Aliens; Colonial Marines a Sci/Fi L4D ?

Maybe let's just wait and see when we can actually play the game ourselves? A lot of rampant bashing for an unreleased game.

Honestly, it's that kind of mentality in the face of things that are blatantly obvious, that makes for the point of willful blindness being proven. Yours is not a "voice of reason"; look at the evidence. I'm being impartial. I don't just throw judgments around and I appreciate things for what they are on their own merit.

Hence, there's no "rampant bashing", just legitimate, obviously and provable points. I see someone saying they're disappointed that it looks horrible, that they wanted it to be fantastic, not just saying it looks bad and saying nothing else to back it up. That would be bashing.

Unfortunately, the game looks seriously bad in multiple ways.

You don't necessarily need a game to be released when enough damning footage is shown that gives you a clear feel for how a game looks, plays and feels... and yes, you can tell how a game feels by watching it, especially when you've been gaming long enough.

I showed those and other vids to both my wife, a long-time, hardcore gamer, and a friend of mine, who literally had the same reaction of, "What the fuck!? The Aliens looks great, but it looks boring as shit!", almost word for word. Again, watch the vids, not the ones released by Gearbox, all hyped-up. There's no tension, no fear, the combat is completely... flat and bland, and visually it looks noticeably sub-par. Every preview has even said as much, and you can see it with your own eyes.

But, hey, if you want to ignore the elephant in the room, feel free to drop your money on this travesty, go ahead.
 
Sorry, you're not convincing me you have hard evidence about how the game plays based on video footage. :rolleyes:
 
honestly I was really hyped for this game when I heard it was coming based on my huge love of the Alien films but most of the credible previews from reputable websites are less then enthusiastic...hopefully they are all wrong and the game is fantastic but usually when this many disappointing previews are out it's not a good sign
 
Well...as I said, we don't have long to wait to find out for certain. :p
 
Was trying to avoid gameplay trailers and prerelease footage until release day but happened to see the Contact - Extended Trailer today and I'm a little worried if that's how the character models are going to look, reminded me of the cartoon-silly TF2 characters. Then again I really hated Borderlands' art style until I started playing it. Here's hoping. I love Gearbox as a company - they seem like one of the few remaining 'good guy' developers but they're so hit and miss you never know if they're going to deliver the next Borderlands or simply the next Duke Nukem Forever with any new release.

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Don't believe me? Hit YT and watch actual vids of both the single and multiplayer that aren't put out by Gearbox themselves. There are actually quite a few that are by other individuals and, while they're talking-up the game, they're completely full of shit. Are they even watching what they're playing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8rek4WU1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNXF40SdJow

Two examples. You cant tell me that's not boring as shit. It's a bland shooting gallery, no challenge, no tension or atmosphere, no sense of dread of fear. Which is something that every preview has stated thus far regarding the game

Okay those videos are a little depressing I'll be honest.

I might still pick up this game on sale at some point, but at least Crysis3 will be out a week later, though that too is a whole 'nuther topic in terms of the legacy of consolized Crysis1 shame that seems to be continuing not to mention its own problems with goofy looking aliens.
 
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8rek4WU1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNXF40SdJow

Two examples. You cant tell me that's not boring as shit. It's a bland shooting gallery, no challenge, no tension or atmosphere, no sense of dread of fear. Which is something that every preview has stated thus far regarding the game.

Boy, this must be the slowest FPS I've ever seen, seriously. The alien is running with what should've been marine's basic speed. The humans are barely moving.

Game looks like a total disaster at this point. DNF at least had fun multiplayer. Very clunky, with terrible netcode and all, but fun.
 
It's slightly amusing hearing the commentator shilling the game based on its fantastic visuals when the graphics are 2007-era at best. AVP2010 looks better.
 
This guy in the youtube comments makes a couple decent points:

Every time you load any Halo campaign, something different happens, because enemies adapt to your moves. Scripting, for THIS particular game, ruins it, because just like in AvP2, you play through it once, remember all the monster closets and gg. Also what is the point of the damn motion tracker if nothing will move until you hit a spawn trigger...
 
I'm just not confident about buying this game. Which Gearbox are we getting here?

The Gearbox that gave me one of the best games of 2012 in Borderlands 2 or the Gearbox that gave me one of the worse games of the last decade in Duke Nuke Em Forever? Sadly, everything I've gleaned about this game seems to send the title in the latter direction more than the former.

