It’s especially disappointing that a game like this exists, given the magnificent legacy of the franchise. Aliens Vs Predator and Aliens Vs Predator 2 were two of the finest and scariest shooters ever created. Subsequent titles weren’t quite up to the standard of the first two, as they started to experiment with other genres. Furthermore, while the first Aliens Vs Predator movie was divisive amongst fans, Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem brought some equilibrium back. Unfortunately, while there is enough care about the franchise, there simply isn't enough game to back it up.
In Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem for PSP, you play as the baddest of the bad-ass Predators (which is one positive, at least), and you romp through a set of levels blasting and slicing through numerous Alien ‘serpents’ and occasionally dissolve a Facehugger husk, flip a switch or scare a human. That’s pretty much everything that you do in the game. As much as we’d like to finish up the review here, there is a quota to meet [You're damn right - Ed]. Well Okay, there is a little more to the game, but not that much.
Aliens seem to like jumping.
As mentioned, you play as the chief Predator, who was sent to Earth to clean up the mess caused when the last Predator ship crashed. Upon impact, numerous facehuggers were released and they set themselves onto the nearby unsuspecting humans. The story is only loosely based the movie, as it doesn’t even contain the Predalien and the ending is, well, a bit different. The first mission that you play through has you going through and clearing the crashed vessel, as well as introducing the player to the game’s mechanics.
From there, the game splits into three different routes: Underground, Industrial and Suburban. All three routes will eventually take you to the final two missions of the game. Overall, there are 15 missions in the game, but you can get to the ‘end’ by only playing 7. Sure enough, playing through more will end up filling in more time, if you feel the compelling need to do so after paying good money for this game. However, you’re not going to see much variety one route over another. Sure, a mission here or there may require more stealth or action then another route, but overall, the experience doesn’t change much.
If there is one aspect of the game that has been faithfully compiled, it’s the features of the Predator. The Predator has three different viewing modes at its disposal: Thermal, Tech and Alien. Each is implemented quite well, with the Alien-viewing mode being particularly useful, as you’re often in the dark. You’ve also got the Predator’s staple cloaking at your disposal, though you’ll have to be careful with the energy it consumes and when you're around water (which happens to be deviously placed at times). Finally, you’ve got a few of the Predator’s staple weapons, including shoulder cannon, hand cannon and spear.
Damn, that just made them so much harder to hit.
The primary issue with the game, as mentioned above, is that the gameplay is completely one-note. It isn’t something that is broken, but it is simple to the point where it loses any feeling of engagement with the player. The game implements a points system that will quickly fill up and upgrade your arsenal but provide no other rewards for any extra efforts. This includes dissolving facehugger husks, destroying evidence of Predator technology or avoiding human contact. These points are awarded throughout each level and accumulated, but with very little ultimate purpose.
Even though you have a few weapons at your disposal, once you’ve unlocked the spear, you become unbeatable. You may get into a few tricky spots when too many aliens are attacking and you’re armed with energy consuming weapons. The lock-on system doesn’t work that well in crowds either. However, once you revert to the spear, a healthy dose of mashing is more then enough to take care of any amount of aliens. They are essentially fodder being sent to the slaughter. Funnily enough, humans can cause more damage then the aliens if you stay out too long out in the open. Occasionally the game tries to throw in some basic stealth or platforming elements, but often they fall apart under poor design or weak mechanics. You’ll still get through them but not in the kind of way that would satisfy the player for doing it correctly.
In addition to the campaign, you’ve got Skirmish and Multiplayer modes. If you have a spare five minutes, Skirmish places you in one of six small maps where you try to eliminate as many Aliens as possible for a high score. Multiplayer is co-op that can be played across ad-hoc. Again, given the dull nature of the game, neither of these modes is likely to keep your attention for much more then five minutes and neither unlocks anything or feels particularly rewarding.
You know what? This game could use more aliens.
Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem teases you with a highly detailed opening sequence that could have been actual footage. Unfortunately, apart from a few nice design quirks (namely the positioning of sprinklers), the whole visual package is only on par. The effects from the different visors are nice, but everything looks either indistinguishable (particularly if the area is very dark) or basic. It doesn’t bode well for a game, when you can get lost when areas aren’t distinguishable from one another.
The Predator itself is well modeled, but at times it moves like a man in a suit. The aliens are a bit of a mix as well, as sometimes they look menacing and other times a little messy. While many of the sound effects are faithful with regards to the Predator equipment, the rest of the soundtrack is either forgettable or doesn’t seem like it’s there at all. For example, you often won’t know that an alien is following you until its ugly head appears on screen.
Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem predictably falls into the category of typical movie cash-in. As we mentioned in our preview, the game has definitely got the basics right, but the final product is nothing beyond that - basic. It lacks any endearing qualities and there is very little in that game that will leave a lasting impression on the player. The disappointment is further compiled by the pedigree of past games titled Alien Vs Predator and the ridiculous potential that the series has as a creative base for game developers. Unfortunately, as long as there are big name action movies, it’s all too likely that mediocre cash-ins will follow.
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