Many players were disappointed when, a few weeks ago, D3 Go! e FoxNext Games they had announced that Alien: Blackout would not have landed on home consoles, being instead a mobile title. Since January 24th the game is available for Android and iOS devices, but having tried it we were surprised by the emotions that a game so essential in its basic mechanics could give us. 
The xenomorph is back
The plot of the game is simple and follows those of the films from which it is based. Chronologically placed between Alien: isolation e Aliens: Final Showdown, Blackout brings us back in the shoes of Amanda Ripley, sole survivor of the Weyland-Yutani space station, obviously due to one xenomorph who killed everyone except the protagonist. In the short animated sequence that opens our adventure, we see a spaceship docking on the Weyland-Yutani. The crew of four disembarks on the station and from that moment on, their lives will be in Amanda's hands. 
We will fill the role of Ripley, hidden in the ventilation tunnels of the station: our task will be to suggest to the crew the path to follow, to save them. To do this we will have to make good use of the small supply of energy at our disposal, to control the opening and closing of the doors, activate the motion sensors (useful for locating the xenomorph) and access the video surveillance system of the cameras. Obviously our attention will be focused on identifying the alien but the creature, unfortunately for us, is extremely cunning and can surprise us at any moment by suddenly appearing: the developers of Alien: Blackout they have in fact arranged that the actions of the monster are completely random, with the result that each game is different from the previous one, thus increasing the longevity of the title. 
Open your ears wide
Technological systems are not our only defense. The most important tool we will have to use during the horror experience of D3 Go! it is our hearing. It will not be enough to visually monitor the rooms, but it will be essential (and vital) to recognize the noises produced by the alien in motion. For example, when the creature moves through the air vents, it is not visible on the map, but it makes a clatter of footsteps, which we will soon begin to fear. If the xenomorph detects us he will run towards us and we will have to be quick to close the access to our hiding place so as not to be devoured. Or we could be warned by the panting and screaming of our crew trying (often in vain) to escape from the alien. 
To increase the tension, Alien: Blackout offers a truly remarkable sound sector, both in dubbing and in background noises. We appreciated this aspect more using a pair of stereo headphones (essential if we play outside the home), an excellent tool to reach a higher level of identification with the characters and their explorations. Even the soundtrack (despite not boasting memorable tracks) fits perfectly into the game, creating and increasing the tension considerably. It is precisely the tension that gives rhythm to the game, in particular due to the high difficulty of the levels combined with the 8-minute timer available to us to get to complete the scheme, before the electricity runs out completely.
Anguish and tension ... "stylized"
The artistic realization is also pleasant, which takes into account the designs seen in the films, both in the drawings and movements of the xenomorph, and in the structures of the space station that is the background to this horror adventure. The graphic sector in Blackout, although well done, still maintains a simple line, focusing the player's attention and actions on the stylized map of the space base, rather than on camera images. The only sore point, together with the short duration of the game (we have a total of 7 levels to overcome) is the scarce variety of interactions that we can perform, consequently it is easy to have the feeling of not being able to do anything else but witness the actions of the crew as spectators. . But even this aspect can perhaps turn in favor of the game, as it increases the sense of restlessness and helplessness towards the monster and the fate of our crew. 
Alien: Blackout it turned out to be a pleasant surprise, despite (or perhaps because of it) having to deal with the disappointed expectations of a new console title. For 5,49 € (a little too much for only the seven levels that make up the adventure) the fun is still guaranteed. For the moment there are no purchases in the app (and from the statements of the developers it seems they are not even planned for the future) and the game on sale is already complete. The total absence of advertisements or banners ensures a continuous experience, without interruptions to break the growing tension, but does not fully justify the cost of the game. Do not underestimate the battery consumption by the application, which is not particularly excessive, which allows you to dedicate yourself to longer gaming sessions. 
In short, to be a mobile title Alien: Blackout is a valid video game, able to keep the player on the ropes, to the point of giving him scares worthy of the horror films from which it is based. Too bad for the cost a bit too exaggerated if proportionate to the offer, but the unpredictability and randomness of our opponent's actions guarantee a high replayability that will not disappoint fans of the series.
