It’s been quite awhile since we’ve heard anything new about Aliens: Colonial Marines, but a press release has finally told us when it’ll arrive, among a few other details.
Perhaps it’s because Gearbox has been busy with Borderlands DLC, and the upcoming release of Duke Nukem Forever that we haven’t heard much about Aliens: Colonial Marines. Maybe they just wanted to be sure they could avoid delays like the Duke has experienced too. Whatever the case, the new Aliens game has been in development since 2006, and as of today it has been announced the game will be ready for us in Spring of next year. A six year development period is a bit long, but not unheard of, and may indicate we’ll have a well polished game that will scare our pants off while trying to survive a claustrophobic space ship. We can only hope that after all this time it turns out better than the last outing of the franchise, Alien Versus Predator, which was developed by Rebellion, and turned out a bit disappointing.
The premise of the game begins with players investigating the U.S.S. Sulaco, which has been recovered in orbit around LV-426, and is initially seemingly devoid of life. Of course, it isn’t long before the group of US Marines led aboard discover a sinister presence afoot, and must battle their way through waves of Xenomorphs in a desperate attempt to survive. Survival won’t be the only priority however, since the story will reveal elements of a “galaxy spanning deception,” which is setting up humans everywhere to be warm fodder for the ugly, alien beasts.
As usual, the President of Gearbox, Mr. Randy Pitchford, seems quite enthusiastic about the upcoming release:
To Gearbox Software and its peers throughout the industry, ALIENS is one of the most influential science fiction properties of all time. Aliens: Colonial Marines, designed as an interactive successor to the landmark films from Twentieth Century Fox, is a dream project about which our studio is deeply committed and passionate.
Of course, if that wasn’t enough of an endorsement, Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA Europe and SEGA of America states:
Aliens: Colonial Marines will be THE definitive ALIENS gaming experience. Gearbox Software are doing a brilliant job translating the thrill and horror that ALIENS stands for into an action-packed shooter experience with co-operative gameplay at its core.
Personally, that detail is the real seal on the deal. Co-operative focused gameplay is still rarely seen and done well in games, and Gearbox has certainly proven with Borderlands that they know how to make co-op a fun experience. Blasting away Xenomorphs is sure to be great fun, but without someone to watch your back, it probably won’t be long before one of those gross extendable mouths is buried skull deep in your face. Aliens: Colonial Marines will also be on display during E3, so more details are sure to follow shortly. Keep an eye out right here, when PlayStation LifeStyle brings you all the details straight from E3’s showroom floor next week.
