is an absolute thrill from start to finish and these encounters never got old for me.

It did take me quite some time to beat this game. Because of the intensity of the gameplay, I would take regular breaks while playing and would often only play around a couple of hours in the around 7 play sessions that it took me to beat the main-game. Ofcourse, this is just my experience, so yours may differ, and maybe you can handle the intensity and stress much better and will blast through this game.

The game does attempt to space out the most intense encounters from eachother with moments of relative calmness inbetween, this did help somewhat with the stress. But man, the moments where you just barely manage to escape from an encounter or feel like you're about to get caught will stay with me forever, and are when the game gives off a feeling that few other games, even within the same genre manage to evoke. What comes closest for me is Resident Evil 7 and the Baker's house with Jack as a pursuer. Alien: Isolation came into the horror scene and showed how to make survival horror relevant again and it feels like Resident Evil's return to the genre might have been somewhat influenced by how this game handles it.

Alien: Isolation always manages to make it's encounters feel fair, I played on survival difficulty, and almost always after getting caught I felt like it was deserved by me and I could have played differently to have come out on top. This game empowers stealthy and smart play in the situations where you feel like you're in a disadvantage, and mastering these abilities becomes the learning curve of the game, along with finding new tools and weapons to help you as the game grows more difficult.

As a fan of survival horror, or of AI driven pursuer games, this is a definitive must play. Or if you're a fan of the Alien movies and you want a game to give you that same feeling, this is probably the best thing you're gonna get. Just be prepared to be hiding in a closet with a xenomorph breathing against the door as you feel a warm liquid running down your leg.

This is Ripley, signing off.

Easily the greatest game oat and its not even close, £35 is insanely cheap for a game of this quality. 10/10

Fantastic game and a long one for a change with pretty good graphic considering it is a decade old

Beat this game twice, once in 2020, and again just today. First time was done on my friend's account over winter break. We were terrified most of the game, but he had me driving the whole time, so I got slightly inured to the alien by the end. Despite being comfortable with the alien's mechanics, there was still a large amount of uncertainty. Second time was slightly easier (though I didn't get a moment with the alien in the vents like I did in the first run). Once you learn the mechanics of when you can walk and when you need to crouch, the alien becomes moderately easier to read. Sure, there's still random weirdness where the AI just knows where you are, but overall, it was manageable. The game is fun, but it does overstay its welcome somewhat. The space walks are the most painful portions of the game, followed by any part with androids. Once you know how the alien works, you can just point the alien at any human you want dead and those portions become much easier. I'll probably return to this for a third playthrough to finish off the achievements...

Aliens e terror é uma combinação infalível ainda mais quando se trata do Xenomorfo.
Jogo magnífico e tem os melhores gráficos da época em que foi lançado.

This is a 6/10 game

Yes the Alien parts are really good. I would describe them as something I wouldn't expect coming into this game. Fun. And I played on the hard difficulty by the way. It's constantly engaging and suspenseful but it never really feels unfair because there are a lot of ways to distract or fend off the Alien and the level design allows you to slipper by a lot of times without using even lockers. But those sandbox parts where you need to complete an objective while an Alien is hunting for you are also pretty much the only good parts of the game.

The other enemies are just bad. Working Joes are either too easy unless they're in a group because then they are programmed to take alternative paths and flank the player which is the one positive I will give to their design because alternatively if they detect you they will just follow exactly where you're going no matter what unless you hide in a locker and wait which is just tedious. There's no design, there's no engaging gameplay, there's no interactivity. Leagues of gameplay design between Alien and the rest of the game. The hazmat suit variant which can't be stunned by EMPs are them but even worse and made me actively disinterested.

The regular humans are a nothing burger you just shoot them. And also with Aliens there are times where its clearly not on the map, it's not wandering in the area or waiting to catch you in a vent but if you dare to fucking run for one second one will just spawn in and murder you which was just aggravating especially when it comes to replaying areas. There are a lot of really boring and pointless parts and while the visual design keeps close to the films that's also to its detriment because the areas all sort of blend together into one. And plus by the end of the game a lot of the areas are just linear corridors so its just designed to chuck molotovs and flamethrowers at the alien whenever it appears which really isn't as fun as outmanuvering it. So yeah very flawed and not one of my favourite horror games but I do really like the stealth sequences when they are good.