Please tell me I'm wrong. Someone throw me a bone here.



honestly I was really hyped for this game when I heard it was coming based on my huge love of the Alien films but most of the credible previews from reputable websites are less then enthusiastic...hopefully they are all wrong and the game is fantastic but usually when this many disappointing previews are out it's not a good sign

I don't think so. Most of these reviewers are like us and have wanted that ass kicking Aliens game for years. We can get all the usual reviewer disclaimers out of the way and this time I think most of us are going to be on the same page about this.

The undeniable "ho-hum" tone I've gotten EVERYWHERE has been ominous.



I can't believe a license like this can't get the 5 star product it deserves. I don't get it.
 
I'm just not confident about buying this game. Which Gearbox are we getting here?

The Gearbox that gave me one of the best games of 2012 in Borderlands 2 or the Gearbox that gave me one of the worse games of the last decade in Duke Nuke Em Forever? Sadly, everything I've gleaned about this game seems to send the title in the latter direction more than the former.

Please tell me I'm wrong. Someone throw me a bone here.





I don't think so. Most of these reviewers are like us and have wanted that ass kicking Aliens game for years. We can get all the usual reviewer disclaimers out of the way and this time I think most of us are going to be on the same page about this.

The undeniable "ho-hum" tone I've gotten EVERYWHERE has been ominous.



I can't believe a license like this can't get the 5 star product it deserves. I don't get it.

To be fair to Gearbox, they had nothing to do with DNF. The single player was complete when they picked up the game and they just brought in some outside help for the multiplayer.
 
Sorry, you're not convincing me you have hard evidence about how the game plays based on video footage. :rolleyes:

Man, wtf are you smoking... or are you just that hardcore in denial of what you're looking at? The "hard evidence" IS the footage. Christ.

Oh, look... people who's vision and perceptions are rational and functional:

Okay those videos are a little depressing I'll be honest.

Boy, this must be the slowest FPS I've ever seen, seriously. The alien is running with what should've been marine's basic speed. The humans are barely moving.

Game looks like a total disaster at this point. DNF at least had fun multiplayer. Very clunky, with terrible netcode and all, but fun.

Guess I'm not the only one who has working eyes, a working brain and understanding of when you're seeing a good/bad game, and who aren't blinded by their own ignorance.

The game looks like complete shit, period; like true "kiddy console" level of shit.

Yeah, that pisses me off and I'm seriously disppointed, but you cant watch that footage and think you're seeing good gameplay, visuals or mechanics, because it's clear "hard evidence" in front of your eyes that they fucked it up.

I'm just not confident about buying this game. Which Gearbox are we getting here?

The Gearbox that gave me one of the best games of 2012 in Borderlands 2 or the Gearbox that gave me one of the worse games of the last decade in Duke Nuke Em Forever? Sadly, everything I've gleaned about this game seems to send the title in the latter direction more than the former.

Please tell me I'm wrong. Someone throw me a bone here.

The undeniable "ho-hum" tone I've gotten EVERYWHERE has been ominous.

I can't believe a license like this can't get the 5 star product it deserves. I don't get it.

I wish we could all be thrown a bone here since, as you've said, it's inconceivable that still this franchise hasn't seen a truly quality iteration since it's inception. AvP2 was the best, but even then, it was not just a solid, quality, specifically Alien title.

I don't understand it either. It's like the franchise is just cursed, always having some dev team either using the Alien in the scenario of being involved with that crab-faced cock sucker, the Predator, and they just cannot get the art direction, story or gameplay right.

What the hell is so hard? There's so much material to work with, given the nature and atmosphere of and surrounding the creature. We've had amazing tech to make it manifest for years and there are some excellent designers, coders and writers out there. But, of course, it's got to be the one most sought-after franchise that never gets it right. Ridiculous.
 
It's slightly amusing hearing the commentator shilling the game based on its fantastic visuals when the graphics are 2007-era at best. AVP2010 looks better.

Yeah, I admit the graphics could be a lot better. Hopefully we'll see better on the PC or with mods.

I don't understand the complaints about "slow gameplay". Clearly people have never played as the Marines in AvP if they think it's slow. The aliens seem to move pretty fast as always, and you're not supposed to be able to outrun them or strafe around them shooting like some CoD bullshit. It's supposed to be tense, and if you can just outmaneuver them then it removes that tension.

That said, the aliens do appear to die a little too easily in SP. Hopefully difficulty settings will fix that.

I'm not saying this is GOTY but to rip on it like it's a 1/10 piece of shit having never played it is just asinine. It's the 2010 AvP all over again, which was a HIGHLY underrated game.
 
