I cannot recall any time previous that I have stayed up late in order to download a game demo off of Xbox Live Dashboard. On Feb 4^th, 2010 I did just that. The new multi-player demo for Rebellions new FPS “Aliens Vs Predator” was released on PSN, XBL and Steam for free download. Now some of you may recall the original AVP on the PC and would not be surprised to know that people still play it. The demo included one map and one game-mode, allowing up to 8 players to participate in a classic free-for-all death match. Now what separates this game from others is the fact that you can play as three different types of characters!

First of all, each death match consists of Predator, Xenomorphs, and the Colonial Marines. The game play varies greatly from class to class. As a Predator, you can leap from afar unto higher perches, utilize various advanced weaponry, and go stealth with your invisibility cloak! Starting with just claws, the Predator is forced to rely on stealth attacks from behind, and ambushes. Though invisible to humans, the Predator can always be seen by the Xenomorphs.  The colonial humans run about with the flimsiest little flashlights I have ever seen. Though their flashlights are wack, their guns are not. The marine can keep Aliens and Predators at bay with their firearms. Though not nearly as fast or agile, the humans advantage lies solely in their weaponry. Always watch your back as a human or you could end up suddenly sprouting a tail through your mouth, or a pair of claws through your chest. Pretty cool…the first couple times. Now the Xenomorph was my personal favorite! As the feared beast from the 90’s you can traverse nearly any surface at break neck speeds in order to creep upon your unsuspecting prey, get round their flank, and bite the back of their head! With your little mouth that is, not the big mouth. The Xenomorph can strike from nearly angle, moves like a greased-up rock fiend, and can hiss. Yes, if you press the “Y” button as the Alien, you can hiss. I don’t know why, but damn it’s intimidating! Maybe it has more function in team game modes…

I hope to god that the graphics, lighting, and physics are significantly touched up before release though. I really enjoyed this demo, and I’ll probably play it some more, but I felt that the shooting was fairly clumsy, reminiscent of “Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory” when you played as the merc. That’s not really a good thing. The graphics were not overly terrible; I suppose I was just expecting more. Despite a few minor flaws, I welcome a game that has a different formula. The team oriented game modes will probably be much more satisfying, allowing for crazy online versus play! This game will join the ranks of my personal collection here shortly. Everyone knows that three-ways are hot, and this one sounds particularly sexy. Look for the real deal on PS3, PC and Xbox 360 come Feb. 19^th, 2010. I know I’m looking forward to clawing up some mark-ass marines, using my little tiny inner teeth to bite some heads, or just doing what humans tend to do, shooting those that don’t look like us!

Joseph Bryant – SwiftGlassEater