The galaxy’s greatest three-way is almost here, and we scored some early playtime — with all the spine-ripping, acid-spurting action one hands-on can handle. Here’s the lowdown on multiplayer Aliens vs. Predator!

Ten years ago, a first-person-shooter crossover that played like a fanboy’s wet dream scared the bejeezus out of many a PC gamer. That game? Aliens versus Predator. It had Aliens killing Predators killing Marines killing Aliens killing...well, you get the general idea. Now, a decade later, we can happily report that based on a recent hands-on with the multiplayer portion of the game, détente and peace have definitely not broken out between these three races. In fact, they still really, really, really want to tear each other limb-from-limb.

Infestation

In between game-balancing and play-testing, UK-based developer Rebellion is still determining exactly how many multiplayer modes will be in the final release of Aliens vs. Predator. We’re told to expect golden oldies like Deathmatch and Mixed Team Deathmatch (teams composed of Aliens, Predators, and Marines), plus more AvP-specific modes like a version of Gears of War 2’s Horde mode that pits a group of Marines against wave after acid-spitting wave of fast-moving, wallcrawling Aliens.

Another mode that’s a sure thing is Infestation, a multiplayer match that plays out like a bite-sized version of the movie Aliens. Up to 18 players (the cap for all modes) take to a map as Colonial Marines; one of them, however, is randomly selected to become an Alien. While the Marines work together to hunt the Alien, the Alien’s job is to grow its ranks by killing and “turning” the Marines into like-minded, hard-shelled killing machines until only one Marine is left standing. Oh, and then he gets killed, too.

As you’d guess, the strategy lies in the very different capabilities of these two races. The Marines are, well, Marines — their greatest strength comes from their sheer numbers and firepower. Teamwork is vitally important to a Marine’s survival; those going off by their lonesome into the jungle will have the life expectancy of a topless, pot-smoking nymphomaniac in a slasher film. Armed with a flashlight, motion tracker, Smart Gun, and Pulse Rifle (with other weapons like shotguns and flamethrowers as pick-ups), Marines should always use the buddy system when not huddled together in small groups. The motion tracker is a great tool, but in our experience, you can’t rely on it too much — Aliens are so fast that one can be on top of you soon after you see the big glowing dot closing in on the tracker.

And we do mean fast. Stepping into the razor-clawed feet of an acid-drooling Alien, you may need some practice before you become an effective hunter. Our first try had us careening into (and up) walls at a lightning pace. Totally disoriented, we soon realized that a slower, more methodical touch was required. Moreover, stealth — as in hanging upside-down from ceilings and perching on top of columns — is a good way to hunt stragglers and avoid barrages of rifle fire. Remember: The Alien is the only side in the game that doesn’t wield weapons; it kills enemies with its slashing claws and stabbing prehensile tail.

Infestation matches tend to be quite short. Once a few Marines get Alien-ated, the rest can be overwhelmed quickly. In fact, if you really want to make the experience authentic, the host can enable Friendly Fire — a quick snarl here and there (yes, a button-press activates the Alien ssssssssound), and a group of itchy trigger fingers can cause a Marine platoon to decimate its own ranks. (A word of advice: Marines should always keep their flashlights on to distinguish themselves from maniacal E.T.s.)

Predator Hunt

The second new mode we played was Predator Hunt. Similar to Infestation, you start the match as one of a group of Marines. One player is then randomly selected to become the Predator, and the two sides hunt each other. The difference here is that a kill for the Predator doesn’t turn the dead Marine into another Predator, and the Marine who manages to kill the Predator gets to assume his place and hunt his former comrades. It’s like King of the Hill — with dreadlocks.

To avoid making the Predator too powerful, he starts the match deprived of his arsenal, save for his retractable wristblades, cloaking ability, and enhanced vision modes. Scattered around the environment are his iconic weapons — such as his shoulder-mounted plasma cannon, throwing shurikens, and mines — and only the Predator can pick them up.

Even when the towering hunter is fully armed, stealth and the element of surprise are his stock in trade. That’s why it’s important to activate your invisibility cloak immediately and use your targeted lunging ability to gain some altitude in the trees or atop structures. Though the Predator doesn’t have the ability to mimic a Marine’s voice like he does in the single-player campaign, he’s a formidable character to play as in multiplayer.

We should also mention, the Alien and Predator can kill their prey with special moves. The Alien can dispatch its victims by impaling them with its tail or chomping on their noggins. In the Predator’s case, though, these special moves — called “Trophy Kills” — will also replenish his weapon energy as you rip a Marine’s head and spinal column right off his body.

Marines Need Love, Too

Pity the poor Marines. Not only are they sent to foreign lands to meet fascinating new people and then kill them, but it’s also easy to think of them as replaceable cannon fodder. And if we have one criticism of AvP so far, it’s that the Marines are generic. Even dull. Considering the rise of class-based team shooters in the last 10 years, it’s surprising that every Marine is virtually identical — they have no specializations, uninspired firepower (though it’s in keeping with the Alien/Predator mythology), and no special moves. (Rebellion project lead Tim Jones tells us the team pondered adding different classes within each species, but found “it added a level of complexity...that diluted the purity of the clash between them.”)

For the most part, the multiplayer modes we sampled were creepy and frenzied, and they showed how each side will require unique tactics. In the final multiplayer game, will the underappreciated Marine be as much fun to play as the Alien or Predator? We hope so, or Deathmatch mode will be Alien vs. Predator vs. No Humans.