The Gearbox that gave me one of the best games of 2012 in Borderlands 2 or the Gearbox that gave me one of the worse games of the last decade in Duke Nuke Em Forever? Sadly, everything I've gleaned about this game seems to send the title in the latter direction more than the former

maybe working on existing ip's is not their strong suit :D

Gearbox gets a lot of love based solely on Borderlands...I want to see them develop another great game (or 2) before declaring them a top developer

It's the 2010 AvP all over again, which was a HIGHLY underrated game.

agree 100%...I just recently finished playing it again...graphics were amazing- Aliens and Predators in DX11 with tessellation have never looked better...gameplay was solid...playing as a marine, alien and predator were all really fun and had their own unique movements, strengths and weaknesses
 
I wish we could all be thrown a bone here since, as you've said, it's inconceivable that still this franchise hasn't seen a truly quality iteration since it's inception. AvP2 was the best, but even then, it was not just a solid, quality, specifically Alien title.

I don't understand it either. It's like the franchise is just cursed, always having some dev team either using the Alien in the scenario of being involved with that crab-faced cock sucker, the Predator, and they just cannot get the art direction, story or gameplay right.

What the hell is so hard? There's so much material to work with, given the nature and atmosphere of and surrounding the creature. We've had amazing tech to make it manifest for years and there are some excellent designers, coders and writers out there. But, of course, it's got to be the one most sought-after franchise that never gets it right. Ridiculous.


Most gamers who are fans of the movies and especially veterans of those older games can almost "make" the game this should be/should have been in their heads. Everyone "knows" what this new game needs/needed to be and we're just not getting it and I don't understand that. I would think most of the devs themselves would want that same game the rest of us do.

I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to fool myself into preordering this and I just can't make myself do it.

Sadly, I see a repeat of AVP 2010 as far as I'm concerned. I'll forget about this and play a bunch of other great game for the next year or so and then I'll see a Steam flash sale one day for about $5-$10 and shrug my shoulders and buy it then.

That's the vibe I'm getting, all told. :(


maybe working on existing ip's is not their strong suit :D

Gearbox gets a lot of love based solely on Borderlands...I want to see them develop another great game (or 2) before declaring them a top developer

Agreed. Seems like a jinx or something.


Hell, if they'd made this game Borderlands in the world of Aliens broadly speaking...at least using the same engine and certain properties and concepts... it would be better than what I've seen and heard of this game over the last few months.




I'm not saying this is GOTY but to rip on it like it's a 1/10 piece of shit having never played it is just asinine. It's the 2010 AvP all over again, which was a HIGHLY underrated game.

That's a 7/10 game at best for me. Not worth full price.
 
What's asinine is watching something that clearly gives a distinct impression of how bland, uninspired and boring a game is, and defending it to death, simply because you want it to be good.

AvP was a piece of shit. It's irrelevant.

There's supposed to be moments when it's slow, in the right way, to build tension, such as in Dead Space. Big difference.

Here, a full two hours of both single/multiplayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-h2Gx1CHhQ.

Watch towards the beginning when the guy is just standing there shooting Aliens as the AI is hacking the door. Ridiculous. Or after the multiplayer footage, back to the single player, when they're walking through hallways just casually shooting one or two Aliens at a time. It's as if you should be just be sitting back with a cup of coffee strolling through the hallways, occasionally killing something.

No tension. No challenge. No fear. No atmosphere. Mediocre at best, with the exception of the way the Aliens look visually. Their movement is also clunky and strange most of the time.

1/10? No. 5/10 at best? Definitely. Waste of an incredible franchise. I'm not trying nor wanting to "tear apart" this game, because I desperately wanted someone to succeed with this franchise already, but it is what it is, so give it up already.

They used baboons for the animations, modelling after their movement, according to the guy in the video. But I think the baboons could have made a better fucking game.
 
What's asinine is watching something that clearly gives a distinct impression of how bland, uninspired and boring a game is, and defending it to death, simply because you want it to be good.

AvP was a piece of shit. It's irrelevant.

Honestly, I think you just have a grudge against this franchise for some reason. AvP was not a piece of shit, obviously that's your opinion, but even objectively I don't think it would warrant that title. You might as well replace "defending" with "bashing" and then turn your own advice on yourself.

Let's agree to disagree. We'll know soon enough.

I'm not trying nor wanting to "tear apart" this game, because I desperately wanted someone to succeed with this franchise already, but it is what it is, so give it up already.

That is exactly what you're doing, dude. You haven't played it, there's no official reviews, yet you are already calling it as a piece of shit.
 
That's a 7/10 game at best for me. Not worth full price.

