Year : 2000
Genre : First Person Shooter
By far the most exciting and intense action can be experienced while playing as the marines as they are the weakest and most vulnerable. In this game however, you are all alone and the mission objectives are given to you via the monitor screens. And occasionally, you'll revisit some of the key locations found in the Alien movies. As most of the levels are dark, you'll have to use flares which are limited and also rely on the blip of your motion tracker - Just like in the alien movies. The sound of the weapons that you use (particularly the Assault Rifle) are also recreated exactly like in the alien movies. All of this makes the marine missions suspense and horror filled.
When you get to control the alien, you'll have the ability to climb on walls by pressing and holding the shift key. This can be disorientating at first but is necessary for an alien to overcome obstacles. A rather satisfying thing to do when you are an alien is to run near to an unsuspecting marine and bite off his/her head ! However, I find the missions less exciting than the marine missions as it consists of either escaping or creating mayhem.
Lastly, we have the Predator. Like the movies, the predator has both melee and ranged weapons. It also has 3 views that can be changed anytime : Normal vision, Night Vision, and Infra-red vision. Another useful tool is the cloaking device which just makes the predator even more powerful than ever. The predator also has the ability to heal itself, screaming once the healing process is completed -Just like the movie. Unfortunately, similar to the alien missions, they are not as interesting.
A welcome addition to the Gold version is the new save system. Now you can save your progress anytime in this Gold version. (Which previously, you can only save after completing a level, which many have complained). Also, once the game is completed, the game provides a skirmish mode where you get to play in randomly generated levels.
In short, while this game may not earn the classic status, it has a few scary moments that you might find it worth your while.
Pros : Scary marine missions, haunting soundtrack
Cons : Slightly boring alien and predator missions.
Year : 2001
Genre : First Person Shooter
Anyway, on to the gameplay. Like its predecessor, there are 3 characters offered here which you can now select which character you want to play first. Each race consists of 7 levels which is short. (provided that you don't get lost too often)
This time however, the storyline is much better as the story is inter-connected between all 3 races. The marine missions are still the best among the races, starting out almost similar to the sequel of the film. Ocassionally, you'll fight alongside your team-mates but most of them are fated to die.
Special mention has to be made about the alien missions as it starts out very interestingly. The idea of finding a host and bursting free from his/her belly is an important element that was missing from the first game. Since you are vulnerable at this stage, you have no choice but to remain stealthy until you become an adult alien. (by eating animals) And after that, the sequel follows the same path as in the first game (which is kill and destroy everything).
Finally, as the predator, you'll get your usual weapons and view modes. Not surprisingly, the predator is the most powerful. Not only does it have a cloaking ability and the ability to jump very high, but the energy used to regain health and to replenish energy is unlimited. That is why players are able to finish the predator missions in one day.
Overall, if you are a fan of the alien and predator movies, do not miss this opportunity to become one.
Expansion to AVP 2. Not reviewed yet.