It's probably more accurate to call this game Marines vs. Aliens vs. Predator. The single-player campaign is divided into three perspectives. You can play as a Marine, an Alien, or a Predator. Each species' campaign takes place in exactly the same locations, but since your abilities change from species to species, the game-play in each mission remains fresh. As a marine, you're limited to the ground. As a Predator, you gain vertical mobility, since you're capable of jumping short distances to higher locations, such as tree limbs or ledges. The Alien's perspective is truly unique, as you can climb along any surface and jump short distances. Seeing these environments from the ceiling, and thus upside-down, is quite interesting.
It's important to point out that both the Alien and the Predator incorporate a level of stealth. As the Predator, you have a cloak which renders you nearly invisible to most enemies. As the Alien, you can easily hide in dark corners or on ceilings, where most enemies can't find you. The marine, by contrast, seems mostly helpless, without any stealth and virtually no cover-system.
None of the campaigns are masterpieces at storytelling. The marine campaign starts off as most Alien-related stories do. And, as a matter of fact, ends mostly the way Aliens ends. There are two halves of the Marine campaign it's almost as if there was a change in story or development. Your squad-mate "Tequila", ends up harvested and pretty much disappears from the game after you get 60% of the way through. It all makes sense in the end, but the transition seems unnecessary. By contrast, the Predator and Alien campaigns are fairly cohesive, with clear goals and objectives. However, each of them require taking your objectives from on-screen prompts, since technically neither the Predator or Alien speaks "English". As the Predator, I often found myself missing objectives because sometimes this information was communicated in the middle of action. It's really hard to read scrolling text and watch the action at the same time.
From a control perspective, the Marine is the easiest to handle. Movements are smooth. Targeting is spot-on, with excellent hit detection. Only the rifle allows you to closely target your enemies, but in this type of battle, you wouldn't expect to slowly take aim with an assault rifle and target aliens who are charging toward you. The aliens move fast, and you'll be spraying bullets. The Predator allows you to target a specific enemy or location to which you want to jump. It was really difficult, however, trying to find a branch or ledge to which to jump it wasn't always clear. Like the Marine, the Predator is mostly FPS. The Predator also features a weak and strong attack however, connecting with the strong attack is difficult. Overall, the game seems to suffer from a distance-perspective issue it's not clear how close you need to be to an enemy to hit it. The best part of the Predator is the battle disc a small glaive-like disc that you can hurl at enemies and have return to your hand, much like a boomerang. If you ever played Dark Sector, it's much like the glaive from that game.
The alien's controls? This definitely takes some practice. Transitioning from the floor to a wall requires you to press the right-trigger. Holding the right-trigger indefinitely actually just makes things easier, so it's hard to understand why Rebellion just didn't make surface transition automatic. Unlike the marine and Predator, the Alien has no weapons. You are limited to strong and weak attacks, and like the Predator, I found it extremely challenging to connect with strong attacks. Many times, I just lashed-out with a string of weak attacks. Fortunately, unlike the Marine and Predator, who both require "health packs" of sorts, the Alien regenerates health.
The game features some really challenging but not-impossible-to-beat bosses. You'll feel satisfied after these fights. From a replay perspective, there are some decent Xbox 360 achievements to pursue. Each species has its own collectible the most interesting of which are audio diaries that you collect as a marine. These help to fill in the back-story. The collectibles for the Predator and Alien are uninspired, but finding them all is a must for completionists.
Technically, the game is superb. The audio is extremely well-engineered it sounds exactly like an Alien-franchise movie. Graphically, it looks great on current-gen consoles. The aliens and Predators look and move great. Lighting is eerie and appropriate. After nearly two play-throughs of the marine campaign, I did not encounter a single graphical hiccup. It's a smooth game with lots of polish.
Is this a game you should play? Definitely. It may not be able to hold a candle to other FPS titles, but it's not really trying to be an FPS. What this game offers is fun you'll be tense, sweating, and probably cursing at times. It offers just the right amount of frustration and challenge.
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I've been playing this game since the demo and received the game today. I was pleasantly surprised on how they did things. It is easy to get the hand of things once you play it a while. The levels are kind of bland, but if you are like me and enjoy games offline and online then it's definitely worth it.
Pros-
-It's AVP! Its back!
-Fun system to choose whether or not you would like to be an alien, predator, or human.
