One of the most common criticisms of Alien: Isolation was its length: sustaining the game’s tense atmosphere over many hours could become tiring, particularly toward the end. Creative Assembly has not confirmed that Alien: Isolation 2 will be shorter, but says it is using more playtesting to refine the sequel’s balance.
In an interview with Vandal, creative director Al Hope and art director Ana Sopikova said the team is testing the game with more players during development. Their feedback, they explained, helps the studio understand how people play and make adjustments to the experience.
The developers also noted that playtimes in the original varied considerably because of its systemic design. Some players might spend a long time hiding before moving on, while others push forward more aggressively, they said.
Creative Assembly is also reviewing videos and livestreams of players, drawing on the large amount of Alien: Isolation footage available on YouTube. The studio sees the different ways people approach the game as part of its appeal, with each player’s decisions and reactions shaping their experience.
The developers have not announced a runtime for Alien: Isolation 2 or confirmed that it will be shorter than its predecessor. Their comments indicate that player behavior and feedback are informing the sequel’s design and pacing.
Sources: Vandal.