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#4373268 - 08/08/17 12:08 PM Alien Isolation: My short review  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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This is exactly how you make a horror/sci-fi first person shooter and it should be the paragon for all future games in the genre.



Everything about the game just worked and clicked perfectly. The atmosphere, the tension, the music, the story, the pacing, etc.


I didn't buy this game when it first came out due to me being very busy with a bunch of other games at the time but I'm glad I finally got it.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
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#4373281 - 08/08/17 01:43 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Bib4Tuna Offline
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Did you play the DLC? Specifically, Last Survivor and Crew Expendable DLC up the difficulty and tension versus the main game, probably because they are relatively very short. But they were a great addition to the game IMO.

#4373282 - 08/08/17 01:46 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: Bib4Tuna]  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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Originally Posted by Bib4Tuna


Did you play the DLC? Specifically, Last Survivor and Crew Expendable DLC up the difficulty and tension versus the main game, probably because they are relatively very short. But they were a great addition to the game IMO.



Not yet. I'll play those soon.


I died quite a few times until I learned the alien AI routine with its search patterns and how it can detect you. Pretty damn smart AI of any game I've ever played.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4373407 - 08/09/17 01:12 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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I think it's an incredible game and it just "feels" like the Alien atmosphere. I've put 19 hours into it when it first came out and have avoided it ever since because it scares the crap out of me. But seriously, I'm saving it for a rainy day.


The issue is not p*ssy. The issue is monkey.
#4373419 - 08/09/17 02:09 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Easily one of the best games I've ever played.

#4373454 - 08/09/17 10:50 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: letterboy1]  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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Originally Posted by letterboy1
I think it's an incredible game and it just "feels" like the Alien atmosphere. I've put 19 hours into it when it first came out and have avoided it ever since because it scares the crap out of me. But seriously, I'm saving it for a rainy day.



I've honestly not felt this kind of tension and rush with a game since I played the original FEAR back in 2005.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4373478 - 08/09/17 12:26 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Pugio Offline
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I bought and played through it when it first came out.

I think "tension" is a good word to describe the game. Excellent art direction (visual and audio), environment, and enemies. But the whole package is fully realized, IMO, because it was in the Alien's universe. The Alien is one of the only--if not the only--creature that could truly instill the necessary atmosphere that made the whole game experience.

I also liked that it wasn't strictly Weyland Yutani as the the antagonist that the rest of the Alien universe seems to fall in with. Admittedly, I am just basing this off the movie series as I never went in beyond a cursory knowledge of the books and comics. But, anyways, I liked the addition of the Seegson Corp and the backstory to the Sevastopol. Plus the Seegson's Working Joes were a masterful design work.

#4373479 - 08/09/17 12:26 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by letterboy1
I think it's an incredible game and it just "feels" like the Alien atmosphere. I've put 19 hours into it when it first came out and have avoided it ever since because it scares the crap out of me. But seriously, I'm saving it for a rainy day.



I've honestly not felt this kind of tension and rush with a game since I played the original FEAR back in 2005.


PM,

Totally agree, and second the comment about the DLC, Crew Expendable especially.

#4373488 - 08/09/17 01:00 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Really enjoyed this when it came out and as others have said it does ramp up the tension and real fear at times.

One instance pretty near the start, when you first start to encounter the Working Joes, I came across one lying on the floor.

Innocently I went to "search" the thing to see if there was any loot. Well did the thing not just grab my leg just as I bent down to search and I honestly jumped and nearly needed new underwear. The whole atmosphere with the music, me thinking it was dead was awesome, never had a scare like that ever in a video game, brilliant game all round.

Mick. smile


"An appeaser is someone who feeds the crocodile hoping he will be eaten last"

Winston Churchill

#4373492 - 08/09/17 01:09 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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The game also reminded me just how brilliant Jerry Goldsmith's score for "Alien" truly is.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4373590 - 08/10/17 12:04 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted by Bib4Tuna


Did you play the DLC? Specifically, Last Survivor and Crew Expendable DLC up the difficulty and tension versus the main game, probably because they are relatively very short. But they were a great addition to the game IMO.



Not yet. I'll play those soon.


I died quite a few times until I learned the alien AI routine with its search patterns and how it can detect you. Pretty damn smart AI of any game I've ever played.


DONT DO THAT ! the dlc assumes you finished the main story, know mechanics etc.....it essentially kinda cheats to amp the gameplay.finish the main story first, otherwise you will see where the gamey mechanics are.

#4373593 - 08/10/17 12:21 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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meh
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Supposedly this is an amazing game to play in VR. I actually stopped playing my current playthrough so I could play it in VR fresh when I get a headset. (which is not happening as fast as I would like.)

#4373595 - 08/10/17 12:23 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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it is but VR is not officially suported.

#4373794 - 08/11/17 12:18 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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I got part way through but ended up cowering in a locker with the Alien constantly traipsing past and sniffing at the grill. Just couldn't progress.


"You'll never take me alive" said he,
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?"



#4373821 - 08/11/17 05:46 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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I love the game and it took me over 70 hours. I played Crew Expendable as Dallas. I still have yet to try the other characters and other DLCs. Everyone has said why this game is great and they are right on. The atmosphere and consistency of the whole game and world being true to the movie's look and feel. Such an amazing piece of work and I truly hope they make a sequel. I also loved the unexpected surprise levels and events. I think one of the creepiest things I ever heard in the game was the first time I heard a "Working Joe" respond to the Alien's presence. You know I'd be in another room or hiding in something and I could hear the tell tale sounds of the Xeno leaving a vent or walking around and I heard the synthetic say something like "Unrecognized personel detected........what are you"?


John 10:1-30
Romans 10:1-13

#4373839 - 08/11/17 10:49 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: Mad Max]  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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Originally Posted by Mad Max
I got part way through but ended up cowering in a locker with the Alien constantly traipsing past and sniffing at the grill. Just couldn't progress.



LOL!! I had this same problem as well but eventually got over it after I said "screw it. If I get caught I can always reload". biggrin


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4373845 - 08/11/17 11:32 AM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Pugio Offline
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One other thing came to mind. I like how the alien was redesigned to have the reverse jointed legs. It gave it a much more hulking stalking appearance.

#4373911 - 08/11/17 05:58 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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I agree with the sentiment here, and would like to chime in that anyone looking for a similarly well realized space station game should absolutely check out the new iteration of "Prey".


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#4373912 - 08/11/17 06:08 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: sinner6]  
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PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
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Originally Posted by sinner6
I agree with the sentiment here, and would like to chime in that anyone looking for a similarly well realized space station game should absolutely check out the new iteration of "Prey".



Prey is outstandingly good and unique. I've played it through twice already. smile

It also has its scary moments (nightmare anyone?) but it didn't scare me as much or make me as tense as Alien: Isolation.

Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 08/11/17 06:12 PM.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4373914 - 08/11/17 06:25 PM Re: Alien Isolation: My short review [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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No, it's not nearly as scary...which for me made it a bit easier to pick up.


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