The game literally has to cheat to challenge you

[bootywarrior43096]

I can't believe how many people think this is "good ai" or that it's "realistic". There's nothing realistic about an alien that clearly knows what room you're in. It reacts to your location, and stubbornly checks that area over and over. If you try to get into a locker it KNOWS to check the locker even though it won't do it whatsoever if you're NOT in a locker. It won't double back if it's far from you, but if it's near you it will constantly do random movements to ♥♥♥♥ with you. I don't hate the idea of unpredictable AI but when this things walking speed is faster than your crouch speed (that thing you need to do in order to not aggro it at all), that's really a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ problem.

When i get through an area on the hardest difficulty is doesn't feel like I "out-smarted" the AI, it feels like I just got really lucky on its pathing. What would be a smart and respectable AI is one that checks rooms randomly, like THOROUGHLY like you're in them even if you're not. You would have to draw suspicion for it to check the room you're in several times but that's not how the game works. The fact that the "smart AI" doesn't even react to your knocking over objects in the area really reminds you you're just playing a video game. Also you gotta love how the stealth is clearly designed around you using items to either chase off the alien or distract it, but to on nightmare mode they just give you barely any crafting materials.

I just spent 3 hours, 3 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hours in medical just trying to loot the area and grab the stupid key-card and because of the alien constantly turning around and the lack of items, the best I can do is sit in place (not a locker, not even a cabinet because "the game is so smart" that it has the alien 100% check the thing you're inside of despite it actually having no reason to check that locker in particular). On the topic of lockers, I love how it gives me the prompt, I do the prompt and 100% of the time the aliens breaks open the locker and kills me anyway. Like wtf first of all I didn't even hide in lockers around the alien that much, i spent more time hiding under beds and behind boxes. Second even if I did, that isn't realistic seeing as how the alien would kill me if it already knew I was hiding in lockers.

[NovaRainns]

It learns your behaviour, basically. If you hide in lockers, it will search the lockers more often and more thoroughly. If you use distraction items, it will learn to ignore them.

When hiding in a locker, it prompts to hold your breath but you also have to lean back. You also need to hold the button to hold your breath...just pressing it does nothing {a mistake I made when I first played}. Your vision should start blurring as you near the maximum time you can hold your breath.

Distraction items and items make the game easier. Nightmare Difficulty is supposed to be keyboard-smashing-frustratingly difficult. The xenomorph will be much more aggressive and on your ass more often.

There are some scripted interactions with the xenomorph as well as the longer you're in one area, the more the xenomorph will search there.

The second hardest difficulty may be more enjoyable for a lot of players. It has a nicer balance.

[Vzzdak]

The Ai was actually clever for the period in which the game was developed. People get overwhelmed because they dawdle too much, and aren't listening for the audible tells.

Though you can hold your breath when in a locker, I can only think of one instance where you use a locker to hide from humans. Otherwise, treat lockers as a deathtrap.

[Just Aaron]

Lower the difficulty. Problem solved.

[BWDeadcat]

Originally posted by Typharius:

It's for gameplay reasons, I mean if it was COMPLETELY random, why not have it on any of the three spires of Sevastopol at random and do an entire run of the game without one encounter with it? Because that would be really boring, that's why. You can still control the situation with creativity, distractions etc. I have explored every room in medical many times at that point. The only element of scripting is that it will stalk certain areas more at certain points in the game. It still has very random behaviour within those areas, depending on how you've been playing.

There's a mod you can get that changes this, but I think that breaks the game and makes it too easy.

I have completed the game in Nightmare, and it was exactly that: constant terror. The alien indeed does learn your behavior, including lockers, boxes, and even following you into vents and tunnels.
I had to buy a better mouse with more buttons so I could do the 5-character hacks quickly enough. This ain't your grandma's pinochle party.
Modding a game always seemed to me to be a bit defeatist. Better textures, cleaner, sharper graphics, ok. Altered character behavior: meh...find a game that doesn't tax your patience as much.
Jus' sayin'...