-Unique idea for the most part
-Fun online multiplayer (this will keep you occupied and on edge the whole time)
-Easier learning gap then most FPS's.
Cons
-The graphics aren't as good as I was expecting, most FPS games have a bit better graphics but the graphics on this aren't bad don't get me wrong.
-The trophy kills are horrible in multiplayer, if you do one it's a big chance someone is right behind you to do one to you (similar to the chainsaw on gears of war)
-Some races need tweaked. (I felt that alien was the most powerful in all aspects of online play)
-There should be a better campaign, but I'm satisfied.
All in all it's a great game. I would definitely rent it to make sure you like it, or try the demo first. But if it's your thing hop in. Well worth the purchase for me.
Best Deals for Aliens vs Predator - Xbox 360
AvP was a smash hit comic book back in 1990, pitting the two most ruthless monsters in the universe against each other in a bloody battle to the death, with humans thrown in for good measure (and let's face it, a plot!). Inevitably, the idea was expanded to a toy line, then a video game franchise, then (shudder) a movie franchise. Frankly, of all the "Big 3" spin offs, the video game series proved to be the best. Starting ironically on the ill-fated Atari Jaguar, AvP was first created as a Doom-ish corridor shooter. It was much slower paced than Doom or other FPS games of the time, but it somehow successfully captured the feeling of playing as the Alien, the Predator and the Colonial Marines. Each species had its own unique play style, with arguably the Alien being the most unique of the three. It wasn't until 1999, some 5 years later, that the same team that developed the original (and probably only) Jaguar "killer app" would bring one of the most memorable and awesome FPS shooters since the genre was invented.
Fast forward 11 years, and you have 2010's Aliens vs. Predator for the PC, XBox 360 and PS3. So what's the verdict?
This review pertains solely to the 360 edition, as the PC edition has enough features to set it apart that it would warrant its own separate review. What it boils down to is a re-imagining of the franchise, bringing with it yet again more unique features and gameplay styles across the three separate playable species. Harkening back to its 1999 predecessor and drawing far less inspiration from the 2002 sequel, AvP is an ultra-violent and medium-paced FPS that combines corridor/wide area shooting battles, stealth and assassination techniques. Each species experiences the same story from their own perspective, with each campaign being continuous and not an "alternate outcome". Players piece together the story by playing through the 3 separate campaigns, particularly in the Marine campaign wherein the player learns the most about Weyland-Yutani director Karl Bishop Weyland's goal of unleashing the potential of an ancient Predator temple that was discovered buried deep within a Predator ancestral world, along with utilizing a new breed of controlled Alien.
Each scenario offers up a different play style that may not be accommodating to all players, as the three species are different enough that it requires some practice. Thankfully, each campaign begins with a tutorial mission (except the Marine mission, you simply learn as you go throughout the first mission). It is in the first two missions of the Alien and Predator campaigns that the player will learn the abilities of both species, as well as how to perform executions...ultra-gruesome instant-kill maneuvers that are vicious enough to possibly disturb some players. Once the tutorial ends, the player uses said abilities in a short stint of combat training as part of the plot, and then the actual campaign begins.
The Alien campaign is entirely stealth based...a true expert Alien player can get through most Alien missions without being detected, except for situations that call for direct combat. The stealth-based gameplay may seem slow-paced, as there is much navigational challenges, but the blinding speed of the alien and the sheer brutality of its instant kills make for an exciting experience.
The Predator campaign consists of stealth, maneuverability and occasionally situations with heavy fighting. Like the Alien, the Predator will rely heavily on stealth and ambush tactics (aided by his ability to Cloak and jump great distances), utilizing ghastly execution moves and sophisticated weaponry capable of widespread havoc with the occasional forced firefight.
The Marine campaign is your standard corridor/open area FPS with extra challenge thrown in...Aliens take a LOT of shots to bring down, and all it takes is one screw up to end your mission. It stands out as being the most frightening campaign, since you lack the superhuman abilities of your extraterrestrial enemies and spend a lot of time wandering dimly lit corridors with very little ammo...or none at all.
