Aliens: Colonial Marines

Pros

• A direct narrative sequel to the popular "Aliens" film
• Opportunity to explore well-known settings from the franchise

Cons

• Inconsistent AI that detracts from the intended suspense
• Outdated graphics and subpar lighting effects
• Uneven weapon balance and clunky control mechanics
• Underdeveloped multiplayer with limited depth
• Failure to fully capture the atmospheric terror iconic to the Alien series

A Sci-fi Shooter with Missed Potential

Background and Story

Aliens: Colonial Marines is a first-person shooter developed by Gearbox Software that aims to follow the legacy of the iconic Alien films. Set as a sequel to the 1986 blockbuster "Aliens," it delves into the aftermath of what transpired on LV-426, the colony where Ripley and her team had their harrowing encounter with the xenomorphs. The game seeks to bridge narratives and provide fans with an immersive continuation of the lore.

Gameplay Mechanics

First-person shooters are contingent on fluid controls and responsive combat systems. In Aliens: Colonial Marines, the gameplay is functional but does not rise to the challenge of modern FPS titles. Players may find themselves wrestling with aim sensitivity and less-than-intuitive movement controls that can detract from the immersion.

Weapon swapping is executed with ease, however, reconfiguring your loadout mid-game is less straightforward and somewhat cumbersome. In the heat of combat, these interruptions can break the tension and momentum, making encounters with the xenomorphs less thrilling than they could be.

The arsenal available allows players to customize their fighting approach with upgrades earned through level progression. Unfortunately, the impact of these enhancements is mixed, leading to weapons that feel disproportionately powerful or underwhelming.

Artificial Intelligence

A key element in the Alien franchise is the cunning and terrifying nature of the xenomorphs. In contrast, Aliens: Colonial Marines falls short in delivering a smart or unpredictable adversary. The Alien AI often presents basic attack patterns, with xenomorphs engaging in direct assaults or aimless wandering, diminishing the potential for suspenseful stalk-and-ambush scenarios that fans might expect.

Graphics and Sound Design

Graphically, Aliens: Colonial Marines does not quite reach the benchmark set by contemporaries on similar platforms. With a reliance on DirectX 9.0c, the title showcases environments inspired by the films but often feels lifeless and repetitive. The lighting, critical to setting an eerie atmosphere, falters between extremes of pitch darkness or insufficient illumination.

Character models for both the marines and aliens lack the finesse and accuracy needed to faithfully represent their silver-screen counterparts. The xenomorphs, in particular, are a letdown as they do not capture the intricate and iconic designs synonymous with H.R. Giger's work.

The sound design ineffectively blends authentic movie-derived effects with new audio elements created for the game. While the recognizable weapon sounds serve nostalgic purposes, the environmental and mood sounds fail to bolster the intended tension. Voice acting, while present, is inconsistent and rarely reflects the gravity of the Marines' dire situation.

Multiplayer Experience

Multiplayer allows players to embody different xenomorph types, which may initially pique interest. However, the novelty quickly fades as the multiplayer modes boil down to generic deathmatch styles and goal-oriented tasks with minimal strategic depth. Controlling an Alien can also prove frustrating due to imprecise mechanics and a steep learning curve often leading to frequent deaths.

The general sentiment towards the multiplayer component is that it lacks the ingenuity and polish that could have made it a standout feature of Aliens: Colonial Marines.

Final Thoughts

Considering the lengthy development period and the rich material to draw from, it's disappointing to see Aliens: Colonial Marines miss its mark. The game neither fully captures the essence of the franchise nor stands on its own as an exceptional FPS. While the prospect of revisiting the Alien universe is compelling, the delivery feels like it stumbled, and consequently, the overall experience does not live up to the anticipation or potential of the premise.

Pros

• A direct narrative sequel to the popular "Aliens" film
• Opportunity to explore well-known settings from the franchise

Cons

• Inconsistent AI that detracts from the intended suspense
• Outdated graphics and subpar lighting effects
• Uneven weapon balance and clunky control mechanics
• Underdeveloped multiplayer with limited depth
• Failure to fully capture the atmospheric terror iconic to the Alien series