STARSBarry
Gold Member
I miss this series so much, understand they just didn't have the heart for it anymore, but was always fun to see their takes.
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IGN - In Defence of Alien: Isolation
- Thread starter IbizaPocholo
- Start date
- Opinion Trailer
I miss this series so much, understand they just didn't have the heart for it anymore, but was always fun to see their takes.
Astray
Member
Jack still does things for Second Wind, but it's the chemistry with Rich that made it special.
(I also think the RLM formula doesn't entirely work on gaming, it needed more tinkering tbh).
DirtyBast8rd
Member
Yeah i do want that. They have no integrity. I also think you watch the wrong YouTube channels. Also the ones without integrity. Plenty of shit on YouTube and the Internet as a whole, but some good channels too, and not always the most watched ones.
They problem is that people keep clicking on bad channels and sites and thus keep them growing and in business.
Last edited:
kevboard
Member
IbizaPocholo
NeoGAFs Kent Brockman
Overview of Alien Isolation
- Alien Isolation is presented as a unique entry in the Alien franchise, focusing on creating a new experience that harkens back to the roots of the original film.
- The developers aimed to differentiate their game from previous titles that emphasized action and combat, particularly those influenced by James Cameron's cinematic vision.
- The intention was to evoke the horror and tension of the original Alien film, creating an atmosphere that feels authentic to its universe.
Reception of the Original Review
- Ryan McCaffrey's 2014 review of Alien Isolation is highlighted as a pivotal moment in gaming media, significantly impacting public perception of review sites like IGN.
- The review's controversial 5.9 rating sparked backlash, with many gamers expressing their dissatisfaction and questioning the review's validity.
- The video discusses the broader implications of the review, suggesting it reflects systemic issues within games media that fail to meet audience expectations.
Analysis of Review Methodology
- The video critiques how reviews are often conducted without a comprehensive understanding of the game, emphasizing the need for reviewers to have fully completed titles before forming opinions.
- It argues that the review process should involve more than just one person's perspective, advocating for a collaborative approach that reflects a consensus of opinions from multiple players.
- The importance of context in reviews is stressed, suggesting that reviewers should disclose their gameplay experiences, including difficulty levels and completion status.
Gameplay Density and Length
- Gameplay density is defined as the frequency and intensity of gameplay-centric sections, which is a critical aspect of Alien Isolation's design.
- The video argues that McCaffrey's complaints about the game's length fail to recognize the game's design philosophy, which requires significant player engagement and mastery of mechanics.
- Critics of the game's length often overlook how the pacing and challenges are structured to enhance the player's experience, particularly in horror contexts.
Difficulty and Player Experience
- The discussion addresses the difficulty settings in Alien Isolation, noting that the game is designed to be challenging, particularly on higher difficulties.
- It suggests that McCaffrey's choice to play on hard difficulty may have negatively impacted his overall experience, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.
- The video emphasizes that difficulty should enhance the gameplay experience, not detract from it, and that players may benefit from starting on lower settings to familiarize themselves with the game.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
- The narrative pacing of Alien Isolation is critiqued, particularly regarding the "moving goalposts" design that can frustrate players as they progress through the game.
- Critics argue that the narrative's structure can lead to a sense of exhaustion, particularly if players feel they are being led in circles without resolution.
- In contrast, the video posits that the pacing is intentional and designed to build tension, ultimately enhancing the horror experience rather than detracting from it.
Conclusion and Impact on Gaming Media
- The video concludes that McCaffrey's review of Alien Isolation is emblematic of larger issues within gaming media, particularly regarding how reviews are perceived and their impact on consumer decisions.
- It argues that a single negative review can significantly affect a game's sales and reputation, especially when published by a major outlet like IGN.
- The anticipation for the sequel to Alien Isolation is noted, with the hope that it will address some of the criticisms levied at the original game while building on its strengths.
- Alien Isolation is presented as a unique entry in the Alien franchise, focusing on creating a new experience that harkens back to the roots of the original film.
- The developers aimed to differentiate their game from previous titles that emphasized action and combat, particularly those influenced by James Cameron's cinematic vision.
- The intention was to evoke the horror and tension of the original Alien film, creating an atmosphere that feels authentic to its universe.
Reception of the Original Review
- Ryan McCaffrey's 2014 review of Alien Isolation is highlighted as a pivotal moment in gaming media, significantly impacting public perception of review sites like IGN.
- The review's controversial 5.9 rating sparked backlash, with many gamers expressing their dissatisfaction and questioning the review's validity.
- The video discusses the broader implications of the review, suggesting it reflects systemic issues within games media that fail to meet audience expectations.
Analysis of Review Methodology
- The video critiques how reviews are often conducted without a comprehensive understanding of the game, emphasizing the need for reviewers to have fully completed titles before forming opinions.
- It argues that the review process should involve more than just one person's perspective, advocating for a collaborative approach that reflects a consensus of opinions from multiple players.
- The importance of context in reviews is stressed, suggesting that reviewers should disclose their gameplay experiences, including difficulty levels and completion status.
Gameplay Density and Length
- Gameplay density is defined as the frequency and intensity of gameplay-centric sections, which is a critical aspect of Alien Isolation's design.
- The video argues that McCaffrey's complaints about the game's length fail to recognize the game's design philosophy, which requires significant player engagement and mastery of mechanics.
- Critics of the game's length often overlook how the pacing and challenges are structured to enhance the player's experience, particularly in horror contexts.
Difficulty and Player Experience
- The discussion addresses the difficulty settings in Alien Isolation, noting that the game is designed to be challenging, particularly on higher difficulties.
- It suggests that McCaffrey's choice to play on hard difficulty may have negatively impacted his overall experience, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.
- The video emphasizes that difficulty should enhance the gameplay experience, not detract from it, and that players may benefit from starting on lower settings to familiarize themselves with the game.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
- The narrative pacing of Alien Isolation is critiqued, particularly regarding the "moving goalposts" design that can frustrate players as they progress through the game.
- Critics argue that the narrative's structure can lead to a sense of exhaustion, particularly if players feel they are being led in circles without resolution.
- In contrast, the video posits that the pacing is intentional and designed to build tension, ultimately enhancing the horror experience rather than detracting from it.
Conclusion and Impact on Gaming Media
- The video concludes that McCaffrey's review of Alien Isolation is emblematic of larger issues within gaming media, particularly regarding how reviews are perceived and their impact on consumer decisions.
- It argues that a single negative review can significantly affect a game's sales and reputation, especially when published by a major outlet like IGN.
- The anticipation for the sequel to Alien Isolation is noted, with the hope that it will address some of the criticisms levied at the original game while building on its strengths.