Aliens:Colonial Marines - FLOP! 4.5/10 - Gamespot, 4.5/10 IGN UK, 3/10 Eurogamer

Announced: December 12, 2006

In development: since at least 2008 - 2 revisions

Release date: February 12, 2013

Developer: Gearbox Software

Developer's track record from latest 3 games: Borderlands 2 (89/100 - Xbox 360, 91/100 - PS3, 89/100 - PC), Borderlands (84/100 - Xbox 360, 83/100 - PS3, 81/100 - PC), Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (76/100 - Xbox 360, 76/100 - PS3, 79/100 - PC)

Publisher: SEGA

Platforms:PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U

Voice cast: Lance Henriksen, Michael Biehn, Derek Phillips (Friday Night Light), Travis Willingham: (Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Catherine, Halo 4, The World Ends With You), Travis Willingham: (Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Catherine, Halo 4, The World Ends WIth You, veteran of several anime series), Jason Douglas (Deus Ex: Invisible War, A Scanner Darkly, Grindhouse, Sin City, eteran of several anime series)

Screenwriters: Bradley Thompson and David Weddle (Battlestar Galactica)

Music composer: Kevin Riepl (Gears of War 1 & 2,Unreal Tournament 3, UT 2003 & 2004, Crackdown 2, Resistance: Burning Skies)

Weapons list: It will feature 2 main weapons slots, 1 sidearm slot and 1 tactical gadget slot

You will come across "Legendary weapons" in the single player campaign, including Hicks's shotgun, Gorman's pistol, etc. ; Ripley's flamethrower+pulse rifle combo is also available as a preorder bonus.

Singleplayer campaign is fully playable in 4 player drop-in/drop-out co-op

Multiplayer bonus characters (preorder): Hicks, Hudson, Apone and Drake

Multiplayer modes:

Extermination Mode - Marine team must wipe out Xenomorph egg clusters while the opposing team tries to stop them. Compete for the highest number of egg clusters exterminated. Play a Quick Match with 5 on 5 or a Custom Match with 6 on 6.

Escape Mode - Marine team must escape through Xenomorph infested territory. Compete for the fastest time to the goal. Play with 4 on 4.

Survivor  - Marine team must survive unrelenting Xenomorph attacks until time is up. Play with 4 on 4.

Team Deathmatch - Two opposing teams kill enemy players to earn points. Play a Quick Match with 5 on 5 or a Custom Match with 6 on 6.

DLC: Season Pass - $30, there will be 4 DLC packs from March till Summer 2013, campaign content, multiplayer levels, and even gameplay modes will all be included.

Xenomorphs have unlockable custom abilities / attacks as well as fatality moves

Marines have unlockable weapon upgrades and attachments, as well as tactical gadgetry

Multiplayer seems to be modelled after Left 4 Dead to a large extent and features Xenomorphs such as:

Warrior - standard species

Lurker -modelled after Giger's Alien from Alien, more stealthy, faster and cunning

Spitter - capable of spitting acid as a ranged attack

Boiler - capable of attempting a suicide attack showering everything in its sight, it also generates clouds of smoke after exploding with acid, making it impossible to see through for Marines

Crusher - massive Xenomorph capable of delivering a great deal of damage, its front part of the head is also bulletproof

Gameplay footage from final build courtesy of IGN:

2 hours video stream:

http://uk.ign.com/videos/2013/02/02/ign-live-presents-aliens-colonial-marines

or

http://pl.twitch.tv/ignlive/b/363429085

Beware of spoilers, though!

Most important points:

Xenomorphs can kill you in about 3 hits

You can play the entire game without HUD on Ultimate Badass difficulty

Health regenerates ONLY OUTSIDE THE COMBAT and only a'la Perfect Dark Zero that is you have 3 blocks of health and the health regenerates only up to that segment you're currently in (so if you have 2 out of 3 blocks, it won't regenerate to 3/3). You MUST collect health packs every now and then. Armor doesn't regenerate at all.

