Alien: Isolation
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Rating Summary
Based on 98 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Score Distribution
Unscored Reviews
Top Critic
Functions equally well as an intense horror game and a heartfelt tribute to the first Alien film.
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I think what works against the game more than anything is a simple matter of time. Alien is a sparse movie, carefully crafted to show us as little of the alien as possible, both to hide the alien costume and as a way to keep us in suspense. By the end of the game, you've spent more time looking at the alien than every character in the movies (I'm including Aliens 3, Resurrection, and Prometheus here) combined and somehow come away intact.
Top Critic
Is any of this scary? Often, yes, insofar as I remained terrified of being killed and forced to replay the 30 minutes since the last save point. Mostly, it's just annoying.
Top Critic
There is a lot to discover with Alien: Isolation and for fans of both the franchise and the genre you cannot go far wrong with this title. The story if well written and the game oozes atmosphere whilst wrapping it all up with game mechanics that work exceptionally well.
Top Critic
There have been many games based on the Alien series over the years, but Alien: Isolation is the first that truly does justice to the original movie.
Alien: Isolation has the makings of the game the franchise deserves and shows us why that would be so amazing, if only we can find a way to blow the troublesome bits out the airlock.
Whether you act upon fight or flight, the restrictions imposed on the moment-to-moment gameplay never fail to make sneaking or making a scene filled with excitable tension. While some design choices, a lack of diverse objectives, minor issues with the controls, and passable characters will contribute to varying bouts of boredom, it's more than worth to see Amanda through to aurally and visually absorb every second of the distinct retro-futurism that Creative Assembly perfectly replicates and improves upon.
It's taken over two decades, but Creative Assembly has cracked the code for what makes a great Alien game.
Top Critic
By the time I reached the end of my sojourn on Sevastopol, I'd been beaten, bruised, shot, electrocuted, bitten, and burned. I'd gone into the heart of the alien nest and into the icy black vacuum of space. I'd jumped in terror at sounds coming from all sides, and forced myself to continue when all hope was lost. But I fought through it all, dammit, and came out on the other side a changed woman.
Top Critic
At the centre of the debate will be one of the finest entries in the Alien canon in any medium, and one of the finest horror experiences in ours.
Scored Reviews
Top Critic
Overall Alien: Isolation is the game Alien fans have been waiting for. In spite of the numerous broken promises in the last 35 years, Creative Assembly has successfully formatted a love letter to fans of the franchise, one that has taken far too long to get here. A golden standard has been set for all future titles in the Alien universe. Simply put, Isolation is the definitive Alien game that no fan should miss out on.
Top Critic
The game the Alien series has always deserved. A deep, fun stealth game set in an evocatively realised sci-fi world.
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Alien: Isolation is a terrifying game that looks, sounds, and feels like living in the setting of the classic movie. It may wear out its welcome for some, but there's no denying that it's successful in creating the dread players want from the genre. If you're a fan of horror in any medium, you need to play this game.
Top Critic
Ultimately, Creative Assembly has delivered on its promise of an unforgiving thriller that refuses to pull its punches. Isolation reaffirms the Alien as the ultimate horror icon, both terrifying and awesome; trapping you within its cage proves to be the shot in the arm the franchise needed. Bold, unrelenting and very scary, Alien: Isolation is a triumph in every department. No prior knowledge is necessary. Just prepare yourself for the most terrifying game of the year.
Top Critic
If some of the technical issues could have been ironed out, such as the choppiness of the cut-scenes, clipping, or when the HAVOK physics engine goes berserk, this might have been a 10/10. As it is, Alien: Isolation is a very pure gem with some minor hairline fractures. This is a worthy game and comes highly recommended to anyone who enjoys excitement or is a fan of Ridley Scott's Alien, or for fans of survival horror in general.
Top Critic
Creative Assembly made a game worthy of Ridley Scott's original Alien. If you're a fan of that sci-fi horror classic, or survival horror, or stealth games, give Alien: Isolation a try.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is a phenomenal title marred by only one major issue that some will overlook, and others will find a deal-breaker. It's comfortably the best Alien game ever made, and delivers authenticity along with a new story that is worth seeing, experiencing, and fleeing from into the darkness. Never once allowing the immersion to be broken, Creative Assembly have done it. They have actually done it.
Top Critic
Terrifying, tense and almost unbearable, this is the Alien adaptation you've always dreamed of. It's not quite flawless and the hide-and-seek gameplay can be tough going, but few other movie tie-ins work so hard to capture not just the look of the film, but the emotion and the pacing. It's also the scariest game since the original Dead Space. Consider yourself warned.
