Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Thought this was the rare Digital-Only game that warrants its own thread. If you know Housemarque studios (Super Stardust HD, Dead Nation, Outland, Resogun), then you know that nobody does twin stick shooters any better. All their stuff is first-rate and this new game is looking amazing.
Maybe a few of us could play together sometime. I'm certainly going to pre-order it while there's the 10% Discount and Dynamic Theme bonus included.




New Alienation Details: Upgrade and Loot Systems Revealed

Posted by Tommaso De Benetti on Apr 13, 2016 // Community Manager, Housemarque

Hi there, Tommaso from Housemarque speaking. It’s about time we shed some light on a few aspects of Alienation that have been shrouded in mystery up to now. Today’s the day we take a look at what we call Alienation’s metagame!

Two things that set our latest effort apart from the previous games we made are the loot system and the way weapons work. For those of you familiar with Dead Nation, this is quite a departure. In our zombie shooter, players could buy and upgrade a specific set of weapons between stages. In Alienation, weapons and loot are either found in boxes or dropped by enemies after they’ve been killed.This means that when you proceed with missions, you’ll have the chance to obtain rarer weapons or upgrade your weapons’ stats to match your playstyle.



I’ll give you some numbers (we all like numbers, right?): The game features four different types of Alien Cores, each upgradable up to five times and activating a different effect when set in one of the weapon slots. For example, Red Cores augment damage, while Yellow Cores modify the clip size of the weapon. Carefully planning where to put the Cores you collect during missions is a vital part of progressing in Alienation, as specific combinations can even add additional bonuses.

On top of that, loot includes metals of different rarities from “Stock” to “Legendary.” Collecting these metals allow you to “reroll” some stats of the weapon you use them on, improving your chances for the next shooting session.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1549/...ee705945_z.jpg

Last but not least, some weapons enjoy special perks, activated when Cores are mounted in a specific pattern. For example, these perks can add the chance of a lightning chain between enemies when bullets hit them and certain conditions are met.

The idea behind all this is to get players to invest in their weapons of choice and carefully plan their arsenal before jumping into the fight — we feel that the system adds a lot of replayability and believe you will love it. Head to PlayStation Store today so you don’t miss out on the exclusive pre-order bonus!

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I've followed this game in & out and would love to get it but this looks like you better have a few going in...it's total chaos with some great pace action. The particle effects are great and looks like it could be some serious fun. Does this have some matchmaking drop in feature? I doubt the friend I normally play with will get it but it's like $18.00 now and looks like it would be worth it coming from the guys who brought us Resogun....

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

It has drop-in, drop-out multiplayer. Assuming there isn't friendly fire (which made Helldivers nearly unplayable with strangers), that would probably be good enough. And I like that they said the game is playable solo, because Helldivers sure as shit isn't.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Yea...I was pumped for Helldivers but between Friendly Fire and the AI enemies, it was stressful and about unplayable. Shame because it had the markings of a fun game. I'll probably grab it but right now I have a lot going with The Division, back with Warframe, still need to get back into finishing Dying Light, playing the beta of Paragon...and still have done the final two missions in Shadow of Mordor

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I went ahead and pre-ordered...the free Dynamic Theme is pretty cool. I figure since the same ones who gave the outstanding Resogun will probably make this one a pretty good as well....and being $17 is far better than $50-$60 at this point.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

First Review is up :
http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/alienation

Review



Posted 7:00am Mon 25th Apr 2016 by Stephen Tailby
http://images.pushsquare.com/screenshots/76539/630x.jpg

"I like to keep this handy, for close encounters"

Housemarque is renowned for a couple of things: its consistently brilliant arcade titles with incredibly moreish gameplay, and its gloriously colourful visual effects. The Finnish developer's body of work is a kaleidoscopic tour-de-force, the games as vibrant as they are deceptively deep. It should come as no surprise, then, that Alienation continues this trend – sumptuous shooting and colourful kabooms are its bread and butter – but it's where it differs from its stablemates that ittruly impresses.
http://images.pushsquare.com/screenshots/76549/630x.jpg

Granted, it does bear more than a passing resemblance to Dead Nation, but it's clear from the off that Alienation is a far deeper and more expansive game than Housemarque's zombie shooter. You begin by choosing one of three classes: the Tank is fairly self explanatory, with more HP and dealing the most damage on average; the Bio-Specialist is the healer class, and boasts some important technical abilities; and the Saboteur is the rogue, able to turn invisible and utilise a second melee attack. All three are well thought out and provide unique benefits to combat. Fortunately, they're also all very fun to use, their unique skills all providing fulfilling tactical options.


