It is the 23rd Century. Across the cold void of space, alien monsters prey on infesting generation-ships, destroying colonies, and transforming humans into hosts for their foul spoor. From the insectoid hive-beasts of Klaatu, to the xenomorphic parasites of the outer rim, this book contains the sum total of human knowledge of the myriad forms of alien menace; where to find them…and how to kill them. In this guide you will find details of mankind's greatest champions, the marines of STAR Industries. With their state-of-the-art technology and advanced combat tactics developed over a century of warfare, the STAR marines battle the alien, wherever it may strike.
Mark A. Latham is a writer, editor, history nerd, proud dogfather, frustrated grunge singer and amateur baker from Staffordshire, UK. An immigrant to rural Nottinghamshire, he lives in a very old house (sadly not haunted), and is still regarded in the village as a foreigner.
Formerly the editor of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf magazine, Mark designs tabletop games, and is an author of strange, fantastical and macabre tales.
The biggest reason I, and I would hazard most others, read an Osprey book is for the artwork, and this volume is lacking. Some if the most interesting items of gear are not depicted, while those that are resemble very slightly altered 'Aliens' props. I realize this is more an "RPG setting" book than anything else, but it's still a bit of a letdown. The narrative hews too closely to the 'Alien' franchise to be particularly interesting as well. I would skip this entry in the "Dark Osprey" series.
I'm not sure what this book is for. It combines thinly disguised elements from Alien, Space Hulk and what I assume is Starship Troopers into one narrative that reads like background for a role playing or war game, but there's no game to go with it.