Alien Isolation 2 is a game we can’t wait to play. A recent interview with Creative Director Al Hope and Project Art Director Ana Sopikova has only added to that allure, adding a tinge of nostalgia to our already-saturated anticipation.
Speaking to IGN, the pair had a lot to say when asked about why the team chose to develop a sequel so long after the first game had us trying to be as quiet as possible for so many hours back in the day.
Hope said that he was “thinking about what we could do for a sequel before we’d actually released the first game. But I guess as a studio, we were busy, and I guess what we’ve benefited from is that decade of new players discovering the game and getting their feedback.
“And the short answer is it felt like the time was right to come back. And so yeah, just super thrilled to be having this opportunity with this really fantastic team, which is great because the team is this mix of people who worked on the first game, and then we’ve got really fantastic fresh new talent, new talent coming on board. So it’s this really lovely combination.”
Sopikova echoed the sentiment while adding that the team behind it “grew up as fans of the game, and now they finally have the opportunity to come and actually contribute to the sequel. So they just bring this next level of energy and passion, and it’s great.”
That’s good news for all of us waiting to play this one, and hoping it’s either as good as, or even better than, the original. The latter seems like a distinct possibility thanks to how the Xenomorph is poised to make new protagonist Blake’s life as miserable as it can, thanks to its improved hunting abilities, a new weather system, and the intelligent use of any microphones you might have lying around your favorite gaming spot.
There isn’t a release date yet, but you can bet we’ll be shouting about it from the rooftops once it’s revealed. After we check for any nearby Xenomorphs, of course.
