Alien: Isolation

About

Alien: Isolation is a single-player horror stealth game, set in the Alien franchise universe, where you play as Amanda Ripley, navigating through a volatile world filled with panic and an unpredictable Alien. The game features beautiful visuals, a good plot, and a survival mode called Survivor, where you must escape from a specially designed map while being hunted by the Alien, with online leaderboards to add a competitive element.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 21,655 reviews

story1.8k positive mentions

grinding322 negative mentions

story
5,205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
5%
The story of "Alien: Isolation" follows Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she searches for her mother aboard the derelict space station Sevastopol, intertwining with the lore of the original Alien films. While the narrative is praised for its atmospheric tension and engaging character arcs, many players note that it can feel overly long and repetitive, particularly in the latter missions, which sometimes detracts from the overall experience. Despite these pacing issues, the game is celebrated for its immersive storytelling and strong connection to the Alien franchise, making it a must-play for fans.
- “The story ties in beautifully with the films, following Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, as she searches for her mother.”
- “The story is engaging, paying homage to the alien franchise while carving its own niche.”
- “The story is well written and lives up to the original alien film.”
- “If you have the patience to replay the same tedious mission for an hour straight, only to die and wait 5 minutes for the same dialogue to finish just to die and do it all again, then this game is for you.”
- “The first half of the game was fantastic and tension-filled, but then there were 4 or 5 missions during the second half that really dragged on.”
- “The story is nothing too special in my opinion; however, it is good, has a good structure, great voice acting, and I like Amanda Ripley and Samuels a lot.”
atmosphere
3,625 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The atmosphere in "Alien: Isolation" is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive quality, effectively capturing the tension and dread of the original 1979 film. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning graphics, exceptional sound design, and meticulous attention to detail, which together create a claustrophobic and foreboding environment that keeps players on edge. The relentless presence of the xenomorph, combined with the game's atmospheric soundscapes and lighting, enhances the overall horror experience, making it a standout title in the survival horror genre.
- “From the claustrophobic corridors of the Sevastopol station to the menacing presence of the xenomorph, every detail screams authentic alien atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and the general vibe of this game is on point!”
- “The atmosphere, architecture, art style, color palette, all of it matches up perfectly to the time period it's supposed to occupy.”
- “The atmosphere is thick enough to slice and serve on toast, like the designers asked, 'how can we make them sweat more?' and if you're dumb enough to try it in VR, congratulations on your newfound insomnia with the fan-made VR mod; it's horror, it's chaos, it's a beautifully terrifying mess.”
- “The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife.”
- “The atmosphere is relentless.”
graphics
3,329 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The graphics of "Alien: Isolation" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and attention to detail, effectively capturing the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the original 1979 film. Even nearly a decade after its release, players note that the visuals still hold up remarkably well, with impressive lighting, textures, and atmospheric effects that enhance the immersive experience. While some minor graphical glitches and issues with character animations have been mentioned, the overall presentation is considered top-notch, making it a standout title in the horror genre.
- “Incredible graphics, atmosphere, and horror. If you're a fan of the original movie, you're going to love this game.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the story is intriguing, and the alien is as scary as the feeling you get when you check your pocket for your phone and it's not there.”
- “The graphics hold up amazingly for a 10-year-old game, and the gameplay is simple yet stays effective throughout the entirety of the game.”
- “The graphics at first threw me off, I thought I bought another lame old console horror game.”
- “The graphics hold up exceedingly well for a 10 year old game, and the gameplay is simple yet stays effective throughout the entirety of the game.”
- “The graphics are a little dated now but hold up well.”
gameplay
3,182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The gameplay of "Alien: Isolation" is characterized by its intense stealth mechanics and survival horror elements, requiring players to navigate a claustrophobic environment while avoiding a relentless xenomorph. While the game excels in creating a tense atmosphere and features solid crafting and resource management systems, many players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the reliance on trial-and-error mechanics and the scarcity of save points. Overall, it offers a unique experience that balances horror and strategy, though it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action.
- “Incredible graphics, atmosphere, and horror. If you're a fan of the original movie, you're going to love this game. The gameplay is really good, and the storyline is very cool.”
- “The gameplay is brilliant; you cannot directly harm the alien, thus you're forced to hide from it, and your powerlessness coupled with the fact that the creature could appear anywhere and at any time really got my heart racing.”
