It appears the sequel to Alien: Isolation that everyone assumed was in the works is indeed happening. Fox announced Alien: Blackout today, but with a curve ball: it will be a mobile game.

This may not be the news fans of the 2014 critical hit were wanting to hear, as it is a major shift from the first game's roots on PC and consoles. After the official Twitter for the Alien films teased the sequel, many were expecting something very different.

Alien: Blackout will launch on Apple and Google stores, and is being developed by the British studio Creative Assembly. It will be published by D3 Go, the company behind games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Magic: The Gathering - Puzzle Quest.

alien blackout xenomorph crew d3 creative assembly

The previous game, Alien: Isolation, starred series protagonist Ellen Ripley's daughter, Amanda. This connection to the films made the game feel like it was part of the grander Alien universe, which bolstered interest in the story. It was also a pretty good game as well, relying more on stealth and cunning than brute-force and flamethrowers. It added more tension and set it apart from previous Alien games.

Alien: Blackout will continue Amanda's story, as she yet again must survive an encounter with a Xenomorph using only her wits. If that sounds familiar, it's because the sequel feels an awful lot like the first game. Even D3 Go's own description of the title makes it seems like won't be breaking new ground:

Try to stay alive while trapped aboard a crippled Weyland-Yutani space station carrying a deadly Xenomorph as it tirelessly hunts you and the crew. Outsmart the perfect hunter by making perilous choices.

Survive seven fear-inducing levels by remotely guiding Amanda Ripley’s crew through increasingly challenging tasks using only the station’s emergency systems. The uncertainty and unpredictability of both the alien and her crew can impose total defeat for Amanda and the entire station.

Let's hope the developer can spice things up a bit to keep the experience as fresh as the first game. That endeavor may prove extra challenging, however, due to the limitations of mobile devices. Alien: Isolation garnered a decent review from us, as well as the rest of the gaming community. We will simply have to see how the sequel measures up when it is released.

Alien: Blackout will launch on mobile devices sometime in the near future.