Alien Vs. Predator Review
by Steve A. [email protected]

Alien Vs. Predator was-- in its time-- one of the few good 3D console corridor games available. Before it was Wolfenstein 3D (SNES)-- very choppy, cartoony, & pixelly and Wolfenstein 3D (Jag)-- cartoony but much better than the SNES version. I think AvP came out around the time Monster Manor came out for the 3DO, and it was a pretty cool game-- but unfortunately the system it happened to be on cost a mint so not too many people got to play it. Doom was also becoming available for the SNES and Jaguar around this time, and obviously the Jag version ran circles around the SNES version.

Anyway AvP had superior graphics to anything seen on a console at the time. Sure PC games had the potential to look and scroll better, but the Jag was showing off high technology at a reasonable console price. AvP had something (two things actually) that no PC corridor game had at the time-- a killer license and the ability to play as the good AND bad guys (with different attributes to enhance gameplay).

The most fun aspect of this game has to do with remembering the scariness of the original movies and seeing that you're now there in the action. Jumping out of your seat when playing this game was a common occurence for Jaguar game players. There was also an element of strategy to the suspense. You had to conserve your ammo, know when to run, map your way through the airvents and level mazes, and try to replenish your health and ammo throughout the game-- all while having excellent aim with your weaponry. This game was exciting and innovative-- and it kept the Jaguar warm in my household for quite a long time.

Spoiler ahead

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Sure all the levels were flat, without stairways or ramps. There were no levers to pull to open up secret areas. But there were computers to access so you could find out what happened to the crew of the ship. There was always a hope that you would run into a survivor or find a room full of guys that had found a way to stay alive. (Anyone remember the Newt rumor here on Usenet?!) Unfortunately, you were the only one for the entire game-- but that even made it more scary. Maybe the sequel (coming out for the Playstation this year) will have some survivors to team up with-- that would be incredible (but maybe a bit less frightening :.)

Another great aspect of AvP for the Jaguar was the goal of defeating the Alien Queen. Taking her out with my Smartgun was totally exhilarating. After defeating the Queen, you were then left with the duty of limping back to the main ship with security card ten-- now that was nerveracking. If you were wise, you left a couple med kits on the way out. Sometimes Aliens would still be left in rooms that you never cleared on your way to the queen-- Man I hated it when they jumped out at you in there, snatching what little of your healthbar was left!

All in all AvP was an incredible game-- and it still is. For those of you who aren't burned out already on corridor strategy/action games-- Get AvP for the Jaguar. It is definitely worth the money.

Steve A.