Aliens: Colonial Marines Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3, Xbox 360*, PC
Dev: Gearbox Software
Pub: SEGA
Release: February 12, 2013
Players: 1-2
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

The multiplayer is, to be fair, a far better experience than the campaign. Depending on the mode, players are typically split into two teams: aliens and Marines. Aliens have the ability to track the humans through walls via their handy infrared vision. The Marines, of course, are equipped with the motion sensor that anyone who's seen an alien movie is familiar with. The sides are surprisingly well-balanced and gameplay is fast-paced.

Aliens: Colonial Marines Screenshot

Though, the same problems that exist in the game's single-player campaign are apparent on the multiplayer side as well. Animations are choppy and/or missing, textures are flat and broken, and the game's gun mechanics are frustratingly unintuitive. Plus, there's a latency issue that feels like an extra slap in the face.

Players can play through the campaign in the game's co-op mode, but I'm not going to sell it here. There's no reason for it to exist. Your friends will like you even less if you trick them into playing it with you, so just avoid it altogether.

Even though I have a terribly high tolerance for bad monster movies, I still couldn't find an excuse for Aliens: Colonial Marines. The game has been in development for over five years, and nearly every single component has some major flaw.

It's yet another black eye on a franchise that's already taken a heavy beating.

By
Josh Engen
News Director
Date: February 12, 2013

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.0

Graphics
The graphics would be great if the game had been released five years ago.

2.0

Control
Unintuitive and often frustrating.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sound design is often perfect, but suffers from laziness.

2.5

Play Value
If multiplayer is your thing, this might be a fun distraction, but the campaign will make you sad.

2.5

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

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.

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.

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.

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.