- “The gameplay is a solid blend of exploration, stealth, and light puzzle solving, with possibilities for combat ranging from almost nonexistent to 'why isn't there more ammunition?' The stealth and discovery mechanics felt nicely tuned and consistent.”
- “The gameplay is very convenient, but it feels padded to rack up the playtime, and you're spending 90% of the game crouching around with a radar out.”
- “The gameplay is shallow; it's mostly walking around flipping switches and hiding in lockers.”
- “The gameplay consists of roaming a mostly quiet and empty space station while collecting crafting components to craft stuff.”
music
1,219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
58%
1%
The music in *Alien: Isolation* has been widely praised for its ability to create an immersive and tense atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror experience. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack, which includes elements from the original 1979 film, dynamically shifts to reflect in-game events, heightening suspense and fear as players navigate the terrifying environment. However, some players found the music occasionally overpowering, detracting from critical audio cues necessary for stealth gameplay. Overall, the sound design and musical score are considered standout features that contribute significantly to the game's authenticity and emotional impact.
- “The haunting musical score complements the visuals perfectly, adding an extra layer of tension to an already nerve-racking experience.”
- “The soundtrack is also phenomenal and one of the best horror soundtracks.”
- “The music is perfect for the horror the game captures, playing at the right moments and exact times of pressure or intensity.”
- “The decisions to not include music late game during emotional scenes fully knocked the game down several pegs in ranking.”
- “I had to turn my music almost completely down and even then it's still overpoweringly loud and obnoxious.”
- “The music feels natural for the game and you will be afraid.”
grinding
338 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the latter stages where players often find themselves backtracking and performing similar tasks repeatedly. Many players express frustration with the lengthy missions and the need to replay sections after dying, which detracts from the overall immersion and enjoyment. While some appreciate the atmosphere and tension, the consensus is that the game could benefit from a more streamlined experience to avoid the feeling of excessive grinding.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Unbelievably tedious, absolutely killed the immersion set up in the first hour of the game.”
- “The sheer quantity of tedious bullsh*t that they make you do in the last few chapters is unbelievable.”
- “The game is very scary but extremely tedious.”
stability
327 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
1%
90%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, some of which can be game-breaking or frustrating. While some users experienced minimal issues and found the game to run smoothly, others highlighted significant problems, including AI glitches, audio desynchronization, and crashes. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable number of players encountering persistent bugs that detract from the experience.
- “Overall, the game performed well, seemed well optimized, with good FPS and wasn't buggy as far as I found.”
- “Virtually bug free, never had any places where I got stuck because of buggy code, a smooth and polished experience.”
- “The game runs great and looks like an original motion picture.”
- “This game is so buggy it's ridiculous.”
- “My number 1 issue with this game, however, is a plethora of game-breaking glitches, of which I have experienced several, which have either caused me to have to restart an entire mission or even restart the entire game altogether.”
- “In over thirty years of gaming, I don’t recall having experienced a game that is so fundamentally buggy and untested.”
optimization
309 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
30%
5%
The game's optimization is widely praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware, achieving high frame rates without significant issues. The graphics are noted as stunning and well-optimized, maintaining quality across various settings, while some users did mention occasional bugs and performance hiccups, particularly with cutscenes. Overall, it stands out as one of the best-optimized titles, allowing for an immersive experience without compromising on visual fidelity.
- “From a production value standpoint, the game is amazing; it really sells the atmosphere of the Alien franchise extremely well and is generally graphically impressive while remaining optimized for older hardware.”
- “The game is incredibly optimized and runs extremely well on most devices, and the graphics still hold up to this day.”
- “This game is a masterpiece and so well optimized.”
- “The game has quite a few annoying bugs and optimization issues as well as some questionable gameplay mechanics and choices.”
- “The reason I cannot recommend this game is that even after two full years of massive performance issues on the PC related to crashes, the developer has not yet been able to fix the issue.”
- “I understand that different hardware and software configurations can throw a wrench in a game's performance, but after two solid years of opportunity to fix the multiple issues that are game-breaking and seemingly nigh impossible to solve, I can't in good faith recommend this title.”
replayability
205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
8%
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag among reviewers. While some praise its unpredictable AI and various modes, such as survival and challenge modes, which enhance replay value, others find the main campaign lacks significant replayability due to its linear nature and scripted encounters. Overall, players who enjoy exploration and challenge may find enough to revisit, but many agree that the game is best experienced once or with a long gap between playthroughs.