We've actually been waiting longer for a quality Alien game longer then Amanda Ripley has been in pursuit of her mother. But finally are we going to get the game we deserve?
Top Critic
To sum it up in a handful of words, the entire game is about an unfair, unwinnable boss fight that you're doing your best to avoid. It's as difficult and frustrating as an Alien game should be. It's not a ride in the park and you're not an action hero. You will die a lot and you'll like it, because almost every time, it will be due to a mistake you made.
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Contrary to what we were perhaps expecting, Alien Isolation performs incredibly on PC. Armed with just a GeForce GTX 750 Ti we were able to max everything out and achieve respectable frame rates without a hitch. The Creative Assembly's technical marvel is a visual and atmospheric tour de force, particularly once all of the volumetric fog and dynamic lighting is enabled. Don't spend too much time gawping at the environment though, you're always only seconds away from a grisly end.
Top Critic
Overall, Isolation is a superb game that stands on its own feet, regardless of its ties to the Alien franchise. Of course, fans of the series will be the ones who enjoy it the most; if you consider yourself an Alien fan even slightly, you pretty much have to play this game. It treats the alien creature with the respect it deserves; as an indestructible perfect organism, and not some screeching bug that can be blown apart with a shotgun. The Sevastopol is a pure joy to explore, brought to life by the game's pristine visuals and sound. Newcomers to the series will also find plenty to enjoy, as Isolation brings a new level of unpredictability to a genre that has lately come to lack it. The long segments of exploration will probably put off people who don't understand where Isolation is coming from, and some might find it too long. My opinion is that a game like Isolation, which many of us have been waiting for longer than today's newest generation of gamers have even been alive, can never be too long. This is a stunning return to form for a series that hasn't seen anything good since 2001's Alien vs Predator 2, and I hope a signal for more to follow.
Top Critic
While it has a few rough patches and may prove too slow and drawn-out for some players, Isolation does an amazing job of capturing the essence of a classic film and recasting it as a video game. It can be a little too easy to see the man behind the curtain at times, but this is nevertheless one of the finest film-to-game adaptations ever... and a fantastic stealth adventure in its own right.
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CA has finally nailed the true horror of Alien in video game form. It's only taken 35 years.
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That idea of never being comfortable with how the game is unravelling is something that feels quite unique and it's extremely well imagined here. Plenty of survival horror games have you feeling vulnerable as you essentially fulfil the role of a hero but things are different here. In Alien: Isolation you're not the hero, you're the prey.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation can be frustrating, but it's mostly terrifying in a near-perfect way. The Alien is scarier than it's been since Ridley Scott first showed it to the world, and the atmosphere is thick enough to cut.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is a tough, terrifying and ultimate thrilling game that's defiantly old-school in its approach. The result is one of the best survival horror games in recent memory.
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Alien: Isolation is a stressful, bold and brilliant interpretation of sci-fi's most terrifying monster. It's not for everyone.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation brilliantly recreates the world of Ridley Scott's 1979 classic while offering some fantastic survival-horror gameplay. A few issues crop up over the course of the game, but not enough to damage the overall experience.
Top Critic
Deep, intelligent, intense, and utterly unlike any experience before it, Alien: Isolation presents all that's truly great about AAA, and also its evolution.
Top Critic
While it has a few flaws, it's a frightening, innovative example of the survival horror genre, where AAA titles have been trending more and more towards action/horror mixes that, quite frankly, just aren't scary.
Top Critic
[I]t's a well-made game that definitely looks and feels next-gen. Sure, there are a few glitches in both the graphics and gameplay but overall, Alien: Isolation will make you scream in both frustration and euphoria.
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You'll see just how effective Isolation is at creating incredible tension and genuine scares, and you'll likely jump as much as the streamer, even though you're not in the pilot's seat.
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All these are just minor things however, and while they did drag the score down from the hallowed 9s they don't stop Alien Isolation from being a superb game and quite possibly the best Alien game ever (although Monolith's Aliens Vs Predator 2 comes close). At the very least SEGA have redeemed themselves and the franchise. Alien Isolation is a nerve-wrecking, stomach-twisting, bowel-moving, edge-of-your-seat experience and is unlike every other game out there. Now this is true "survival horror".
