In the original Alien: Isolation, would you outwit your enemies, tip-toe around the xenomorphs, and pray that your save file wasn’t permanently corrupted by a mistaken access to the terminal? Yes? Well, you’ll be happy to find out that the sequel is real and is being produced by Sega.
Many of us have been clamoring for a follow-up to 2014’s survival horror masterclass Alien: Isolation since the first game launched on PS4, Xbox One or PC – and now, I’m happy to report , our prayers were finally answered. Anyone who enjoyed Alien’s lo-fi, retro-futuristic vibe, as Creative Assembly achieved, will want to pay close attention to this one.
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According to an announcement on Twitter, Alistair Hope is back from the development team on the original sequel, proving that Sega is listening and keen on delivering something special for the sequel.
The game is currently in development and will (probably) be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Given that it’s in “early development”, don’t expect a launch anytime soon.
We’ve previously heard from former Creative Assembly head Tim Heaton that a sequel was “not impossible” but wouldn’t be financially feasible – at least in 2015. Changes, for follow-up actions are finally possible. Hey, I’m not complaining.
I’ve written before that Alien: Isolation is the best horror game I’ve ever played. If a sequel capitalizes on what was great about the original – namely, that you can’t predict how any given level will play – then it’s a no-brainer to pick it up.
What I loved about the original was that you could slip from doorway to doorway a thousand times and never know if the alien was hiding in the vent above you, stalking the cafeteria over there, or right behind you, ready to tear you apart. Break your face and leave. It understands and exploits all the insecurities of the survival horror genre, making it a remarkable game.
If you want to get in the mood before the sequel is released, you can pick up Perfect Organism: An Alien Isolation Companion, written by game media artist Andy Kelly. The book delves into the game’s art direction, design philosophy, and history, and does an excellent job of allowing you to appreciate its nuances and deft craftsmanship. I’m going to replay it after reading about the original game, and I can already tell it will improve the experience tremendously.
One of the most interesting things about the book is that it delves into some features that never appeared in the original game; perhaps we’ll see some of them finally resurrected in this as-yet-untitled sequel.
We’ll have to wait until the game releases – definitely no earlier than 2025 – to find out for sure.
