The Case for and Against an Alien: Isolation Remaster Before the Sequel

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The Case for and Against an Alien: Isolation Remaster Before the Sequel

As a die-hard fan who’s been through countless playthroughs of the Alien franchise’s gaming adaptations, I can confidently say that Alien: Isolation holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just about capturing the essence of the original movie; it’s about living it. The suspense, the isolation, the fear – they all come alive so vividly in this game.

The Alien franchise has had some pretty memorable video game adaptations over the last four decades, from the classic Aliens side-scrolling arcade game from 1990, to the beloved Alien Trilogy for the PS1 and Sega Saturn, to the much more recent Aliens: Fireteam Elite. But while these games all have their merits, few have been able to capture the spirit of the original 1979 Ridley Scott movie quite like Alien: Isolation.

Initially launched in 2014, “Alien: Isolation” is often considered to have encapsulated the spirit and ambiance of the original “Alien” film more effectively than any other game that preceded it. Even after a decade, many believe it retains this title. As we approach its 10th anniversary, Creative Assembly’s Al Hope announced via Twitter that an “Alien: Isolation” sequel is indeed under development. However, before the sequel hits the shelves, enthusiasts might prefer to revisit the original game. A potential “Alien: Isolation” remaster could offer fans a refreshed way to experience the game, but there are substantial points for and against its creation.

The Case For Alien: Isolation Getting a Remaster Before The Sequel

Alien: Isolation’s Environments Could Benefit From a Modern Makeover

One of the standout aspects of “Alien: Isolation” is its environments, which effectively convey the distinctive retro-futuristic atmosphere that defines the Alien franchise. The corridors are eerily lit with stark white lights, ventilation shafts run alongside every pathway, and Sevastopol Station is filled with bulky computer monitors. These environmental elements significantly contribute to making “Alien: Isolation” feel authentic to the Alien series, and they could be further enhanced in a remastered version.

10 years down the line, the graphics in Alien: Isolation are still quite impressive, but they haven’t entirely escaped the effects of time. While NPCs are sparse in Alien: Isolation, their appearance might disrupt a player’s immersion in the otherwise suspenseful game. Their facial models, unfortunately, don’t offer the level of detail that gamers have grown accustomed to over the past decade.

A remastered version of “Alien: Isolation”, featuring enhanced lighting, shadows, visual effects, and resolution, could give the ten-year-old game a fresh, modern feel.

Alien: Isolation’s AI Could Use Some Modern Tweaks

One significant advantage that stood out when Alien: Isolation was first released in 2014 was its groundbreaking AI for the enemy, which enabled the game’s Xenomorph to act as it does in the movies. For the most part, the Xenomorph’s behavior in the game is not pre-programmed; instead, it can chase and track players across Sevastopol Station, creating a thrilling cat-and-mouse experience where the player is constantly hunted.

While Alien: Isolation’s Xenomorph AI was generally impressive, delivering nail-biting stealth sequences when functioning correctly, it had its flaws. At times, these flaws resulted in frustration as the Xenomorph seemed to effortlessly track and eliminate the player, regardless of their careful movements or actions. Over time, enemy AI in gaming has significantly improved, particularly within horror genres, and a potential Alien: Isolation remaster presents an opportunity to refine this aspect to near-perfection.

The Case Against Alien: Isolation Getting a Remaster Before The Sequel

Alien: Isolation Is Already Available on Most Modern Platforms

As an ardent fan, I must admit that one compelling argument against a contemporary remaster of Alien: Isolation lies in its widespread availability across numerous modern platforms. This classic horror gem is easily accessible on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation official stores, as well as the Nintendo Switch eShop. Although it typically retails for approximately $40, it’s not uncommon to find Alien: Isolation discounted during seasonal sales, often bringing the price down to a mere $8. Given this affordability and the ease of playing the original on modern consoles, it seems challenging to justify a remaster at full price, especially when fans can enjoy the same thrilling experience for a fraction of the cost.

An Alien: Isolation Remaster Wouldn’t Be Able to Fix The Game’s Biggest Problem

Critics often complain that the ending of the game Alien: Isolation is excessively challenging and drawn out. The increased frequency of encounters with the Xenomorph towards the end results in numerous player deaths. Since the game’s save system, while immersive, can be awkward, these deaths often lead to frustrating instances where significant progress is lost.

A potential upgrade or remaster of the game “Alien: Isolation” could potentially enhance the graphics, improve the Xenomorph’s AI, and provide players with the ultimate experience of this modern horror masterpiece. However, even an upgraded version might not be able to rectify issues in the third act of the game. This is a task better suited for a complete remake, which seems like a more significant undertaking for Creative Assembly and Sega. It’s unclear whether they would find it worthwhile to pursue such a project.

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2024-11-12 20:23