Aliens vs. Predator 2

Where the first merely sought to recreate the various locations, creatures and weapons of the six cinematic entries into the universes, this not only does that(and adding basically everything that the first didn't get, as far as the last of those go, and also equipment), but goes beyond, and includes several new designs. This isn't terribly long, but the previous one wasn't, either(and at least this doesn't attempt to hide this fact through the difficulty). This offers an authentic merge of the two series, not to mention a pretty darn entertaining experience. There isn't really any re-playability, admittedly, except for putting all the pieces of the overall story together(these are found throughout each of the three campaigns, and are at no point herein summarized or put together, this is left up to the individual... either to do by themselves, or to Wiki it). It has atmosphere to spare, and it is built up masterfully. The single-player portions aren't equally long, they seem to get shorter, starting with the human and going past the more technologically advanced outer space being. It's hard to find something in the movies not featured in this... without it being a crutch, either(obviously the sections in them(mostly) aren't found here). The cut-scenes are all within the engine, but they are well-done, with quite good cinematography and editing(and scripting). The graphics are absolutely gorgeous... movements look natural and realistic, and the detail in them is impressive, allowing for subtle facial expression and the like(it's really no wonder they used it so much, with nothing being done in full animation or live action). Unlike the first one, this doesn't offer bots for multi-player. That doesn't by a long shot mean that this isn't fun beyond the main portion... you can spend hours battling it out with others, and the optional class systems really help make things interesting. It could need some more modes for it, however... about two thirds of them are more or less the same(two teams versus each other, fragging). There are perhaps not all that many levels(it should be noted that there weren't for the one preceding it, either) for it... but they're almost invariably well-done, and a joy for the different ones(not always as much for every one of them) to run around and wage the continuing interspecies war in. And on that... the odds have shifted, and it's much more fair and even. Now not a single of the sides seem weak or slow as such when you're controlling them, they simply do better in different situations(meanwhile, both when by yourself and against or with others, this allows for them). The AI is absolutely great, and rather accurate... just about every single foe you fight behaves the way it should(I will choose this for where I interject that the wall-walking has been *vastly* improved, and now, little if any "sticking" takes place, regardless of who does the moving). The story lines intersect, and more than once, at that. They're complex(and not the only thing that that applies to, either), well-told, intriguing and true to character all the way. One thing that has got to get a mention is how incredibly smooth this is. Not just in that there are nearly no bugs or glitches(and I've yet to see any biggies), but it runs so well, the game-play(which is awesome and enjoyable almost without exception), everything. The difficulty levels are about spot-on... if you have any skills as far as FPS' go, you should be able to complete this on the easiest, and if you try for the hardest, you will find this intense. The new stuff brought in, for all of them, improves(the same goes for most of the things where this differs from the first), makes them better, more engaging, to control. This actually has the life cycle of the Xenomorph(also as an on/off feature for MP). The music changes when there are opponents around(and they are aware of your presence), giving the sense of being in a scored film, set in these worlds. The audio in general is exceptionally done, and thorough. Voice acting is marvelous. The boss enemies are very nicely done, great fights. Level design is excellent, it all comes together extremely well, and all the races get to do what they do best... and without anything seeming out of place, or this ever requiring you to suspend your disbelief(beyond what the concept itself asks, and if you're reading this and/or considering playing this, you most likely already do so). The areas explored, the sheer amount, and the versatility of them... other planets entirely dissimilar from what we know, foreign technology, as well as buildings in a similar style and architecture as what the original efforts on the Xenomorph contains(without it being straight remakes, like it was in the installation this is a successor to). The dismemberment is enormously well-done, so believable and so many... gore and blood never seems underdone or anything in this. It's really *the* game for enthusiasts. What minor stuff still remains not integrated is seldom missed... more so after the release of the expansion pack, Primal Hunt, where they were there, but they weren't done right, and messed up the balance. The references are more homages than direct rip-offs, and this could, if need be, stand on its own, any player who doesn't know the source material could largely "get" it and find him- or herself into it. Both this and the one before it are worth investing time in, and they can be beaten utterly independent of each other(save for the theme, drawing inspiration from the same sources and sharing a title, one really has no connection to the other). If it's one or the other, then there's no reason to ponder... this is the choice. I recommend this to any fan of Alien, Marine and/or Predator, and really anyone who enjoys solid FPS', and unique ones. This is noticeably more well-rounded and fulfilled than the other(it just doesn't have Co-Op like it). 8/10

Let me start off that I love Predator and Alien 1&2(I like Predator a bit more than the alien movies though). So after playing AvP 1 I got hooked. I couldn't stop playing. Having the power of the Predator at your very hands...amazing. But I didn't like that the Predator in AvP wasn't very true to the movies. Even small things like what color his health pool is to big things like no crouch jumps, not being very strong, and horrible cloaking(marines can see you even when you're cloaked half the time). Also the levels very rarely intertwined with one another.I also must say in AvP 1 marine mode was awful. I hated being marine.But don't get me wrong I loved the overall game!

