Alienation
- April 26, 2016
- Housemarque
As a keen Diablo player, the moments where the screen is bursting with enemies and you have nothing but your wits, your weapon and maybe a few skills standing between you and a glorious death are the most exhilarating, and ultimately, rewarding.
Get on PS StoreAlienation is a sci-fi shooter game, serving as the spiritual successor to Dead Nation, where players fight against hordes of invading aliens. The isometric view allows for strategic gameplay, and the optional cooperative mode enables up to four players to fight together. Whether playing alone or with friends, Alienation offers a thrilling shooter experience in a fantasy/science-fiction setting.
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
PlayStation
Reviews
- Gorgeous graphics and impressive particle effects enhance the visual experience.
- Superb cooperative gameplay with addictive loot and upgrade systems.
- Intense action and fun gameplay, especially when played with friends.
- Monotonous gameplay that can feel lifeless and repetitive over time.
- Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, particularly for solo players.
- Lack of strong tutorial and uninspiring story detracts from the overall experience.
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate its intense action, cooperative elements, and robust upgrade systems that encourage exploration of character builds, others criticize it for feeling derivative and lacking innovation. The random difficulty spikes and seemingly unnecessary RPG elements contribute to a sense of frustration and staleness for some, overshadowing the otherwise engaging mechanics. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable multiplayer experiences and deep progression systems, but may not satisfy those seeking originality or a balanced single-player experience.
“If you're looking for some high-octane, arcade action with a fiendishly gripping gameplay loop, then this comes highly recommended.”
“[Intense action, superb cooperative gameplay, robust upgrade system, lots of distinct character builds and equipment to explore].”
“Sure, the storyline might be somewhat hackneyed, but it's a genre that doesn't really require a deep narrative, and its robust play mechanics, competitive/cooperative multiplayer options, and deep layered rank progression more than compensate for any shortcomings in plot.”
“Alienation isn’t anything special, looking and playing more like a game trying to clone another than an idea born of passion. The added elements like RPG leveling, character classes, and loot/material system all seem tacked on and utterly useless. The difficulty rises and falls at total random, and those changes are usually arbitrary and unfair to single players. A lack of any new features or gameplay mechanics makes the game get stale quickly.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their gorgeous visuals and intricate details, enhancing the addictive combat and overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the vibrant aesthetics and dynamic explosions, which contribute to an engaging co-op environment, despite some initial learning curves.
“The gorgeous visuals and addictive, tactile combat make this a feast for the eyes, with intense action never more than a few seconds away.”
“The world won’t stick with you, but beautiful visuals and excellent twin-stick looting make this a co-op blast…once you figure out what you’re doing.”
“Tight and familiar twin-stick shooting, excellent four-player co-op, gorgeous graphics and delightful explosions, simple and compelling loot system.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is often criticized for being poorly explained and lacking depth, with some finding it hilariously clichéd and punishing for single players. However, many players feel that the engaging gameplay mechanics and multiplayer options overshadow these narrative shortcomings, making the overall experience enjoyable despite the weak plot.
“Sure, the storyline might be somewhat hackneyed, but it's a genre that doesn't really require a deep narrative and its robust play mechanics, competitive/cooperative multiplayer options, and deep layered rank progression more than compensate for any shortcomings in plot.”
“The story doesn't explain key concepts and feels hilariously naff, punishing single players.”
“The storyline might be somewhat hackneyed, lacking depth, but the gameplay mechanics and multiplayer options compensate for the plot's shortcomings.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a hilariously naff story that lacks clear explanations of its concepts, which some players find amusing, while others feel it punishes single players. Overall, the comedic elements may appeal to those who enjoy absurdity but can frustrate those seeking a more coherent narrative.
“The humor in this game is delightfully absurd, making even the most mundane tasks feel entertaining.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the hilariously ridiculous story and the clever puns sprinkled throughout.”
“The witty dialogue and unexpected comedic moments kept me engaged and made the experience truly enjoyable.”
Critic Reviews
Alienation Review – An Alienating Experience
Alienation isn’t a terrible game by any stretch, but it’s not great either. It’s monotonous and lifeless, but can entertain in short bursts and with friends. Housemarque has done better in the past, and they should have done better here.
50%Alienation Review - Style Over Substance
While Alienation does everything it tries to do well, it fails to be as deep and rewarding an experience as it tries to present itself as.
65%Alienation Review
To describe Alienation as a spiritual successor to Dead Nation is a misnomer – this is a far bigger, deeper game, pulling in elements from RPGs and dungeon crawlers to great effect. The gorgeous visuals and addictive, tactile combat make this a feast for the eyes, with intense action never more than a few seconds away. Grabbing loot and fighting off aliens in co-op is stupendous fun, and the game opens up in meaningful ways the more that you play. If you're looking for some high-octane, arcadey action with a fiendishly gripping gameplay loop, then this comes highly recommended.
80%
