SDCC 2012 Video Game Round-Up: Aliens: Colonial Marines
The Alien franchise is very near and dear to many hearts in geekdom. Of course, the importance of canon, storytelling, characters, and mythology surrounding this universe goes without saying. One should only expect amazing video games based on the universe.
Enter Aliens: Colonial Marines. This FPS shooter, with Xeno-baddies vs. Marine combat, is sure to spark gamers’ interest. The concept sounds great. Squad-based combat set in dark, creepy environments filled with Aliens running around on walls, ceilings, vents, and who knows what else. Even better, players are allowed to be Aliens themselves. Unfortunately, SEGA may have much to work on before this title goes gold.
Read up on the synopsis below!
You and your friends against the deadliest killers in the galaxy. Another glorious day in the corps.Buckle up, soldier! Welcome to Aliens: Colonial Marines. Created by Gearbox, the critically acclaimed and fan-favorite developers of Borderlands and Brothers In Arms, this first-person shooter is steeped in the eerie, claustrophobic and terrifying atmosphere that made the Aliens films successful worldwide. You and your friends will become the most badass military outfit in the galaxy – the US Colonial Marines. It’s down to you to not just survive but wipe out the Xeno infestation.Features:Enlist in the Marine Corps
Bringing you a true sequel to James Cameron’s classic Aliens, get tooled up with classic Marine weapons including pulse rifles, motion trackers and flamethrowers.The most authentic Aliens experience ever
Using authentic environments inspired by the film series including Hadley’s Hope, the Sulaco and LV-426, you will be immersed in an eerie, atmospheric world where any moment could bring your death.Drop-in / Drop-out co-operative gameplay
The masters of co-op bring their expertise to the Aliens universe. Xenos getting too tough? Call up your buddies so they can drop in with extra firepower. The whole campaign can be played with a squad of up to four players, dropping in and out as necessary through self-contained missions within an over-arching narrative.Loadouts and upgrades
Create your perfect killing machine. An extensive upgrade system allows players to customize their characters to play the way they want. Earn experience to get perks, new weapons and new looks for your squad.
Honestly, I’m worried about this game. It seems that the excitement that’s down on paper didn’t translate very well into gameplay. I wanted to like this game, but it felt very generic in a universe that spawned so much inspiration. I wasn’t able to actually play as a Xenomorph, but I was able to view live gameplay of SEGA employees who were playing as them. I won’t criticize the player model movement, or even the graphics engine itself. What worries me is the level of expectation I, and I’m sure many fans have or had.
E3 2012 Off-Screen Gameplay Footage
Over the shoulder gameplay footage from Comic-Con 2012
Xenomorph attacks are class based into two classes. Also keep mind that different classes may arise as the year goes by. The attacks themselves were pretty standard. Claw, jump, run on walls and ceiling, and pouncing.
Playing as a Marine is what you’d expect. You’re able to aim down the sights, use secondary fire options, and heavy weapons. The sense of urgancy that’s clear from the films is absent, and instead, it feels like I’m just shooting aliens and not Xenomorphs. Yeah, it was cool fighting alongside other players, helping each other out whenever we got cornered, but it’s just not what I expected.
A prime example is the screenshot above. That screenshot alone makes me want to buy the game. Playing the game should be able to translate feeling too. With a solid four months of crunch time, there is still hope for Colonial Marines. With some tweaks here and there, perhaps the horror in the title will arise, and Aliens: Colonial Marines will be able to proudly represent the Alien Universe.
Aliens: Colonial Marines is hitting the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC February 2, 2013.
