Alien: Isolation is "a bit like a Metroidvania game"

Alien: Isolation's lead game designer Gary Napper has likened The Creative Assembly's horror title to Metroidvania titles. As it happens, players will be able to back-track and re-explore previous areas for secrets at will.

VG247's been playing Alien: Isolation and we've compiled a list of essential gameplay rules you need to adhere to if you're going to survive for long. Trust us, you'll need them.

Speaking with The Angry Joe Show, Napper discussed the game's layout and length, saying, "The game's actually about 15 hours long because we've got so much to do with the narrative and all the different mechanics of the alien.

"On top of that we have the other threats about the station, we have a big long story that folds out. Also it's a bit like a Metroidvania game where you have a linear story you go through but you can also go back and explore areas you've been to. You can go back to areas and find new things, explore and open up new areas. There's a lot to do in the world."

Now, for those unfamiliar with the term Metroidvania, it applies to a string of Castlevania titles that employed the map and exploration mechanics seen in Nintendo's Metroid games. It was used in Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin among others. They were open world in nature, and filled with secrets for those willing to explore.

Napper went on, "The difficult thing is nailing a time because people can play for absolutely ages without even seeing the alien because they're being really careful and really stealthy, they've done nothing to call him down or there have been no explosions that he has come to investigate. Those people can get through it fairly quickly."

Alien Isolation launches October 7 on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Cheers CVG.