Splendid Isolation

[trashcanman]

So here's what I'm playing to get into the Halloween spirit.



Be on notice: this is by far the best Alien story since the second film. And as far as gaming goes, it's as good as the original. This is a survival horror and film adaptation game-changer and holy shit it is INTENSE. And hard. I spent at least four hours stuck on a single segment that could have been done in five minutes if I could manage to not die for a few of them. Fuck, the xenomorph is goddamn relentless once the amazing buildup is over, but the game's so good and spontaneous I never wanted to stop trying no matter how frustrated I got. There's always a way. You just have to figure it out and hope luck is on your side because the Alien does what it wants when it wants and you have to accomodate for it being a part of your life.

It learns from you too. Once you burn it with a flamethrower, it'll pause when you aim it at it and stalk you from just outside of its range. But if you drop that barrel for a second, it'll be on you with a leap. And the ambushes. Let's just say you'd better look up from your motion tracker and make sure there's no drool dripping from the overhead vents where you walk. Throw in psychotic (but amusingly polite) androids and terrified hostile looters with orders to "shoot anything that moves" and you've got a party. This is an absolute must-play.

[The Curmudgeon]

Oooh, I've been hearing good things about this one. I've played a few Alien games in the past (remember Alien 3 for the Megadrive, which was obviously made by someone who had never even seen a clip of Alien 3?) and one for the PS1 which was pretty good if I remember, but this (obviously) looks in another league entirely.

I've been looking for a reason to actually switch on my PS4 again. Looks like I've found it.

[trashcanman]

This one is in a league of its own. It's immersive as hell, it takes its time, you can get through it almost without violence if you're good enough but there's plenty there if you want it (but usually you don't, believe me); it's got some really impressive visuals, and mine came packaged with free DLC that lets you play as the cast of the original film aboard the Nostromo. It just does everything right.

[The Curmudgeon]

Yeah I think I'm going to get on board with this one, its even making me reconsider my "no FPS" rule. In fact this, the new WWE game and the final Batman game are now on my Christmas list.

How are you on the PS4 bandwagon? On board yet?

[trashcanman]

Nope. All games I want to play are still being made for last gen consoles. Still no reason to upgrade. Isolation is a FPS technically, but there's really very little shooting if that's the problem. You probably will only have to shoot your way out of two situations in the entire game unless you want to. That and on later levels you'll want to keep the flamethrower handy in case the xenomorph catches you with your pants down (and he always does). But you barely have to aim the thing.