IGN's Hands-On Look at AvP Multiplayer

[BlackWatch]

Both IGN North America and IGN UK have posted up articles focusing on the multiplayer action of the next gen console game Aliens vs. Predator. Both articles cover the same subject matter and basically make notes of the same points, but both are equally worth the read.

The game will have the staple deathmatch style multiplayer plus two unique modes called Infestation and Predator Hunt. In Infestation one player begins as an Alien and as each Marine is killed they respawn as an Alien as well. This continues until all Marines are killed or time elapses. In Predator Hunt one player begins as a Predator and whichever Marine player kills the Predator that player then respawns as the Predator with the cycle repeating throughout the match. Skirmish mode also seems to be back which involves a group of Marines fighting off waves of Aliens. One confirmation I'm very disappointed about is the fact a Predator's cloak is broken each time he attacks. Aside from being inconsistent with the established canon of the Predator, that the game seems to pride itself in following, it sounds like it will be irritating to actually play. I would have prefered a limited energy reserve to power the cloak so you would have to pick and choose when to use the cloak and when to recharge it.

At any rate go ahead and checkout both articles for more.

[Thedus]

One confirmation I'm very disappointed about is the fact a Predator's cloak is broken each time he attacks. Aside from being inconsistent with the established canon of the Predator, that the game seems to pride itself in following, it sounds like it will be irritating to actually play. I would have prefered a limited energy reserve to power the cloak so you would have to pick and choose when to use the cloak and when to recharge it.

Agreed.  That does sound irritating.  Another option that I would have preferred, and one that Rebellion employed in their Atari Jaguar AVP, is the loss or gain of honor points based on whether attacks were done while cloaked or not.  An attack done without the cloak was deemed more honorable and therefor granted you a higher honor ranking.

[BlackWatch]

I still don't think that would cut it for me. It would still encourage you not to be cloaked during kills. I also don't necessarily subscribed to the theory that Predators operate with an 'honour code'. I think they conduct themselves based more on the challenge or sport of a kill during their hunt as opposed to any kind of honour system. I know there are fans of both camps but personally I lean more towards no honour code.

A limited, rechargeable, energy reserve for the cloak (which could potentially also power the plasma cannon) would allow you to use the cloak in any situation you wanted but not allow you to be cloaked all the time. It would be the players discretion as to when and where to be cloaked. You'd have to pick and choose your situation and actually employ a strategy for hunting. Do you want to use the cloak to travel undetected or kill undetected... or both, then go and hide somewhere dark to recharge... There would have to be more thought put into playing the Predator species, in my humble opinion.

Uncloaking automatically when you attack is just... well... it's fucking retarded.

[Thedus]

I agree that the Predators don't seem to subscribe to an honor code... per say.  It's just how it was described in the Jaguar game (which I think stems from the comics).  But I think it could still work - choosing to de-cloak before a kill puts you at risk and raises the challenge.  It forces you to think along different lines and choose a method of hunting prey that is more tactically efficient for each given situation.

Hmm... now that I've mentioned that I think I can see why Rebellion chose to force a de-cloak during combat: it forces you to find methods of hunting and fighting that reduce the risk of harm to you while still being able to take out your opponent.  It forces you to re-think and calculate your plan of attack. And makes you look at your environment and how you can use it to your advantage.  ...hmmm... perhaps I'm not so opposed to it after all.

[Hudson]

That Predator cloak thing I've always felt has been the subject of annoying attempts to impress some kind of bull-shit balance on the characters. The only thing that needs to happen is Marines should be able to get some kind of pick-up or something to allow them to see the cloaked Predator. Aliens can already see them, so the only real issue is the Marines.

The Predator has always been my least favorite of the three and this is one of the biggest reasons. But personally, I never found switching between vision modes, trying to stay hidden with a cloak that constantly turns off, and then finding the exact specific weapon for the job to be a very fun way to play any game. On top of this, the pace of the game (especially online) usually gives you about a 5 second window to get these things done and kill an enemy.

[deezelboy]

The only thing that needs to happen is Marines should be able to get some kind of pick-up or something to allow them to see the cloaked Predator.

The Marines get motion detectors, so they can tell when a cloaked Predda is moving.  All they have to worry about then is camped Preddas - which adds to the fun!

[Neltharion]

Yea the Motion Detectors are just as good as having the ability to see the Predator.

I used it to great effect in AvP2 Multiplayer.

The motion detectors make it much more of a Stealth and cunning game for the Predators. He knows your there, if you move he will shoot and possibly hit you. You gotta move when his back is turned but quickly cause that motion detector is gonna hit.

With Aliens you gotta take em out from a distance no questions asked.

[Hudson]

Well, there you go. Sounds like everyone had a better defense for the cloaking than I did.

I can't see people flocking to play as the Predator though if you can't stay cloaked. And I can already read the reviews complaining about this.

[Neltharion]

Oh they are gonna complain alright, so am I.

I don't like it. But I will try and adapt to play around with it. I'll probably end up playing as the Alien again though.

Sucks they wont have classes for it, I loved playing as the Runner.

[Hudson]

I've always liked the Alien the most. You don't have to worry about any vision mode or weapon switching. It's simple and fun, especially the single player (at least the past two times).

I hope the characters in the single player have personalities like they did in AvP 2. You could sit and listen to a whole conversation someone had before you killed them. It was just more immersing that way.

[AVP123]

I would love to be alien on the game.

[winter329]

that really cool avp online i play online i am a fuckin alien

[beckmen]