Alien: Isolation Review – Running for dear life on a derelict station

As a huge fan of the Alien franchise, I’ve played nearly every Alien game ever made—yes, even the infamous Aliens: Colonial Marines (the nightmares from that one still haunt me). After waiting so long for that disaster to finally arrive, only to watch it crash and burn, I had lost hope of seeing a truly great Alien game. That was until I heard about Alien: Isolation. Could this be the game I’ve been waiting for? Who’s developing it? Oh, gaming gods, please don’t let this one suck.

PLATFORMS: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One & PC (reviewed)
PUBLISHER(S): Sega
DEVELOPER(S): The Creative Assembly 
RELEASE DATE: October 7th, 2014
PRICE: $49.99 

What’s The Story In Alien: Isolation

Unlike previous Alien games, Alien: Isolation strays from the original film’s plot, instead drawing heavily from its iconic designs and environments. The story focuses on Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Aliens heroine Ellen Ripley, who was never fully explored in the films. You play as Amanda, and for the past 15 years, she’s been searching for her missing mother, taking jobs near the area where Ellen was last seen. After years of dead ends, Amanda finally receives promising news: a flight recorder from the Nostromo (the original ship from Alien) has been found. It may (or may not) hold the key to her mother’s fate.

The catch? The flight recorder is located at Sevastopol Station, a supposedly thriving space colony. Amanda joins a mission with fellow Weyland-Yutani employees, Nina Taylor and Samuels, aboard Captain Diane Verlaine’s ship, the Torrens, to retrieve it.

But, of course, nothing goes as planned—does it ever? Upon arriving at Sevastopol, they notice significant damage to the station and can’t establish communication. The team decides to board the station via spacewalk, but chaos quickly unfolds. An explosion hurls you and your teammates through space, leaving you as the sole survivor who makes it onto Sevastopol Station. From here, things take a turn for the worse. The station is deserted, in ruins, dark, and terrifying—a place that would make anyone want to run. But as Ellen Ripley’s daughter, you must push through the darkness, madness, and whatever horrors await to recover that flight recorder. Just make sure you stay alive, okay?

Make Yourself Right At Home, Won’t You?

From the moment you start Alien: Isolation, it’s clear that Creative Assembly did their homework. The opening credits, designed to look like they were pulled straight from a 1980s VHS, set the tone perfectly. Everything from the characters to the environment screams authenticity. If you’ve ever watched the Alien movie, you’ll feel right at home. The attention to detail is phenomenal, and it had me grinning from ear to ear—it’s that good. Just take a look at the comparison shots below and match them with scenes from the Alien movie. These are spot-on replications in every way.

But it’s not just about the visuals. The sound design deserves just as much praise. From the blaring alarms to the thunderous footsteps of the Alien as it hunts you down, everything is meticulously crafted. If you’re playing on a surround sound setup, you’re in for a real treat. This is the real deal—an immersive audio experience that complements the stunning visuals. The dynamic music ramps up as danger approaches, becoming a lifesaver when you can’t see the threat but can certainly hear it lurking.

And let’s talk about the motion tracker—easily one of my favorite features. If you’ve ever watched the Alien movie, you’ve probably wished for a motion tracker of your own. I know I have! But while it’s fun to use, it’s also a double-edged sword. The tracker’s sound can be a beacon for the Alien to zero in on your location, so use it wisely. In this game, sound is everything. So, crank up the volume, especially if you’ve got chatty people around who don’t know how to sit back and enjoy the ride.

But Isn’t This An FPS Game?

Unlike most traditional FPS games and even past Alien titles, Alien: Isolation isn’t about navigating corridors with guns blazing. Instead, it places you in a hostile environment where survival depends on your wits. While there are weapons and items to find or craft aboard Sevastopol Station, they are limited, and their availability varies depending on the difficulty level. Playing this game like a typical FPS will only lead to frustration, and it might even cause you to quit. Success in Alien: Isolation requires time, patience, and a tactical approach to survival.

You might have a handgun to deal with human adversaries, but you need to think carefully. How many rounds will it take? How good is your aim? Would it be better to avoid confrontation altogether and sneak up later for a stealthy takedown? The key here is survival, not brute force, and playing Alien: Isolation like an action-packed FPS will ensure you don’t last long.

But humans aren’t your only concern—far from it. Aside from the eerie, dark corridors and moments of “What was that noise?” you’ll encounter two deadly threats: the Working Joes and the Alien itself. Working Joes, the station’s androids once tasked with assisting humans, have now turned into psychotic killing machines. They can be darkly humorous too. I’ve lost count of how many times a Working Joe has asked if I needed assistance—while choking me to death or punching me senseless. And don’t think you can just pull out your handgun to take them down easily. Ammo is scarce, and it takes several shots to put one of these androids down. There are more Joes than you have bullets, so plan your encounters wisely.

And then there’s the Alien— the ultimate predator. While you don’t encounter it until about an hour or two into the game, its presence is constantly felt. Whether it’s the spooked NPCs warning you about it or the unsettling sounds of crawling and running in the vents above, the Alien is definitely around. When you finally come face-to-face with it, your character reacts in a way that’s probably more composed than most of us would be! But one thing is certain: once the Alien appears, your time aboard the Sevastopol Station is about to get a whole lot worse. Much, much worse.