The moment-to-moment running and gunning, however, is the real star of the show. Shooting everything that moves (and some things that don't) is sumptuously satisfying. The audiovisual feedback marries with the gameplay perfectly; heavy-sounding ammunition cuts through grunts like a hot knife through butter, blood soon decorating the ground in your wake. It's a blessing that your arsenal is so effective, though, as it doesn't take long before your screen is packed with enemies, explosions, and debris. It can occasionally get a little too hectic for its own good, but through clever use of your abilities, the chaos remains surprisingly manageable.


With the amount of activity that can occur at any time, and the focus that it demands, it can be easy to overlook just how good looking Alienation is. The graphics really pop, with highly detailed environments and some wonderful lighting adding depth to the top-down perspective. Perhaps more impressive is that the performance is solid as a rock, no matter how much is going on.

But while the fundamental compulsive carnage is happening, there's a lot going on besides simply blowing up aliens. Optional random events, such as mini-bosses and challenges, are scattered across the environments. You earn XP as you progress to level up your character, each level earning you a point to spend on upgrading one of your active or passive skills. Furthermore, randomly generated weapons can be found in crates strewn around the sizeable levels, or are sometimes dropped by defeated enemies. These weapons each have a level, stats, and rarity, and some less common items can even be augmented with Cores that affect power, fire rate, and the like. Unwanted guns in your inventory can be salvaged, turning them into raw materials which are used as currency in order to re-roll a weapon's stats.
http://images.pushsquare.com/screenshots/76543/630x.jpg

All of this works together to create an incredibly compulsive gameplay loop. The hours slip by as you complete missions, collect loot, upgrade your gear, and dive right back into the action, armed to the teeth with new toys and improved skills to play with. Thankfully, the enemies scale to your stats, meaning that the challenge never lets up. You can make things a little easier by selecting Rookie prior to diving into a mission, but doing this provides slimmer rewards, so there's incentive to play on higher difficulties.

Another more challenging way to play Alienation is to play with others in four player drop-in/drop-out online co-op. Each character class truly comes into its own in this mode. Playing as the Bio-Specialist, we were able to make effective use of our party-healing ability to keep other players alive, while the Saboteur's Artillery Strike is a powerful crowd-clearing manoeuvre that can quickly get everyone out of a hairy situation. The Tank's Shield, meanwhile, provides each player with a forcefield that deflects enemy fire for a short time, a lifesaver when your squad is fighting off aliens from every angle. When everyone is working harmoniously, it's an absolute blast, and while it's completely viable to play Alienation alone, co-op is our preferred option.

No matter how you decide to play, though, this is one meaty arcade shooter with plenty to offer, with new enemy types, weaponry, and gameplay mechanics being introduced even after you've finished the main campaign. Offline co-op would've been nice to have on release, but given how well-supported Resogun was post-launch, we're confident that Housemarque has plans to build upon the very strong foundations that it's laid out.
Conclusion

To describe Alienation as a spiritual successor to Dead Nation is a misnomer – this is a far bigger, deeper game, pulling in elements from RPGs and dungeon crawlers to great effect. The gorgeous visuals and addictive, tactile combat make this a feast for the eyes, with intense action never more than a few seconds away. Grabbing loot and fighting off aliens in co-op is stupendous fun, and the game opens up in meaningful ways the more that you play. If you're looking for some high-octane, arcadey action with a fiendishly gripping gameplay loop, then this comes highly recommended.