Who pays full price for PC games these days? ;)

Also, not sure if you're referring to 2010 AvP or A:CM, but that's probably about right on 2010 AvP. Wasn't worth $60 IMO, but I didn't pay that for it so no biggie. I had a lot of fun with it.
 
They used baboons for the animations, modelling after their movement, according to the guy in the video. But I think the baboons could have made a better fucking game.

Point on the doll where the Xenomorph touched you
 
Point on the doll where the Xenomorph touched you

Astounding intellectual prowess... how witty... maybe you should go have a chat with the baboons.

Why don't you point to any proof, after having watched the footage, where you see anything that lends to this being a good game/gaming experience.

Or do you prefer to just troll?

Perhaps you should go quote any number of the other people who've also clearly stated that this game unfortunately looks like shit. I might be more outspoken about it, but that's out of my disappointment over fools always screwing up one of the greatest franchises in the world, pointlessly. Not to simply troll and tear into a game for no reason.
 
To be fair to Gearbox, they had nothing to do with DNF. The single player was complete when they picked up the game and they just brought in some outside help for the multiplayer.

Fair enough.


Who pays full price for PC games these days? ;)

Also, not sure if you're referring to 2010 AvP or A:CM, but that's probably about right on 2010 AvP. Wasn't worth $60 IMO, but I didn't pay that for it so no biggie. I had a lot of fun with it.

2010. Haven't played CM yet, silly. ;)
 
I've been watching the 2 hour IGN video, and TBH the multiplayer looks like a lot of fun to me. There is a lot of character and weapon customization, as well as traits, and also multiple attack styles for the Xenos which is a step up from the previous games. I have mixed feelings about the 3rd-person-only Xeno play style, but I can see why they did it. In previous games it was fun once you got better at wall walking and leaping around on objects, but it could be disorienting as hell at times even for an experienced player.
 
Watching some of the gameplay form people that got early xbox copies... it looks.. not good. Very bland and boring. Animations are glitchy and poorly done.
 
Watching some of the gameplay form people that got early xbox copies... it looks.. not good. Very bland and boring. Animations are glitchy and poorly done.

For the sake of fairness...how much better do we think the PC version would/could be on things like that?
 
Astounding intellectual prowess... how witty... maybe you should go have a chat with the baboons.

Why don't you point to any proof, after having watched the footage, where you see anything that lends to this being a good game/gaming experience.

Or do you prefer to just troll?

Perhaps you should go quote any number of the other people who've also clearly stated that this game unfortunately looks like shit. I might be more outspoken about it, but that's out of my disappointment over fools always screwing up one of the greatest franchises in the world, pointlessly. Not to simply troll and tear into a game for no reason.

Dude chill. It's a video game, not life. If you don't like it, guess what!? No one is forcing you to buy it.
 
I have mixed feelings about the 3rd-person-only Xeno play style, but I can see why they did it. In previous games it was fun once you got better at wall walking and leaping around on objects, but it could be disorienting as hell at times even for an experienced player.

I didn't even know that the Alien could only be played in 3rd person with Colonial Marines...could be a good thing but I prefer 1st person...I get that climbing walls etc could be disorienting but I don't like shifting points of view in games...in AvP (2010) I set it to auto-climb in the settings even though it was disorienting as hell but I still found it easier then manually climbing which would usually not work the way I wanted
 
I'm assuming there's a "gag order" on reviews for this until sometime after it releases? (This is usually a giveaway of bad news more often than not.)
 
I'm assuming there's a "gag order" on reviews for this until sometime after it releases? (This is usually a giveaway of bad news more often than not.)

I think the embargo is till midnight of the day of release.
 
I think the embargo is till midnight of the day of release.


Ok.


Don't expect an animation/graphic/gameplay overhaul.

Overhaul: Never.

Refinement?



$15 dlc before the game has even launched for a mode that should be included in the game.
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Agreed.


GMG is probably the best way to go for this. With the discount you get the game and season pass all under $60 for folks that want to go that way.
 
I am only looking at this game, to play CoOp style with my Brothers.

I thought there was an option to play this game like Left 4 Dead ? Real players as the marines, vs the aliens controlled by the computer AI, going through the single player story.

Is that type of game mode in this ? If so, it's a first day purchase, but if no L4D style gameplay, I pass.
 
I didn't even know that the Alien could only be played in 3rd person with Colonial Marines...could be a good thing but I prefer 1st person...I get that climbing walls etc could be disorienting but I don't like shifting points of view in games...in AvP (2010) I set it to auto-climb in the settings even though it was disorienting as hell but I still found it easier then manually climbing which would usually not work the way I wanted

Weirdly, I always found third person easier, as first-person always felt disorienting running on walls etc. I also prefer to actuallt see the Alien, makes me feel more immersed amd I am a freak for how it looks.

