Alien: Isolation, released in
2014, was a game that was surrounded by a level of major hype. Given the utter
flop that was Aliens: Colonial Marines, there was a major negative focus on
games based around the Aliens franchise. Upon release, Alien: Isolation was
polarising. Many praised it as a game masterpiece, while others were less
generous, calling it mediocre. But was Alien: Isolation a misunderstood
masterpiece, or just another cash in on a popular franchise?
The game sold reasonably well,
but was not the smash hit developers Creative Assembly hoped for. The game had
been a risky endeavour in many departments, and some gamers didn’t know what to
make of it. Featuring a heavy stealth focus, a minimum of actual shooting
enemies, and a heavy leaning on unscripted horror, it was certainly not what
many were used too.
Let’s take a closer look at the
game that may be the most underrated technological video game creation of all
time, as it is as exciting and enthralling as the online pokies
NZ have to offer.
Flight Not Flight
In terms of video games, there
are certain rules that are universally followed by developers, to create an
enjoyable video game experience. One of the rules is that the game should be
fun, fair, and cathartic. In other words; modern video games are overwhelmingly
designed to make the player feel in control, powerful, and capable. Alien:
Isolation flew in the face of this rule, going in the exact opposite direction.
In the game, the player takes on
the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of the famous Ellen
Ripley character form the movies. As Amanda, the player must face off against
the notorious alien. But, the player cannot kill the alien, cannot defeat the
alien, and will die, instantly, if spotted by the alien. In terms of game
design, this should have been a recipe for disaster. Although other games are
designed around the idea of the player hiding from enemies, Alien: Isolation
would be the first major game to make the alien a one hit killer. Or, an enemy
that kills simply by touching the player a single time.
Ultra-Advanced AI
What made the game playable was
the fact that the alien in the game had some of the most advanced AI in gaming
history. The alien can be tricked, misled, distracted, hidden from, and even
confused.
AI in video games
is generally simple in most regards, but the alien in Alien: Isolation was a
key focus of the development process, making it possible to engage in a battle
of wits with the creature, in order to stay alive. It is is an endeavour never
before undertaken in a video game, and feat that developers Creative Assembly
deserve recognition for.
Why No Mega Success?
The game did succeed financially,
but only just barely. What was it about the game that kept it from reaching the
mega success it surely deserved?
The pacing of the game was slow,
aiming to create gradual dread and tension in the player, much in the same way
tension is achieved in movies. The alien did not even become a major element in
the game for the first hour. Sadly, many modern gamers, used to pulse pounding
fast paced action, did not respond well to the slow tension, and purposeful
feelings of helplessness. Plus, given that the game relied heavily on the
player learning without being prompted, many gamers were left feeling lost.
Hopefully, should the game ever
get a sequel, it will manage to appeal to a broader audience.