Great 8/10

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Good review...cannot wait to try this out. I like the drop in & out co-op....not sure who on my friends list is even getting this. And the free theme is cool looking

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

got a chance to play the first mission and I like it. It looks and moves good. Still need to figure out the "Salvage & Crafting" part. I might try some drop in coop but I see where the coop play can be really important probably at the higher missions.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

quick phone post... game is fantastic.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I fizzled out last night and didn't get back in. I should try to play tonight after some Division which we're almost to Level 30 and shooting for. Not certain what time you're normally on or where you are at...I've only done the training and first one. I started with Saboteur though I'd like to be the Medic if I were to get in a large group.

I've got to read the manual on the crafting and salvage stuff and how that works but yea, the game looks great.....and I'm on Central Time....

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

This is the biggest surprise this year. Division is still my favorite game this year, though Dark Souls 3 is slowly getting me (started slower for me than other souls games)...but this game is almost as good, and I had no idea it was coming.

I am at level 22..the combat, coop, teamwork, skills and loot all come together to make a game that I can't stop playing. Seriously it is pulling me away from Dark Souls 3.

Easily recommended it you are looking for a group coop game with friends.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I've played just a little bit, but yeah, I love it too. It's such a deep game and I love drop-in/drop-out co-op. You can get stuff done and still have help without it being a big commitment to a squad.
The game looks great and is a lot of fun (but is really HARD, even on Rookie -- those bugs just swarm you). At least there really isn't a lot of penalty for dying like there is in Helldivers, so you can just try again from last checkpoint. I'm really impressed with my limited gameplay -- hard to believe this game is really a Twin-Stick Shooter at heart; it plays a lot like Diablo.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I'm still working on the ins & out of how the cores work, upgrading and all. I'm glad they put a lot of choices in the weapon upgrades. If you get on and want to play I'll see if I can break away and run some but you're right, not easy but no-where the pain like Helldivers was.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Picked up this badboy earlier today. Basically one shots all but the toughest dudes.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChTHW9yXEAABl1-.jpg:large

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Yeah I got my first legendary at level 11 as well...and it was also a revolver. I like the shotgun better though as a secondary because it is amazing against fast moving trash mobs.

Late game loot though is amazing. I am trying to get level 30 legendary items in every slot, but I keep getting legendary primary weapons and each one ends up better than my old weapon..

http://i.imgur.com/t9oDL5h.jpg

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I guess I need to kick it in...just hit Level 7. I played with random yesterday and had a good time. Just couldn't find a 2-3 man team; everyone is almost solo. I picked up a Rare Flamethrower and Rocket Launcher (Level 5) and they are fun to play. Game is addicting and the more I play the more I'm impressed. Still like to get more into the crafting.

When you use orbs they cannot be taken out correct when you break down a weapon? Also is it worth re-rolling the stats? I haven't tried that part and not sure on the materials, their use and just how much of it you need to keep on hand. Right now at this stage just combining the orbs to 2nd level.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

posting from phone.. so quick.. orbs are given back to you after you destroy the weapon.. the only other way to get that prb out but keep the weapon is put another orb in.. but break old weapons down.. you will need the crafting materials.. as for rerolling.. save your materials unless you get a legendary.. legendary items will last 5 to 10 levels so it's worth the rerolling...all other weapons will be crap within a few levels.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

For those who have played both (Decker, maybe Buzz?).... How does this game compare to Helldivers? Is coop better in one or about the same? I picked up Helldivers cheap, then it became a PSN freebie, but have only played it once.

Thanks

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I have played both. I was not a big fan of Helldivers. It got a bit repetitive late in the game, and when you play coop, if your team is not balanced in skill it pulls the whole team down. I love my friends to death but each of us has a different level of skill, and one in particular would team kill and die non stop.

This game is more coop friendly. The difficulty is a lot lower, but you still have the option to raise it so it is a challenge if you want. It has that random loot system that hooks you, and a leveling system that rewards play. Late game there are random events and even endless dungeons to challenge a team once you get great loot. I have but 21 hours into it already and I still want to play it.

Helldivers we stopped playing after about 10 hours. Alienation is much more arcade like...more casual

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I played helldivers very little...the 'Friendly Fire' along with the AI had me pulling my hair out at times. The concept and play itself was good. But you almost needed to be firing in a 360° circle at times being simply swarmed. There were some cool gadgets to play but that darn friendly fire crap.....

