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
Review of Aliens vs. Predator 2
Aliens vs. Predator 2
(2001 Video Game)
A must for fans of either/both of the franchises... faster, bigger, more guns and more attacks
8 May 2008