Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Game Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Retro
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Game Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Retro
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Dying Light: The Beast
  • Borderlands 4 review
  • Battlefield 6
  • New Games for 2025
Don't miss these
Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands
Sci-Fi Movies I'm an Alien superfan, and the new Predator: Badlands trailer just made me lose my mind with an absolutely epic shared universe connection
Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
Sci-Fi Shows Alien: Earth is full of new creatures because it was the only way to add a sense of the unknown back into the series “You can get back to that feeling of genetic revulsion that we all felt watching Alien for the first time”
An image from Dead Space
Horror Games Dead Space creator Glen Schofield "would love to make an Alien game," but he has to completely "own the creative" side of it
Timothy Olyphant in Alien: Earth trailer
Sci-Fi Shows New Alien: Earth trailer gives us our best look yet at the USCSS Maginot crash landing, and it's giving us major Blade Runner vibes
Directive 8020 autumn preview
Survival Horror Games Supermassive Games' new sci-fi horror game Directive 8020 doesn't just let you redo your worst mistakes, it also speaks to my completionist heart
A woman turns to look at an unseen person while standing in front of crew mates behind a glass screen in Directive 8020
Horror Games Until Dawn studio's first sci-fi game is a body horror fest inspired by John Carpenter with tons of Lethal Company tension, and I've never been so excited to turn into a pile of sludge
Cronos The New Dawn
Horror Games Bloober Team spills its guts on Cronos: The New Dawn's body horror, resource management and monster combat
Poster for Alien: Earth
Sci-Fi Shows Alien: Earth showrunner says the new series could confirm one of the original film's longest standing mysteries
Borderlands 4
Borderlands Borderlands 4 narrative director reveals his biggest uncertainty, and looking at the script, yeah, I get it: "The crowd falls apart like that guy in the cube that gets cubed in the movie Cube"
Active Matter
FPS Games Stalker meets SCP Foundation in Active Matter, a brand-new online shooter that blends gritty realism with spine-tingling sci-fi for an unforgettable FPS experience
Poster for Alien: Earth
Sci-Fi Shows Alien: Earth creator explains why the sci-fi horror series is more than just a creature feature: "The next question is, does humanity deserve to survive?"
Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
Sci-Fi Shows Alien: Earth creator says the upcoming sci-fi show will dedicate more screentime than any of the movies to the Xenomorph, Facehuggers, and a few new creatures: "I am trying to re-mystify Alien"
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 gameplay showing
FPS Games Warhammer 40K: Boltgun 2 devs reveal what to expect from the Imperium's answer to Doom, and here's a spoiler: "More explosions, more blood, and more gore"
A greasy-looking monster stands in a black hallway
Survival Horror Games Bloober devs say Cronos: The New Dawn is a "strange combination" of horror greats like Silent Hill, Dead Space, and Bloodborne, but they wanted a sci-fi story "deeper" than a typical Resident Evil: "Not to offend, of course"
Borderlands 4 trailer screenshot of Rafa around a bonfire
Borderlands The new Borderlands 4 trailer feels like an extreme parody of the 2025 games industry: a (literal) bloodbath caused by board members killing cool ideas to save money
  1. Games
  2. Action

Aliens: Colonial Marines info blowout! New screens, concept art, interviews and details

Features
By Justin Towell published 4 April 2012

These details mostly come out at night. Mostly...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Welcome to our Aliens: Colonial Marines info blowout!

Welcome to our Aliens: Colonial Marines info blowout!

Sega's upcoming Xenomorph-splatting action fest is gearing up for release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC this autumn and we've got screenshots, concept art and loads of info. Click through the gallery using the 'Next' button above for the images, then scroll down for even more Aliens content in the form of video footage and interviews.

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
The game is canonical, continuing from the events of James Cameron's 1986 classic, Aliens

The game is canonical, continuing from the events of James Cameron's 1986 classic, Aliens

Gearbox's head of studio, Randy Pitchford, says 20th Century Fox is treating the game "almost like a movie sequel". Of course, Gearbox itself IS treating it as such. Incidentally, this screenshot shows the HUD from the Smart Gun, complete with temperature gauge. Sweet.

