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  1. Games
  2. Survival Horror
  3. Alien: Isolation

Alien Isolation: How guns and human enemies make it far, far scarier

Features
By David Houghton published 10 June 2014

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This is not a shooter

This is not a shooter

There are human enemies in Alien: Isolation. There are androids. There are also guns and Molotov cocktails. Surely this is the point when we all become disappointed, and the smug, Itll be just like Colonial Marines contingent cracks a misanthropic grin? Well sorry guys, but no. Alien Isolation is resolutely not turning into a shadowy man-shooter. The inclusion of humans, synthetics and fire-arms does not detract one iota from the sickeningly tense, improvisational, horrifying stealth survival Ive already experienced. Ive gone hands-on again, so I know this. I can tell you without one hint of a doubt that this new stuff actually makes the game more scary, upsetting, and intelligently panic-fuelled than it already was.

When the humans arrive--looters, in my case, populating a siren-blaring medical bay stalked by the Xenomorph--they dont behave anything like normal video game grunts. Like the Alien, theyre entirely driven by AI, motivated by their senses, emotional responses, and the stimuli of the immediate situation. If they have other priorities (be they profit or escape), they might well ignore you and go about their business. And if they perceive you as a threat, anything can happen. They might pull a gun, before backing off if you behave diplomatically. They might attack on sight, killing you with one shot. They might run away. They might run away and come back with friends. The only thing thats certain is uncertainty.

Every encounter can be tackled, initiated or avoided depending on your chosen approach to the evolving situation. Every evolving situation is the product of controlled chaos theory, interactions, responses and outcomes expanding and playing out like causal ripples in a pond. No scripting, no pre-set results, all emergent chaos. Even the very appearance of NPCs is a randomised, dynamic event. And dont even think about blindly shooting your way out. Even if youre lucky enough to get the first shot off, theres every chance the sound will just bring a 9ft, spiny nightmare down upon you like a ton of bricks. Same goes for your selfish, unthinking human brethren. Any reckless shout, gunshot, light or explosion can end it all. Better start thinking fast.

Click through the slides above for a few more tasty fact-nuggets from my latest playthrough.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Androids will generally ignore you unless you get in the way of their programmed task...

Androids will generally ignore you unless you get in the way of their programmed task...

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
But if you do, you're really in trouble. And they look damn creepy

But if you do, you're really in trouble. And they look damn creepy

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
A crafting system provides noise-makers, molotovs and EMPs, via VERY limited salvage supplies...

A crafting system provides noise-makers, molotovs and EMPs, via VERY limited salvage supplies...

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
But all are geared up as distractions, not weapons, and come with various disadvantages. Use them carefully

But all are geared up as distractions, not weapons, and come with various disadvantages. Use them carefully

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms
David Houghton
David Houghton
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.
See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
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