Aliens Versus Predator (1999 video game)
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Rebellion Developments |
| Products | Aliens Versus Predator (1999) |
| Parent | Fox Interactive (publisher) |
Aliens Versus Predator is a 1999 science fiction first-person shooter developed by Rebellion Developments and published by Fox Interactive for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Mac OS X. This title is part of the Alien and Predator crossover series known as Alien vs. Predator. Its sequel, Aliens Versus Predator 2, was created by Monolith Productions and released through Sierra in 2001.
Gameplay
The game offers three separate campaigns, each featuring a different species: Alien, Predator, or the human Colonial Marine. Each campaign provides unique gameplay elements, including specific goals, abilities, and weaponry tailored to the chosen character. The single-player experience is structured around levels that highlight the distinctive strengths of each species.
When playing as the Colonial Marine, players have access to an array of firearms to combat Aliens and Predators, along with armor and equipment such as an image intensifier and flares to improve visibility. The Predator character utilizes signature armaments like wrist blades, a smart disc, and an energy cannon, benefiting from enhanced resilience and special skills including cloaking and multiple vision modes such as infrared. The Alien can freely traverse environments by climbing walls and ceilings, attacking with claws, tail, and jaws. It uses echolocation in darkness and detects pheromones to locate foes. Notably, the Alien is the fastest character and can survive falls from any height without injury.
Additional bonus stages enable characters to explore areas from other campaigns; for instance, the marine gains access to a jet pack while the Predator employs a grappling hook to navigate sections originally designed for the Alien.
Plot
The narratives for each species are separate. In the Alien storyline, players defend their hive against marines, infiltrate an evacuation vessel, confront marines aboard Gateway Station from Aliens (1986), engage two Predators in combat, and ultimately board a shuttle bound for Earth.
The Colonial Marine campaign begins at a research facility on LV-426 investigating the derelict spacecraft featured in Alien (1979). After battling Aliens through multiple installations, players trigger an explosion to eradicate them, then flee to Odobenus Station orbiting the planetoid. There they face Aliens, Predators, facehuggers, cybernetic Aliens aboard the ship Tyrargo, defeat an Alien/Predator hybrid alongside "praetorian" Aliens, and finally expel an Alien queen through an airlock.
The Predator storyline spans three planets: hunting marines to retrieve a ship at a human base where an Alien/Predator hybrid emerges; fighting Aliens and marines on Fiorina "Fury" 161 from Alien 3 (1992); and confronting cybernetic Aliens, praetorian Aliens, and an Alien queen within a marine-controlled habitat.
Development and release
Developed by Rebellion Developments and published by Fox Interactive, Aliens Versus Predator was initially announced in 1995 with plans for a 1997 Christmas launch on PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows. However, the PC edition was postponed until 1999, while versions for Saturn and PlayStation were ultimately canceled. An early build of the PlayStation version was demonstrated at E3 1997, whereas the Saturn version was never exhibited despite ongoing development intentions. A Dreamcast port was also in progress but never reached release.
In 2000, the Millennium Expansion Pack introduced nine new single-player and multiplayer maps, added in-level saving functionality, and expanded the marine’s arsenal. That same year saw the launch of Aliens Versus Predator: Gold Edition, which bundled together the original game with this expansion. Subsequently, in 2001, MacPlay released versions for both classic Mac OS and Mac OS X based on the Gold Edition. A planned adaptation for Game Boy Advance by Ubisoft was canceled prior to release.
Initially, mission briefings featured performances by professional actors; however, these were re-recorded by members of the development team for the Gold Edition to better capture a sense of urgency.
Release of Source Code
After the game reached its end-of-life and support concluded in 2001, Rebellion Developments made the Aliens Versus Predator source code and development tools publicly accessible. This move facilitated ongoing community involvement and support. Consequently, unofficial versions were created for Linux (hosted at icculus.org in 2001), Xbox in 2009, and PlayStation Vita in 2020, alongside an unofficial PC patch initiative derived from the released source code.
Reissue
On 15 January 2010, after being unavailable commercially for several years, Aliens Versus Predator was reintroduced as Aliens Versus Predator Classic 2000. This refreshed edition offers compatibility with contemporary PCs and Xbox 360 controllers, incorporating all levels from the Gold Edition as well as content from the Millennium Expansion Pack. Initially, this release supported only single-player mode, with multiplayer features added subsequently. The game can be purchased through platforms such as Valve's Steam, Green Man Gaming, and GOG.com—the latter having once distributed it as a complimentary promotion. A patch released on 19 January 2010 enhanced widescreen functionality, enabled unlimited saving, introduced frame rate locking options, improved mouse controls, among other refinements. Additionally, the title was briefly accessible via the now-defunct OnLive cloud gaming service.
Critical Reception
Aliens Versus Predator garnered positive feedback according to the review aggregator GameRankings. IGN commended the game for its ability to let players assume control of three distinct characters, each offering unique gameplay experiences, calling it "both entertaining and terrifying". GamePro acknowledged the absence of a save feature as a drawback but praised its "excellent graphics, flawless sound effects, multiple vision modes, and immersive atmosphere," describing it as "the most frightening game since Half-Life". The Adrenaline Vault emphasized the game's captivating ambiance despite a simplistic narrative, highlighting moments such as encounters with facehuggers as some of the most memorable gaming experiences. Scoring eight out of ten, Edge underscored its intense and distinctive action appealing to PC players seeking first-person excitement. Next Generation lauded it as an engrossing and chilling experience with a strong atmospheric presence despite graphics that were less advanced compared to contemporaries like Unreal.
Nathna Smith of Computer Games Strategy Plus awarded it four out of five stars, describing it as "a groundbreaking title" that revitalized a stagnating genre. However, he rated the Gold Edition three stars, noting it primarily benefits multiplayer enthusiasts by increasing available levels from seven to sixteen but suffers from a limited player base.
For awards in 1999, Aliens Versus Predator secured victory in the "First Person Shooter" category from Level. It received nominations from PC PowerPlay for "Best Sound FX," "Best Enemy," and "Best Firstperson Shooter (Single Player)" but was ultimately surpassed by Half-Life. It also finished as runner-up for PC Format’s "Best Shoot 'em Up Game," an honor claimed by Quake III Arena.
Sequel
The follow-up title, Aliens Versus Predator 2, was created by Monolith Productions and published by Sierra in 2001. This installment included separate campaigns for each of the three playable species. In contrast to the original game, these campaigns were woven together into a cohesive story with interconnected plotlines.