Aliens vs. Predator MP hands on and video interview

We were invited out to check out the multiplayer component of the upcoming first-person shooter/slasher Aliens vs. Predator, and also for a quick chat with producer Paul Mackman from Rebellion.

Unfortunately, some of the multiplayer modes that we got to try out (and also some of the things that we talked to Mackman about) are under embargo, but I’ll try to relay what I can about the game’s multiplayer offering.

First of all, as I’m sure everyone either knows or comes to expect from an AvP game, the multiplayer component will allow players to assume the role of one of three different and very unique factions: Aliens, Predators and Colonial Marines. The combination of the varying play styles makes AvP’s multiplayer what it is, bringing a kind of paper, rock scissors scenario to the first-person shooter. But to use the paper-scissors-rock analogy may be to unfairly dismiss the tactics as luck of the draw; no faction is necessarily underpowered relative to another, and there’s typically always an effective way to approach any given combat situation no matter your species. It’s in this expert balancing and the way in which the game truly encourages you to think on your feet where Rebellion has seemingly triumphed.

Where Splinter Cell’s famous “spies versus mercs” multiplayer offering encouraged players to adopt one of two interdisciplinary play styles (aggressive mercenary versus spy stealth), AvP adds another layer of depth. And that’s not to mention that, in some game types, you also have enemies from your own faction to contend with.

Of course, there are the Colonial Marines, which will be the most natural and accessible play style for veterans of traditional first-person shooters. Given that your adversaries typically rely on melee combat, you’ll want to keep an eye on your motion sensor and attempt to keep your enemies at range. If you spot them with enough time, you can typically make short work of any enemies in your sights. The marines also carry grenades, which can be devastating to anyone caught in the blast radius.

But it’s not as if the marines have an unfair advantage; both the Aliens and Predators are far more agile than their human counterparts, so pumping them full of lead is certainly easier said than done. The Aliens are exceptionally quick and can easily negotiate all manner of terrain, be it walls, trees or even ceilings. It’s certainly disorientating at first, but once you’ve adjusted, the Alien is an absolute killing machine. The Aliens can also detect their prey by sensing pheremones, which shows enemies as a red outline onscreen. The best part is that Aliens can sense these pheremones through walls and floors. Aliens are also filled with their trademark acidic blood, so you'll want to dispatch of them from a distance where possible.



The Predators, on the other hand, rely much more on sneak tactics and remaining undetected. Using the famous camouflage ability, Predators stalk their prey by pouncing around from treetops and other high vantage points before closing in for the kill. Their attack style is somewhat of a mix between melee combat and ranged projectiles. Quick, contextual one-hit assassination-style kills are typically the most effective, although the Predator can pick up wrist blades and a throwing disc: one-shot projectiles that are difficult to land (say, compared to the marines’ automatic weapons). Personally, I found the Predator to boast the most interesting and rewarding play style, although it’s certainly the most difficult to pick up.

It all makes for an absolutely exciting deathmatch experience (the first of the game modes we played). While the marines boast arguably the most powerful weapons, there's an inescapable feeling of vulnerability when playing as this faction. Many a blip on my motion detector sent me into a frenzied spray-and-pray session with my assault rifle. Sure, something might be nearby. But is it above you? Below you? Or standing right in front of you with active camouflage engaged?



However, it’s some of the inventive game modes that really make the experience, and frustratingly I can’t talk about many of these just yet. Above and beyond the standard and aforementioned deathmatch, the modes I can discuss are Infestation and Predator Hunt; themselves slight variations on tried-and-true shooter gametypes.

In Infestation, all players begin the match as marines, but one will be selected to become an Alien, who is then tasked with eliminating the remaining marines. It’s essentially a standard survival/zombie type match: killing a marine turns them into an Alien, who will then hunt down the remaining marines. There’s a time limit in which the Aliens must eliminate the marines, so the marines simply have to survive until the limit is up.

The third gametype we got to play was Predator Hunt. Similarly to the aforementioned mode, all players begin as marines and one player is selected to be a Predator. The Predator must attempt to kill as many marines as possible within a time limit, although any marine that kills the Predator will take its place.

After a few rounds on these gametypes, we sat down with Rebellion’s Paul Mackman to ask him a quick few questions about the game. It's a little quiet with a bit of background noise, so you might need to crank the volume a little.