- “The game's challenging difficulty and emphasis on survival add to its longevity and replayability, ensuring that each playthrough remains gripping and rewarding.”
- “The non-linear nature of the game encourages exploration, adding replay value as players may discover new hiding spots, shortcuts, and narrative elements during subsequent playthroughs.”
- “The AI of the alien is very powerful, making its behavior difficult to predict and counter, which is probably the greatest strength of this game as it relies very little on scripted events, making it very replayable.”
- “This game is one of those games that doesn't offer much replay value in terms of the main campaign; it's really hard to recommend this game to anyone that doesn't have much or any interest in the Alien franchise, as to them it's just a glorified hide and seek game.”
- “The deducted points for me come from the ending, which didn't leave me super satisfied, and also just from the fact the game has one, and one only way to play the game, from start to finish, and that it is also not hugely replayable.”
- “Unfortunately, there is no replayability.”
emotional
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its immersive storytelling and the intense feelings it evokes, particularly through the character of Amanda Ripley and her quest to find her mother. Many players report experiencing genuine fear, emotional exhaustion, and even tears during gameplay, highlighting the game's ability to create a visceral connection to the horror elements. However, some critiques mention a lack of emotional depth in supporting characters and certain gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall emotional experience.
- “The protagonist, Amanda Ripley, is a compelling character whose quest to uncover the truth about her mother adds emotional depth to the harrowing survival tale.”
- “This game is far deeper than most horror experiences, and I've never felt such emotional drain from a game.”
- “The atmosphere, pacing, gameplay, and tension all amount to an emotionally exhausting and brilliant experience that captures the original Alien movie like no other.”
- “You do get a honeymoon period with this game, when it's actually immersive and scary, but around 4-5 hours in, the effect wears off and you are left with an incredibly boring story, dull characters, and sub-par stealth gameplay.”
humor
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
3%
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of unintentional glitches, amusing AI interactions, and the absurdity of certain situations, such as androids delivering one-liners while pursuing players. Players frequently find themselves laughing at their own reactions to the horror elements, with moments of levity arising from the game's quirky mechanics and character behaviors. While the game is primarily a horror experience, the comedic aspects provide a unique contrast that enhances the overall enjoyment.
- “It's a lot of fun playing with friends at like 2am and we start laughing and screaming at the same time.”
- “They would say some funny one-liners as you ran for your life because these things would beat you down while asking you if you need assistance, lmao.”
- “The alien's constant obsession with you and awareness of your basic location, as provided by the director, eventually becomes more humorous than scary.”
- “I get scared, but I'm not funny at all.”
- “The jokes fell flat and didn't land as intended.”
- “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than amusing.”
character development
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
56%
9%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the depth and emotional impact of certain characters, particularly Amanda Ripley, while others criticize it as shallow and lacking in memorable side characters. Many reviewers note that while the character design and atmosphere are strong, the overall narrative fails to provide substantial character growth or investment in the story. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the subtle connections to the original Alien narrative, suggesting that character development, though limited, still contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “I've played games with a space horror theme several times recently, followed by Dead Space, and I think Sega did very well in this game. I really like Alien: Isolation; the character development is so good that I can feel lost when my friends were killed one by one, and the very cliffhanger ending certainly made me curious. Hopefully, the second installment can be made possible by Sega!”
- “Full of jump scares, full of amazing writing and great character development.”
- “The gameplay, atmosphere, level design, and character development are all great additions to this game.”
- “Very little character development: there is more character development in Five Nights at Freddy's than this game.”
- “No character development, no real memorable side-characters, no investment in the hook of the story.”
- “Aside from weak character development and story; the game is a must for any fan of the genre or franchise.”
monetization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has received criticism for its reliance on downloadable content (DLC), with many players feeling that the base game is incomplete due to the limited challenge maps and the exclusion of certain missions from the season pass, which they perceive as cash grabs. While some players appreciate the game's atmosphere and storytelling, they recommend waiting for a sale rather than purchasing at full price, as the additional content often feels like a nostalgic exploitation rather than meaningful expansion.
- “Minus point for only including one challenge map in the base game; all the rest are DLC for some extra cash grab, and the two Nostromo missions are not even in the season pass.”
- “DLC: The Crew Expendable and Last Survivor are basically cash grabs cashing in on nostalgia.”
- “I would not recommend the game at full price, not any of the cash grab DLC; but for about €5, sure go ahead.”