5punk

Its a bit like rollercoasters (bear with me).

Rollercoasters are fun because they share a lot of similarities with things that are actually dangerous whilst not being actually dangerous themselves. Horror games are fun because you get the exhilaration of being in a scary situation without actually being in any real danger.

I don't think Alien Isolation is a horror game. Its not scary. Its *stressful*. They are not the same thing. Alien Isolation is like a rollercoaster that is entirely constructed out of that bit at the beginning where you are slowly towed upwards by a clanking mechanism. Then, at some arbitrary point, there is a loud bang, you are reversed back to the start of the track and it starts slowly clanking you upwards again.

Having said all that, I have now completed the game. It remains fantastic and stressful throughout. Im not sure I actually enjoyed it, but at the same time i'm kinda glad I stuck with it. Despite not liking it, I would quite happily say its a brilliant game.

Its fucking strange.

buzzmong wrote:It occurs to me that after reading this thread and having seen many similar views, could it be perhaps that people are looking at Alien Isolation in the wrong way? Perhaps it's less of a game, but more of an experience.

Games are art after all.

This is probably the most accurate description though I'd say it still retains enough challenging elements to be considered a game.

Also, it is stressful but scary as well. Running away from a power walking Android, with very little ammo to hand and then Sebring pulled up into a vent and Alien raped is blood terrifying! It's not like some of the old Amiga games which were entirely based on stressing you out in order to be competitive.

I've just done an hour in it as prep for a Lets Play. I've picked up a revolver and I don't feel any safer. This is good.