There were times I found myself stuck in a particular section because the Alien simply wouldn’t leave the area. It felt like it knew I was there and was waiting me out—a game of patience that I lost more often than I won. One of the most brilliant design choices Creative Assembly made was creating unscripted AI for both the Alien and the Working Joes. These enemies aren’t tied to predictable patterns. Yes, my friends, this Alien is a true player-hunter! If it sees or hears you, it will hunt you down. It will wait for the right moment to strike. And if you make a mistake—no matter where the Alien is—it will find you.

Thankfully, there are safe havens like lockers and various hiding spots such as desks and tables where you can take cover. But be cautious—the Alien is relentless, and nowhere feels entirely safe for long.

But don’t abuse them! Don’t expect to wait until the last second when the Alien or even the Working Joes are upon you cause those hiding spaces will not save your ass. Oh yes, the baddies can break down the door and kill you where you originally thought you were safe. I’ve also noticed that you’re pretty much in ninja mode when you crawl, and you are deadly silent. Use that to your advantage to sneak around NPCs and hostiles, including the Alien. I was surprised that I was able to sneak around areas while crawling without being heard, though you can still be seen.

While I’m talking about movement, DO NOT USE THE SPRINT BUTTON. Trust me; it’s there to screw you over. When you run, you have a chance to knock something over and make more noise on top of the sound that you’re already making while running. If you have to run, it better damn well be to get to a locker to get to an elevator. And no matter how fast you run, the Alien is faster!

And expect to save your game often. If you suspect that there is even a remote chance that the Alien is down that hallway or if you know that you just pissed off those Working Joes, and they’re waiting around the corner for you. SAVE SAVE SAVE!

But don’t abuse those hiding spots! Don’t expect to wait until the last second when the Alien or even the Working Joes are upon you because those hiding spaces won’t save you. Yes, these enemies can break down doors and kill you in places you thought were safe. I’ve also noticed that crawling puts you in “ninja mode”—you move silently. Use this to your advantage to sneak past NPCs and hostiles, including the Alien. I was surprised by how often I could crawl through areas undetected, though remember, you can still be seen even if you’re quiet.

Speaking of movement, DO NOT USE THE SPRINT BUTTON—it’s there to get you killed. Running increases the chance of knocking things over and making more noise on top of what you’re already producing. If you absolutely have to run, it better be to reach a locker or an elevator. And remember, no matter how fast you run, the Alien is faster!

Also, save your game often. If you even suspect the Alien is lurking down a hallway, or if you know you’ve just angered some Working Joes waiting around the corner, take the time to SAVE! Trust me, you don’t want to lose progress in a game this intense.

Verdict

The Creative Assembly team has accomplished something no other development house has managed in quite some time—if ever. They’ve created a suspenseful, immersive title that captures the sheer helplessness of being stranded on a derelict station with little to no help and no official training whatsoever. Normally, that setup would spell certain doom, but Amanda Ripley is tough and determined, hanging on for dear life no matter what’s thrown at her. And no, don’t even mention Dead Space. Isaac Clarke had it easy compared to Ripley.

That said, Alien: Isolation is a game that demands patience and careful thought. Stealth and wits are your best weapons, and mastering them is key to survival. That’s what makes this title so exceptional—the tension and suspense are driven by the situations you find yourself in and how you plan your escape. On top of that, the AI in this game is completely unscripted, leading to some truly unpredictable and nerve-wracking moments. Both the Working Joes and the Alien will relentlessly hunt you down if you’re seen or heard, so every move counts. Humans are less of a threat, as they’re just as terrified of the station as you are.

Alien: Isolation is a masterfully crafted survival horror game by Creative Assembly that immerses players in the tension and helplessness of being stranded on a derelict space station. You play as Amanda Ripley, the determined daughter of Ellen Ripley, who must rely on stealth and wits to survive against unscripted AI threats, including the terrifying Alien and the psychotic Working Joes. Unlike typical FPS games, Isolation requires patience and strategy, as ammunition is scarce, and enemies will relentlessly hunt you down if you make noise. The game’s intense atmosphere brilliantly captures the essence of the original Alien film, making it a standout title in the franchise. While it lacks the action-packed gameplay seen in Aliens, there’s hope for a sequel that explores those elements if this title succeeds. Overall, Alien: Isolation may be the best game ever to recreate the suspense of the classic film.

While I didn’t get the chance to walk around blasting face-huggers or incinerating Alien eggs with a flamethrower, hopefully, that’s something planned for the future of the series. Remember, this game is called Alien: Isolation, so it doesn’t tie into the sequel, Aliens. With any luck, if this title performs well, we may get a sequel that dives into the more action-packed aspects of the franchise. Fingers crossed!

And let’s be clear—I’ve got NO love for that Alien. It needs to get sucked out of an airlock, ASAP. You know what I mean?

Bottom Line: This is, without a doubt, the best game ever made to recreate the terrifying atmosphere of the original Alien film.