Aliens versus Predator (computer game)
To date (Autumn 2004) there have been two Aliens versus Predator games released for the PC and Mac. Both have been published by Sierra, but have different developers, Rebellion for the original (AvP (1999)) and Monolith for its sequel (AvP2 (2001)).
The games themselves are both first person shooters (FPS), but differ from most other FPS in that the player can choose the perspective to play from : Alien, Predator or Human (Colonial Marine or Corporate). These different perspectives afford distinct capabilities and weapons. In the most conventional case, playing as a human is the most similar to other FPS, and players are able to access a wide array of weaponry (mostly that from the films). As a Predator, players make use of Predator weapons such as the Plasmacaster, Disc and Wristblades. Predators are also somewhat more athletic than humans, and have a range of different vision modes to aid them in hunting the other species. Playing as an Alien is the most significantly different perspective. Players are able to range freely over any surface regardless of its inclination. This allows wall-walking and completely novel means of attack. As an Alien, however, weaponry is restricted to claws, tail and jaws (for the infamous head-bite), though these themselves reward the player with a fairly unusual experience in FPS combat.
In the single player mode, both games present a conventional series of levels to progress through. However, because of the differing abilities of the three species, the levels themselves are not always conventional in structure - Alien levels, for instance, often involve climbing through convoluted buildings. In AvP, the levels are loosely structured, with progression sometimes a little arbitrary (e.g. Predator players find themselves, for a single level only, on the prison planet Fury from the film Alien³). In AvP2, the storyline is considerably more developed and much tighter, with each level following sensibly on from the last. And at one point in AvP2, the three strands (Alien, Predator and human) are brought together at a particular location. In both games, the storylines put the player in situations familiar to those who have seen the films.
Screenshots
The following are images from the original Aliens versus Predator.
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The following are images from the sequel Aliens versus Predator 2.
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See also
- Alien vs. Predator
- Alien vs. Predator (movie) - The AvP movie, released mid-2004.
- Alien vs. Predator (comics) - The comic book series.
- Alien vs. Predator (novels) - The sci-fi novel series.
- Alien vs. Predator (video game) - The console games, ranging from the arcade to SNES versions.
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