If the Alien films have taught us anything, it's that human beings don't fare too well in face-to-face-(to-tiny-face) encounters with the series' deadly xenomorphs. That's true in Alien: Isolation as well, which is why we've compiled a list of tips that might just keep you alive during your visit to Sevastopol station.
1. Hiding Is Not Always Safe
If you've been following our Alien: Isolation coverage,
you probably already know that your best bet for staying alive is to avoid
confrontation and stick to the shadows. However, just because you've manage to
find a good hiding spot doesn't mean you're safe. The xenomorph can still sniff
you out when you're hiding in lockers (you'll have to time holding your breath
to prevent giving yourself away), and can easily track you down in vents as
well. Hiding under desks and tables also isn't foolproof; the xenomorph can
still sometimes get a line of sight on you and won't hesitate to pull you out
to your death. While this shouldn't prevent you from taking cover in these locations,
try to find an object in the environment – a stack of crates, a computer
station, etc. – that affords you the ability to sneak around it. This way if
the xenomorph or other enemy approaches your location, you can circle around in
the opposite direction while using the peeking mechanic to keep an eye on it.
This will also let you use distractions like flares and noisemakers, which you
can't when you're stuck in a locker. You might not feel as safe as being holed up in a designated hiding spot, but being able to stay mobile more than makes up for it.
2. Your Motion Scanner Is Your Best Friend
It won't take Ripley long to come across a motion scanner,
and from that point on the old-school detection unit will be the most valuable
tool at your disposal. In addition to cluing you in on the distance and
direction of enemies, the motion scanner also constantly points you to your
mission objective and is far more reliable than your map. Just remember,
however, that it's a motion scanner –
enemies will instantly disappear when they stop moving. Also, the light and
beeping that the motion scanner emits can alert enemies if they're close
enough, so once that flashing dot shows up right on top of your location, you
should probably put the helpful gadget away and hide away somewhere.
3. Save Often To Save Your Sanity
As I said in my
review, Alien: Isolation requires a fair amount of backtracking. However,
you're going to want to backtrack even more to accommodate the manual save
system. Without automatic checkpoints, you'll have to track down and use a save
station in order to avoid losing progress. Most locations only have one or two
save stations, so chances are you'll be revisiting them plenty. It's time
consuming, but sure beats having to replay segments after a surprise xenomorph
attack. I spent a lot of time trekking back to save stations after completing
objectives, and never once did I feel it was a waste of time. Conversely, my
biggest moments of frustration came from having to replay some long segments
because I couldn't – or foolishly didn't – save beforehand.
4. To Boldly Go
While this one isn't strictly about survival, it is possible
to play Alien: Isolation too slowly. Obsessing over your scanner and crawling
at a snail's pace isn't going to help you; the alien is always going to be lurking
in your general vicinity, and parts of the game will require a certain amount
of trial and error. Instead of being crippled by fear, channel your inner Ellen
Ripley and be decisive; pick your route, and then move as quickly and efficiently
as possible. Use saves as an opportunity to push forward – you still
don't want to stand up and run, but you won't lose any progress if you die, so you might
as well see what lies ahead before you get bogged down by your relentless
predator.
Coming Up Next: Items, enemies, and the importance of a Plan B...