This game has seen its fair share of criticism, and I understand why. As a HUGE fan of the franchises (I shun the AvP movies however) it was an absolute thrill to play again as my favorite iconic movie monsters. The gameplay has evolved tremendously since the old 1999 predecessor and the game engine is smooth and sweet. However, many ugly problems rear their head early on in the game, but lets break it down:
The Good:
This game is as close to experiencing the species as you will get. Everything about the Predator and Alien is represented faithfully. There is a coherent story attached to the game that, once you play through all 3 campaigns, comes together rather nicely. The graphics are outstanding, and the level of detail is truly amazing. The grace of leaping through trees as the Predator and the primal feeling of stalking prey as the Alien are both rewarding gameplay experiences. The violence is unlike anything I have ever seen, and frankly the execution maneuvers are among the most gruesome video game deaths I have ever borne witness to. How this game got past certain censors is amazing. The marine experience is difficult but rewarding for the sheer terror it invokes. Overall, the single player campaign is a fun, if short, experience.
The Bad:
What you've heard about the control is true...it's pretty awful. While I didn't experience vertigo as many endlessly complained about, I found that the controls for the Alien's wall crawling abilities were terrible. The Alien would get stuck on objects, endless spinning in circles when all you want to do is dismount. Sometimes it would even mount a wall you don't want it to. Predator controls are sensible but confusing in a fast paced fight, and frankly the difficulty and species balance is way off. Marines have superior firepower but the cruddy targeting system (even on the smartgun) results in countless needless deaths, ESPECIALLY in multiplayer. And that's where the game gets...
The Ugly:
Multiplayer is a mess. On the 360, finding a game can take over ten minutes. There are no dedicated servers, and there is tremendous lag at times. What is worse, the game does not revert to a new host if the host player leaves...it simply ends the match. There goes your hard earned points and your progression towards new skins for your characters. It is plagued with untalented and cheap players who rely on Predator instant kill weapons such as the disc and shoulder cannon. These spammers make the game a chore to play, and it quickly loses its fun. From what I can gather there are only two multiplayer modes: Predator Instant Kill Avoidance or Marine vs. Alien. Apparently they have tried to patch this but these no-talent spammers always find an instant kill weapon to abuse. The executions are also extremely frustrating, taking you out of anything you are doing, even jumping in mid-air. They can sometimes become hysterical, as a chain of 5 or 6 players will all instant kill one another in sequence.
Furthermore, the lack of support this game has received is unbelievable. No Dedicated Servers or patch updates...multiplayer is a mess, and finding a match 8 months into this game's lifespan is now impossible as players have become frustrated with the flaws and moved on to other games. Let's not even get started on the atrocious DLC. $8 FOR TWO $*(#ING MAPS THAT NO ONE PLAYS?!
Also, the single player campaign draws influence from the AvP movies...I think I just threw up in my mouth.
Overall:
Great but short single player experience. Fun but seriously flawed multiplayer that gets old quick. Poor support. Overpriced and useless DLC.
Franchise fans: Definitely pick it up
Genre fans: Worth a rent
Casual gamers: Barely worth a rent
Hardcore gamers/FPS gurus: Completely Avoid
Graphics: 5/5
Control: 2.5/5
Fun Factor: 3/5
Multiplayer/Online: 1/5
DLC/Patch Support: ZERO
If you want a great AvP experience, go with the PC version. I regret taking the 360 over the PC version, which I did only because I had 8 friends who promised they'd play. They all got sick of it in less than a week. Sad but true.
Honest reviews on Aliens vs Predator - Xbox 360
The Aliens vs. Predator franchise dates back a good twenty years, and has sparked a host of movies and games to cash in on the success of the survival horror series. Most recently, that was 2007's Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem for the PSP. Now in 2010 we get the launch of Aliens vs. Predator for next gen consoles and PC. Developed by Rebellion and published by SEGA there is a considerable force behind the development of the title. Given as how SEGA hasn't exactly been riding a wave of quality titles in recent times, it was interesting to see how Aliens vs. Predator played out.
The title focuses on the epic battles between the Aliens, the Predators, and the Colonial Marines who are being torn apart somewhere in the middle. The real attraction in the title is that the game can be played from the perspective of any of these three races, each playing entirely differently to the next.
The Aliens are fast and effective at close range. They use the darkness and their physical capabilities to gain the upper hand. They can cling to walls and run along ceilings, and whip enemies feet out from under them using their tails. Darkness is their friend, and they can use it very effectively to gain an edge. Aliens have heightened senses and can smell the scent of enemies, including predators. The aliens are by far the most fun to play, though the way the controls and camera is implemented, movement quickly becomes disorientating and confusing. However, their speed and attacks make them very entertaining for the most part.
