I Am Alive

I Am Alive is a survival adventure that was released in 2012 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. The game came to life after a
troubled development period. Initially, the producer Ubisoft entrusted the development to Darkworks, but after two years of work, the project was handed over to the Ubisoft Shanghai team. The work was not exactly met with enthusiasm by industry insiders and the public, despite some undeniable strengths that have made I Am Alive a small cult over the years.

PLOT

The events of I Am Alive take place in the city of Haventon, a place devastated by an unspecified cataclysm. Adam Collins, our protagonist, is searching for his family, with whom he lost contact after leaving for a trip. Upon returning home, he finds no one to welcome him. He will then embark on a desperate search for his wife and daughter in a hostile world full of dangers.

CONSIDERATIONS

The narrative premise of I Am Alive is certainly not among the most original, but despite this, the game manages to offer a unique experience. Ubisoft’s title is made memorable by an impressive atmosphere, as well as a rich and stimulating gameplay that is not easy to master. The survival component is very pronounced and central within the game world, so the player will have to search for anything potentially useful for survival; even the seemingly least important item can be crucial in advancing the adventure. Another strength of the game lies in the climbing phases, which are really well designed. The level design will put Adam’s skills to the test, as he will often risk his life in an attempt to find a way by climbing through the rubble. The protagonist will also need to be very careful of scavengers, who will often attack us with the intent to rob us. In some of these cases, using the gun will be essential, as even if it is unloaded, it may scare our enemies when pointed at them.

IN CONCLUSION

I Am Alive is one of those games that stays in the heart despite its objective flaws, the first being the narrative progression, which often (especially at the end) feels a bit confusing. It will be truly difficult for the player not to become fully immersed in the desolate world created by Ubisoft Shanghai, aided by a spine-tingling audio component. Highly recommended, especially for fans of post-apocalyptic settings like The Last of Us.