Trailers:

'Kick Ass':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5AoxeljVqs

'Kick Ass' alternate version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1R_dkMklYQ

'Tactical':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Y6tGD2znM

'Contact':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfOOOAN9e9w

'Escape':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7UBQouJBns

'Suspense':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shnrNMh3PYM

Gameplay videos:

Single Player, footage from Sulaco - Gamestar.de

Gametrailers gameplay - April 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qLuOVI1Fic

Gamespot - Hadley's Hope Preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpHkZopLaos

IGN E3 2012 gameplay footage & Randy Pitchford interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w3vlks9lYY

E3 2011 demo walkthrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZHA58-_2Eg

Screenshots:

STEAM instruction manual pdf:

http://cdn.steampowered.com/Manuals/49540/ACM_STEAM_MG_UK_hr.pdf

 --

OLDER MATERIALS:

A complete list hands-on articles from December 2012:

AvPGalaxy
Polygon
Starpulse
Fpsguru
Forbes
Joystiq
Gamereactor DE
Gamereactor
Spong
Eurogamer
Thesixthaxis
CVG
IGN UK
IGN Gameplay Preview
X360 Achiv
Gamereactor Video Interview
Gamestar [Gameplay]
Kotaku
Digitaltrends
Digitalspy
Pcgamesn
Vg247
OXM
Gamereactor Video Interview 2
Rockpapershotgun
OPM
Techdigest
Gamespy
Gamesradar
Mmgn
Mercurynews
Gamerzines
Pcgamer [Interview]
OXM [Interview]
OXM MP Preview
Destructoid

A complete list of gameplay videos from December 2012 (beware, most of them use the very same footage from 3 different game parts, but they all have their own unique commentaries):

Single Player - EUROGAMER
Multiplayer, Extermination Mode - EUROGAMER
Multiplayer, Escape Mode - EUROGAMER

Single Player, footage from Sulaco - Gamestar.de
Multiplayer, Escape Mode - CVG
Single Player - CVG
Multiplayer, Extermination Mode - CVG
Gameplay Preview and Interview with Cinematic Director - Outside Xbox
Gameplay Preview and Interview with Game Designer - Rev3Games
Single Player - VG24/7
Multiplayer, Escape Mode - VG24/7
Multiplayer, Extermination Mode - VG24/7
Gameplay Preview, Hadley's Hope - Gamespot
Gameplay Preview - Game Informer
Gameplay Preview - Official PlayStation Magazine

Here is a breakdown of what is included in each edition:

North America

GameStop Exclusive Pre-Order Content in North America

*Four Playable Movie Characters
Players will be able to fight for their squads survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripleys Flamethrower

Digital Download from Gamestop also includes:

*The S.H.A.R.P. Rifle

Collectors Edition

High Quality Resin Powerloader Figurine in Limited Edition Xeno Hive Box
*Four Playable Movie Characters
Players will be able to fight for their squads survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripleys Flamethrower
*Exclusive Multiplayer Weapons
-Sonic Electronic Ball Breakers
-Phase Plasma Rifle
*Exclusive Game Level
*USCM Academy Firing Range
*USCM Dossier
*Mission Brief
*USS Sephora Schematic
*Recruitment Card
*LV-426 Recon Photo
*USCM Iron-on Badges
*USCM Graduation Certificate

International

Limited Edition for Pre-Order

*Four Playable Movie Characters
Players will be able to fight for their squads survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripleys Flamethrower

Collectors Edition

*High Quality Resin Powerloader Figurine in Limited Edition Xeno Hive Box
*Four Playable Movie Characters
Players will be able to fight for their squads survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripleys Flamethrower
Exclusive Multiplayer Weapons
-Sonic Electronic Ball Breakers
-Phase Plasma Rifle
*Exclusive Game Level
*USCM Academy Firing Range
*USCM Dossier
*Mission Brief
*USS Sephora Schematic
*Recruitment Card
*LV-426 Recon Photo
*USCM Iron-on Badges
*USCM Graduation Certificate

Here is a breakdown of preorder bonuses by retailer:

Gamestop Preorder:
Quote:
*Pre-order Aliens Colonial Marines and receive the Exclusive Competitive Multiplayer Pack!
*Four Playable Movie Characters: Players will be able to fight for their squad's survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripley's Flamethrower
*Online Customers: Code will be emailed within 2 business days after your order ships.
*Store / In-Store Pickup Customers: Code will be printed on your receipt at time of pickup.
Gamestop digital download version:

Quote:
*Pre-purchase Aliens Colonial Marines and receive the Exclusive Competitive Multiplayer Pack!
*Four Playable Movie Characters: Players will be able to fight for their squad's survival and confront hordes of enemies as the original ALIENS film icons Private Hudson, Corporal Hicks, Private Drake and Sergeant Apone.
*Additional Marines Character Customization Options
*Ripley's Flamethrower
*The S.H.A.R.P. Rifle
As referenced by Hudson in Aliens the prototype sonic-harpoon artillery remote projectile (S.H.A.R.P.) rifle fires time-delayed, explosive-tipped darts that embed themselves into enemies or terrain.

