Does this slimy, shadowy multiplayer game rekindle the glory days of PC or are these extraterrestrials bordering on extinction?
Format: PS3, Xbox 360 (version played), PC Dev: Rebellion Pub: Sega Out: 19/02/10 Players: 1, 2-18
It’s been 20 years since the infamous scene in Predator 2 which would forever bond two of the biggest franchises in Hollywood: the slimy, creature known as the Xenomorph from Aliens and the ruthless hunter from Predator. Since then the AVP franchises has been through many ups and downs (mostly downs). Most would argue that the highlight of the series would be Rebellion’s 1999 PC game. Now, just over a decade later, the team have returned to the franchise to develop a new AVP game on next gen consoles. But have they managed to recapture their former glory?
Although AVP is often categorised as a first-person shooter, the game itself differs widely from other FPS games. First of these differences is the ability to play as the three different species in both single and multiplayer: Alien, Predator or Marine. In essence, creating three completely different single-player campaigns.
The Marine campaign is the closest to a conventional FPS game. Equipped with your iconic pulse rifle and flashlight you must defend yourself from the shadows and mysterious creatures that inhabit the planet’s surface. Anyone who’s played Dead Space will notice the similar theme and setting of the Marine campaign, each corner hides another potential enemy, lurking in the darkness. The visuals and atmosphere constantly keep you on your toes waiting for the next creature to lunge at you.
As the Predator, you are on a mission to defend your species honour. Again you are equipped with all the iconic weapons and gadgets that fans of the franchise will instantly recognise. However, whilst you are kitted out from your wrist-blades to your plasma caster, the buttons can be a bit clunky with all the Predator’s different abilities. You can use three different vision modes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You can also perform special stealth kills which will reward you with a satisfying and extremely brutal animation.
Finally the Alien, perhaps the most unique of the three campaigns. The Alien’s strength lies in its ability to traverse upon any surface, climbing on the walls at speed can initially be disorienting for some, but the control scheme is simple enough to keep the gameplay accessible. As the Alien you use speed and stealth to stalk your prey before striking with your razor sharp claws and spear-like tail, you can also perform similar stealth kills with brutal results. The Alien can also smell different types of enemies, allowing you to differentiate between armed marines and innocent civilians.
All three campaigns come together to tell a complete story, with each species’ story intertwining with one another. However, for most people, the main draw will be the multiplayer modes. Standard modes include: deathmatch and two variations, plus Domination. Also, a four-player co-op mode, called Survivor, in which four Marines must defend themselves against an onslaught of Xenomorphs. Predator Hunt, where one player is selected to be a Predator against a team of Marines. And, finally, Infestation, which involves one character being selected to be an Alien and every time the Alien kills a Marine they join the Aliens team until there is one Marine left.
Does this game recapture the former glory of the developer’s 1999 hit? Probably not. That’s not to say that this isn’t a good game, it just isn’t a great game. Graphics and sound are both top-notch and both franchises lend themselves to the suspense-filled gameplay that is present through all three single-player campaigns. However, players of recent FPS games may find the controls somewhat ungainly.
Fans of the either the Alien or Predator franchise will undoubtedly have some fun with this game – if you can look past the game’s flaws and enjoy it for the experience that it offers. Others, however, will be better off giving this a rent.
Stuart Kent
Tags: alien vs predator, sega, shooter
