We all know Alien: Isolation 2 is still a long way off, but much like the survivors trying to escape Sevastopol Station, we’re holding onto hope that its arrival comes sooner rather than later. But, since we don’t have a release date yet, we thought it’d be a good idea to get high on hopium and think of preparing a wishlist of some of the features we’d love to see in Alien: Isolation 2. So, lo and behold, here’s everything that could enhance the sequel in some fun ways, without losing what its predecessor established.
A Return to LV-426
While we still don’t have full confirmation, the brief teaser Creative Assembly released recently comprises of unsettling audio distortions, flickering emergency systems, and glimpses of a derelict, rain-swept industrial environment that strongly suggests a return to the place where it all began: LV-426.
Yes, that’s right, the LV-426; the moon orbiting the gas giant Calpamos, where the first derelict ship and Xenomorph eggs were discovered by the unsuspecting crew of the Nostromo in Ridley Scott’s original 1979 sci-fi horror classic.
Not only would the setting of LV-426 serve as the perfect way to expand on the nail-biting tension and otherworldly mystery of the original game, but it would also reconnect the sequel to the franchise’s most infamous origins in a meaningful way.
Exploring the storm-ravaged moon where the derelict ship and Xenomorph eggs were first discovered would create an atmosphere drenched in dread, history, and… well, isolation. From abandoned colony corridors to haunting traces of Hadley’s Hope’s collapse, the setting could deliver a terrifying blend of survival horror and cinematic nostalgia that longtime Alien fans would instantly recognise.
Reveal the Fall of Hadley’s Hope
Thanks to James Cameron’s Director’s Cut of Aliens, we do get a brief glimpse at how the deadly colony outbreak on Hadley’s Hope began. In the additional footage, there’s a moment that was cut from the theatrical release that reveals how Newt and her family first encountered the Xenomorph eggs on LV-426, with her father falling prey to a facehugger.
Still, while fans briefly explored elements of Hadley’s Hope in Aliens: Colonial Marines and witnessed the aftermath of its destruction in Aliens, the setting remains a largely untapped goldmine for expanding the lore surrounding the colony’s final days.
Even though Gearbox Software’s game was a bit of a disaster — and that’s probably putting it lightly — I still think Hadley’s Hope is a location that could be explored far more deeply in Alien: Isolation 2, especially if the UK-based studio can put their own unique spin on the tragedy that befell the 158 doomed colonists on Hadley’s Hope.
Begin Introducing Weapons and Tech from James Cameron’s Aliens
Okay, so this one may be a slightly controversial take, as we all know how important that feeling of powerlessness and vulnerability worked in the original game, but hear me out. While Alien: Isolation became known for its tense atmosphere and cat-and-mouse survival gameplay — forcing players to rely on stealth, nerve, and careful resource management against a relentless Xenomorph — the experience occasionally shifted toward more action-focused moments, particularly in the game’s latter half after the player acquires the flamethrower.
Now, I’m not saying that I want the sequel to turn into an action-packed romp, akin to Rebellion’s Alien Vs Predator or Coldiron Studios’ Aliens: Fireteam Elite. But I do think that slowly drip-feeding a few familiar weapons or pieces of tech from James Cameron’s established arsenal could work nicely, especially when we reach the climax near the tail-end of the game.
How I envisage this working is through the inclusion of tense combat encounters featuring some of the Colonial Marines’ signature weaponry, particularly the iconic Pulse Rifle, which could serve as a brilliant piece of fan service for longtime devotees of the franchise.
Another interesting way Creative Assembly could explore this concept would be by gradually introducing other memorable pieces of technology from Aliens, such as, say, a sentry gun used during the defensive encounter when the survivors are barricaded inside the Hadley’s Hope Operations center in the Director’s Cut.
Don’t get me wrong, ammunition should remain scarce, and players should absolutely feel the panic as their bullet counters slowly tick down. But I still think this approach could work if handled carefully, because moments like these could add an extra layer of cinematic tension while preserving the claustrophobic survival horror atmosphere that made the original game so effective.
A Deadlier Xenomorph
This might be a somewhat controversial entry, especially since the Xenomorph of Alien: Isolation was already scary enough, but why not kick it up a notch? While we loved how the deadliest killer in the galaxy acted in the first game, we think it needs a bit more of those wall-crawling antics that we have seen in films and other games.
While we’d still love to have that horror element of watching the Xenomorph slowly crawling toward us, it’d be great to see it lure us into a trap or maybe even crawl on the walls or ceiling to force us to hide in a better spot or just to catch us off guard. Yes, we are aware this sounds a bit masochistic, but let’s face it: we all love a challenge.
On the other hand, it would also be great to get a few new Xenomorph variants, as long as they aren’t Xenomorph/Human hybrids, of course (sorry Romulus, we’re a bit old school). In any case, it is up to Creative Assembly to decide just how deadly this hunter will be for the sequel, but we’d love to face an even bigger challenge that will put the new protagonist’s skills to the test.
The Return of a Female Lead
If we take a look at some of the most iconic things from the Alien franchise, yes, we could all talk about the Xenomorph, the huge sci-fi ships, the narrow corridors, the mysterious yet shocking first death of whichever unfortunate crew goes on a mission, and so on. However, there is one thing that we believe has made the franchise what it is today, and that is having a strong female lead taking us through a harrowing adventure.
One thing I absolutely loved about Alien: Isolation was Amanda, who, on top of being related to the legend, Ellen Ripley, was a strong lead who nailed everything that makes an Alien protagonist a good protagonist. She was resourceful, witty when she had to be, and extremely brave when facing this new species that came out of nowhere and picked off every member of the Sevastapool crew, one by one.
Naturally, this would be another excellent addition to Alien: Isolation 2, especially if it focuses on Amanda again. While we know she passed away from cancer, according to official sources, the events after Alien: Isolation are open to interpretation, meaning there are many gaps in her story to fill.
A Co-Op Section or Side Mode
Last but not least, and with what might be the strangest entry of this list, but one that we think could work for Alien: Isolation 2, if handled in small portions or as a side mode entirely.
While the isolation of, well, Alien: Isolation is what makes the game stand out so much, the truth is that it would be amazing to have a co-op mode or even some sections where you and another player would have to complete tasks in a short time before the Xenomorph catches you.
Another idea could be bringing back the Infestation mode from Alien vs. Predator (2010). You might all remember just how scary it was to see your fellow marines go down one by one until everyone became a Xenomorph. We think this would be fantastic, especially in a game that isn’t too combat-oriented like Isolation.
However, we also believe that the best way to approach this is by making it a side mode only. Alien: Isolation 2 needs to recapture what made its predecessor so iconic, and that is the feeling of being alone in space with a deadly hunter looking to get you behind every corner. So, as long as that remains, alongside a great story and some new survival gameplay, we’re more than happy to try some extra modes outside of that.
In the end, and as we said in the beginning, this is just a wishlist of things we’d love for Alien: Isolation 2. Yet, and being completely honest, we are sure that if the formula doesn’t change much and they deliver once again a proper survival horror experience with the deadliest hunter chasing us around a space station, we’ll be happy. Still, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming about a pulse rifle, a new location, crawling Xenomorphs, and maybe bringing a friend along for yet another harrowing space voyage.
