Games

Few films have had quite as big an impact on videogame design as Alien and Aliens. The influence of H.R. Giger's xenomorphs and James Cameron's gung-ho space marines can be found everywhere from '80s shooter R-Type to the rather more recent Gears of War.

However, SEGA's new first-person shooter arrives bearing the full weight of the official Aliens licence and promises a terrifying adventure set within the continuity of the movies. Set after the events of Alien3, the game gives you control of one of a squad of Colonial Marines who have been sent to investigate the wreck of the U.S.S. Sulaco, which has mysteriously reappeared in orbit of LV-426. Naturally, it isn't long before everything goes to hell as you come up against xenomorphs and mercenaries in the employ of Weyland-Yutani.

All of which sounds pretty cool. But given its lengthy and troubled production history, Aliens: Colonial Marines has emerged feeling like a game that simply can't keep up with its contemporaries. Graphical textures are muddy and elements such as the motion tracker have been better implemented in games that simply ripped-off the films. Worst of all, though, is the way in which the franchise's iconic xenomorphs have been completely de-fanged and turned into nothing more than moving targets incapable of actually killing anyone.

SEGA, Xbox360/PS3/Wii U/PC, £50 Approx, On sale now
HCC VERDICT: 2.5/5