Too often, horror is associated with the feeling of isolation, loneliness. It is associated with being alone and separate, remote and distanced. And yes, that surely is one of the most effective techniques of invoking fear in anybody, but sometimes, sheer numbers can also be overwhelming. Sometimes, having company can be as creepy and horrifying as just being alone. And Alien: Isolation, which has already made a case for the loneliness kind of horror (in case its, you know, name didn’t give that away already) is now going to make a case for why there may not always be strength in numbers. In fact, there may be an abject, terrifying, horrifying weakness.
The Xenomorph doesn’t have to be your worst enemy. The most rudimentary threat can turn out to be your worst nightmare in the right amount and quantity.
Alien: Isolation is being developed by The Creative Assembly, and published by Sega. It is launching October 7 for consoles and PC. Stay tuned.