Alienation like Fox is saying is more arcade feel, not complex yet not hard and not easy. Visually it's stunning especially when you look at the price which to me is an outright steal. The drop in coop is a big plus and so far haven't ran into any issues. Everyone seems to want to get in, complete the mission, get their loot and get out. The pace is about right...or for me it is at this stage. Good deal of options on leveling up your weapons, collecting resources. If you're into fancy array of "Skins" you won't get them here; just color options. Sort of reminds me of Earth Defense Force but a Top Down Shooter. But the game shines with coop no doubt about it. Even at $25-30 I probably would've bought it.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Yeah, it's much more playable and less frustrating than Helldivers. I'm floored at how deep it is between the leveling, loot system and abilities. It may look and play a lot like Dead Nation, but it's a much better, deeper and more satisfying game.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Just when I don't think I will be able to squeeze more damage out of my main gun, I get another crazy drop. I swear the game is programmed to give out slow upgrades over time, and is not really random. I got a main gun with 12 empty slots..and 7 lined up in a row of all damage, so I get damage, and two bonus modifiers for each one. My damage per second on this bad boy is 800,000..and I don't have full level gems in each spot yet. The ultimate power on it drops a grenade on enemies I shoot...which is much better than the power that drops a grenade at your feet when you take damage. So when I shoot people it is also non stop putting grenades all over the field.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

And I thought I hit the Jackpot with my first legendary yesterday...a measly Level 8 Pistol.....

I did have fun though finally getting into several 4 man groups and it was a blast...and made the difference. I have noticed some dropping back, level up and then tackling the missions again which is no big deal. A few can be challenging if you don't have the right firepower. As much as I like the Flamethrower I'm partial to the Launcher...I just love the explosion effect on that one.

I am shocked though country wise the USA is way, way down....I think everyone who lives in Poland and France is playing this game. A week ago USA was around 14th...then 16th and last night we're at 20th. There are countries smaller than some of our states kicking our butt but triple digit leads...I don't understand...the game rocks.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

It's just because that is the "average" XP per player. So they just have a higher percentage of hardcore players vs casuals.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

If there is one "thorn" about this game it's the inability of have multiple characters. I just hit Level 11 and thought about wanting to try one of the others and found you cannot do it unless you overwrite the current one....that is correct right?

I maxed out that Legendary Pistol (Level 8) and gave me a whopping 1800 damage but it's useless when a horde come or you just get a lot swarming you. I went back to a higher level shotgun.

.....and USA is at 21st now.....

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

You can have over 10 different characters at once...maybe more.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

I got it....I'm trying the Biotech character

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

sorry I did not see this earlier..


You must be missing something. When I make a new character I can scroll down and choose an empty spot to make a new save.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Stupid me...it was so obvious. I did several with the Bio Soldier last night. I actually like being a "Medic" type in games....which I'm doing in The Division now. I just wish he had a bit more with the Poison Cloud....something like a canister to throw. When a horde comes the trail he leaves behind works to an extent but not like I was hoping for. I'll toy with him on & off for a bit.

Lately I've been getting kicked out of matches even with one person as host. I'm guessing they don't want help or want to do it solo. And it wasn't like we were way separate levels apart either...kind of weird.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Trust me when I tell you that the poison cloud is the most op skill in the game.

I have experience with level 30 versions of each charcter now and I would rank them

Bio-Specialist A...easily the best. Each skill is amazing.

Saboteur B..2 great skills...

Tank D..only one good skill..


The Saboteur Skills

Plasma Sword The thing is most weapons against the highest level enemies kill fast. Having a sword swipe that does good damage adds nothing to the game. The healing sounds good on paper, but in game it is not that great. Rating D

Artillery Strike Great nuke skill for horde and even bosses. It only needs 3 charges to come back. Rating B+

Camouflage Long recharge at 4, but it is a team save skill. You can revive your team..get out of trouble..and the damage bonus after using seems almost broken. Rating A

The Tank Skills

Tesla Charge The damage is good..but killing enemies is not the problem...it will clear a path, but for 4 recharge points it is insane how little impact this skill has on combat. Rating D

Shield only good skill. When leveled up it melts enemies around you with lightning..heals the team..and you take no damage from the front and less damage from the back. It also is only 3 recharge points. Best skill on tank. Rating A

Ground Smash What a shit skill Fast recharge does not make it good. Damage is actually not even that great so it is only good against trash..and a shotgun is better for that. The after effects last like 2 seconds. Rating D

Bio-Specialist.

