When Orson Welles' War of the Worlds was broadcast on CBS radio in 1938, panic ensued in some American cities because people believed the serial about aliens invading Earth was a live newscast. Boy, were people dumb back then! Then again, it might be easy to fall prey to the fiction if you heard it from Patrick Stewart, who provides narration for the new Xbox Live Arcade title based on Orson Welles' classic.

Other Oceans' War of the Worlds game will hit the Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace next Friday, Oct. 28. If you've ever wondered what it's like to have Professor Xavier guide you through an alien invasion, this might be your chance.

War of the Worlds follows a story that parallels the events of the 1952 movie adaptation of the novel, with 2D gameplay reminiscent of platformers like Prince of Persia. As with any good action platformer, smashing things is essential to success. If there's a better way to dispose of alien drones, I'd like to hear it.

You assume the role of a man trying to rescue his family from the aliens that have just invaded London. I know, I'm bummed about not getting to control Tom Cruise in a game, too. Imagine the possibilities: couch-jumping mini-games ... that's about all I can come up with. Maybe it's not so much a loss.

The game hits the Xbox Marketplace just in time for Halloween, and will cost 800 Microsoft Points ($10 American). PlayStation Network and PC releases are also in the works. No word on a release date there yet, but we'll let you know.

Check out the launch trailer and some additional footage on the game's official site.