Top Critic
However, those other elements do keep Alien: Isolation from ascending to heaven to stand at the right hand of God. It is merely the regular type of excellent.
Top Critic
I went in with a wary eye, but I was pleasantly shocked by how well this title turned out. It slightly overstays its welcome, but the vast majority of the game is a tense and atmospheric mental battle against a vicious and unstoppable killing machine. We've not seen survival horror done this well in a very long time.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation might lose you with its humdrum pacing and emotionless character, but in its many shining moments, you'll catch yourself anxiously biting through your fingernails in absolute terror and dread.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is not just a brilliant homage to the original film, it's also given us plenty of reasons to be completely afraid of the dark again.
Top Critic
It took me a while to get into Alien: Isolation and, I can't imagine that everyone will enjoy it but, if you're a fan of either the Alien series or scaring yourself into next Tuesday, I'd suggest giving it a try. The story itself isn't particularly inspired, but it's more about the parts in between the story that work for Isolation.
Top Critic
Halfway into playing Alien: Isolation, I stopped to watch the first four Alien movies again. It wasn't just for research purposes, but mostly because the game had me yearning for more of the universe. Isolation has some flaws, but it's faithful to the film series, and I'd love to see a follow-up with a few extra alien evolutions.
Top Critic
In terms of story, while there is an abundance of nested fetch quests they do feel important. There's no "why on earth is Ripley doing this?!" Ripley is always trying to escape almost from the instant she gets onboard.
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They say that in space no one can hear you scream. In real life your neighbour can hear your squeals of terror so prepare to explain yourself.
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Alien: Isolation is still well rounded and comprehensive in its reverential use of the original 1979 film, even with its shortcomings. I cannot imagine any future Alien game attempting a similar feat with the same level of success. While the interlude made me question whether you can have too much fan service, I respect this kitchen-sink approach from The Creative Assembly. This sense of completeness is all the more affirmed by the DLC featuring the movie's original cast (which I have yet to evaluate). Alien: Isolation's ideal for those with the patience to deal with unpredictable behavior of the alien and who accept the inevitability that you will die once in a while through no fault of your own.
Top Critic
You will be frightened and trust me, you'll never escape. You will be sniffed out no matter where you try to hide.
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Alien: Isolation finally delivers the Alien experience fans have been waiting for.
Top Critic
Wrapped in the grainy trappings of detail-perfect environments, Creative Assembly have done devout fans proud, managing to create a game that fits the right tone. It's a love letter for the fans - one so delicately written that it's fun to imagine what the studio would do with other films.
Top Critic
A stealth-horror game designed, with precision, to make pretty much every single activity and objective as uncomfortable and tense as possible.
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Scary good
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For fans of the Alien series, the films, books, comics, and every other form of entertainment imaginable, Alien: Isolation is simply a must-play, given that it fits so well into the storyline that it nearly seems to be a chapter in it's own right.
Top Critic
After years of fumbling with the license, it's refreshing to see Sega finally deliver a game worthy of the Alien branding.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation feels like the kind of game by people who watched Alien over and over again on video-tape. That's a good thing
Top Critic
This isn't a horror game. Oh no, this is an Alien game.
Top Critic
The Creative Assembly team have done what no other development house has been able to do in quite some time if not ever. They've managed to create a suspenseful title around the helplessness of being stranded on a derelict station with little to no help and no official training what so ever. Normally those ingredients would seem like a recipe for a slaughter but Ripley is a tough gal and she manages to hang on to dear life, regardless of what's thrown at her. And no don't bring up my other favorite sci-fi title, Dead Space. Isaac Clark had it easy compared to Ripley.
Top Critic
I truly want to say 'Alien Isolation' is a contender for game-of-the-year. It's the rare gaming experience that offered me something I never experienced and immersed me in a setting from start to finish. It's beautifully rendered and one can't praise the sound design enough. Still, there's no denying it's long and repeated trial-and-error will only stretch that out to moments of sheer frustration at the game. The story of Amanda Ripley is definitely worth experiencing, but be prepared for some stretches of thin narrative amidst your quest to survive, or more aptly, die less. Finally, it seems, Sega, has directed developer Creative Assembly to make a game with enough authenticity, creativity, and style to make the franchise proud. For those willing to look past the most recent abysmal offering, Gearbox's 'Aliens: Colonial Marines,' 'Alien Isolation' brings it back to where it started. I can't lie about your chances, but... you have my sympathies.
Top Critic
Sure, we may have seen much of what Alien: Isolation has to offer before, but never from this frightening perspective.
