Poll: What did everyone think of Alien Isolation?

[Silvanus]

Flares will occupy the Alien for quite a while, but only under very specific circumstances. It's not drawn to the noise (or at least, not much), so the Alien has to be at ground level already. It also has to have line of sight; not like a Noisemaker where the Alien will seek it out. And if the Alien is already near it may well see you illuminated by the Flare before you can throw it and get to cover.

Y'make it sound like a neon "eat me" sign, which is very appropriate.

Don't think I (successfully) used a flare for distracting purposes even once. It was all about the noisemakers.

 

[OneCatch]

Flares will occupy the Alien for quite a while, but only under very specific circumstances. It's not drawn to the noise (or at least, not much), so the Alien has to be at ground level already. It also has to have line of sight; not like a Noisemaker where the Alien will seek it out. And if the Alien is already near it may well see you illuminated by the Flare before you can throw it and get to cover.

Y'make it sound like a neon "eat me" sign, which is very appropriate.

Don't think I (successfully) used a flare for distracting purposes even once. It was all about the noisemakers.

Ha! Yeah, I started out trying to use flares in the same way as noisemakers to save components, but it just doesn't work. Their onlyapplication is the above niche, or for drawing out humans and Joes. Or, y'know, lighting stuff up.

 

[Mutant1988]

I swear to god I tried the stun prod on an Average Joe, but perhaps I flubbed the stunning, because he just murdered me much as Average Joes always do. I thought about shooting him after I broke his first choke hold but I was too apathetic.

IIRC (Been some time since I played the game now), the stun rod is incredibly effective if used behind, from stealth, but not as effective when used when detected. It also only stuns the enemy, so you need to follow it up with some bashes with the wrench. Explosives are also very effective at taking out Working Joes, but you want to duck into cover after using them since the Xenomorph might come looking.

I had read somewhere that flares keep the Alien staring at them for a while and give you some freedom to move around. I assume this is NOT the case?

It works, but not as well. Basically, if the Alien is in your line of sight but hasn't spotted you, they will run towards the flare. They won't go for it if it's out of their sight though. So it can be a decent way to get it away from a doorway you want to go through. You need to remember not to run though, since it will hear you.

Mind, the AI is adaptive to some extent and the more you use a certain distraction, the less effective it will become. Not sure how long this memory persists though, but you might want to mix up what gadgets you use. Actually, you want to use them as little as possible.

More than anything else, your most effective tool is your hearing. Learn the tell tale sounds for the alien walking, crawling and exiting and entering vents (Memorizing where these are is also a good idea. If you hear the alien crawling about, keep an eye on the ceiling).

The game gets a lot more forgiving once you get your hands on a flame thrower. If you're spotted, turn and fire a short burst of flame at it and if it's not right in your face it will turn around and run. If it's close, it will knock you down first, then run off. It won't keep the alien away permanently, but it will buy you time to find a hiding spot. You can/should use fire bombs the same way, although the risk of self-harm is much greater.

Also, again - Hide under tables and desks or in vents. Don't even bother with closets and lockers.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Yeah...I didn't have any of those problems. When I threw a noise maker, the Alien went for it, or the Joes, or the humans. And when that happened, I booked it in the opposite direction. I only ever fired my guns when I knew the Alien was not around. Firing it when you're being stalked is a horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE idea. Firing it at all is usually a horrible idea, unless you are in a situation where you can shoot your way past, not out.

Never hid in lockers or closets. I always hid under tables, because that way I could still see what was going on. Makes it easier. The game really did feel like I was being hunted, and I loved it. You need to take your time and weigh the risk versus the gain in every situation. This game is great.

The one complaint I have is that it goes on perhaps a bit too long. There comes a point late in the game where it's like, "We're still going? Fine..." But otherwise...I fear I voted for the NOOB option. Sorry.