I'm assuming there's a "gag order" on reviews for this until sometime after it releases? (This is usually a giveaway of bad news more often than not.)

Was thinking the same thing. It is usually a sign of bad news, but after watching more vids and all the previews thus far, there's no way we'll be getting what it is we've been hoping for, as it really does look mediocre, even bad in certain ways.

$15 dlc before the game has even launched for a mode that should be included in the game.
link

Well, that just pushed me over the edge in terms of not bothering with the game. No reason the mode shouldn't have been included. These days, games are truly no longer even $60, which is expensive enough. Most of the time, to get a true "complete" game, it's more like $80-100 with all this DLC shit.
 
$15 dlc before the game has even launched for a mode that should be included in the game.
link

That is pretty shitty, I will admit. I could have sworn they announced that mode as part of the base game awhile back.

Also, if all that DLC adds is that mode, how the fuck do they think it's worth $15?
 
I didn't even know that the Alien could only be played in 3rd person with Colonial Marines...could be a good thing but I prefer 1st person...I get that climbing walls etc could be disorienting but I don't like shifting points of view in games

Wait...what? First you said you prefer first-person but that you don't like shifting viewpoints. With third-person there is no shifting viewpoint, in fact it is more static than first-person because the camera does not rotate around wildly. I was okay with first-person Xenos in the other games as well, but I do admit it was confusing and for the majority of gamers (i.e. people that did not play it a shitton like I did) it was very off-putting to play Xeno.

Not sure about "auto-climb" in A:CM but we'll see.
 
There's supposed to be moments when it's slow, in the right way, to build tension, such as in Dead Space. Big difference.

No tension. No challenge. No fear. No atmosphere. Mediocre at best, with the exception of the way the Aliens look visually. Their movement is also clunky and strange most of the the time

Kinda gotta agree in the jittery/laggy animation which only further breaks the immersion. That and the tension/release arcs appear not to be there and looks more like the halo kid approach to it - run around shooting from the hip holding left mouse button like its space invaders or asteroids. By tension and release obviously I mean games like the original Dead Space that had us losing our mud and jumping out of our chairs when a baddy suddenly appeared and a sustained sense of dread or impending doom between encounters.

I guess most people were probably expecting a little more along those lines and that's where some of the concern is coming from. The 90's-esque sprite animation looking green blood when the aliens are shot certainly isn't helping either.
 
Kinda gotta agree in the jittery/laggy animation which only further breaks the immersion. That and the tension/release arcs appear not to be there and looks more like the halo kid approach to it - run around shooting from the hip holding left mouse button like its space invaders or asteroids. By tension and release obviously I mean games like the original Dead Space that had us losing our mud and jumping out of our chairs when a baddy suddenly appeared and a sustained sense of dread or impending doom between encounters.

I guess most people were probably expecting a little more along those lines and that's where some of the concern is coming from. The 90's-esque sprite animation looking green blood when the aliens are shot certainly isn't helping either.

Exactly, I'm also in complete agreement, and he's (v0rtic3s) accurate in the criticisms he's made, with which I agree. The lack of any tension or atmosphere, that very tension/release arc you're talking about, only worsens the clearly low production value of the game, as do the animations and the "90's-esque sprite animation looking green blood", lol.

I thought that myself when watching the vids and laughed, but without mirth. I desperately wanted this damn game to succeed, and finally do justice to the franchise, but alas...

But, watch out with agreeing with such things as you have here, as you might become victim to the wrath of the Alien-trolls who will not only jump down your throat, but then rip out of your chest, squealing in rage in defense of their brethren's portrayal, and you'll end-up with a chest-sized hole in your monitor.
 
Wait...what? First you said you prefer first-person but that you don't like shifting viewpoints. With third-person there is no shifting viewpoint, in fact it is more static than first-person because the camera does not rotate around wildly. I was okay with first-person Xenos in the other games as well, but I do admit it was confusing and for the majority of gamers (i.e. people that did not play it a shitton like I did) it was very off-putting to play Xeno.

Not sure about "auto-climb" in A:CM but we'll see.

I meant I would not like it if during the game the viewpoint shifts from 1st to 3rd person...meaning if I'm playing as a marine, alien and predator I want it to remain consistent across all 3...I don't want 3rd person for just the Alien
 
Oh, I gotcha. Not that big of a deal to me because in all the previous games the entire HUD/feel of playing different races changes anyway.
 
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