I don't normally get motion sick but the automatic leaning left and right while moving K.O. me within a minute. I really wanted to play this game but unfortunately I'll never know the secrets it contains. It looks BEAUTIFUL, my personal limitations shouldn't reflect too much on this game. Give it a go if you aren't a little wimp like me!

Just a gem. Story is so good, for me it is like a movie you play through. It has it's faults yes, but still...

If you haven't played this through then I highly recommend you do. A truly unique and well made cinematic experience. The makers clearly know and love the Alien movies and did the franchise justice with this. Runs well on a low spec old computer and without bugs. Choose the hardest difficulty and don't use a guide or anything, just enjoy the ride.

Sure the alien can hear everything but the alien is not ready to hear me take an absolute taco bell dump in the bathroom

The greatest horror game I've ever played, and it is especially awesome if you are a fan of the original Alien (and Aliens). I would like to give a special shout to the sound design of this game. The alien's footsteps, the groaning of the station, doors and vents opening automatically, and even the simple beeping of the save station. It all works very well with the sounds and general visual design of everything matching that of the original Alien movie. It also creates an incredibly tense and immersive experience.

This was a good game - It definitely had me on my toes at all times. One of the things I liked best about it was the sound design - with a good pair of headphones you can really get immersed in the experience. You hear all the ambiance of the space station, distant clanging, some screams echoing from far away in the station, and of course...the alien.

If you don't like being chased/hunted then you likely won't enjoy it. If you're like me, you will spend lots of time initially hiding...but then you will grit your teeth and gradually get braver. By the end, you'll feel accomplished and have many memories of all the struggle throughout and you'll also realize how much of a great game this really was from start to finish.

Third or fourth time playing, and Isolation is still such an amazing game ten years later! Love the movies but they don't scare me much anymore; this game, on the other hand, remains an immersive and terrifying experience. Between call-backs to the franchise, stellar sound design and graphics, and a satisfyingly long gameplay, Alien: Isolation has to be the definitive Alien game.

Simply a masterclass in atmosphere and horror, plus it runs amazingly, no real reason not to play it.

I poopood my pants but I got through the 5th mission great game to play by yourself and at night

Fantastic addition to the Alien franchise. Has a great story, lore that expands the alien universe, and of course being hunted by Xeno's 2 thumbs up - can't wait for part 2!

Insane Graphics and mechanics too much detail in game i just love to play it

You know ALIEN when know what Amanda Ripley did. Alien Isolation is celebrating 10 years and I am replaying it. I spent 5 bucks on the steam sale and got all the DLC. Almost 10 years ago today I got my 4th of 51 achievements in the game. Get killed By the Alien 100 times lol. Alien Romulus mentions Amanda.

This game is the type of game that just leaves a mark on you, made with love by fans for the fans.

had to restart a few times because the game glitched out but other than that it has been pretty fun so far. wish games like this was co op, such a waste of a good game if you always have to play alone

Great game, love the horror element of not knowing when or where the alien will appear and the tasks are so fun to do

I haven't even got to the portion of the game when the Xenomorph is introduced as a gameplay mechanic, and I was already shi*ting my pants out of pure fear. this is truly a ripley's cat moment out of 10.

very well done hide and seek style horror. you're not entirely defenseless against the enemies/alien but its riskier

Emulates everything great about the Alien franchise, fits right in with the other amazing entries in the series from aesthetics, feel, story, and tension alike. A perfect edition to the Alien universe, and one of the best horror games - if not best games in general - I've ever played.

Really enjoyed this. V fun with immersing game play. Would suggest if you like the franchise or just enjoy survival horror/stealth games.

