10 Books Like Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a thrilling video game that immerses players in a sci-fi horror world of terror and survival. Alien Isolation takes place in the Alien universe.
It tells the story of Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, when she learns that the flight recorder for her mother’s ship, the Nostromo, was found by a salvage ship and is being held at a corporate space station called Sevastopol. Amanda travels to Sevastopol Station, along with a few others including a Weyland Yutani executive. However, when Amanda arrives, things seem to be quiet, and soon they discover that a dangerous menace has made its way onto the station.
If you are a fan of this intense, heart-pumping game and love the Alien universe, here are 10 books like Alien: Isolation that will give you a similar thrill and chills:
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Jeff Vandermeer’s novel transports readers to Area X, a mysterious wilderness cut off from the rest of the world. As a team of scientists embark on an expedition to uncover its secrets, they encounter bizarre and terrifying phenomena. Annihilation shares the same sense of foreboding and creeping dread found in Alien: Isolation, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Step into a future where humans and aliens exist in an uneasy truce in Peter Watts’ Blindsight. This novel takes readers on a journey with a team of humans sent to investigate an extraterrestrial threat that could spell doom for humanity. Just like Alien: Isolation, where you are trying to survive and discover the hidden mysteries behind what happened on the space station, Blindsight delivers an immersive and relentless thriller that will keep readers captivated throughout.
Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
Greg Bear’s Hull Zero Three presents a chilling tale of a man awakening on a generation spaceship in a state of disarray. As he navigates the labyrinthine corridors, he discovers terrifying creatures and a mystery that could jeopardize the mission. This book echoes the claustrophobic atmosphere and heart-pounding intensity that you feel playing Alien: Isolation as you try to survive amongst the rogue AIs, other survivors and the terrifying xenomorph that stalks the station.
The Descent by Jeff Long
Journey through ancient underground tunnels with Jeff Long’s The Descent. This novel follows a group of explorers as they unearth new worlds under the Earth’s surface, only to discover something sinister and terrifying. The Descent invites readers into a dark and claustrophobic environment, giving you the same tense feeling as you try to survive in the dark, cramped environment of Sevastopol station.
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Delve into the chilling story of two British naval ships stranded in the Arctic Circle in Dan Simmons’ The Terror. As the crew faces starvation, mutiny, and the dangers of the harsh environment, they also discover something else stalking them in the icy darkness. In Alien: Isolation, you are stuck on a station floating in the dark harshness of space. The Terror shares this sense of isolation and creeping terror, offering readers an intense, heart-pumping read.
Sphere by Michael Crichton
Another Michael Crichton classic, Sphere explores the consequences of encountering an unknown and alien intelligence. This book follows a team of scientists as they investigate a perfectly spherical spaceship discovered on the ocean floor. Sphere offers the same sense of excitement, danger, and suspense as Alien: Isolation, keeping you engrossed in its thrilling narrative until its shocking conclusion.
The Ruins by Scott Smith
Scott Smith’s terrifying novel takes place in the depths of the Mexican jungle, where a group of tourists stumbles upon an eerie and deadly presence hidden within ancient ruins. As they fight for their survival against an unknown and ruthless enemy, readers are drawn into a story much like the harrowing experience found in Alien: Isolation, fuelled by tension, mystery, and unexpected danger.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Enter the labyrinthine and surreal world of Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves. Told through a series of academic papers and footnotes, it follows a family as their home is consumed by an unexplainable and constantly changing maze. House of Leaves shares the same unnerving atmosphere and psychological terror found in Alien: Isolation, leaving readers questioning what’s real and what’s not.
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
In The Cabin at the End of the World, Paul Tremblay tells the story of a family vacation turned deadly as a group of strangers arrive with a horrifying agenda. This book serves up a relentless and suspenseful narrative that will grip you and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Nemesis by Brendan Reichs
Nemesis by Brendan Reichs is the first book in a thrilling science fiction series. It follows Min, a teenager who experiences a series of horrifying deaths and is propelled into a never-ending cycle of terror and survival. This book shares the same sense of relentless danger, anxiety, and unexpected twists that keep readers hooked. So, if you like the idea of an experience that is completely out of your control like in the game, and having to fight for survival, this novel will give you the same feeling.
If you’re looking for books that pack the same punch as Alien: Isolation, then these ten heart-pumping recommendations will leave you spooked, riveted, and on the edge of your seat. Have you played Alien: Isolation? Do you agree with these recommendations? Do you have your own books you’d like to recommend? Comment below and let us know!