Predator: Concrete Jungle

Predator: Concrete Jungle

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	2005
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Action video game

Predator: Concrete Jungle is an action video game released in 2005, developed by Eurocom for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox systems. In this title, players assume the role of a disgraced Predator on a mission to restore his honor by hunting down humans who have appropriated his species’ technology. While the game draws inspiration from the initial volume of the Dark Horse Comics Predator series, it presents an original narrative separate from the comics.

Gameplay

Players can access additional missions that reward them with various unlockables such as new costumes, weaponry, and enhancements to health and energy reserves. The arsenal includes both close-combat and ranged weapons, blending classic gear from the Predator and Alien vs. Predator movies with fresh armaments unique to the game. Throughout levels, players encounter mines, explosives, and weapon upgrades. Health restoration is possible through medical kits scattered in the environment. Utilizing first-person perspective allows players to mimic human voices to distract foes, while third-person view features Predator roars as a tactical tool. The Predator’s vocal effects are crafted from growls similar to those of big cats including lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.

Plot

The storyline begins in 1930 with an unnamed Predator assassinating American Mafia leader Bruno Borgia. After being injured by Bruno’s wife Isabella, the Predator’s blood contaminates her and their infant son, Hunter. This breach of secrecy leads to the Predator's banishment from his clan.

Fast forward one hundred years, the Predator—now called "Scarface"—is determined to redeem himself by retrieving stolen Predator technology held by criminal groups within Neonopolis. Scarface dismantles rival gangs, confronts cybernetic mercenaries, and faces Lucretia Borgia, Bruno’s granddaughter, who uncovers his true identity. Isabella and Hunter have attained a form of immortality through exposure to Predator blood; Hunter evolves into a hybrid Predator-human entity.

After overcoming Hunter and Isabella, Scarface secures victory before being extracted by his people. Meanwhile, Lucretia’s brain is preserved and reactivated as an artificial intelligence managing Neonopolis under the Weyland-Yutani Corporation’s control.

Cast

• Aimée Leigh and Sarah Brown provide sound effects for Scarface / The Predator
• Tasia Valenza voices Isabella Borgia / MOTHER
• Giselle Loren portrays Lucretia Borgia
• Fred Tatasciore plays Bruno Borgia
• Armando Valdes-Kennedy acts as El Hongo
• David Sobolov features as Hunter Borgia

Development

Predator: Concrete Jungle integrates elements from the Alien, Predator, and Alien vs. Predator franchises. It references characters such as King Willie—the Jamaican gang leader from Predator 2—and includes nods to Charles Bishop Weyland from Alien vs. Predator (2004). The presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation ties directly to the Alien series. The AI known as MOTHER that governs Neonopolis draws parallels to Nostromo’s computer system featured in Alien (1979). Additional franchise components like appearances by Aliens are woven throughout the gameplay experience.

Reception

According to Metacritic, both versions of the game were met with "generally unfavorable reviews." IGN labeled it "a good idea gone bad," pointing out issues with clunky controls and awkward gameplay mechanics. Likewise, GameSpot criticized its narrative and visual presentation. Reviews across various prominent gaming outlets ranged from mixed to negative evaluations.