Dunno about the DLCs, but the main game is absolutely terrifying and amazing at the same time. If you are a fan of the movies BUY THIS GAME, if not STILL BUY THIS GAME. Good luck and have fun if you are brave enough!!!!

This is the only horror game that genuinely scared me for my dear life . Tried going through with it in 2021, chickened out bc I was so immersed. 2024, decided to finish it for good, died so many times that AI got smarter than me. It was all worth it at the end. One of the best of its genre, 10/10 would get facehugged again.

the game is great tbh i love the fact i have to be sneaky all the time without making a lot of noise makes me feel like im actually there fr

game truly made me LOCK-IN

genuinely one of the most intense horror gaming experience I had, + plus its a great homage / continuation of the Original Horror masterpiece Alien (1979)

A truly intense experience with stealth-based gameplay that keeps you on edge every second. The atmosphere is masterfully crafted, creating a constant sense of tension and dread. Highly recommend.

I will start by saying that this game is a masterpiece. Everyone can agree that this is the best Alien game, but I would say that it’s the best survival horror game ever created. The graphics are stunning, even though the game was released in 2014. The story and gameplay are both amazing, especially towards the end. All I can say is, after earning all the achievements, I want more of this game.

As a long time fan of the Alien series, this game made my hold my breath as I tried to hide from Aliens, humans and androids. Would recommend! 10/10

This game is AWESOME! I love that it really does scare me. the ambience is great, and it doesn't rely too much on jumpscares. All the ememies have unique functions and have different pros and cons when dealing with them. The way the Xenomorph AI works is super cool and can really make it feel like you're dealing with an intelligent apex predator. I love the crafting aspect! Its a really cool concept that allows you to be creative with how you deal with situations. It also promotes replayability. Interesting lore as well. Overall, Great game!

Plunge into this graphically gorgeous nightmare that pays homage (in the best way) to Alien.

Great game, if you encounter crash on some chapter, go to steam, right click, properties, check integrity files and then restart the game, it will work. worked for me, You need to be fearless and strong heart to play this. or you might die from a heart attack or something.

Best Game, very scary but awesome experience with fear and survival.

Definitely surpassed my expectations. I thought the game was good, but not *that* good. I certainly enjoyed the campaign experience. I will try out the DLC material later. Although it was released over a decade ago, it still rivals many games from our time. The theme is immaculate, and is definitely a favorite of mine. The futuristic deep space atmosphere is really nailed down here. The gameplay is decent, and the story is good. And again, it really puts many current day releases to shame, as a 2014 beats them in terms of graphical fidelity, sound design, performance (the game looked amazing at nearly 200 FPS at 2K resolution), map design, and story writing. It took me nearly 20 hours to get through the campaign, so be ready for a nice long ride. It's like a movie, but more involved, and more stretched out. Good purchase.

Love the game! Would not change anything. Don't be fooled by my hours played, if you stick to it you can get through it all in like 7 hours (est).
Buy the game. It's worth the money.

Hands down my favorite sci-fi horror game! The xenomorph is terrifying, and the storyline is fantastic.

This game is often praised for its AI - and deservedly so - but let me shout out the incredible sound design. It brings the atmosphere to new, horrifying heights. Absolutely fantastic.

The other thing that impressed me is how subtle everything is in this game. More often than not I play games thinking about the mechanics more than the gameplay and game world itself, wondering in every new area whet the devs probably want me to do right now. Not so in Alien: Isolaton.

At long last, i got fully immersed in a game again, even forgetting that it's a game at times, and fearing for my dear life. And I screamed. A lot.

Alien: Isolation is definitely one of the great horror games - and not just for fans of the franchise.

I'm very excited for the sequel.

I'm not really a big fan of the Alien franchise per se. I found/find the first original film from 1979 was great, but then the series quickly declined in my opinion. Somehow I went to see Alien: Romulus in the cinema this year, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised. That was the reason for me to start looking into the Alien universe again and, above all, to “finally” play Alien: Isolation. And in this regard, I have to add that I tend to rather avoid horror games because I'm a bit of a wimp. But I do make an exception for really good games (however you measure that): I really liked SOMA and Prey, for example, if you want to make that comparison. And in the case of Alien: Isolation I was already aware of the potential danger (in form of “familiar” Xenomorphs and Facehuggers), so the horror aspect was toned down accordingly. It was still gripping and at times stressful in parts.