A master of horror and terror, which brings one of the film’s greatest terrors to life in a game. If you want to be scared this game will achieve it. Though it has a few flaws it’s incredibly effective.
Top Critic
First, Alien: Isolation is a good, yet flawed, stealth game; second, Alien: Isolation is a very good, yet flawed, survival horror game; and, third, Alien: Isolation is an almost flawless tribute to the original Alien film. Rest assured, the third reason makes putting aside the few issues at hand quite easy, in order to enjoy what is one of the most thrilling sci-fi rides ever.
Top Critic
This is the best game that has ever been aligned with the Alien franchise and the rest aren't even close.
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As important as it is terrifying. A worthy successor to Scott's original vision and definitive proof that survival horror is back with a force.
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I'm not coming out of this locker.
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Alien Isolation is for people who can withstand a heightened emotional state for a prolonged period of time. Patience, observation, and fast action are paramount. There were numerous occasions, after being brutally killed again and again, that I had to step away and say, "Ok, that's enough." But the thing is, it wasn't. I kept going back to see if I could be a survivor, out maneuver the perfect organism, and get through the level alive.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is not without its flaws, but overall, it is a riveting, stunningly designed horror game that does justice to the "Aliens" franchise.
Top Critic
There have been a handful of Alien games over the years, but none have delivered an experience so close to the intent of the films as Isolation. With visuals authentic enough to have been ripped right from the movies and a terrifyingly intelligent monster as the primary antagonist, Alien: Isolation makes for a memorable experience, and clear proof that Colonial Marines was the fault of the developer and not the material.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation expertly captures the look and feel of the Alien universe, and The Creative Assembly's AI-controlled nemesis is an inspired move that will inform the survival horror genre, but the game is held back by some poor characterisation and storytelling.
Top Critic
Despite having a few superfluous levels, Alien: Isolation ends up being a game Alien and survival horror fans can hold in high esteem.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation has its issues, but by-and-large it's the best stealth game of the year and a stunning tribute to Ridley Scott's universe.
Top Critic
A shorter, sharper campaign would condense the high points more potently, and some better characterisation would make the plot twists hit harder. But if you're looking for a game that really sinks its teeth into what makes this iconic movie monster endure, look no further.
Top Critic
It's been a while since the xenomorph was worth being scared of, and while Alien: Isolation runs a little long, it's a hellacious ride.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is an experience that takes you back to the vibe of the first film, where humans are powerless against the alien and must find a different way to win against it. For the die-hard Alien and survival horror fan, you won't disappointed. But if you're looking for the action of a first-person shooter, or even a stealth action game, you might be disappointed with the game's slow pacing.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation might not deliver the scary, intimate experience players expected for its entire running time, but smart design, good pacing, and a ton of gameplay variety more than make up for the lack of chills.
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And with the game's unwavering deference to the film's cinematic world building and detail, and its skillful adherence to Ridley Scott's original vision, Alien: Isolation is quite easily the best Alien game ever made too.
Top Critic
If you can look past the technical hiccups, this is a challenging and entertaining horror game, irrespective of any franchise tie-in. Alien: Isolation reminds us what it means to be playing a survival horror game, with a heavy emphasis on survival. With amazing ambiance, a slow, high-tension pace, and even a decent use of the DualShock 4 and PlayStation Camera, The Creative Assembly has delivered a gem of a movie-based game, a feat that is seldom seen in this industry. This is a welcome addition to the horror genre, and the Alien series.
Top Critic
Unflinchingly tense and gruelling, Creative Assembly's Alien: Isolation is a better sequel to Ridley Scott's original movie than the film that followed it. Dripping with as much atmosphere and attention to detail as it is with acidic Xenomorph spittle, it's hardly let down by its weak narrative and unnecessary padding.
Top Critic
This is the closest a game has come to capturing the promise of the Alien franchise, even if its story doesn't add much to the lore
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I couldn't turn off Gremlins or Chucky or Bun Bun fast enough, tripping over myself to end the experience. But Alien: Isolation reels me in for more. If the light of the churning sun streaming through the window is the last thing I see before having my face torn off, then it was a good run. Next time I will happily take it slower.
