Well, it convinced me to buy it, if that's any indicator. Especially when this game wasn't even on my radar. The demo is just multiplayer but even there you completely feel the tension of the films. It wouldn't be fair to say that the Predator doesn't have an extreme advantage over the other races, but even that feels appropriate. And the Predator still can't deal with a swarm of aliens (that's the Marine territory) or even a lone Marine who has located him. In free-for-all deathmatch things are stacked in favor of the Predator and against the Alien, but I know that if these mechanics were translated to a team mode, wherein you could have swarms of aliens and troops of marines against rogue predators, the game would be awesome.

Not that it isn't awesome already. They've done an excellent job of streamlining controls and abilities so that every face feels like it has its powers. The Marine's motion tracking sensor is my favourite of the abilities and I'm pleased to see they finally have left it as a permanent "on" and not just for the smart gun.

Similarly, the long-overdue ability to "target jump" as the Predator finally makes an appearance and really adds another dimension to playing the race, giving them the command of the high ground where they can patiently wait for their prey to come to them.

The Aliens are the most disorienting race. I haven't really figured out their combos yet and climbing on walls and ceilings makes me want to throw up... but then I've already seen players using these traits to incredible effect. Probably the coolest feature of the alien is its ability to scare people. I played a 1-v-1 match against an alien (as a marine) and while I definitely had the advantage, I was sweating most of the time. You'll hear a scream from somewhere in the distance, train your sights on... something that's moving (a lot of things in the stages move or hiss, like machinery and pipes) and then suddenly your motion sensor will go crazy with motion... from behind you. You flip around and see nothing. Then comes another hiss and you look up to see HR Gieger's fuck-creature crouched like a spider above you.

Dying in the game is extreme. Being picked up by an Alien and watching its tail go through your chest in a spray of blood... seeing the Predator cut away your head and spine from your body as you're still alive... suddenly losing control of your marine and looking down to see a giant hole in your chest, rimmed with still burning plasma...

Anyway, lots of reasons to be excited about this one. I've been a fan of the AvP series since the first one for the PC and this is shaping up to be the best addition to the trilogy.

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Feedback
	Suskie - February 15, 2010 (11:45 AM) I'm hearing the demo is awesome (still have yet to check it out myself), but I saw a review for it somewhere that was disappointingly negative. So yeah, I'll be waiting for the final verdict before I decide on this one.
	zippdementia - February 15, 2010 (12:25 PM) I'd be interested in seeing that review, if you can recall it. EDIT: Though I have seen other reviews that say the same thing now, yes.
	Suskie - February 16, 2010 (08:17 AM) Game Informer's, I believe. 5.75.
	Halon - February 16, 2010 (07:28 PM) I was very disappointed by the demo so I probably won't be getting this. It's a shame since it had so much potential and the concept really sounded cool.