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Aliens: Colonial Marines

by Alex Culafi - January 13, 2013, 3:46 pm EST
Total comments: 13

It's the Alien 3 you've always wanted.

Aliens: Colonial Marines has been around for a long time. Back in 2001, a now-defunct Check Six Games began development on a PlayStation 2 game with the same title to be published by EA and Fox Interactive, which was subsequently cancelled. On December 11, 2006, Sega revealed its purchases of the electronic rights from 20th Century Fox to the “Aliens” franchise, and the game we know today was subsequently announced four days later.

Considered official series canon by 20th Century Fox, the game takes place around four months after the events in “Aliens.” The plot is carried by Corporal Christopher Winter, a Colonial Marine who is part of a rescue team sent to investigate the disappearance of Ellen Ripley and the rest of the missing marines from “Aliens” who were dispatched to LV-426. Colonial Marines incorporates various settings from the films, including the U.S.S. Sulaco, the alien spacecraft from “Alien,” LV-426, and several other locations currently unannounced.

To stand shoulder to shoulder with the films in the franchise, Gearbox has painstakingly incorporated an aesthetic and gameplay faithful (if not identical) to the source material. The game looks and sounds much like one of the films, from the constant dread of being in a cold and dark space to the ever-present sound of footsteps on wet steel.

Adding to the isolation of the experience even further is the game’s lack of traditional HUD—you’re given only a beeping motion tracker to indicate alien movement. Essentially, Gearbox takes a cue from the Warren Spector handbook by making every single detail either from the source material or inspired directly by it (including the original James Horner soundtrack).

Throughout the single-player story, players encounter two main gameplay types: "Gauntlet Run,” in which players fight enemies from point A to point B (which sound like more traditional levels), and "Last Stand" moments where players must defend a specific area by welding doors, fighting enemies, and setting up turrets. Because of the focus on story, I'm expecting that the game remains one cohesive narrative rather than devolving into a series of repetitive missions, but the gameplay footage hasn't led speculation toward one direction or the other. When killing enemies and completing objectives, players also earn experience points that allow them to customize their appearance, unlock skills, and upgrade weapons.

Gearbox takes some much-needed creative liberties in regard to Colonial Marines’ enemy types. The main enemies seen in the game are xenomorphs from the first three films. From “Alien,” expect to see the Drone, Facehugger, and Chestbursters; from “Aliens,” the Warrior and trademark Queen show up; lastly, “Alien 3” gets a little love with the awesome Runner. Players won't be limited to fighting aliens, as the marines are forced to fight Weyland-Yutani commandos and mercenaries.

Most interestingly, Gearbox is creating new xenomorph types on its own. It’s been secretive about it, but its E3 2011 showing offered details on the "Crusher" species, a large triceratops-looking alien that attempts to ram you with its impenetrable skull. Also of note is that the alien AI will use sneaking and group tactics to overwhelm the team of Marines.

As a shooter, the game utilizes equipment from the original movies. Expect to see the oh-so-memorable flamethrower, pulse rifles, sentry turrets, smartguns, pistols, RPGs, shotguns, and more. Outside of these and the aforementioned motion tracker, there is also a welding torch that allows players to participate in sealing doors from aliens, though there is no word on whether this can be used on most doors or only several specific ones.

The new Aliens game also has significant multiplayer focus. Cooperatively, four players can participate in a drop-in/drop-out online experience, or two can do the same with local split-screen (no word on whether the Wii U GamePad will be able to eliminate that problem).

On the competitive side, only two modes have been revealed: Escape, a four-on-four mode where marines must reach an evac point while the xenomorph team tries to stop them, and a six-on-six aliens vs. Marines team deathmatch. While Marines control the same in both multiplayer and single-player, the alien classes are third-person affairs where they fight using their expected leaping and swiping abilities to take out opponents.

In the Colonial Marines developer interview, it was revealed that the GamePad would be a heavy part of the experience. Some applications seen include motion tracking, scanning, using a database, using the map, and participating in wire puzzles.

"This is really cool when you're first playing the game because you're kind of focused, you're immersed in your virtual reality world and suddenly you hear [scanner noises]. It's coming from down there, and you can see a blip," said Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. "This is just scratching the surface."

Aliens: Colonial Marines releases February 12 on other systems, though the Wii U version hasn't been given a solid date yet.

