Sequel? (or Sequel Ideas)

[Macho Cheese]

No doubt about it, this game is amazing and deserves a sequel. The ending also suggests a sequel too -- it ends in a very similar way to the original Alien, but it would have made sense if the devs already thought of a sequel and included that ending to set up one (or maybe they just left it up to newer Alien canon to decide?). Or maybe they decided to scrap it or something.

Also, I've heard that they're expanding on Amanda's story with comics or something like that, which is better than nothing for sure, but I would like to see an Alien Isolation 2 in general, whether it has Amanda or not, mainly just talking about the gameplay here. Isolation is probably one of the best horror games, but there are some aspects they can improve on. We probably won't get a sucessor anytime soon, but here's some thoughts of improvement for a sequel in the 0% chance they look at this or something.

Map Design and Pacing

First off, they really made Sevastapool feel like a real station which is pretty cool. You can navigate by using signs, and the placement of everything makes sense. The stuff you do in missions corresponds with the area you do them in too, sometimes backtracking in order to complete a certain task.

I'm pretty sure in some dev interviews they compared this style to a Metroidvania, but I feel like they should've just ran with a Metroidvania more. Although you can go off the path sometimes, there's little reason too besides some ID collectibles and maybe a Nostromo Log (although all the IDs can be collected on the main path you take I'm pretty sure, just not every Nostromo Log).

The only limiting factor in this is the story since certain events require you to do certain tasks, which means a linear order. However, in a hypothetical sequel, maybe this is do-able, or there is less story or something like that. I think having less linearity and having more freedom to explore the station would work wonders; instead of just finding the tool upgrades along a linear path, you would have to search for them yourself. Maybe make the collectibles you find more interesting too instead of just tool upgrades; as for the items/craftables, you should have to find them too (eg the flamethrower would be relatively hard to get). Navigation would be a bit less direct too, and maybe have the player have no or a lmitied map making them more aware of using signs and directions too.

I think, in terms of Metroidvania, a style like Metroid Fusion would work, especially since that game's premise and execution is kinda similar to Alien: Isolation. Although, I would even prefer something less linear like Metroid Prime 3 as an example. Also, having an Alien less reliant on the game's director AI would work really well (like the Unpredictable Alien Mod).

Pacing

The first part of the game is paced really well, but after a certain part it tends to drag. Not saying that I think the game's length is an issue, but I think after the part you send the Alien into space the pace kinda slows down. I think you get the flamethrower a bit too early. Instead, they should've just given more craftables for items like the molotov and pipe bombs which are effective at getting rid of the Alien anyway. The hiatus from the time you send the Alien away til the other Aliens replace it as an enemy could be shorter.

AI

The AI that probably needs the most improvement are the humans I feel. On anything below Hard, they're pretty much a joke. They're also not good at hiding and can't go in vents. It makes sense that the devs wouldn't focus so heavily on the humans since they're easy bait for the Alien and aren't the main focus anyway, but having a more dynamic Human AI would be pretty cool. Stuff like having certain humans hostile to one another, having them hide effectively or be able to access vents or ladders would be pretty cool too.

In a more open-ended sequel, the Alien AI could definitely be changed by having it rely less on the director AI and be more like the Unpredictable Alien Mod. For difficulties higher than Normal, it's easy to recognize when the Alien will come out of the vents and how it's tied to you almost. It isn't too bad, but having a more difficult Alien combined with a more free AI is definitely better and scarier, and would work in a hypothetical, less-linear sequel. It would also make each engagement more tense. However, for some certain sections, I would imagine the Alien would be locked to your area, but for the most part that would not be the case.

Synethetics are just synthetics.

Anyways, do you guys think we're getting a sequel anytime? What would you want it to be about or what would you want from a sequel? Do you guys agree/disagree with me/ add on etc.