Despite some confusion about the title's release, Gearbox Software set a firm release window for Aliens: Colonial Marines early this month and showed it off this past week at E3. On June 11, they held Gearbox Community Day 2011 in Dallas, TX, and along with learning some juicy game details (like that we will be able to explore the original alien derelict where the first eggs were found in Alien), gamers also learned that Lance Henriksen will be lending his iconic voice and likeness to the game.

Don't know who Lance Henriksen is? He played Bishop in Aliens and Alien 3, an android working for the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the evil organization forever trying to leash the unleashable Alien species for various money-making ventures. He also played the non-android Bishop in AVP: Alien vs. Predator in addition to lending his voice to the Aliens vs. Predator video game.

In the canon, several android models were created to look exactly like their creator, so Henriksen is returning as Rook, another android apparently sent along with the colonial marines to investigate the mysteries of LV-426, the Sulaco (the marine ship from Aliens), and the absolutely terrifying acid-blooded critters we love to fear.

With Gearbox's pedigree and what looks like a deep respect for the IP, the game seems to be shaping up nicely, which will be a real treat considering the mixed bag of Aliens games we've played over the years. The addition of fan favourite and franchise staple Henriksen can only enhance the experience.

War of the Worlds E3 Preview

In other voice casting news, we can look forward to hearing Patrick Stewart's rich narration in the upcoming The War of the Worlds game from developer Other Ocean Interactive. Stewart is well-known for his roles as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as Professor X in the X-Men movies and games. The War of the Worlds will be a single-player 2D action-adventure similar to Flashback and Out of this World from days gone by, placing the player in the role of a 1950s Londoner trying to save his family during an alien invasion. The game will closely follow the events of the 1953 movie adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic novel. We preview The War of the Worlds here.

It looks like we're in store for some top-tier voice acting in the sci-fi games genre, and we can't wait. Aliens: Colonial Marines will be released for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in Spring 2012. The War of the Worlds is due out for XBLA and PSN later this year.

Source: Gearbox Software, Loot Ninja, Other Ocean Interactive