Talkback

ShyGuyJanuary 14, 2013

I am hyped for the game! Feb. 12th isn't too far away!

NeoThunderJanuary 14, 2013

is this game really gonna be $99 when it comes out?

TJ SpykeJanuary 14, 2013

Quote from: NeoThunder

is this game really gonna be $99 when it comes out?

Just the Collector's Edition (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/350220/aliens-colonial-marines-collectors-edition-confirmed/), which contains the following:

*Resin Powerloader statue in a limited edition Xeno Hive box.
*USCM Dossier, packing with a mission briefing, a schematic of the USS Sephora, a recruitment cart, a USCM graduation certificate, LV-426 recon photo, and iron-on USCM badges.

Plus in-game stuff:
*Ripley's flamethrower, a special USCM Firing Range level, Sonic Electronic Ball Breakers and Phase Plasma Rifle multiplayer weapons, and special customization options for your marines. Even dress up as Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone from Aliens.

azekeJanuary 14, 2013

But i want a real flamethrower dammit.

Sound really interesting, i might bite. Hate to be that guy but the game also having a multiplayer would be a major plus. But only if they will put wiimote option in.

Kytim89January 14, 2013

Quote from: TJ

Quote from: NeoThunder

is this game really gonna be $99 when it comes out?

Just the Collector's Edition (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/350220/aliens-colonial-marines-collectors-edition-confirmed/), which contains the following:

*Resin Powerloader statue in a limited edition Xeno Hive box.
*USCM Dossier, packing with a mission briefing, a schematic of the USS Sephora, a recruitment cart, a USCM graduation certificate, LV-426 recon photo, and iron-on USCM badges.

Plus in-game stuff:
*Ripley's flamethrower, a special USCM Firing Range level, Sonic Electronic Ball Breakers and Phase Plasma Rifle multiplayer weapons, and special customization options for your marines. Even dress up as Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone from Aliens.

It is a shame that there is no collector's edition for the Wii U version of the game.

broodwarsJanuary 14, 2013

I find it hilarious that this preview lists the Wii U version as being release on February 12th when every game retailer site I go to either doesn't have a listing for the Wii U version (Amazon) or has a Dec. 31st release date (Gamestop, Best Buy).

Regardless, this game is going to FAIL and fail HARD on whatever platforms it falls on. It's being dumped out in the middle of the nightmare that is February/March 2013 on the 360/PS3, and by the time it finally releases on Wii U probably few will probably care about it anymore.  Sega really either needed to get this game out on ALL platforms earlier, or they needed to push it into April after all those other companies are done killing each other (and before Grand Theft Auto 5 kills off everything in May).  The game may be great, but it's getting sent out to die.

Quote from: broodwars

I find it hilarious that this preview lists the Wii U version as being release on February 12th when every game retailer site I go to either doesn't have a listing for the Wii U version (Amazon) or has a Dec. 31st release date (Gamestop, Best Buy).

Thanks for the correction, Brood. I was so sure that I remember Pitchford saying that they were all coming out at once, but after a bit of digging, it looks like you're absolutely right that they have no solid date for this version.

ShyGuyJanuary 14, 2013

Come on Gearbox, don't screw over us Wii U players after hyping the game up so much!

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusJanuary 14, 2013

Sounds like they are taking a page out of L4D with the 4v4 match.

ShyGuyJanuary 14, 2013

Okay, this commercial on Sega's channel has the Wii U box right next to the others with the date splashed across the bottom:

http://youtu.be/P7BkqmMNQWA

For a second there I thought you said it was on Sega Channel and I thought it was 1994 again.

Quote from: ShyGuy

Okay, this commercial on Sega's channel has the Wii U box right next to the others with the date splashed across the bottom:

http://youtu.be/P7BkqmMNQWA

Hmm...The official website and Nintendo's website still have the vague TBC/Launch Window thing going.

Fatty The HuttFebruary 06, 2013

There's a whole special page on EBGames devoted to selling this - and it is only for PS3/360.
When is the Wii U version coming? Will it be available as a download?


Could NWR please reach out to Sega and Gearbox for some info?

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Aliens: Colonial Marines Box Art

Genre Action
Developer

Worldwide Releases

na: Aliens: Colonial Marines
Release Cancelled
PublisherSega
RatingMature
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