I Am Alive

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 168 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 168
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 168
  3. Negative: 41 out of 168

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  1. Extintor
    Apr 3, 2012
    7
    There is a lot to like about I AM Alive but the title falls quite short of its potential due to several factors. Most notable among these is the overall technical presentation of the graphics and game world. As many have commented below, this isn't an especially pretty game to look at. That said, there are aesthetic strengths in the world design and the art style that definitely help toThere is a lot to like about I AM Alive but the title falls quite short of its potential due to several factors. Most notable among these is the overall technical presentation of the graphics and game world. As many have commented below, this isn't an especially pretty game to look at. That said, there are aesthetic strengths in the world design and the art style that definitely help to deliver the sense of post-apocalyptic hopelessness required by the narrative. The game play aims to deliver a believable experience, with sparse resources, very limited ammunition and a novel approach to combat that creates tension and forces you to think. ( i.e. How will you overcome 4 assailants with only 1 bullet..?). Ultimately, I AM Alive starts to descend into repetition in the latter stages and from a story perspective, ends with the feeling that you've done little more than complete the first act. There is so much promise with this title that I want to rate it an eight in the hope that more people buy it and follow up game is made. That said, even with all its great ideas, this game can't really be rated higher than seven.… Expand
  2. Cabinutz
    Mar 11, 2012
    7
    While not everything that I Am Alive sets out to do actually comes to fruition, it does have many elements that are nice to see on a downloadable game. I found it engaging enough for a purchase, but those who are looking for more meat in a story will not find one here. Although the game follows a linear narrative, the gameplay kept me going for the amount of time it took to finish theWhile not everything that I Am Alive sets out to do actually comes to fruition, it does have many elements that are nice to see on a downloadable game. I found it engaging enough for a purchase, but those who are looking for more meat in a story will not find one here. Although the game follows a linear narrative, the gameplay kept me going for the amount of time it took to finish the game. Bluffing your way out of situations is fun, although later in the game items you receive sometimes make this feature irrelevant with smart maneuvering. If you enjoyed the demo, then this game is for you.… Expand
  3. OrchestraSpy
    Mar 16, 2012
    7
    I AM ALIVE is worth the money, but falls short of being overwhelming. The action gets better as the player acquires more equipment, and every bullet holds weight, but the fact you cannot freely swing the machete from the get go, and other clunky problems slow down the fun and lead to feelings of repetition. The game succeeds in creating a dystopian world with good/bad people to encounterI AM ALIVE is worth the money, but falls short of being overwhelming. The action gets better as the player acquires more equipment, and every bullet holds weight, but the fact you cannot freely swing the machete from the get go, and other clunky problems slow down the fun and lead to feelings of repetition. The game succeeds in creating a dystopian world with good/bad people to encounter with option to assist/attack them, but there is little more to their purpose in terms of enhancing the storyline. For fans of the post apocalyptic genre this game is worth a try, but don't expect the vastness of the Fallout series. It is a linear game with sandbox game elements.… Expand
  4. Astronauta10
    Mar 18, 2012
    7
    I am alive is a game really obscure, which leaves you with great tension, and a game that leaves you sad, with the soundtrack and with the environment in which you pass the game, perfect survivor horror. it's worth rather spend their 1200 microsoft points.
  5. goblue22
    Mar 10, 2012
    7
    lots of fun, especially for the price. the story features a realism and grit that is sadly lacking in most games. I'm not sure why IGN gave the game such a poor review, but I wouldn't put much stock in it.
  6. Locimento
    Mar 23, 2012
    7
    A cool game that has a lot of cool ideas that fit together pretty well. It also takes great advantage of the post apocalyptic setting So you must conserve food, water, and supplies you find on your journey. One of the coolest parts is to whip out your gun if your getting bullied by thugs and to watch them cower and back down then do tell them to back up so they fall into a hole or stabA cool game that has a lot of cool ideas that fit together pretty well. It also takes great advantage of the post apocalyptic setting So you must conserve food, water, and supplies you find on your journey. One of the coolest parts is to whip out your gun if your getting bullied by thugs and to watch them cower and back down then do tell them to back up so they fall into a hole or stab them while they are vulnerable. I am Alive isn't without its faults though, Like sometimes it can get a little boring and there isn't much to loot or rummage through to look for supplies, and sometimes the climbing isn't extremely responsive. But this is a title you should check out and at least play the demo.… Expand
  7. Xborn74
    Mar 11, 2012
    7
    The game begins in a room of one survivor, who is watching a handheld camera, and you, the protagonist begins to speak, addressing to your family (of course, this implies that he is dead): you show your basic survival kit (camera, supplies, rope, etc.), and says that makes a year since the cataclysm and that you took time to reach the edge of town and will enter it to search for Julie (hisThe game begins in a room of one survivor, who is watching a handheld camera, and you, the protagonist begins to speak, addressing to your family (of course, this implies that he is dead): you show your basic survival kit (camera, supplies, rope, etc.), and says that makes a year since the cataclysm and that you took time to reach the edge of town and will enter it to search for Julie (his wife) and May (his daughter), trying to get his old apartment,, because life has no meaning without them.