When I got AvP2 I expected it to be like most movie and game sequels. Not as good as the first. Man was I wrong. The graphics are incredibly realistic. The plot is great. The levels are always intertwining, and the game is so true to the movies it makes a fan like me crazy about it. All the above I said Avp1 didn't have this game did. I guess we can attribute this to Sierra,the makers of Half Life. They took on AvP2 along with Fox Interactive and made this game great. Another thing about the first AvP. In Predator mode you never got to hop through trees. But you can in AvP2! I already beat Predator in AvP2, and am half way through in alien and marine(marine mode is like half life in this game...I love it). I don't know if I've lost you along the way but the point I want to make is that AvP2 is better than the first, and I recommend it to anyone, especially Predator,Alien, or even Half Life fans(but be warned, this game is not a copy of Half Life, it's much better!) And so 4/5 stars brings me to my conclusion. BUY THE GAME

It might seem weird to review a video game on a film site, but this is a very particular case: first, the source medium is not one but two series of films, and second, attempts to follow the present product in film form have been undisputed disasters. How could you get those so wrong and this so right?

First things first, the Alien series is perhaps the finest adult science-fiction series in existence, a visionary horror saga that plays on our Lovecraftian fears of the cosmic unknown and delivers the greatest monster of all time. The Predator is a worthy challenger, showcased in one of the greatest sci-fi action films ever made. In the early Alien and first Predator films, we have not just great monsters, but master directors conjuring a perfect atmosphere. That is where Sierra crucially got things right with this game!

This feels like being in a blend of Alien and Aliens, and you will feel fear, no matter the species you choose, for yes, this is a three-scenario game: one as a human marine, one as a predator, one as an alien, and all threads interweave several times. A mighty arsenal is thrown at you in all categories, but you will rarely feel better than merely safe (perhaps as the Predator). The human thread is the most spine-tingling of the lot, and the thrill of holding that pulse rifle quickly evaporates when the motion sensor starts beeping.

Whichever way you look at it, this is a glorious solitary journey into claustrophobic fear and violence, making the leap from effectiveness to greatness by arming itself with tight and smart parallel narrative structures (in several cases, as one species, you see who you'd be playing had you chosen the other). For gamers and general shoot'em-up fans this is essential. for fans of either of Fox's monsters, this is too good to be true!

You want a great AVP game? Here it is! Forget the games from 1993 and 1999. This one is the real deal! Forget the movies too. OK, the 2010 video game was OK, but this one... damn! OK, OK... now you get to play, again, with the marine, predator and alien. And each of them has a story-mission, that is connected to each other. That's the best thing about this video game, it has a perfect story that connects characters. Each and everyone of them is very playable, so you can chose and enjoy all of them, they are different of course, but I like how they did a perfect atmosphere and terrain for each of them. With alien, you got pretty rough terrain, with lot of jumping, climbing... but alien has next advantages: He is extremely fast, agile and powerful, he can tore apart a marine in just a second, for example. The predator's mission are pretty interesting, in my opinion most enjoyable of all three. You really feel like predator, it's so cool and sexy :). Predator is also strong, with advanced weaponry and hunting skills, but he is pretty slow. The marine has really cool, atmospheric missions, which are really scary, really, really creepy, and you got a bunch of big weapons that can save your butt if you are ready to use them in high voltage action. The marine's advantage is his weapons, use them wisely. I am not saying anything anymore, get this game and have fun!

This is absolutely the best game I have ever played. One word; DYNAMIC! From start the finish this game will scare the holey hell out of you. The combination of music, intense graphics, and realistic game play make for a ride you wont forget. I am abosolutely addicted to this thing. It never gets boring, no matter how many times you play it, and no matter which role you are playing. Buy this game, you won't regret it. Props to the makers. VERY well done.