Is Alien: Isolation Canon? Spoiler: Xenomorphically Yes, and ‘Romulus’ Just Cemented It
Let’s face it, fans. Is Alien: Isolation canon? Yes, it absolutely is. You can relax. After all, Alien: Romulus confirms its place in the franchise. If you have doubts, Romulus eliminates them for good.
The new movie Alien: Romulus isn’t merely a separate story. It incorporates events from Alien: Isolation. This seals Amanda Ripley’s role in the ongoing narrative. So, all those hours spent evading the Xenomorph on Sevastopol? It’s part of the Alien universe. Feel relieved?
Timeline Tango: Where Does Isolation Fit in the Alien Chaos?
If you want a phone book of Xenomorph events, let’s get to it. Isolation fits in the timeline between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). The game occurs 15 years after Ellen Ripley’s disappearance aboard the Nostromo. That infamous chestburster incident? You remember.
Amanda Ripley is Ellen’s daughter. She’s 25 and seeking answers about her mother’s fate. All this unfolds in 2137, some years before Alien: Romulus (2142). To break it down, that’s about 20 years post-Alien (2122) and 37 years pre-Aliens (2179).
This experience serves as a horrifying small plate between the movies. Romulus aims to connect the original Alien with Ridley Scott’s prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. They all intertwine in a chaotic, horrifying tapestry.
Amanda Ripley: Daddy Issues, Mommy Issues, Xenomorph Issues
Amanda deserves recognition. She does not rely solely on her mother’s legacy. Fifteen years after the Nostromo incident, Amanda seeks clarity about Ellen’s fate. It’s a daughter’s quest for truth, facing acid burns and facehuggers.
You step into Amanda’s shoes as she battles chaos on Sevastopol. Her motivations go beyond survival; they become personal. It’s about healing a broken family. High stakes exist, even in such a chilling universe.
Why Didn’t Alien: Isolation Become a Cash Cow? Blame Fallout 4 (and Maybe Fear Itself)
Here lies a sad reality: despite high praise, Isolation did not attract the sales Sega anticipated. Some believe Sega expected too much. Others cite the gaming scene in 2014. Gamers were likely too busy with Fallout 4, released a year later.
The horror genre struggles to compete with blockbuster titles. Players enjoy power fantasies over tense chases by monsters. However, Isolation‘s quality stands strong despite its commercial struggles.
Alien: Romulus – The Plot Thickens (and Gets Slimier)
So, Alien: Romulus is canon. Confirmed. It’s set between Alien and Aliens. What else can we reveal? The film takes place in 2142, after Isolation, and years after the Nostromo disaster. It seeks to connect with both Alien and the divisive prequels.
An intriguing point: Rook, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, is back. Rook resembles Ian Holm’s Ash from the original film. Corporate chaos is likely on the horizon. Expect thrilling madness as the Alien mythos expands.
Sequels, Spin-offs, and the Great Canon Debate (Dark Descent Edition)
Let’s briefly discuss sequels and spin-offs. Recall Alien: Blackout? Initially, many wondered if it followed Isolation. It does not. It exists as a standalone side-story. Not quite an apt substitute for a true sequel.
The silence surrounding a direct sequel to Isolation continues. Whispers of development surfaced years ago; the status remains unknown. However, excitement stays alive. Meanwhile, Aliens: Dark Descent has also become part of the canon.
Canon Conundrums: Predator, Prequels, and Predatory Storytelling
The Alien canon appears labyrinthine. Consider Alien vs. Predator. It connects to the Predator universe but not vice versa. A one-way street of chaos exists here. Predators recognize Xenomorphs, while Xenomorphs remain indifferent.
Prequels add confusion too. Both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant remain murky in terms of canon. Noah Hawley’s upcoming TV show may dismiss Scott’s prequels entirely. Yet, Romulus finds ways to weave connections amidst selective canon choices. It’s delightful in its own absurd way.
Xenomorph Biology 101: Drool, Echolocation, and Motion Tracker Mayhem
Diving into Xenomorph biology, we discover interesting details informed by Alien: Isolation. Xenomorphs lack eyes but seem to respond to sound. Their behavior hints at basic echolocation, combined with tiny micro-eyes. Bat-like creatures manifest in terrifying ways.
Drool remains a constant in their portrayal. It may not serve a biological function. Yet it amplifies their horror aesthetic. Design sometimes outweighs biological realism in creating fear.
The Xenomorph AI in Isolation acts less predictably. Its behavior adapts to player actions; fear and strategic moves influence its motions. The motion tracker remains a double-edged sword. While tracking movement, it emits sounds that alert nearby threats.
Alien 3 Trailer Trickery: Earth? Nope, Still Space Hell
A final note about Alien 3. The trailer teased a shift to Earth in 1992. Imagine chaos in Times Square with Xenomorphs! Sadly, like many trailers, this was misleading.
Alien 3, like other parts of this franchise, takes place on hostile worlds. Earth is apparently too friendly for Xenomorphs. They prefer forgotten colonies and abandoned ships instead.
Your takeaways? Alien: Isolation is canon, undeniably so. Alien: Romulus approaches, expanding our nightmares further. While timelines feel messy, the saga remains captivatingly chaotic. Welcome back to the Alien universe and all its horrors!