    The game has two difficulties in the beginning, Normal (more items / ammo, and the minimum of 03 retries for stage) and Survivor (scarcer items and without retries), and to finish the game opens up yet another one yet. The number of retries available you can see in pause, and that gives the option to restart the checkpoint (automatic in certain parts of the game).

    The look of the game is good, but for years of development, and so many hype, could be much better: the game graphics abuses of dust effects, and colours like greys, browns, whites and blacks, to give an air of desolation, and has a fine grain background. The desolation scenarios are really well worked.

    Few elements have true colors as your life bar, and objects of importance - the details of the environments are noted in most scenarios destroyed, but the game uses the very bottom "dirty", dotted, and effects of haze and dust that are constant ...

    Also we note that in some elements (some enemies, skeletons) that when the game was in works, and Ubisoft decided to rush it a little, and not end up with a better detailing of some things.

    The game's sounds are very good, with the constant wind, and the voice of the protagonist, often talking down to avoid unpleasant encounters: the music is appropriate to the game: pianos and with a tense and dramatic atmosphere.

    The main gameplay has many aspects of climbing to go through the destroyed scenarios, and any more intense physical action, consumes a stamina bar, which is the white one (top right; the red one, top left is your life). It decrease slowly, for example when you are climbing or holding on to something, so it is always good to try to be quick at it.

    When it disappears, you can make a supreme effort by pressing RT quickly, and appear a white circle around the screen, which reduces to the center of the screen, turning red in the end, when you fall (you can gain some time to compete something with this) - but the supreme effort decreases the size of the bar, that can only be restored using some item. Occasionally (rarely), you find water, more Retries, ammunition, food, etc. in the scenarios.

    When you meet someone, it's always good to see the reaction of the person to know what to do: with a gun (in first person) by pointing it you can yield some survivors (enemies ones) less armed, and using the X they will retreat, eventually you get a machete and can use it for some actions, and of course, make surprise attacks when them get close. In many instances there will be more of an enemy so think before you act, trying to see how is the best form to escape alive.

    In some instances you find survivors in need of something, like inhalers, food, medicine, water and re-hydration items, and you can choose to help them or keep the items to yourself (there are many achievements for saving people).

    About the fight, still have not found a good combination to get with it: if you point the gun a long time, the enemies see that you do not want to shoot and attack - which is complicated, as always that are more than one enemy, and you don't have time to kill one, other one hits you in middle of the fight. I usually always try to "isolate" one, to allow time to prepare myself for another who is coming.

    The game takes place in a restricted part of the city, with a map that reminded me very much those that exists in Silent Hill... in fact it reminds me not only in this: the movement of the character, the mist, the style of markings in the map, some parts of gameplay too. The enemies attitude resemble only a little another title: Manhunter.

    As is known, this is literally a Survival game, and it behaves the same as one, in a slower pace, and with real enemies, not fictional ones: in spite of everything behind the game, I confess I expected more from some many years and speculations, especially in gameplay variation and in graphics (which in some instances need some polishing) - I give the game a Score of 7.0 / 10.0 .    … Expand
  8. J0MS
    Mar 7, 2012
    7
    Don't trust that IGN review, all his reasons for not liking the game are things that are totally okay or can be overlooked, he also fails to take into account that this is an Arcade game and not a AAA release title so it's no surprise the graphics aren't amazing. I have it and lets just say as far as being entertained goes...I was entertained... this doesn't deserve a 4, that's for sure.
  9. ColdHardTruth
    Mar 10, 2012
    6
    From the beginning, I Am Alive throws you into the fire of survival in a linear story telling way. The story starts you off entering the city. Quickly learning how to jump and climb you realize that the stamina bar that you are given will be necessary to maintain like you would with your speedometer in your car not losing focus. Focusing on the stamina bar but not losing track of whereFrom the beginning, I Am Alive throws you into the fire of survival in a linear story telling way. The story starts you off entering the city. Quickly learning how to jump and climb you realize that the stamina bar that you are given will be necessary to maintain like you would with your speedometer in your car not losing focus. Focusing on the stamina bar but not losing track of where your going is important and probably the most frustrating aspect about this game. Other survival elements are grappling hooking to far reached ledges, sliding down collapsed roofs guiding your way safely to the ground and not falling off the sides. Yes it all sounds simple enough but my experience with I Am Alive was a trial and error experience. Getting the timing right when grappling and swinging from one ledge to another and managing your stamina bar when in the dust fog as this would decrease your stamina rapidly. But it's not all bad folks. There are rewarding elements to this game like, helping people and achieving an extra checkpoint bonus or getting info on where to go. The melee attacks are very simple and could have been worked on further but still work with the game and the shooting mechanics are easily enough, just point and click (just make sure you have a bullet in the chamber). And decision making on who to kill and when to run is easy to figure out once you've experienced one situation. There is a emotional side to things but as stated earlier you get lost in the frustration of some of the controls in some parts. Other elements are, gathering items to survive the long trek towards your final goal (fruit **** water, etc. all help you manage your stamina bar better) but wishing that you could pickup bricks and stones (which by the way you see all over the place in the destruction of the city) which ultimately you could use on your enemy that would have helped your decision making and gave you more confidence when encountering a 4 to 1 odds against you. Understandable that the graphics are bellow average for a download game and sounds are limited with voice acting simple and repeatable. This game is a deserving try for anyone and will entertain you for a while remembering it's only a downloadable game and it has it's flaws but I salute what the game maker was trying to capture here. I personally didn't like all the jumping and swinging but accepted it early on and as a survival game shall have it, I pushed on to my final goal. Bottom Line: Graphics 3/5, sound 3/5, game play 3/5, fun factor 3/5, replay value 3/5.… Expand
  10. busbfran
    Dec 28, 2013
    7
    I am alive is a compelling emotion ride as you fight, fight to save your family, yourself and the reminding survivals, just watch your back because not everyone is so helpful. The end as we know is here after the devastating earth quakes, storm and tsunamis and you must find your family before it's to late. I am alive features the best survival gaming mechanics in have experiences and someI am alive is a compelling emotion ride as you fight, fight to save your family, yourself and the reminding survivals, just watch your back because not everyone is so helpful. The end as we know is here after the devastating earth quakes, storm and tsunamis and you must find your family before it's to late. I am alive features the best survival gaming mechanics in have experiences and some tricky plat forming that leaves you satisfied after figuring them out. You will get your money's worth and have a great time completing this short game.… Expand
  11. jack2059
    Mar 8, 2012
    6
    I spent the last few weeks looking forward to this game, although it was shadowed by bigger titles. It looked promising, and i even ignored the IGN review, as i have seen many times there heavy bias and terribly written "angry" articles.....I started the game up optomistic, and i enjoyed the beginning, the atmosphere and setting seemed great, the idea of a survival game seemed impressive.I spent the last few weeks looking forward to this game, although it was shadowed by bigger titles. It looked promising, and i even ignored the IGN review, as i have seen many times there heavy bias and terribly written "angry" articles.....I started the game up optomistic, and i enjoyed the beginning, the atmosphere and setting seemed great, the idea of a survival game seemed impressive. But the more i played, the more the game just passed by without impressing me.....The first few encounters with gangs are exciting, you must use some tactics in the fights, taking out the gun wielders first with your 1 or even 0 bullets. But each time you meet a gang, you realise there is only one outcome, only one way to get through the section. Shoot the gun person, push the others into a fire/off a ledge, take the bullet/s off the gun guy and move on. I feel they could of made more of the gun, allow you to wound perhaps, or shoot something in the environment.....Then onto the climbing, this also seems clever at first, the stamina system stopping you from hanging around forever. But again, you soon work out there is only one way to get through a climbing section, and you often have to die to realise what that is..... The environment you previously enjoyed also gets worse, once you enter the dust clouds, your screen is almost entirely grey and foggy. The same dust clouds begin to hurt your health if you hang around in them, so that hinders your ability to look around the area and leaves you panicking for height...........Unfortunately the game does feel like a stripped down portable version of what it could of been, it doesnt utilise the ideas it has or could have, and doesn't take advantage of a good setting. If you get yourself into the survival mindset and remeber it is just an arcade game, you will enjoy it. If you are used to something bigger and more engrossing, it will leave you wanting.… Expand
  12. namDa65
    Mar 10, 2012
    5
    This game is a piece of crap. There is a fuzzy film grain filter that is applied that makes the game look last generation. The textures are low quality, and the environments are bland. This game is linear and boring. The combat is simple. Let the guy come to you and you slice their neck. Bluff them and push them off a cliff. The story is cheesy, and the voice acting mediocre. The girlThis game is a piece of crap. There is a fuzzy film grain filter that is applied that makes the game look last generation. The textures are low quality, and the environments are bland. This game is linear and boring. The combat is simple. Let the guy come to you and you slice their neck. Bluff them and push them off a cliff. The story is cheesy, and the voice acting mediocre. The girl sounds like she is just talking into a mic, and the scenes where the video recorder is shown in place of full in game stuff is bad. I recieved a code for this game for free. And I am complaining. This game is bad.… Expand
  13. SplittingDavid
    Mar 13, 2012
    5
    What i have deduced in my opinion from playing the demo is
    the controls are awkward . i think that that the graphics need to be improved
    but they are ok and are not a critical issue.i think the camcorder testimonials are quite effectively,done and are fairly unique The ai are stupid and the way they react to you is beyond hilarious. the voice acting is ok but could be better Despite all    What i have deduced in my opinion from playing the demo is
    the controls are awkward . i think that that the graphics need to be improved
    but they are ok and are not a critical issue.i think the camcorder testimonials are quite effectively,done and are fairly unique The ai are stupid and the way they
    react to you is beyond hilarious. the voice acting is ok but could be better Despite all the flaws the overall gameplay in
    the demo is still fun weather my impression of the demo will
    transport into the full game i do not know. I think it is actually quite good
    as an xbox live title overall.    … Expand
  14. sias
    Mar 12, 2012
    6
    I'm so torn with this game. The premise and overall execution of the story, scenario, characters etc is spot on. But the game suffers from so many strange design choices and many irritating control issues which really diminish the experience. The overall look of the game is great with a town ravaged by an earthquake coated in dust (reminiscent of the film The Road). This is not a colourfulI'm so torn with this game. The premise and overall execution of the story, scenario, characters etc is spot on. But the game suffers from so many strange design choices and many irritating control issues which really diminish the experience. The overall look of the game is great with a town ravaged by an earthquake coated in dust (reminiscent of the film The Road). This is not a colourful adventure, and all the better for it! Combat is interesting, relying very much on planning survival over gunplay and melee attacks. Characters and story are well executed with many additional NPCs to flesh out areas of the town. The reducing stamina bar during climbing, running and walking through dust clouds really adds to the tension and offers a different sort of survival experience other than the threat of being shot or stabbed to death. However, there are some very irritating control issues and design choices which lead to much unnecessary frustration. The climbing mechanic, reminiscent of Uncharted and Tomb Raider, is generally fine, but on so many occasions it's inaccuracy creates massive frustration leading to unfair deaths. So many times while on the brink of complete stamina loss and an imminent fall to my death I've suddenly not been able to climb up onto a ledge or I've not been able to climb in a certain direction. When this happens, and you manage to live, the repercussions of this are felt throughout the game as your stamina bar is permanently reduced in size and can only be extended by consuming provisions that are few and far between. It's just very infuriating when the controls let you down making the game far harder than it should be. Secondly, the retry system is dated and completely redundant. Why on earth does it exist? Especially when the actual checkpoints are so far apart at times. Why do I need to worry about retries? If all my retries are used up I have to start a whole section again? Why? Why on earth does that exist? It's not made clear either when it's safe to quit the game knowing that the game has autosaved. I quit once and was put back quite a way because I had no idea when I would reach a save point. A simple indication of when the game has saved would be nice as well as a simple checkpoint system that's clearly indicated. Pointless, dated features like this really hold the game back. I really hope 'I Am Alive' gets a sequel in the form of a complete game - it has a great premise and some fantastic ideas, but it definitely needs a bigger studio with game designers that aren't stuck in the 90s!… Expand
  15. drlowdon
    Feb 27, 2013
    7
    Originally intended as a full retail release I Am Alive eventually found itself released as a budget download only title. While its troubled production is certainly evident, particularly in its rushed final chapters, it has enough original ideas and solid gameplay mechanics to provide six to seven hours of tense entertainment.
  16. JackYaLate
    Jan 20, 2013
    6
    Graphics: 5/10 Gameplay: 7/10 Story: 6/10 Enjoyment: 6/10 = 6 (Above average)
    This pretty much every Ubisoft game nowadays. Climbing being the main focus and stealth being just underneath. And if you play many of their games it gets boring. Like here. The game is built around 'The Ubisoft Game' function. If you don't know what I mean Assassins Creed has your answer.
  17. Rahsmoove
    Dec 15, 2014
    5
    To all the critics, that influenced me to buy this game: **** YOU! **** YOU! **** YOU! **** YOU! I don't care of this game is a $15 arcade game. That doesn't excuse the fact that it has a lot of game breaking glitches, aggravating stamina, mediocre knife attacks, awful shooting and dumb, and dull graphics even for 2012. I could use that $15 on a game that was totally worth it.

    However    To all the critics, that influenced me to buy this game: **** YOU! **** YOU! **** YOU! **** YOU! I don't care of this game is a $15 arcade game. That doesn't excuse the fact that it has a lot of game breaking glitches, aggravating stamina, mediocre knife attacks, awful shooting and dumb, and dull graphics even for 2012. I could use that $15 on a game that was totally worth it.

    However what brings up to a 5 is, the plot, the AI, and the setting    … Expand
  18. Toolnine
    Nov 16, 2017
    6
    The game has some interesting mechanics, but it's boring and I found no reason to trudge through it. Nothing made me wan't to continue playing it, the game is too linear.
  19. brendo214
    May 30, 2019
    6
    I Am Alive is a pretty average post-apocalyptic survival game. Nothing special about it.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2012
9
#9 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 68
  3. Negative: 8 out of 68
  1. Polygon
    Apr 26, 2012
    40
    Ah well. One final tinge of guilt for an awful, disgusting, unsettling thing I never wanted to do. That sums up I Am Alive concisely.
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  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 25, 2012
    80
    Excellent thriller works perfectly as a survival simulation. The story is great, game mechanics are great, fight system is smart and locations are memorable – what else could you want? [Apr 2012]
  3. Xbox World Australia
    Apr 23, 2012
    69
    With so many great games on XBLA let alone on disc, it's hard to recommend I Am Alive. It feels like it never reached its full potential. Maybe with more time or a bigger team Ubisoft would have a classic like Assassin's Creed on their hands, but unfortunately it falls flat on too many levels.
    Read full review
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