Aliens vs. Predator makes a great first impression. Everything about the game from a presentational standpoint is fantastic. You can tell that this project was a labor of love for Rebellion Developments. They got to go back to a sandbox they helped popularize and really go nuts. Whether it's the impressive graphics, the use sound effects and music ripped straight from the films, or the game's art direction that makes everything from dank, dark hallways to ancient temples look enticing, Rebellion Developments nailed it all. It's just a shame that when you actually pick up a controller to play that the game starts to fall apart.
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When you first boot up AvP and start the marine campaign you're given an extremely eerie, atmospheric and graphically impressive introduction to the world of Aliens vs. Predator. You're outnumbered, outgunned, and your only real defense is a flashlight to illuminate the seemingly pitch black hallways and a motion tracker to tip you off to incoming Aliens. The first few hours of the marine campaign are frightening and, at times, emotionally exhausting to play. However, that feeling soon diminishes once you reach the halfway point of this 3-4 hour campaign. It's at this moment that the creepy atmosphere and scares are thrown out the window to make way for large scale shootouts. Shootouts you're required to partake in with controls that feel inferior by today's standards.
I also found myself extremely frustrated at some of the little decisions in the gameplay that Rebellion decided to include as I progressed through the marine campaign. Stuff like not being about to crouch or take cover when some of the enemies you face later on clearly can do just that. Also, Rebellion decided to include a gameplay feature where if an Alien's acidic blood gets splashed on you in heavy volumes it's an instant death. This makes sense within the context of the AvP universe, but for a gameplay mechanic, it's horrible. Here's why: Aliens do only one thing to attack you, they rush you. Therefore, if they get in close and start pummeling you, you can't put a bullet in their head as a last resort because you'll be risking an acid bath and death. In AvP you're actually punished for getting a close range headshot.
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By the time you finish up the marine campaign of Aliens vs. Predator you're ready for something fresh and new, pretty sad considering the marine campaign only lasts for roughly four hours. And that's where the Predator campaign steps in to give you an experience that is definitely not your standard first person shooter. While the Predator's campaign still takes place from a first person perspective, the tools at the Predator's disposal make for a completely different "shooter" experience, one where you'll be using a combination of stealth, ranged weaponry, and hand-to-hand combat. But unfortunately, Rebellion only succeeds with two of the three styles, leaving the hand-to-hand mechanics feeling very shallow in comparison to the rest. Basically, melee combat feels reminiscent of a boxing game's fighting mechanics, but without the same sense of depth and diversity. I found myself hammering on the light attack button and occasionally throwing in a heavy strike to finish off my foe over and over again.
But when you're able to go into stealth mode and strategically stalk and remove your prey is when the Predator campaign is at its most fun. Whether you choose to slink around and silently pick off your enemies with a number of brutal finishers, or perch high above the battlefield and use your Plasmacaster or Smart Disc to behead unsuspecting foes, both options have their satisfying payoffs. It was also a pleasure to watch the Predator rip off a marine's head while in a first person perspective. Much appreciate Rebellion, thank you for that.
