Aliens vs. Predator 2

Wowweee! What the hell was that, nothing but a roller coaster... If, like me, you are that kind 'o guy that absolutely worships the alien saga and has always wanted to take to the field killing aliens or (humans or both), but are a little afraid of being caught by the police and sort of out of ammo, then this is THE game you've been looking for.

I have never seen such a brilliantly reproduced atmosphere in a film inspired game before. Lots of the mistakes that the first AVP had were corrected here, such as the one-off missions (that had hardly any connection with each other), and many others which aren't worth mentioning.

this is the only game I've ever played (and belive me I played many) that instilled fear in me. I mean pure, absolute fear! Fear of giving a single step forward, of looking back at what's lurking behind you or fear at the horrible noises coming from around the corner. It's everything the film saga is and a whole lot more.

about the species: either one you choose will be as challenging. the marine has the obvious limitations of humans; the predator has the most amazing weapons in the galaxy, and the alien is... well, just different. the game isn't all that hard to finish as the first AVP, because you can save your progress now. However, it does has a number of difficulty levels, that turn the game into a challenging experience.

the new abilities - such as pounce, or the wallwalk toggle - will add enormously to the gaming experience. The alien is a lot stealthier, although some abilities - like the predator vision modes - will circumvent this. but there's where your tactical genius will have to intervene. a good alien player will find a way around this, which will usually mean charging the enemy headlong, hitting fast and hard.

getting in the skin of the predator gives you a sense of invincibility - untill you start getting hacked left and right. believe me, there is a level that took me and my brother almost a month to complete (old debts). it's a cave full of aliens, that shows just how inefficient your high-tech weapons can be. but the real pleasure is when you hunt humans; it's always fun collecting the trophies and snipping at the sentry guns.

the marine as a good range of equipment, from the trusty old m41a, to the blowtorch, the smart gun and the hacking device. too bad that you can't get any of the really heavy stuff untill the end of the game (like the battle suit).

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

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!

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.

Aliens Vs. Predator II is by far the best and most addicting game I have ever played. Okay, it's gory when you kill people, but AVP II is still a fun game to play. You will just drool at the graphics!

Unlike Aliens Vs Predator and Aliens Vs. Predator Gold Edition, this game has a storyline and cutscenes between levels.

The Xenomorph and Pilot Alien Homeworld is LV-1201. The Xenomorph Drone (Alien) you can play as is born as a face-hugger and you must work your way up to maturity. Then, you set out on a quest to stop Dr. Eisenberg from taking the Alien Empress away from your kind. In addition to the Claw, Tail, and Jaw attacks, you can use a new Pounce attack.

The Colonial Marine (Andrew Harrison) you can play as is sent to LV-1201 with other Marines to investigate an accident at Dr. Eisenberg's research facility. However, the Iron Bears, a pack of evil Marines (Most of them dressed in orange) arrest you and send the rest of your team on a suicide mission into an underground Alien base (Built by Pilot Aliens thousands of years ago. Remember them from Alien?). Utilizing a knife, Pistol, Shotgun, Pulse Rifle, Grenade Launcher, Flamethrower, Rocket Launcher, Smartgun, Sniper Rifle, Minigun, and Exosuit (Armed with Flamethrower, Rocket Launcher, and a Minigun), you must ransack Alien bases, weaken the Iron Bears, and rescue the rest of your team before the bugs get to them.

The Yautja Hunter (Predator) you can play as will journey to LV-1201 to hunt humans and Xenomorph. Two of your clan mates are abducted and during your rescue attempt, you are (Your clan mates are killed by scientists). Your mask is taken as a "trophy" by the evil General Rykov, the leader of the Iron Bears (He is mad at you for shooting him with a Plasmacaster and critically injuring him 19 years before the Incident on LV-1201). You must take back what is yours and restore your honor. You will use Wristblades, a Combistick (Spear), Modified Plasma Pistol, Speargun, Plasmacaster, Disc, Netgun, and Remote Bombs to kill game and destroy the Iron Bears and eventually, General Rykov.

I have said this once and I'll say it again, Aliens Vs. Predator II is the greatest game ever made. I must say that the people at Sierra did an excellent job with the game. At times, expect to be frightened by false scares, Aliens jumping at you from nowhere, Predators shooting at you from all directions, and Marines tooting off their weapons in the most quiet of places. In think anyone should give this game a try. It is definitely worth your time and money.