Alien: Isolation was beloved for many reasons, and while it has infamously received rather divisive ratings, it is widely considered a cult classic that faithfully recreated the dreadful atmosphere and advanced enemy AI.

During Summer Game Fest 2026, we got to go hands-on for nearly one hour with Alien: Isolation 2, the latest from the folks at SEGA and Creative Assembly. If this first glimpse is any indication, a far scarier and more brutal experience awaits, and my heart is not ready for any of it at all.

Alien: Isolation 2 Hands-on Preview

Creative director Al Hope describes the project as an evolution of everything that made the original unforgettable, and it’s easy to see what they mean. We played the game in a dark room to simulate the tension a bit more, and it definitely worked.

Alien: Isolation 2 introduces a new protagonist, a new setting, and a new nightmare, all centered around a storm‑ravaged colony world. Our hands-on session starts by navigating through a short section of the planet’s surface, as we make our way to a crashed ship – the Kurosaki Station, a Weyland‑Yutani outpost that becomes the Alien’s new hunting ground.

Even on the surface, the dreadful atmosphere of Alien: Isolation 2 is already present. With more than a decade of technological advancements, it is easy to see the improvements over the first game. The visuals are amazing, but more than that, the audio design has been updated, making the experience as immersive as possible.

Controls are easy to figure out, with the left stick for movement and the right stick for the camera. Pressing the left stick allows players to sprint, and the face buttons are used to equip and use items and to interact with objects/loot.

Upon entering the ship, the tension is palpable even without an alien sighting just yet. The ship interiors are dark, and you have a battery-limited flashlight you can toggle on and off to recharge it. Moving around, we quickly discover that the power is out, and many doors are closed as a result.

Alien: Isolation 2 demands player attention, as items that can be picked up are not easily seen. At least, based on our experience, there are no visible outlines until you get close, and you’ll really need to explore properly and pay attention to your surroundings.

Powering up a nearby switch required scrap pieces and tools, and now the doorways are open. Players can save through panels throughout the ship, and some of these interactions will need them to mash the square button to activate.

Exploring the ship further, the Alien finally rears its ugly head, and it is up to us to escape. The level design lends itself well to Alien: Isolation 2 gameplay, with many places to hide: floor grates can open to escape direct line of sight, and there are plenty of places to crouch under tables. Players can also peek around corners before entering a room.

The Alien is fast and smart, as you can expect. What is more unsettling is that you can hear it walking and clawing around, and even if you can’t see it, knowing it’s nearby is really nerve-wracking.

The sequel emphasizes improvisation and resourcefulness, pushing players to think on the fly and experiment with new tactics, and constantly rethink how they move through the environment. It quickly becomes a game of cat and mouse, where your vulnerability is easily exploited.

One item we got to pick up was a flare, and while it can lure the Alien to your location, you can easily throw it away to distract the Alien from where you need to go. Because time was limited, we didn’t get to interact with other items.

The last objective was to backtrack and escape the ship, but this time, the Alien is walking around. Players will need to play it cool and smart, peeking around corners and using sound cues to discern where the Alien may be.

We definitely died a couple of times because we thought we could outrun the Alien when we saw the ladder on the way out. You can guess how that turned out. The deaths are pretty gruesome, and in line with what you can expect from an Alien.

It’s still too early to say, but Alien: Isolation 2 is already shaping up to be a worthy follow-up to the first game. The visual upgrade is a highlight, and with the improved AI working against you, horror fans have something to look forward to.

Alien: Isolation 2 is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC.