Alien: Isolation is, without a doubt, the best video game based on the Alien universe. While many tried before, developer Creative Assembly managed to capture the terror and desolate atmosphere that made the movies so famous. In spite of being a few years old, Alien: Isolation remains one of the most influential survival horror games on macOS.
But what does it take to run this fan-favorite horror game? How well can your Mac run Alien: Isolation? Can it run on M1 Macs?
Can you play Alien: Isolation on Mac?
You can absolutely play Alien: Isolation on your Mac, including Intel and Apple Silicon Models. Even if the system requirements don’t mention M1 or M2 Macs, our benchmarks confirm the game runs fine on Apple Silicon Macs.
It is worth noting that for a game that was released many years ago on macOS (2015), it remains a demanding game to run. This is partly due to the game’s superb graphics but also because it still runs using the old OpenGL graphics engine. If developer Feral Interactive ever decides to update this game to use the Metal API, we should see very significant improvements. More on that below.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alien: Isolation | Horror | Yes |  | OpenGL | Rosetta |
Alien: Isolation on Mac: Everything you need to know
Released on October 27, 2015, the macOS version of the game was handled by porting company Feral Interactive.
Set fifteen years after Ridley Scott’s original film, Alien: Isolation sends you on a journey to an abandoned space station. This probably sounds like a standard Alien-scenario, but Isolation is unlike any other Alien game you’ve ever played.
Isolation is the first game that finally captures the essence of the original film. This is a game about survival. The monster is to be feared and respected. It can’t be killed. All you can do is run and hide (a lot like in Outlast). Luckily, the space station is full of places to hide, including vents, lockers, and cabinets. This means stealth will be your best weapon against the monster. It is safe to say that Aliens: Isolation is one of the best survival horror games out there.
Even after all these years, Isolation still looks great and plays smoothly, thanks to Feral Interactive‘s fine job with the macOS version. If an Alien: Isolation 2 ever happens, we certainly hope that Feral Interactive remains in charge of all macOS developments.
The Collection
Alien: Isolation for macOS came to us in the shape of “The Collection” Edition. The Collection includes all DLC previously released: two stand-alone missions set aboard Ellen Ripley’s ship and five mission packs that add new maps, playable characters, and challenges.
Alien: Isolation Mac requirements
These are the game’s official Mac requirements:
| Requirements | |
| OS: | 10.10.4 |
| Processor: | 2 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| Memory: | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: | 1 GB AMD 5750, 1 GB Nvidia 650M, 1.5 GB Intel Iris Pro 5200 |
| Hard Drive: | 35 GB |
| A 64-Bit OS and processor are required | |
⛔ Be aware that the game is officially supported on the following Macs:
- All 13” MacBook Pros released since 2016
- All 15” MacBook Pros released since Mid 2012 with a 1GB graphics card or better
- All 21.5” iMacs released since Late 2013 (Models with an Intel HD5000 graphics card are not supported.)
- All 27” iMacs released since Mid 2010 with a 1GB graphics card or better
- All Mac Pros released since Late 2009
How to play Alien: Isolation on Mac
As mentioned before, Alien: Isolation now runs natively on macOS, including Intel-based Macs and M1/M2 Macs.
This means Alien: Isolation can run on macOS without requiring any third-party software. Therefore, we won’t waste your time talking about Parallels, Crossover (both excellent tools, but only useful for Windows-exclusive games…), or Streaming services.
Can you play Alien: Isolation on Mac? Benchmarks
These are the Alien: Isolation M1 benchmarks we have gathered so far:
| Game | Machine | Resolution | Settings | Other | FPS | Tester | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alien: Isolation | 💻 M1 Max MacBook Pro 16", 32 GB | 1920x1080 | Max | 60+ | MrMacRight | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRPPLrlUeSA | |
| Alien: Isolation | 💻 M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14", 16 GB | 1920x1080 | High | 50+ | MrMacRight | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qbWf7RbWqU | |
| Alien: Isolation | 💻 M1 MacBook Pro 13", 8-core GPU, 8 GB | 1440x900 | Medium | 40-50 | MrMacRight |
As a reminder, this is how we describe the different levels of performance:
- Below 20 FPS: Unplayable: Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns.
- 20-30 FPS: Borderline: Can be OK in slow-paced games. Still, not optimal.
- 30-45 FPS: Playable: Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this).
- 45-60 FPS: Smooth: Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters.
- 60+ FPS: Very Smooth: For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most.
Into Horror games? These are our favorites:
| Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
| Genre | Survival | Shooter | Psychological Horror |
| Release date | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Metascore | |||
| Our rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ |
| Requirements | Medium | Low | High |
| Check Price |
SOMA
BioShock Remastered
Layers of FearCan you play Alien: Isolation on a MacBook Pro?
Alien: Isolation was a demanding game on Windows PCs, and the same can be expected on Macs. Feral Interactive did a great job optimizing this macOS port, but Alien: Isolation is still punishing on most Macs that have integrated graphics, including MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. This is especially true on Intel-based Macs.
If you have an M1 and M2 Mac, performance will be much better but don’t expect it to run at max settings and resolutions on a base M1 MacBook Air…
Download Alien: Isolation for Mac
You can download the game on Steam.
Nice rumor man!
I love playing survival horror games even if it’s difficult to play them due to the scary ambient…
Glad I didn’t buy this yet 😀
@th3taj:disqus @cami_lopezcr:disqus too bad this is still a rumor with absolutely no other news confirming it…. Besides a leak found on Reddit point towards a certain Mac porting company and hidden pages in their website…..
Well, now it is not a rumor!
I’m already treeeemblinggggg….. hahahaha!
Great game on PS4, brilliant excuse to play again 🙂
Indeed, did you buy it for the Mac?
no but I’ve just checked and it’s on steam so on my list of things to do!
Let me know how it goes.
I will buy Alien: Isolation.
Same here, just waiting for a definitive release date now…. (the game got delayed)
a macbook air 2014 can run AI the window version using boot camp , but the same computer cant run the AI OSX version ? what the ?
Do you have it on Windows? From Steam? In that case you could try both versions and compare. And let us know, I’m sure more than a few around here are interested 😉
i have it on windows 7 (Boot camp on my Macbook Air) , it is not from Steam , it is independent / boxed game .. but i dont think i would buy the mac osx version..
I completely understand man. If it was a Steam key, easy thanks to Steam Play but otherwise, no, no point in purchasing it twice…
Check the graphic requirement.. it practically limit itself to the high end macs and left the older macs behind
Not sure about that, my 2013 Macbook Air does have a lot of trouble running the game on low settings, but I’m sure a newer MacBook with integrated graphics should be able to run this game at Medium settings just fine.
Macbook Pro 13 would be better though , but even at lowest setting the game still deliver plenty in the window 7 bootcamp macbook
We will never know…. Unless I finally install Bootcamp / Windows and try it 🙂
Apparently the iPad version runs flawlessly. Too bad we can run that on Apple Silicon Macs. It would run so well, I don’t understand why Feral prevents it.
… I meant “too bad we CAN’T run the iPad version on Apple Silicon Macs”…
Cannot get this to run on my I Pad for some reason, will try it on a desk top.
Hi there, this is a bit off-topic, but worth adding. Are you aware that layers of fear, is coming to Mac silicon on June 15 this year? You can find out more on the blooper website