Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"All flash, no substance"

People who grew up in the 80's know that both Aliens and Predators are amazing, this would lead anyone from that time to arrive at the conclusion that combining the two would be a winning idea.

Rebellion, who were keen to push Aliens vs Predator to new heights in an era where the multiplayer experience has become a defining one, as well as delivering the finished product which would appease long term fans of the games and films alike. We all saw with the demo that they certainly delivered an experience that was brimming with authenticity, the motion sensor for the Marines beeps its panic-including staccato, the Aliens hiss and screech like a pot of boiling reptiles and the Predators heat sensor is presented with the pounding heartbeat.

The game is split into three species based single player campaigns, players have to move through these campaigns in a set order, starting with the Colonial Marines. Little has changed from the demo and in the campaign the human species is easily the least exiting of the three. What is disliked about the game is that so little new is tried; ready to embrace what has gone before in a complete totality without recognizing that it has been over ten years since the original PC version and the whole market has moved on.

After completing Alien vs Predator the player is left with a feeling of "what could have been". Rebellions heart is in the right place, yet they're lack of courage in trying to deviate from a ten year old template has seen them fall short when compared to other games and titles on the market. Multiplayer modes spare the title of mediocrity and show a genuine understanding of what the players want from a game like this. Survivor, Predator and Infestation modes will keep the player wanting to come back to the game, especially if friends can be drafted in.

The average consumer will struggle to find much depth in this incarnation of Alien vs Predator, but fans like myself will doubtlessly finds something to love about it.

GAMEPLAY - 7.5
Good multiplayer modes, although even then there is no escaping the control system.

GRAPHICS - 7.9
Very nice lighting effects and clever use of shadows lend to the sense of danger but some animation glitches and lack of variety take some of the shine away.

SOUND - 9.0
The games a real winner! Everything from the movies is here and it ramps up the atmosphere more than anything happening on the screen, the music can become a bit jarring but otherwise it is very impressive.

VALUE - 6.8
The single player campaigns are not only repetitive, but they are too short! The multiplayer modes will keep players coming back for more.

OVERALL - 8.5
Frustrating, flawed and fleeting. Aliens vs Predator gives you glimpses of what could have been a beautiful game but ultimately plays out like something from another era as opposed to another world.