Alien: Isolation is a fun, tense game fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. Hide. Run. Survive.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation projects an authoritative and unrepentant sense of despair consistent with Ridley Scott's 1979 classic. As powerful and affecting as its influence may be, it's applied with enough force to drive Isolation off its rails. It never crashes, but after an aggressively defiant start, it teeters and wobbles its way toward an unassertive and obedient conclusion.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is worth experiencing, but at the same time feels like lost potential. There's nothing quite like playing elaborate hide-and-seek with the alien, it's just a shame that so much baggage comes along with it. Fans may have finally gotten a good alien game, but they may have to wait longer for a great one.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation desperately tries to give us something fearsome and memorable. But the inconsistent approach leads to periods of tedium thankfully interrupted by flashes of unmitigated terror. If you can revel in the highs and forge through the lows, you should emerge satisfied.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation does so much right. It's beautiful, atmospheric and interesting, and it does a great job of maintaining the ambiance of the original film. When the game works, it is head and shoulders above any other title that uses the license. When it fails, however, it descends into frustration and tedium. A few critical design decisions have the potential to turn an awesome experience into a tiring one, and it's very hard for the game to maintain its atmosphere with an unhappy player. A better save system or a less flawed set of enemy AI patterns would've done wonders for Isolation. If you're a giant "Alien" fan, this is the game for you. More casual horror fans should only take the dive if they have the utmost confidence in their skills or a very high tolerance for frustration.
Top Critic
Padding is Alien: Isolation's unfortunate undoing, as there are a few too many recycled moments throughout the course of its seemingly never-ending single player campaign. Still, when it's on form, this is a nail biting affair, as you use sound and cunningly constructed items in order outwit your incredibly intelligent enemies. Outstanding audio and impressive art work make this more than just another bug hunt – but you'll be rolling your eyes rather than flinching in fear at points during the outer-space escapade.
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Pacing problems and a lack of variety take their toll, but in its best most moments this is the most successful big budget survival horror in a decade.
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Missions have unclear objectives and way too much backtracking, made more frustrating by doors that go from sealed to open for no good reason and checkpoints triggered by obscure means.
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Alien: Isolation isn't created with the same purity as the xenomorph in which you'll be hiding from; it's not perfect by any means. But it's finally a game that does the iconic franchise justice.
Top Critic
Alien: Isolation is a frightening, atmospheric experience, and a perfect example of how to properly adapt an Alien game. However, it is not without its pitfalls. Abysmal pacing, a thin plot, bugs aplenty, and a frustrating save system are just a few of the many snags in an otherwise faithful representation of the franchise as a whole. Even with those drawbacks, I'd recommend A:I wholeheartedly to fans of horror, or devotees of the series. If you're not either of those things, however, you may find more aggravation than fun in the 15-20 hours of gameplay the game has to offer.
Top Critic
If you are an Alien fan like me and find yourself immersed throughout most of the game, you will surely find a lot to love, but for others coming for a new game experience they will find a game that mainly forces you to move slowly from point to point with little reward.
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I'd hesitate to call Alien: Isolation "good" but it's certainly "better." It feels like there was this great idea for an honestly tarrying Alien game, but halfway through the design team fell back on the same tropes we have seen over and over and over again. If you are a die-hard Aliens fan, this is the best game yet. However, the game certainly outstays its welcome. The game takes about 15 hours to complete, but more than half of that time is spent wandering around and waiting for something to happen. Even so, I suggest at least trying the game out, through rentals or demos. It's a game that deserves to be played if only so we can imagine how the series can get better still.
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Isolation isn't the worst Alien game, but it is the most disappointing
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Alien Isolation is a great game marred with problems that make it frustrating the longer it goes on, and it goes on for a lot longer than it should. I love the ideas, I love the environments and the atmosphere and I wanted to love the entire game, but it kept giving me reasons not to.
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Alien: Isolation could have been a superb experience if some components were better balanced or removed. There is still enough tension to make you fear the dark.
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And unlike Ripley, you can always hit the power button if things get too scary.
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Alien: Isolation harbors legitimate frights, but they're nestled between endless stretches of bland lever-pulling and button-pressing.
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[Alien Isolation] is a remarkable work fueled by fearful tension and exhausting stress.
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Despite its incredibly creative design, unique premise and genuinely tense moments, Alien: Isolation is far too lengthy, repetitive, and frustrating to be the game-changing survival horror title it strives to be.
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'Alien: Isolation' evokes the atmosphere and tension of the movies, but inconsistent xenomorph AI and antiquated design turn fear into frustration.
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Alien: Isolation erases the memory of Colonial Marines, but it's still not the great Alien game we were hoping for.
