The announcement of a sequel toAlien: Isolationcouldn’t have come at a more perfect time for Creative Assembly, thanks to the recent resurgence of the horror gaming genre and the wider franchise’s return to form. While there have been numerous video game adaptations throughout theAlienfranchise,Alien: Isolationhas become widely regarded as one of the series' best due to its strong ties to the classic films' characters, settings, and stories. With the hit-and-miss success among other recentAliengames, fromAliens: Fireteam ElitetoAliens: Dark Descent, a sequel toIsolationcould help reestablish the series' status in gaming.
But theIsolationsequel also comes at a time when science fiction horror in particular has gained prominence after the likes ofDead Space’s 2023 remake,The Callisto Protocol, andReturnal. In addition to other upcoming sci-fi games like Supermassive Games' latest game in itsDark Pictures Anthology,Directive 8020, it seems horror games set in deep space have become the most recent trend. Provided thatCreative Assembly’s sequel recapturesAlien: Isolation’s authentic experience while adding something new, then this upcoming sequel might capitalize on this trend and become the series' next success story.
Why an Alien: Isolation Sequel Was Inevitable
WhenAlien: Isolationwas first revealed, it was clear by the game’s design and atmosphere that it was striving to be as close as possible to the original 1979 film’s roots. That paid off, asAlien: Isolation’s gameplay was praised by both players and critics for how well it lived up to expectations of theAlienexperience. As a result, due to the game’s significant success within such a historic franchise, it’s arguably no surprise that asequel toAlien: Isolationwould be announcedto capitalize on the momentum the first game established.
Alien: Isolation 2 Comes at a Perfect Time in Horror Gaming
As with other gaming genres, several different fads in horror games have come and gone, ranging from games inspired by theFive Nights at Freddy’sseries to “demakes” influenced by the graphics of older consoles. The latest trend has been marked by an increasing number of horror games sharing the sci-fi genre, including those calling back to previous fan favorites likeDead Space,Prey, andSystem Shock, as well as newer, original games such asSoma,Signalis, and the recently announcedDirective 8020. SinceAlien: Isolationwas among those leading this trend, its sequel would be perfect to continueAlien: Isolation’s 10-year legacy.
Even with the potential competition of other sci-fi horror games likeDirective 8020in the next few years, the prospectiveAlien: Isolation 2will always have its biggest advantage thanks to itsAliennamesake. The firstAlien: Isolation’s first-person perspective with tense stealth and survival gameplay is something few other games could replicate, especially when aiming for the exclusive and authenticAlienexperience players would be looking for. WhileAlien: Isolation 2wouldn’t need an overhaulin design, if it improves on the original’s shortcomings and refines its overall experience, it could be an even greater success than the first.
Alien: Isolation 2 Comes at a Perfect Time for the Franchise Too
Despite a mixed history of both films and games throughout the franchise, games likeAlien: Isolationand the latestAlien: Romulusmovie have demonstrated that there is more creative potential to tap into. Given thatAlien: Isolationalready had strong ties to the original film and its protagonist, a sequel could follow the teased ending from the first game, though this might limit its story’s direction. However, with the sequel still in early development,Alien: Isolation 2could embrace films likeAlien: Romulusfor new ways to evolve over time with the broaderAlienfranchise.
Alien: Isolation
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien™, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.As Amanda, you will navigate through an increasingly volatile world as you find yourself confronted on all sides by a panicked, desperate population and an unpredictable, ruthless Alien.Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.
