Aliens Vs Predator Review

Whether it was watching Ripley mow down hordes of the vile extra-terrestrials, or Arnie and his gang hunted by the cloaked Predator, most of us are more than familiar with the Alien and Predator franchises.

In addition to the movies, there have been a number of game adaptations over the years that brought the Aliens and Predators together, in a spin-off storyline loosely connecting them all.

The first of the PC iterations of AvP, “Aliens versus Predator” truly got me into the series – but it was the sequel, “Aliens versus Predator 2”, that really left an impression, with intense game play, faithful character recreations and the graphics to do it all justice.

Rebellion’s newest 2010 version, “Aliens vs. Predator” has a lot to live up to.

Story

Loosely based around the first movie storyline, an archaeological expedition conducted by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation discovers an ancient Predator pyramid hidden beneath the planet’s surface. The Humans quickly find themselves between both Alien and Predator species, fighting for survival.

Game Play

The game is divided into the three classic campaigns. Obviously the Human campaign is much more comparable to your modern FPS’; Point and shoot type play with mostly linear level navigation and objectives. What makes it special though, is your encounters with the Alien and Predator species. Indeed, your first run-in with a Xenomorph will be fraught with panic and intense bursts of rifle fire.

In keeping authentic to the Alien films, your motion tracker is constantly beeping and pulsing with movement sensors, alerting you to impending danger and carnage. There are a variety of weapons available throughout the campaign, from the trusty M41a Pulse Rifle, to the annihilating Smart Gun but you find yourself defaulting to the all too easy ‘block-counter-shoot them while they’re down’ mechanic in combat.

While it’s definitely the most eerie and anxious experience of the three campaigns, with a great feeling of being hunted – it’s probably the least enjoyable from a purely been there, done that viewpoint. It’s not as solid as rival FPS offerings either.

The Predator and Alien campaigns however, are much more exciting. Melee kills initiated with the grab command are incredibly rewarding and extremely graphic. Collecting the new Predator weapons throughout the campaign allow for a whole new approach to enemy takedowns. Maintaining stealth and going in for silent kills is quite fun, especially on stages with water and other obstacles which compromise your cloaking. There’s a definite satisfaction in hiding amongst tree branches, watching Marines walking around far below, planning your attack.

Alien campaign too, with its focus on speed and stealth (but in a very different way) is a riot. Get in-grab-get out is pretty much the way you play as the Xenomorph, head chomping your way through the Marines as quickly as possible, lunging from whatever wall or ceiling you have available.

The Alien feels the most powerful in the campaign environment, particularly with regenerating health and the absolute speed with which you can both kill and escape. The Predator, while more rewarding, feels handicapped – once your cloak is broken or you’ve dropped into a pack of Marines, it’s all over fairly quickly if you haven’t planned it right.

Readers Comments (18)

  1. Great review. I guess I should give it a try but I HATE Peer to Peer MP so. . . . we’ll se how it goes.

  2. Nice review. Too bad the game doesn’t do the sagas the justice they deserve.
    BTW Deadpool, did you get a screen capture device already? Those screens look very nice!

  3. Not really interested. Sounds alright, but I am not a fan of AvP at all. So most likely a pass for me.

  4. Why don’t developers put efforts in creating some thing new and original, i can’t imagine who would be interested in purchasing this AvP fan maybe.

  5. I wasn’t a fan of the demo, but I get this feeling like I didn’t give the game a proper chance.

  6. I used to love the old one, but I’m not sure about this – I think I’ll be giving it a miss until it comes down in price – or if there is a shortage of games in the summer. But the way this year has been going so far, that doesn’t seem likely.

  7. I was not looking forward to avp before or after this reveiw

  8. i really wanna try this game even though i know its going to be bad lol it just looks like fun having a team death match and your crawling on walls lol

  9. I was really hoping that the game would’ve been better, I really liked the old AvP games, but the review is right, it seems a little rushed and the Predator is actually quite over powered, and the Humans can’t even aim down the sights in the demo, I definitely not getting the game since it was poorly executed.

  10. pretty good review…although i though all AvP games sucked (havent played this one tho)

    i wont buy this game (as there are too many other AAA titles to look out for) but good to know tho

  11. meh…not really a fan of the AvP series…I’ll pass

    besides, lots of games are coming out in March(GoWIII, FFXIII etc.), so I’m already broke lol……..and….this game didn’t get good reviews in other sites…so yeah, it would only feel like buying trash for me if I ever decide to get this game(not a fan, bad reviews…it only makes sense)…no offense

  12. From the preview i got from the demo i have to agree with this review. Gd game overall but not something i will be buying full price

  13. It was an pretty good game. i think alot of people(not talking about you guys) are giving it crap because it’s not the next modern warfare.

  14. Good review of the new Alien vs Predator game. The game doesn’t look that good, so I don’t think it will sell that well.

  15. When I play the demo, i couldn’t connect online. EPIC FAIL.

  16. I had such high hopes for this game. It truly is too sad when developers rush games.

  17. fair review I hope to see more honest reviews from the awesome community here at PSU

  18. i hope there are a few more patches to this game by getting more modes and maps and balancing the species then this game will be back again

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