Amazon
Quote:
*Amazon (US) pre-order bonuses include a Sonic-Harpoon Artillery Remote Projectile (or S.H.A.R.P.) stick rifle

Steam
Quote:
*Steam pre-order bonuses include a Sonic-Harpoon Artillery Remote Projectile (or S.H.A.R.P.) stick rifle

Game (UK)
Quote:
Aliens: Colonial Marines Extermination Edition on PC Contains:

*Four Movie Characters Sgt Apone, Cpl Hicks, Pvt Hudson and Pvt Drake.
*Ripley's Flamethrower
*Additional Marine Customization items
*Sawed-Off Double Barrel Shotgun
*Gear Upgrade Boost - Gain early access to Epic weapon upgrades

Overall, how excited are you now???

I really really really hope this game turns out great.

Cant wait to get this for WiiU, i am a Alien fan :)

The radar *blip* on gamepad will freak me out :D

I really really really hope this game turns out great.

Blazerdt47

this game looks real sweet.

Gonna get it for PC for sure.

The game looks quite fun. I'm keen to play it, is their still a WiiU version?

1. The machine gun fire in one of the videos looks bad
2. I don't like that it looks like it's forced co-op whether computer ai or human
3. Also is it just me or does the reticle sort of lag behind the player's movement? Hopefully that's not a design choice

Other than those three things I actually like how it looks.

The game looks quite fun. I'm keen to play it, is their still a WiiU version?

OB-47

Of course

I like how every time one of the aliens leaps towards their prey, it looks like they want to high-five them.freedomfreak

EGs preview wasnt very promising it sounds like the atmosphere is very nice the gameplay isnt up to scratch. I'm think 6-7 there.

I wish they stuck to the more squad orientated game that they originally announced.

It's got all the clumsy horror of walking in on someone having a dump.

but unfortunately this often feels more like the Gearbox that gave us the archaic Duke Nukem Forever.

Dosent sound good, but chance of exploring Hadly's Hope and the rest of LV426 still makes my inner fanboy sqeeeuuuu a little.

I want this game to be good, but I have my doubts.

those videos look bad, I've seen better older videos, hopefully this is like a Wii U version or somethinglamprey263

You do realize the WiiU version according to Gearbox is the best console version graphically. So if that's the WiiU version (Which i doubt since nothing has been shown from the WiiU version) then the PS360 versions look worse.

[QUOTE="lamprey263"]those videos look bad, I've seen better older videos, hopefully this is like a Wii U version or somethingugoo18

You do realize the WiiU version according to Gearbox is the best console version graphically. So if that's the WiiU version (Which i doubt since nothing has been shown from the WiiU version) then the PS360 versions look worse.

That sure was ugly.

I really don't like traveling around with a group in a shooter, they kill things w/o your permission.

[QUOTE="ugoo18"]

[QUOTE="lamprey263"]those videos look bad, I've seen better older videos, hopefully this is like a Wii U version or somethinglamprey263

You do realize the WiiU version according to Gearbox is the best console version graphically. So if that's the WiiU version (Which i doubt since nothing has been shown from the WiiU version) then the PS360 versions look worse.

The aliens don't feel organic instead they feel stilted and mechanical in their movements.

[QUOTE="lamprey263"][QUOTE="ugoo18"]

You do realize the WiiU version according to Gearbox is the best console version graphically. So if that's the WiiU version (Which i doubt since nothing has been shown from the WiiU version) then the PS360 versions look worse.

ugoo18

The aliens don't feel organic instead they feel stilted and mechanical in their movements.

