Review - Aliens vs. Predator - A Shallow and Bloody Bad Time

(A little late, sorry, but I take a lot of time when I write!)

"I got a bad feeling about this drop," prophesies Pvt. Frost minutes before he, Ripley, and "the Corps" thrust themselves into the xenomorph badlands of LV-426 in Aliens.

"So you cooked up a story and dropped the six of us in a meatgrinder?" expostulates "Ah-nold" Dutch to "Apollo Creed" Dillon in Predator.

Two quotes from the two films of which February 16th's Aliens vs. Predator represents are ironically perfect descriptions of my internal struggle and short play through experience with said game.  Anyone who knows me knows well that I'm an Alien fanatic.  The Predator is less of an appealing obsession, save for his completely cool design, but the Alien, to me, is the king (or Queen) of nightmarishly simple creations that are just down right, well, creative.  Plug into the xeno-realm the inseparable fate of the steadfast Lt. Ellen Ripley, each a thorn in each other's claw, and the Alien saga is thematic as well as frightful.  I love the Alien franchise.

So, perhaps I went into this game with too much excitement and hope, focusing too much on one side of the adversarial triangle that is Aliens vs. Predator.  Aliens, Predators, and the humans they encounter are tightly woven into their own universes, and though crossing over sounds fantastic in idea (and conceptually it's not really all that bad), executing that crossover in film and video game hasn't met with resounding success.  On the other hand, Rebellion's first two attempts in the franchise were very well received for both the Atari Jaguar and the PC.  I played the PC version and it scared the poo out of me!  For it's time, the graphics and gameplay were superior.  Was it wrong to hope that the team who seemed to have the AvP formula down would secure another hit?  And is it ever wrong to have hope, anyway?

No, but for this game my hope for a quality experience never came.  That's why it's a huge eye-opener when I say that six days after having my highly anticipated copy, I traded it back in.  I, the Xenophile that I am, got rid of probably the best looking Alien game to date.  But looks will only take you so far.  In the end, all I felt I had experienced were point-blank sequences of gore, three incredibly uninspired campaigns, and a lack of multiplayer replay value.

Read on for my sadly disappointing experience with Aliens vs. Predator.

Aliens vs. Predator Multiplayer Demo - First Impressions

This ain't no Halo or Call of Duty.

Ready for download now is the promised Aliens vs. Predator multiplayer demo, giving us all 12 days to run, shoot, claw, and fire explosives in some other creature's space moccasins talons before the full release.  And Rebellion's multiplayer is very different.  And different is very good.

The obvious major difference is your ability to choose between three different species to duke it out.  The Marines carry damaging weaponry, the Predators have 1/3 of the Deathly Hallows (that's "cloaking" to the lay-muggles), and the Aliens are as fast and as disorienting as you'd imagine.  Each have their strong points and weaknesses.  I played about four or five 10 minute Deathmatches on the map Refinery (the only mode and map available in the demo) before I had to leave for work, playing as each species at least once.  I can't wait to actually gain XP during the real matches because once I'm done with the three campaigns and I've alternated from playing some BioShock 2, I'll be shooting monsters with green blood for a while.

Click below to read about my first impressions.

Aliens Infest Multiplayer

Looks like I guessed right.  Continuing from their "Predator Hunt" mode trailer from two days ago, G4TV has uploaded for our viewing pleasure the Alien variant entitled "Infestation Mode."

It looks pretty intense, instead of becoming one juggernaut against many with the Predator, you slowly become one lone survivor against a growing juggernaut-with-many-arms-teeth-and-tails.

Check it out after the jump.

Confirmed - Aliens vs. Predator Multiplayer Demo for Feb. 4th

Confirmed, confirmed, confirmed, and confirmed, TOMORROW will release hordes of Aliens and Predators, and battalions of Marines into the gaming universe.  The Aliens vs. Predator demo will arrive on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam (PC).

As stated above, it's a multiplayer demo.  I'm a little saddend by "multiplayer demos" because we don't really get to stretch our legs safely with the control scheme before the fray (Halo: Reach will also have a multiplayer demo, but I imagine controlling another Spartan will resemble Master Chief).  At least the playing field will be even for a while.

If we get to choose, I'd like to try the Alien first.  What about you?  Are you even going to download it?

Aliens vs. Predator Xbox 360 Demo Thursday, and I'm an Aliens Nerd

So, I had a lack of updates today.  Hey, some days I have to work.

But Aliens vs. Predator demo news hatched.  I first learned about it through That VideoGame Blog (who found it through AVP Galaxy) that supposedly it will be available on XBL this Thursday.  When on that day, I'm not sure, but an ad appeared briefly in the Spotlight section of the Xbox dashboard at some point, which gives credence to Tim's words.

Though I'm getting the game anyway, it'll be nice to give the game a test drive, so I hope the rumors are true.

And plus, to further enhance my Alien nerdness, I received in the mail today something I've been waiting for for a week or so that I had to specially order because all this Aliens talk is bringing back some good times.  This was the very first CD I ever bought (not the Deluxe Edition) and somewhere down the line I thought I needed to sell it.  Stupid.  But now I have it back and it's currently seeping through my ears with that distinguishable Aliens vibe, the heroic "Ripley's Rescue," and the amazing "Futile Escape" and "Bishop's Countdown" that really helped define movie music.