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
You start off in the Sulaco, motion tracker in hand

You start off in the Sulaco, motion tracker in hand

The game kicks off exactly where Aliens left off and you'll even see the aftermath of events from the movie littered around the level. This image is concept art named 'Sulaco Breach'. Are we going to see the ship crash land on to the planet?

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
The game has a unique game engine, focused on lighting

The game has a unique game engine, focused on lighting

Textures in rooms are drawn in before you enter them, and when you do, the real-time lighting kicks in, delivering deep shadows and bright spotlights. Also, note Bishop's severed legs there on the right. Nice touch!

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
The team had access to the original movie's concepts

The team had access to the original movie's concepts

Including some which weren't even used! This enabled the team to create 100% authentic areas that weren't even featured in the original movies. The game is literally an extension of the film in this respect.

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Gearbox spoke with Ridley Scott

Gearbox spoke with Ridley Scott

Scott created the entire Aliens universe in 1979, sketching out storyboards by hand. Some unexplained inclusions in the movies are actually remnants of broader ideas - ideas which can be (and are) used in the game.

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
You're not alone, Marine

You're not alone, Marine

Your fellow marines are in radio contact with you and chatter in your ear, offering helpful advice. Most likely 'Look out, it's eating your face'.

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Aliens have a hive mind... very useful in multiplayer

Aliens have a hive mind... very useful in multiplayer

This is more concept art, but it highlights an interesting fact. In 8v8 multiplayer, you can play as the Aliens. And their shared consciousness means you can see the location of fellow xenos through the walls, a bit like Batman's detective vision.

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
The multiplayer is linked to single-player

The multiplayer is linked to single-player

Gearbox's intention is for you to feel like you're the same person in single-player and multiplayer. To help, you get to modify your own weapon and carry it with you across modes. Interestingly, at this stage, you can only play as the Aliens in third-person view.

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Dozens of aliens come at you...

Dozens of aliens come at you...

Again, this is concept art, but you can see how deep the shadows are here in the cargo control room. It's not the kind of place you'd want to be alone with a bunch of aliens... but from our point of view it's EXACTLY the kind of place we'd want to be alone with a bunch of aliens. And there are plenty of them!

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Aliens can break through glass

Aliens can break through glass

In a classic Resident Evil dogs-style, the Aliens are capable of breaking through windows, like this one. And you thought it was safe to keep your back to it...

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Excited? We are

Excited? We are

Gearbox is taking this game incredibly seriously. In their eyes it is an actual Aliens sequel. In our eyes, it's looking like everything it should be. It's still relatively early in development, but our interest has been more than piqued. Expect more on this one as soon as we can get it.

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PlayStation Xbox Platforms
PRODUCTS
Aliens: Colonial Marines Aliens: Colonial Marines
Justin Towell
Justin Towell
Social Links Navigation

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.

Seen everything in the gallery up there? Good. Now let's delve deeper into the game's development and even get some glimpses of the game in action.

We've got four videos for you. First up, there's an interview with Gearbox Software's Chief Creative Officer, Brian Martell:

Now Design Director, John Mulkey:

You may like
  • Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands I'm an Alien superfan, and the new Predator: Badlands trailer just made me lose my mind with an absolutely epic shared universe connection
  • Xenomorph in Alien: Earth Alien: Earth is full of new creatures because it was the only way to add a sense of the unknown back into the series “You can get back to that feeling of genetic revulsion that we all felt watching Alien for the first time”
  • An image from Dead Space Dead Space creator Glen Schofield "would love to make an Alien game," but he has to completely "own the creative" side of it

And the game's Producer, Brian Belleson:

And, finally, Chief Creative Champion Mikey Newman who wrote the script for the game:

Like the look of what you've seen? Us too. Feel free to enthuse wildly about the potential of this promisingly authentic addition to the Aliens universe in the comments.And if all of the above still isn't enough to satisfy your hunger for info, CVG's hands-on preview can be found here.