The predators are more of a stealth unit. They are best suited to attacking from above, leaping easily from tree to tree, and using cloaking to come at enemies from behind. The predators can cast energy attacks at their enemies as well from a distance, which work somewhat like heat seeking missiles but are fun and easy to power up in the heat of combat. They are weak against the marines' heavy weapons, and their cloaking is ineffective against aliens, so playing the predator means you always have to have your wits about you. Speaking of wits, as a predator you can change your vision to include thermal scanning, allowing you to easily detect humans. Being able to use different forms of vision is a nice addition, and as the predator class isn't altogether that tough you will need all the help you can get. The predator class was probably my least favourite as it simply doesn't feel well implemented at all.
The humans, as can be expected, are the same as humans from any other FPS. They have firepower but lack virtually any other assistance other than a torch and a handful of flares. Playing as the marines is entertaining at times, but the controls across all the different classes are not particularly well structured, making it a challenge at best. Shooting can be so frustrating: at times that you'll plug more bullets into the ceiling and the floor than into the alien standing right in front of you.
The point of the various classes is to tie the storyline together giving you insight into the different sides in the conflict, and this works quite well. However it seems that by branching off in three directions neither of these has received the time and polish that would have been required to create a truly great game. While all the campaigns start off strong they give way to relatively dull levels and some frustrating design choices that leave players wondering if it couldn't have been done better. In next-gen gaming, invisible walls should be a thing of the past, but they're not as the game forcefully pushes you toward the next checkpoint. The AI is also somewhat frustrating as enemies generally fail to abide by any logical rules, often backing straight towards you making it feel like meals on wheels more than anything, particularly when playing aliens or predators.
Graphically Aliens vs. Predator is no great delight. The levels at times look good enough, and the alien character models look fantastic, but the human models on the other hand look downright hideous, so hideous in fact that I thought I was playing Halo again. A highlight however are the fantastic trophy scenes when you decapitate an enemy to pocket the skull. These are gruesome and fun to execute as they vary just enough to not become overly dull too quickly. The audio for the title is also a real highlight. The marine campaign is rather shocking at times, as you hear aliens scuttling through vents above you, frightening the bejesus out of you. This really adds to the atmospherics in some of the darker more brooding levels, feeling something like F.E.A.R. at times.
The online mode surely must be the highlight. A range of game modes are available mixing the three sides against each other. Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Infestation, and Predator Hunt which are a bit like Zombie in Halo where one player has to infect the others, and finally a Survivor mode for endless waves of enemies to battle in co-op. Though the controls are still a hassle the advantage surely is that all players are facing the same struggles. Unfortunately though the player base online appears so low its virtually unplayable. So if you plan on picking up Aliens vs. Predator ensure you've got a healthy friends list to team up with online, then there is certainly a lot of fun to be had.
Overall Aliens vs. Predator falls well short of the mark. The games controls are too confusing and the environments frustrating. Sometimes character movement appears inconsistent and this makes flitting from wall to ceiling difficult at times when playing the alien. The graphics are stunning in parts, but below average in others again reflecting the fact that the developers split their efforts across three campaigns, rather than focusing on one and doing it well.
Aliens vs. Predator certainly has much in common with the movies, but possibly isn't quite the answer that fans of the series were wanting in the way of video game fulfilment. Its a good effort no doubt, but its not quite there yet. Maybe the next iteration.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Aliens vs Predator - Xbox 360
There was a time when an Aliens VS Predator video game meant for a good, horrifying time. This new take on the franchise once again finds three different campaigns to choose from: the Alien, the Predator, and the Marine. While each campaign starts out spectacularly, eventually boredom will rear its ugly head. This is due to the poor level design and disappointing controls, which often come off as quite stiff. Not to mention that what begins as being a quite scary experience in each of the three campaigns, de-evolves into boring tedium. What saves Aliens VS Predator from being a complete clunker however is that the game is filled with some wonderfully violent moments, as well as some nicely designed character models and some great multiplayer modes. Other than all that though, there really isn't enough here to warrant Aliens VS Predator as being as worthwhile as it could have been, which is a crying shame considering the potential here for something special was quite high. It's still worth checking out though, just don't go in expecting any of the past glories that came with the franchise in the past.