Poison Cloud Best skill in the game. Before it is fully ranked up it sucks. When it is half way up it is good...fully leveled up it is God level. The entire screen will fill up with poison. One shots all normal enemies..will melt even bosses..stays on the screen if you spec for length forever. And only cost 2 recharge points...many times you get those both during the skill so you can keep it up at all times. My god what a great skill Rating A+

Healing team saving skill. High recharge but will save the team in hard times. Not much else to say Rating A-

Wraiths melts hard enemies. You put some points in this and the screen is filled with death..and it heals you. moderate recharge time...only bad thing about this skill is I can't max it because I love poison cloud so much... Rating A-

For me the Bio Specialist is clearly the best class in the game. The other classes need a buff on some of their skills.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Well thanks for the write up and detailed explanation of each. Yea....the Nuke with the Saboteur can be a life saver and take out about everything. Haven't got around to trying the Tank quite yet.

So what's the best way of getting the most out of the Toxin Cloud? Is it the one skill besides the Healing you should try and max out asap? I see where it melts enemies following me; just was hoping for a larger AOE. So that comes later right? Haven't even got around to Camouflage yet but I see where that would come in handy especially if you are the lone survivor trying to heal anyone....Good stuff, thanks again....

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

For me I would put one point in healing and one in wraith...then max poison cloud and then go back and forth with healing and wraith. You do want the healing that hits right away at least (level 3 I think)..

As for poison cloud...one of the upgrades half way in make 3 trails behind you and not one. This fills up about half the screen..I usually will dash through enemies with it on or circle back around. I stack length and not damage, since I want it on screen as long as possible. You could make a little circle and protect yourself as well. The last level makes you explode after the skill is over for a screen filling mist that melts..I think you will keep poison on the screen for 15-20 seconds, and a lot times you can cast it again right after. One thing you have to watch out for is projectiles are hard to see in the mist..so be aware of what is coming into your mist if you stand in it.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Thanks again...but Bio Soldier I think is bad luck. I enjoy playing him and almost at Level 8 but have yet seen a single Rare weapon, only a few blue and have got more White than Green and Blue combined. I'm using a Green Shotgun, Rifle and Boomerang. With the Saboteur I was getting Blues and even a rare or two every mission.

Yea...when Horde is announced I try to do a circle or at least a bunch on one side...and they do fall over right away. That's cool with three trails. I was wearing out the Heal and the team I was on constantly called out Nice. I wished I could've stayed and played more with them...two Tanks and two Bio-Specialists . Not a bad combo.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Feel a little better now that I got the Bio-Specialist up to Level 16 last night. Got in several good groups with a few staying together for 2-3 runs straight. Plus it helped getting three Legendary as well; two I'm using a Level 16 Rifle and Level 14 Shotgun. You almost need the Healer aspect going higher. We had two in the group and it helped a lot. I went back to getting my Saboteur back up to around 16, he is Level 14 now....game just rocks.

I do wish they would make easier to swap characters when you get in a match. Something like in Diablo you can get out of the match, change characters and come back in in no time flat. A side pop-up menu where you could choose your character....providing you had more.

Re: Alienation (Housemarque Studios) - (PS4 4/26/16
 

Finished the "Campaign" last night with both characters but I'm confused as to where I go from there. Another window popped up about some side missions, tougher enemies and more XP.

Is it starting the campaign all over but at a higher level, just doing a bunch of random or specific missions that are highlighted? And is this solo or with others?

Really a good game and I hope they figure out on expanding it with not just maps and missions but at least another type of character.

I did get into some Veteran matches last night when trying to do that last Ship Mission....I was going down about every minute. Is your armor & health that good at Level 18-20?