[NinthElement]

Originally posted by BWDeadcat:

I have completed the game in Nightmare, and it was exactly that: constant terror. The alien indeed does learn your behavior, including lockers, boxes, and even following you into vents and tunnels.
I had to buy a better mouse with more buttons so I could do the 5-character hacks quickly enough. This ain't your grandma's pinochle party.
Modding a game always seemed to me to be a bit defeatist. Better textures, cleaner, sharper graphics, ok. Altered character behavior: meh...find a game that doesn't tax your patience as much.
Jus' sayin'...

The only mods worth it for me are those that make the game harder... Aggressive alien was the one I started with, it shortens the grace period the alien gives you before dropping in some of the key missions.

[Wraithverge]

Originally posted by bootywarrior43096:

I can't believe how many people think this is "good ai" or that it's "realistic". There's nothing realistic about an alien that clearly knows what room you're in. It reacts to your location, and stubbornly checks that area over and over. If you try to get into a locker it KNOWS to check the locker even though it won't do it whatsoever if you're NOT in a locker. It won't double back if it's far from you, but if it's near you it will constantly do random movements to ♥♥♥♥ with you. I don't hate the idea of unpredictable AI but when this things walking speed is faster than your crouch speed (that thing you need to do in order to not aggro it at all), that's really a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ problem.

When i get through an area on the hardest difficulty is doesn't feel like I "out-smarted" the AI, it feels like I just got really lucky on its pathing. What would be a smart and respectable AI is one that checks rooms randomly, like THOROUGHLY like you're in them even if you're not. You would have to draw suspicion for it to check the room you're in several times but that's not how the game works. The fact that the "smart AI" doesn't even react to your knocking over objects in the area really reminds you you're just playing a video game. Also you gotta love how the stealth is clearly designed around you using items to either chase off the alien or distract it, but to on nightmare mode they just give you barely any crafting materials.

I just spent 3 hours, 3 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hours in medical just trying to loot the area and grab the stupid key-card and because of the alien constantly turning around and the lack of items, the best I can do is sit in place (not a locker, not even a cabinet because "the game is so smart" that it has the alien 100% check the thing you're inside of despite it actually having no reason to check that locker in particular). On the topic of lockers, I love how it gives me the prompt, I do the prompt and 100% of the time the aliens breaks open the locker and kills me anyway. Like wtf first of all I didn't even hide in lockers around the alien that much, i spent more time hiding under beds and behind boxes. Second even if I did, that isn't realistic seeing as how the alien would kill me if it already knew I was hiding in lockers.

no need to crouch all the way. Peek around the corners (walls, desks etc.) and once you see the alien going away, walk into a room where you can find cover behind tables (or under them if need be). It's easier to progress if you move to new locations as fast as possible (walking upright, not running)
Walking itself doesn't produce too much sound, even on nightmare it's a viable tactics but you really need to be aware of your surroundings and keep track of the approximate positon of the alien.

[Wraithverge]

Originally posted by Typharius:

Yeah in my experience walking is fine to literally within a few feet of the Alien.

there are also a few spots where you actually don't have to "hide" in certain rooms.
In the medical center (near the exploding pipe) there's a small room with a locked away keycard.
If the alien is coming to this room, just hug the small section of wall right next to the door. The Alien will take only 1 or 2 steps into the room and when it turns around to leave the room, again the alien won't see you.

There's a similar spot near the end of the game (where you have to restart a generator, in the section where the alien jumps through a window, also where it's dark as hell) There's another small room where you can hide right next to the door (wall section). The Alien takes a step in, turns around and won't see you ^^

The first time I was forced to "hide" there I was really desperate and almost died of an heartattack ^^

Then again, there are certain places where you can't hide behind stuff (medical center, where there are laundrycarts or something like that.
Don't even try hiding behind those. The Alien somehow can through those carts ^^

[Wraithverge]

Originally posted by Typharius:

Originally posted by Traductus:

there are also a few spots where you actually don't have to "hide" in certain rooms.
In the medical center (near the exploding pipe) there's a small room with a locked away keycard.
If the alien is coming to this room, just hug the small section of wall right next to the door. The Alien will take only 1 or 2 steps into the room and when it turns around to leave the room, again the alien won't see you.

