Well, I recently picked up this game, and must say how impressed I am with it. It has taken everything the original did, and blew it straight out of the water. Everything from the sounds to minor details have been improved tenfold. This game is visually pleasing, as well as intense to play.
The graphics are a huge step up from the first. Going from the blocky, generic models of it's time, Sierra and Monolith have developed a newer, better engine for the game. The graphics are smoother, and richer. The models for the marines and predators are so amazingly done, that they are at the peaked of what we define as computer "realism". Each human model has facila expressions, and unique features. The predators, although covered in a mask, have varring faces, all different then the rest, making this that much better. The alien models, on the other hand, when compared to the first, were a step down, sadly. They held no resemablence to the movie, and appeared as if they were going into epileptic shock when you shot them to the floor. The original models should've been used, and just increase the amount of movements they could perform, instead of redesigning them completly.
The sounds are by far one of the greatest aspects of the game. Many of the sounds used were taken straight from the movies, thus we end up listening to the sound of the Pulse Rifle, or the Smartgun, and recognize where it came from. Also, the familar clicking of the predator as it stalks it's prey, and the screams of the aliens when they're shot are straight from the movies as well. although there are a bit of timing issues with the alien screams, they are still a pleasure to hear. The sounds don't stop there thogh. When traveling through the corridors, especially empty ones, you can hear the aliens banging on the bulkheads, and scimpering through the heating ducts, trying to get to you. Every now and then, when being stalked by the predator, you can hear the slight variance of the cloaking device, or the padded footsteps of it as it stalks you. Definatly worth it.
The enviroment is by far the best reason to own the game. As opposed to the first, this one has made the enviroment more of the dirty, brokendown future seen in the Alien movies. The developers even went as far as to add bits of water dripping from the ceiling at points. So much had been done to top the first, they not only surpassed it, by they set a new standerd for what enviroments should look like.
IMO, this is one of, if not the best FPS I have ever played. The story of all three species is closly intergrated, and make it a superb experiance. This one should definatly be at the top of your X-mas wish list.
AvP2
It is okay, i quite enjoyed it, but it does not take long to overcome. My cousin completed it (with the alien) on easy in about 4-5 hours solid play. Okay so you have three species which makes it probably 30 hrs plus (some have varying completion times), is that really long enough, that is about a pound an hour. Compare that to BG2 
They improved on many things, but then the engine they use is by Monolith, and very power hungry, i played it on a 466 for a long time, and it was appaling (recently upgraded so no problem there ) i am not entirely sure why they didn't just update the already created one, most of the game is in the dark (or near dark) so slightly blocky scenery isn't noticed. I actually still prefer the original, i would definately buy AVP1 over it's IMPO inferior sequel, since you can get AVP1 (or gold) on budget
The story they attempted to latch onto the game is not exactly great, personally i preferred the no plot all tension of the original
Definately a good game, and a lot better than the dissapointing Red Faction, buy it if you like FPS, but don't be surprised if it passes you by.
The scenery is impressive, however Return to Castle Wolfenstien has some very impressive scenery, but still too short. No One Lives Forever.....now there is a class FPS and worth the money to boot
@Aegis, i was also dissapointed by the Aliens, they had no real enthusiasm
They improved on many things, but then the engine they use is by Monolith, and very power hungry, i played it on a 466 for a long time, and it was appaling (recently upgraded so no problem there
) i am not entirely sure why they didn't just update the already created one, most of the game is in the dark (or near dark) so slightly blocky scenery isn't noticed. I actually still prefer the original, i would definately buy AVP1 over it's IMPO inferior sequel, since you can get AVP1 (or gold) on budget The story they attempted to latch onto the game is not exactly great, personally i preferred the no plot all tension of the original
Definately a good game, and a lot better than the dissapointing Red Faction, buy it if you like FPS, but don't be surprised if it passes you by.
The scenery is impressive, however Return to Castle Wolfenstien has some very impressive scenery, but still too short. No One Lives Forever.....now there is a class FPS and worth the money to boot
@Aegis, i was also dissapointed by the Aliens, they had no real enthusiasm
I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.
@Sleep: Nothing like seeing a large group of aliens all have epileptic seisures at the same time, eh?
Anyway, while I do agree that AvP was an amazing game, you also have to consider the fact it was done by a different company. AvP2 took the basic elements that made the first one so damn good, and expanded upon them. IMO, Sierra did a great job adding a story to it, albeit a bit bland at times, but still, a story is difficult to place into an FPS (Half-life has probably done the best job so far). Also, I didn't find the graphics blocky at all. It may've just been your video card, or ram or something else along those lines.
Also, I believe then tension is just as high in this one as it was in the first. I remember many times where I jumped out of my chair playing as the marine (IMO, the best of the three species, both game-wise, and species wise), but I also agree that it could be better. The dark was also a keep feature to the game. Just remember how dark the Alien movies were. It's all part of the atmosphere.Lastly, comparing an FPS to a CRPG... shame on you Sleepy... We both know that a CRPG will always have the higher hours of play rate... Tsk...
Anyway, while I do agree that AvP was an amazing game, you also have to consider the fact it was done by a different company. AvP2 took the basic elements that made the first one so damn good, and expanded upon them. IMO, Sierra did a great job adding a story to it, albeit a bit bland at times, but still, a story is difficult to place into an FPS (Half-life has probably done the best job so far). Also, I didn't find the graphics blocky at all. It may've just been your video card, or ram or something else along those lines.
Also, I believe then tension is just as high in this one as it was in the first. I remember many times where I jumped out of my chair playing as the marine (IMO, the best of the three species, both game-wise, and species wise), but I also agree that it could be better. The dark was also a keep feature to the game. Just remember how dark the Alien movies were. It's all part of the atmosphere.Lastly, comparing an FPS to a CRPG... shame on you Sleepy... We both know that a CRPG will always have the higher hours of play rate... Tsk...
LOLOriginally posted by Aegis:
<STRONG>@Sleep: Nothing like seeing a large group of aliens all have epileptic seisures at the same time, eh?</STRONG>
No i dont<STRONG>Anyway, while I do agree that AvP was an amazing game, you also have to consider the fact it was done by a different company.</STRONG>
You sound like Microsoft, always everyone elses fault<STRONG>AvP2 took the basic elements that made the first one so damn good, and expanded upon them. IMO, Sierra did a great job adding a story to it, albeit a bit bland at times, but still, a story is difficult to place into an FPS (Half-life has probably done the best job so far). Also, I didn't find the graphics blocky at all. It may've just been your video card, or ram or something else along those lines.</STRONG>
Seriously (sorry for the spam) i actually meant that AVP was a bit blocky, but that didn't bother me because it was intense action and i didn't really stop much to admire the scenery LOL<STRONG>Also, I believe then tension is just as high in this one as it was in the first. I remember many times where I jumped out of my chair playing as the marine (IMO, the best of the three species, both game-wise, and species wise), but I also agree that it could be better. The dark was also a keep feature to the game. Just remember how dark the Alien movies were. It's all part of the atmosphere.Lastly, comparing an FPS to a CRPG... shame on you Sleepy... We both know that a CRPG will always have the higher hours of play rate... Tsk...</STRONG>
Actually i also compared it to NOLF, which is superior in my eyes, as with all FPS (including Half Life) there are flaws, i am not arguing whether the game is good or not (it is) i was just kind of dissapointed. Same with most games recently, just dissapointment I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.