Alien vs. Predator

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.

123NEXT