Wow! The game looks soooo much better than what I remember from previous showings! :o Even the gameplay seems to have been improved!! I love how they are using the original sound effects from the movies, excellent choice for the fans :D Desmonic

This game has everyone expecting one thing but I think it's gonna bomb completely. I hope I'm wrong because we need a good Aliens game, but from what I've seen so far it looks very average

[QUOTE="OB-47"]

The game looks quite fun. I'm keen to play it, is their still a WiiU version?

ugoo18

Of course

That's great. It'll be great using the WiiU as a motion scanner

I updated the OP with a plethora of new info!!!Salt_The_Fries

[QUOTE="Salt_The_Fries"]I updated the OP with a plethora of new info!!!DarkLink77

Back in the command centers main room, I found that using secondary weapons like a taser to stun aliens and then shooting them from a distance was more efficient, at least until a few of them flanked me. All told, it was a tense fight.

Something that pisses me off about the gameplay videos, they show the same fracking footage, the same 4-5 min of single player and I lost track how many times I've seen that same jumping Alien part in the MP videos. Seriously show me something different, I don't mean different people commentating on the same video I've seen 3-4 times. I get it Haleys Hope looks cool, show me something different :evil:

Eh. The more I see of gameplay the less I'm expecting anything. The gunplay looks extremely boring. Maybe it was the lack of music or the game engine. It would've been great if they'd have used the Dead Space engine, that was crazy dark, dreary, and atmospheric. Add some Aliens music to that and it's gold. Here it just feels like a generic shooter in an Alien skin. I'll hold final judgement until release, but from what I've seen so far there's no feeling of fear or tension, and both are a large part of what makes Aliens Aliens. MirkoS77

I feel the same way except it's probably cause they've barely showed anything else of the game. I really hope they do have some music from Dead Space 1 since Dead Space 1 wanted their music score like Alien/Aliens, so hopefully it's in Aliens Colonial Marines.

The Pulse Rifle just doesnt sound right...

This video from German Gamestar offers completely different footage, whooping 1:38 minutes of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G272ixflM6Y

This video from German Gamestar offers completely different footage, whooping 1:38 minutes of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G272ixflM6Y

Salt_The_Fries

Fighting other Humans? so confused :?

Also not liking the squad animations (if it's SP), they looked pretty damn stiff. I think I'm being to judgmental of the game atm since the screen shots are telling a different story than the gameplay videos. This game has to be good for the all that's holy.

[QUOTE="Salt_The_Fries"]

This video from German Gamestar offers completely different footage, whooping 1:38 minutes of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G272ixflM6Y

Ballroompirate

Fighting other Humans? so confused :?

Also not liking the squad animations (if it's SP), they looked pretty damn stiff. I think I'm being to judgmental of the game atm since the screen shots are telling a different story than the gameplay videos. This game has to be good for the all that's holy.

Went to youtube to try and re hype myself for this game, found a few videos that actually show decent parts of the game and does the game justice.

Gameplay vid single player (ps3 version)

Suspense trailer

Gameplay vid single player w commentary

Gameplay vid single player/mp w commentary (has spoilers)

Went to youtube to try and re hype myself for this game, found a few videos that actually show decent parts of the game and does the game justice.

Gameplay vid single player (ps3 version)

Suspense trailer

Gameplay vid single player w commentary

Gameplay vid single player/mp w commentary (has spoilers)

Ballroompirate

7.0 calling it now. Looks bad and i was hyped for it before last video.silversix_

Being a huge fan of the movies I really hope this will be a good game... However I'm not sure, something tells me it will end up disappointing me..

Gamereactor Sweden has a very extensive, 15-minute long preview, the journalist explains how does acid work, etc. http://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/82901/GRTV%3A+Colonial+Marines-f%F6rtitt/

Gamereactor Sweden has a very extensive, 15-minute long preview, the journalist explains how does acid work, etc. http://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/82901/GRTV%3A+Colonial+Marines-f%F6rtitt/

Salt_The_Fries

Sounded like he was impressed from what he saw

New story trailer, courtesy of IGN it has [spoiler] Hicks [/spoiler] in it! And another Bishop android model too.

http://www.ign.com/videos/2012/12/26/aliens-colonial-marines-story-trailer

The game's visuals aren't that good looking but what was presented there was fairly interesting: However, I think [spoiler] that Hicks might only appear in an archive footage only [/spoiler] and I think they might be trying to retcon Alien 3 by making us believe Weyland Yutani got to the Sulaco and tinkered with the capsules and forced facehuggers to impregnate Ripley, Hicks'n'Newt...

Hicks is so awesome, him dying ruined Alien 3 for me

Hicks is so awesome, him dying ruined Alien 3 for me

HaloinventedFPS