Visually, acoustically, and generally atmospherically, the game is extremely well done. Even alongside newer titles, the game can still keep up today. And the way the old style of the original was recreated without seeming “old-fashioned” or anything was absolutely spot on. I also thought the gameplay and mechanics were great for the most part too. The storyline is completely okay considering the “familiar” setting (Alien universe) and the “sensible” possibilities it offers.

I'm not sure what to make of the ending though. For example, I found it a bit illogical how the alien ended up on the Torrens. But I then read a few theories that this scene might have been a dream of Amanda floating in space. That's fine with me. Either way, it didn't really have a negative impact on my overall impression.

During the beginning, I didn't always find it clear when Amanda was speaking in dialogues or when others (other women) were speaking. This could have been accentuated a little better acoustically, but otherwise, as I said, the acoustics were one of the most noteworthy aspects.

I also found the aliens' mechanics were well done, in general and especially in terms of this adaptive behavior (I played on “normal” by the way). I can understand if some players found the game a bit annoying (towards the end). I can understand that, but I don't share this opinion. Apart from minor things, I enjoyed it throughout.

I can thoroughly recommend the game!

Absolutely the best Alien game in the franchise, suffers from severe pacing issues and poor facial animations though. Everything else is golden.

Can't believe I slept on this game for a decade. An immaculate love letter to the ‘Alien’ and ‘Aliens’ movies. Instead of relying on cheap jumpscares, the game terrifies you with the dreadful anxiety that builds up from listening to the alien prowling nearby or traversing in the vents while you try to micromanage where the alien exactly is as you complete tasks. This is all accompanied by the atmospheric sounds and terrific soundtrack that ramps up in intensity the closer the alien is to you.

The ‘Working Joes’ on the other hand get no love. These androids were designed to make you grind your teeth as you had to deal with these tanky nuisances. Screw those guys.

Excited for the sequel.

amazing "Alien" experience. a little long but well worth the journey.

it's alright. starts strong. didn't need to be 20 hours long. really loses steam 1/3 of the way through.

art direction is great. faithful recreation of the art-style of the original Alien movie. I used the classic Alien reshade to make it look better. kinda confused as to why they'd go so far with modelling and texturing everything to make it resemble the original, but not color grade it to give it more atmosphere.

story is nothing more than functional, which is disappointing because it sets up a strong narrative concept. just doesn't do much with it.

mechanically it feels like a bunch of disparate survival horror mechanics with some new novelties strung together into something that feels like it would have worked, if the efforts were honed into something shorter and more emergent.

the level design is pretty boring. most meaningfully challenges are in the first 1/3 of the game. The rest just feels like going through the motions until they decide to make the alien hyper-aggressive so it's just a matter of throwing a molotov or using your flamethrower at the alien every so often while you press buttons or pull levers.

the set pieces, although flashy feel really cheap with how frequent they are. rarely tying into any meaningful gameplay.

6/10 - Decent

If you like survival horror games that are based on smarts and wits, instead of brute force (aka DOOM: Eternal, which in itself is a great game) this is a fantastic experience. Especially if you are a fan of the Alien movie series. The Xenomorph, one of my favorite horror creatures, is done justice in this game, and I love it. Would definitely recommend.

i'm not really a fan of horror games but this game is a masterpiece. the atmosphere it creates is wonderful, audio and visuals are outstanding, sometimes i just stood on one place listening and looking around. i did 5+ playthroughs of this game, on Steam just once after it was on sale. pick this game up, you won't regret it, and be excited for the sequel (after 10 years haha).

Excellent game! The graphics and the intelligence controlling the characters are amazing. I am sure this game was made by a very smart and passionate team. Thanks, Creative Assembly! This is a masterful project!