Alien: Isolation 2 Takes Shape with a New Protagonist and Terrifying New World

Alien: Isolation redefined the Alien franchise with its 2014 release, shifting the focus from action-packed shooters to a more haunted house-like experience. The game's tense atmosphere and intelligent xenomorph made it a standout title in the series. According to Creative Assembly's Alistair Hope, the idea for a sequel began while the first game was still in development. However, the project didn't start until around the 10th anniversary of Alien: Isolation. Hope notes that the game's popularity has grown over time, attracting new players who are surprised to find no sequel. ## A New Protagonist in a Familiar World The upcoming sequel, Alien: Isolation 2, takes place months after the events of the first game. A Weyland-Yutani survey team discovers a crashed vessel on a planet that resembles LV-426 crossed with a windswept forest. This vessel is the same part of Sevastopol that was jettisoned from the station in the first game, containing the alien and Amanda Ripley. Ripley escapes, but the alien does not - until now. Hope explains that the team wanted to tell a new story in a new location, which required a new protagonist. The new character, Blake, is an employee of Weyland-Yutani, but details about her are scarce. It is likely, however, that she will follow the IP's tradition of strong female characters. ## A New Environment for the Xenomorph One of the most exciting aspects of Alien: Isolation 2 is how the alien will react to its new environment. The xenomorph uses its senses to track down its prey, and the game's developers have been training it to hunt in exterior spaces. This means that players will need to adapt to survive, using the same core survival skills as in the first game. The game's environment will be a key factor in creating tension and fear. Players will be able to explore both interior and exterior spaces, creating a seesaw of emotions as they navigate the dangers of the new world. Hope notes that the team can play with this dynamic, creating a thrilling experience for players. ## Retaining the Low-Fi Sci-Fi Universe Alien: Isolation 2 will retain the low-fi sci-fi universe of the first game, drawing heavily from the original Alien movie. The game's trailer has already given a glimpse of a Working Joe, suggesting that hostile humans may enter the mix as antagonists. However, Hope is guarded about this possibility. The game's creative lead emphasizes that Alien: Isolation 2 is building on the core foundation established in the first game. The team loves the rock, paper, scissors setup and scenario, which will likely be present in the sequel. ## A New Colony World The decommissioned and slowly decaying space station of Alien: Isolation became an evocative extra character in the original game. Creative Assembly appears well placed to repeat the trick with Alien: Isolation 2's forbidding colony world, home to a remote Weyland-Yutani outpost, Kurosaki Station. The game's environment will be a key factor in creating tension and fear, and players will need to be prepared for a thrilling experience.