See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands
I'm an Alien superfan, and the new Predator: Badlands trailer just made me lose my mind with an absolutely epic shared universe connection
 
 
Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth is full of new creatures because it was the only way to add a sense of the unknown back into the series “You can get back to that feeling of genetic revulsion that we all felt watching Alien for the first time”
 
 
An image from Dead Space
Dead Space creator Glen Schofield "would love to make an Alien game," but he has to completely "own the creative" side of it
 
 
Timothy Olyphant in Alien: Earth trailer
New Alien: Earth trailer gives us our best look yet at the USCSS Maginot crash landing, and it's giving us major Blade Runner vibes
 
 
Directive 8020 autumn preview
Supermassive Games' new sci-fi horror game Directive 8020 doesn't just let you redo your worst mistakes, it also speaks to my completionist heart
 
 
A woman turns to look at an unseen person while standing in front of crew mates behind a glass screen in Directive 8020
Until Dawn studio's first sci-fi game is a body horror fest inspired by John Carpenter with tons of Lethal Company tension, and I've never been so excited to turn into a pile of sludge
 
 
Latest in Action
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us season two
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann says he left season 3 of the HBO show because it didn’t "serve all" his responsibilities: "That was a good time to reassess"
 
 
Hornet clashes with the pinstress in Hollow Knight: Silksong in a training cutscene
Silksong is huge, but it's way huger on PC: Steam was Team Cherry's biggest US platform, analyst says, and the game didn't even break top 50 on PlayStation
 
 
Best Assassin's Creed protagonists: Basim holding a feather during Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Ubisoft says it has creative control over the Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC, which is set in Saudi Arabia, was announced in Saudi Arabia, and which even employees fear might be funded by Saudi Arabia
 
 
Hollow Knight Silksong rosaries from pilgrims in Greymoor
How to farm Silksong Rosaries and the best farming locations
 
 
Screenshot of Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered showing Lara Croft in a leather jumpsuit.
Lara Croft's French actor pursues legal action against developer Aspyr over alleged AI replications of her work in Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered
 
 
Last Judge in Silksong
Silksong Last Judge boss guide, strategy and weaknesses
 
 
Latest in Features
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle continues an unfortunate trend for the anime series, and lets down one of its most important characters
 
 
An alien spider crawling towards the camera in the movie, The Thing.
After 43 years, one of the world's greatest horror movies lives on in so many games – from Among Us to Cronos: The New Dawn
 
 
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle 2: release date speculation, story, and everything else we know about the sequel
 
 
Demon Slayer
Who is Kokushibo in Demon Slayer Infinity Castle? The Upper Moon 1 and Muzan's right-hand man explained
 
 
Demon Slayer
Anime is more mainstream than ever, and Demon Slayer stands out as the franchise to beat
 
 
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle ending explained: who died, will there be a sequel, and what's next for Tanjiro?
 
 
  1. Gwent: The Legendary Card Game box on a wooden surface, with cards visible in the background
    1
    There's now a real version of the Witcher Gwent card game, and it's just as engrossing as the original
  2. 2
    Borderlands 4 review: "Undeniably an excellent looter shooter, but one that requires a bit of tunnel vision to fully enjoy"
  3. 3
    This enormous exploration board game won't be for everyone, but it's a masterclass in narrative and sandbox gameplay
  4. 4
    Hollow Knight Silksong review: "Worth the wait and then some, this isn't just more Hollow Knight but an evolved, spindly beast all its own – even if it's fiddly at times"
  5. 5
    Cronos: The New Dawn review: "An unabashed mash-up of survival horror greatest hits, from Dead Space to Silent Hill, with plenty of its own gory ideas"
  1. Vera Farmiga as 'Lorraine' in The Conjuring: Last Rites
    1
    The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
  2. 2
    Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle review: "Roars past Mugen Train as Demon Slayer's best adventure yet"
  3. 3
    The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"
  4. 4
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  5. 5
    Weapons review: "A twisted fairytale that bests Barbarian"
  1. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams in Wednesday season 2 part 2
    1
    Wednesday season 2 part 2 review: "Ortega shines, but it's a zombie who steals the entire show"
  2. 2
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  3. 3
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"
  4. 4
    Alien: Earth review: "Arguably the franchise's strongest outing since James Cameron's Aliens"
  5. 5
    King of the Hill season 14 review: "Hank Hill himself has evolved into a much more open and accepting person"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...