Now, if I can only start finding those books again ...

"I've got movment in front and behind!" - More Aliens vs. Predator

A Xenomorphic swarm of Aliens vs. Predator tidbits keep coming out of the gosh-dang walls!  This is not so much new information as it is a "dissection" of the multiplayer modes and a Game Night at 1Up tomorrow night (I'm assuming live streaming or something?).  If you're interested, click below, if not I'll understand.  The Predator will probably understand, too.

But I'm pretty sure the Alien is going after you either way.

Unless you're pregnant with a Queen ...

Aliens vs Predator - There's a Whole Lotta Hunting Going On

First, through IGN, the Hunter Edition of Aliens vs. Predator is "flying off the shelves."  I considered it for a bit.  Who doesn't want their own larger-scale Facehugger to pretend to be their pet?  But, tax season and the simple act of having to live like an adult got the better of my conscience and I'll be fine with my normal-edition awesome game.  The set does come with some items for which collectors would explode from the inside out to have for $100.  GameStop has the listing as well as your ability to pre-order before you can't anymore.

Perhaps Rebellion is going to release a lot of trailers until the third Tuesday from now (that's February 16th, it's release date) because, like yesterday's Survivor Mode post, today IGN has a new one that showcases another multiplayer mode, Predator Hunt.  Of the three, Mr. Crab-face is my least favorite, but watching this trailer really illustrates how fast you can travel and how hectic it will be to try and stop him.  Actually looks fun!

It's after the break.

Aliens vs. Predator's Survivor Mode Trailer

 

"They're gonna come in here, and they're gonna come in here and they're gonna get us!" - Pvt. Hudson

I ain't even putting a jump break here.  GameTrailers has a new Aliens vs. Predator trailer promoting what Rebellion has called the game's "core:"  Survivor Mode.

Enjoy below (and it's interesting that there is "Suggestive Themes" in this game ... )

Video Games | Aliens vs Predator | Survivor Mode Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Aliens vs. Predator "Demo Soon!", Plus Three New Videos and Info

What incredible timing ... I create these new segment banners yesterday and today I get to use them!

I found out this morning through GameSpot a wonderful wealth of information about Rebellion's upcoming monster, Aliens vs. Predator.  GameSpot interviewed Rebellion's own Tim Jones, twice: once about AvP's multiplayer, and another about the opening minutes of each of the three campaigns.  Long story short, I didn't watch these videos because A.) I hate spoilers, even the opening minutes of something (I'd rather experience it in a demo), and B.) the computer I'm currently on does not have sound.  I'm including both of these videos after the break for anyone else to enjoy, if they so desire, waiting until later in the day when I can actually hear the multiplayer video.

However, second long story short, I was able to watch and listen to another Tim Jones interview given to GameTrailers entitled the "Ultimate Experience."  If you're looking for a quick rundown of everything Aliens vs. Predator has to offer, this is the video you want to watch.  Jones does a wonderful job of hitting the bullet points that Rebellion claims makes their title "the ultimate experience."  And it looks like it.  And Jones officially says there will be a demo soon!

Videos (if GameSpot's embed codes work!) and links are all that there is after the jump.  Read up.  "It's gametime." - Corporal Hicks.

The Heritage of Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator

This missed the cut for yesterday's news just barely.  GameSpot put up an awesome video that essentially compares the 1999 PC breakthrough Aliens vs. Predator to their current iteration, a "more intense, and realistic, and compelling experience" that Rebellion had only "dreamt about being able to do" last decade.  I remember playing that.  I was in England studying abroad one semester in 2004, had my laptop with me, and was bored most of the time I was in my dorm room.  So, I went ahead and purchased a copy to occupy my time, and I'll never forget how freaked out I was as a Marine.  Next month can only be more frightening.

I can't wait!

*after trying to paste the embed code*

Well, I was gonna have the video here, but GameSpot's code isn't working, so here's the link instead!

And check out yesterday's Daily Sync if you missed out on IGN UK's hands-on experience with the highly suspenseful Survivor Mode.

The Daily Sync for January 20th, 2010

Ok, first, because I know she probably won't read much farther than this sentence in this article, it is my wife's birthday today.  I owe her much, especially because on my birthday she allowed me to have the TV all day to play video games.  ALL DAY.  She's not a gamer, but that kind of gift to one means a lot.  Love you, Abby!  Ok, you can go download some more songs from iTunes for your new iPod. :)

Next, I'm sorry about this week sucking on daily synchronizing of news.  Life happens, you know?  Perhaps I went in over my head promising daily reports.  I'm gonna do my best, though.  And so as not to false advertise, I think I'll alter the title of these sections.  Keep your eyes open!

Over the past few days not a lot happened, at least in my opinion.  However, some biggies have dropped recently and I gotta spread my excitement!  Click below to read how you can be a hero, updates and previews of my next two anticipated releases, and other gaming news.

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games of 2010, Part I

All right, all right, all right!

There's no turning back now that we're over a week into this new year.  Is it just me, or does anyone else think something major is going to occur in 2010?  Not necessarily in the game industry, but just in life ... maybe it's just me, but I digress.

However, some big things are going to happen in the gaming industry.  Here are two of my Top 5 (in alphabetical order) Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games of 2010, along with what excites me and strikes fear in my heart about each one.  Click below to see the first two.