It's amazing that the Playstation 2 has already been out for over a year in North America now, even more amazing is that it's over one and half years old if you count
back from the Japanese launch. Has it been that long already? Time, it's just flying by. Now amazing as this all is, what is even more amazing, and maybe even a
little tragic, is that there is as of yet no games based on the Aliens franchise. One of the staples of science fiction, a series that sent the benchmark for so much of
today's special effects, and it hasn't hit the PS2, or any other next gen console for that
matter, in any way shape or form. Well, it looks like Check Six Games and
EA are finally going to do something about this with Aliens: Colonial Marines
headed to the PS2.
The game takes place right after the events of the second movie where players have to lead a fresh platoon of marines into what's left of the destroyed colony and
figure out what happened to the original marines who went there. As we know, the first batch of marines got wiped out and it doesn't take long for this new squad to
find this out. With that players must wipe out the aliens that survived and get the hell off that rock.
Colonial Marines is a squad based FPS, so don't expect to be tearing around full
speed ahead here. It's a slower, paced, tense affair. Your squad will inch their way down the corridors, ever conscious of the aliens lurking in the shadows. Each
member of the squad will have strengths and weaknesses, how specialized this
will be is unknown. What is interesting is that there will be a range of soldiers from untested rookies to grizzled veterans, each acting differently under pressure. The
vets will stand their ground under pressure, but don't be surprised if the rookies try to turn tail and run. When wandering the installation players will also stumble
across the occasional marine strung from the wall in an alien cocoon. If the soldier is still alive you can free him and let him join your group, but buyer beware, there
may be an alien just waiting to burst from his chest and wreck havoc on your squad.
Consider yourself warned. Players will also be able to change squad formations
(from a selection of four), as well as bark out orders, the usual stuff.
Over course, what would an Aliens game be without guns, and lots of 'em? Included in this title's arsenal are pulse rifles, flamethrowers, grenades, and smart guns
with ammunition that can automatically target foes, among others. On the receiving end of this firepower will be the usual mix of face-huggers, soldier aliens, chest
busters, synthetics, and some new breeds of aliens too. All of this blasting will be spread across 3 campaigns with 20 missions total to play through. There will be five
distinct environments in Colonial Marines, from being planet side to the USS
Sulaco, though it wouldn't be surprising to see that there are bulkheads a plenty in most
areas.
Aliens: Colonial Marines appears to be trying to keep things relatively simple,
avoiding bogging players down with a lot of micro management
controlling the squad.
Instead this game looks like is going to be all about mood. With a slow pace, dark, creepy environments, and the aliens nature to
jump out when you least expect them this title will be more about primal fear than tactical combat.
