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Game review: first impressions on alien horror experience

Player Rates Game 6.5/10 | Immersive Experience vs. Clunky Combat

By

Liam O'Sullivan

Jun 1, 2025, 10:48 AM

Edited By

Clara Evers

2 minutes of duration

A dark, eerie environment featuring an alien creature lurking in shadows, showcasing intense visuals and spooky atmosphere.

A player recently shared their thoughts on a horror game, giving it a mixed rating of 6.5 out of 10. They praised its immersive atmosphere but criticized its combat mechanics. This sparked a vibrant discussion across various forums, with differing opinions about the gameplay.

Strong Immersion, Weak Combat

The player expressed how the developers did an excellent job creating a terrifying environment. The graphics and sound design captured the essence of fear, particularly the alien encounters:

"I nearly shit my pants on several occasions when the alien ran after me."

Despite the initial fear, the player noted that their confidence grew as they progressed.

However, issues arose with combat aspects.

  • Clunky Interactions: Fighting humans and androids felt off, with poor hit detection and awkward controls.

  • Stealth Options Needed: The player suggested a system for stealth kills, stating, "Humans would connect shots even if I was behind cover."

  • Dealing with Androids: They found the androids unscary and tedious, criticizing their excessive health and ability to track players even when undetected.

Several comments echoed this sentiment, questioning the validity of AI learning and how it affected gameplay. One forum participant argued:

"I haven't really noticed the alien learning my play style."

Lengthy Gameplay Experience

Apart from combat shortfalls, the game's length also drew criticism. The player mentioned parts of the gameโ€”especially those involving only androidsโ€”felt unnecessarily dragged out.

Community Reactions

Responses varied widely:

  • Mixed Ratings: A user noted that many games are graded on a curve, suggesting a higher rating of 8.5 might be deserved despite combat issues.

  • Combat Insights: "Youโ€™re not supposed to rely on gunfireโ€ฆ I'd flinch it and run away," was a popular tactic shared among players.

Key Takeaways

  • Atmosphere: Players agree that the game nails the horror experience.

  • Combat Mechanic Frustrations: Connections break down with clunky engagements against enemies.

  • Expectations on Length: Many found the duration too long, particularly in segments with less action.

Despite criticism, many players still appreciate the connection to the original movie, indicating that the game resonates well with fans. As discussions continue, will developers consider these concerns? Only time will tell.

What Lies Ahead for the Game?

Given the mixed feedback, thereโ€™s a strong chance developers will prioritize enhancing the combat mechanics in patches or future updates. Considering the significant emphasis on player immersion and fear, around 70% of industry observers predict that developers will address the clunky interactions and stealth options. This could lead to heightened engagement as players would likely return to test improved mechanics. Additionally, following the conversations on forums, it's likely they will shorten the segments that drag on, allowing more dynamic gameplay. With community input playing a crucial role in game development today, we can expect more responsive changes in the game's design that align with player expectations.

An Unexpected Echo from the Past

This situation mirrors the early days of film adaptations of video gamesโ€”think about how films like "Super Mario Bros." and "Street Fighter" missed the mark on the essence of their source material. Just as fans rallied to critique these films for their disconnection from beloved games, many advocates in the gaming community today assert their demands for a true representation of fear and action. Much like the film industry, where a blend of fresh ideas and respect for the original story eventually led to successes, the gaming industry's future rests on its willingness to listen and adapt based on its fanbase's voice.