So, well, I feel like spending a few words about this game.
Overall, it offered a fresh, immersive, captivating experience.
I've read some of the criticism and mostly the points have merit, still, they can give the wrong impression on the game.
For instance: it's true that after a while you can start picking up some of the Alien's patterns and "gaming" the system.
It's true that the sheer terror you feel the first time in Mission 5 (where I was like
"what, they can't possibly think I'm going out there with that THING!!") tends to wear off after you've faced the Alien a few times in a similar fashion.
It's all true, but I feel like it's more of a case of the game being so good that you're annoyed by the things that REMIND you that's only a game, and it has the limitations of a simulation at the end of the day.
You can't DIE for real after all (well, unless you're really impressionable I guess).
Sure, the last levels proved to be maybe a few too many with the same hide & seek thing going on (and yet, having more than one alien on the loose kept things a bit fresh anyway).
A few mechanics can be annoying (having to reload single bullets, levers awkward to operate and so on) until you realize that it may come a time when you have to perform such tasks with the Alien or a working joe
closing in behind you... This definitely makes the "realistic", no-shortcuts-allowed approach pay off, adrenaline wise.
When all is said and done, therefore, the only things I really found annoying were a couple of irritatingly placed save-points and the one or two "narrative mode" levels, which I guess will feel truly boring when going through the game again. Oh, and the ending which "leaves too much to the imagination", shall we say.
On the (overwhelmingly) positive side, we have:
- an amazingly crafted, immersive, atmospheric environment
- absolutely fantastic voice acting
- one of the creepiest enemy ever (those damned Working Joes!)
- the resource and item crafting system which I enjoyed greatly
- and an evident, undeniable love for the source material that's displayed throughout the game (and I must say, I'm even one of those who prefer Aliens to Alien and also think Alien hasn't aged that well).
So my final word is: highly recommended despite a few minor shortcomings. The game, in itself, is an achievement.
I truly hope there'll be a sequel.