There's a similar spot near the end of the game (where you have to restart a generator, in the section where the alien jumps through a window, also where it's dark as hell) There's another small room where you can hide right next to the door (wall section). The Alien takes a step in, turns around and won't see you ^^

The first time I was forced to "hide" there I was really desperate and almost died of an heartattack ^^

Ah good tips!

I've accidentally had heart stopping moments like that.

Can't count how many times I was playing this game and realised I'd been holding my breath unconsciously xD

haha ^^
yeah, the game is so damn frightening.
I still consider it to be the scariest game to this day ^^

[Sawboss]

It seems to be a theme for the steam forums for every game that there will be several posts saying 'the game is obnoxiously difficult', when they're playing on the hardest difficulty.

[wilky]

Originally posted by Sawboss:

It seems to be a theme for the steam forums for every game that there will be several posts saying 'the game is obnoxiously difficult', when they're playing on the hardest difficulty.

I think a lot of people just expect to be able to jump into a game and beat it on the hardest difficulty with no problems on the first try.

IDK, maybe everybody else is a pro gamer (although. maybe not based on the complaints).

For me personally, I almost always start out at like Normal and then I usually replay games at least once (if not more) increasing the difficulty each time. My way of playing is not necessarily the best or the correct way to play, but it's just what I've found works for me and leads me to less frustration and more enjoyment. :o) Plus it usually helps to do the collectible achievements on the first Normal playthrough, just to get those out of the way when you're not focusing on difficulty.

For this game, I played through Normal... it was tough but not too bad honestly. I think I've played other, similar games that prepared me. Now I think I wanna replay it again for the Nightmare mode! (It obviously helps to already know where to go, encounters to just straight-up avoid, which crafting tools are the most useful and when to use them, etc.)

[Vzzdak]

Save-scumming from other games caused bad habits.
Run in, die, keep zerging until you get through.
You see streamers do this.
Demonstrating their “expert” ability to overcome the game mechanics.
Whilst not comprehending that there was an experience to be had.
And oblivious to any experience you might describe.

[BWDeadcat]

Warning to those intrepid souls willing to go from 'Normal' to 'Nightmare' in a single jump: the only similarity between the two is they both begin with the letter 'N'. In 'Nightmare', your motion tracker works not very well most of the time and not at all a lot of the time, maps are disabled no matter how many update consoles you encounter, there are many blueprints but almost nothing to craft with, and the alien has hearing a bat could only dream of.
Be forewarned: 'Nightmare' is not for the faint of heart.

Originally posted by Typharius:

Originally posted by Traductus:

haha ^^
yeah, the game is so damn frightening.
I still consider it to be the scariest game to this day ^^

100% agree

Best horror game of all time (and I grew up playing Silent Hill 1/2/3!)

Ditto: 100% agree. For my money, this game is better and more effective than a defibrillator.

[Necrym59]

No only the game director knows where you and the alien are the director just deposits the alien around the game near your general area then the alien ai takes over and it does what it does, itself it knows nothing as to your position until alerted.

[Vzzdak]

Kinda like Pac Man.
The ghosts are placed on the same level as you.
But they have to wander around to find you.
Depending on its colour, a ghost has unique search criteria.
Gameplay depends on your evasion skills,
...and ability to escape the map.

[Meme Rights Activist]

Originally posted by Tauranova:

It learns your behaviour, basically. If you hide in lockers, it will search the lockers more often and more thoroughly. If you use distraction items, it will learn to ignore them.

When hiding in a locker, it prompts to hold your breath but you also have to lean back. You also need to hold the button to hold your breath...just pressing it does nothing {a mistake I made when I first played}. Your vision should start blurring as you near the maximum time you can hold your breath.

Distraction items and items make the game easier. Nightmare Difficulty is supposed to be keyboard-smashing-frustratingly difficult. The xenomorph will be much more aggressive and on your ass more often.

There are some scripted interactions with the xenomorph as well as the longer you're in one area, the more the xenomorph will search there.

The second hardest difficulty may be more enjoyable for a lot of players. It has a nicer balance.

Wait, woah, hold on. In nightmare, you can hold your breath? You have to lean back in a hiding space? What other features does nightmare have other than the microphone?