Gameplay

Fear is the mind killer

Unfortunately (well, fortunately for your Marine character), the Predator does not make an appearance in the demo. Your opposition is solely Aliens, the dark environment and a couple of simple puzzles.

The action is hectic just like the original, at times having you scramble for your life, at others hiding in a corner waiting to catch your breath. The level of player immersion in the game is impressive. Knowing that your enemy can come at you from any direction - front, sides, behind above and below - is a thought that most definitely puts you on edge.

How do they turn those big heads of their's so fast?

This is where your heart starts pounding

Thank the lord for flares

The motion detector is an excellent feature - it lets you see movement just in time to defend yourself. Unfortunately, doors and other moving non-hostile objects also set it off, and its field of view is only the 180 degrees ahead of you. When it's quiet, you find yourself feeling all-too-often that it's quiet only because the Aliens are sneaking up behind you! Few pure action games can achieve this level of disbelief and tension in a player, as it usually takes a slower game like Thief or System Shock which makes you think what's coming, instead of knowing. In many ways, Aliens vs. Predator 2 is like the first time you played Doom. Sure, after a while that scary thrill will wear off just as it did with Doom, but to even leave a gamer with that feeling nowadays takes a certain amount of skill.

Don't gripe to the drill sergeant

As you can see by this short write-up, there isn't much to the demo. However, it does succeed as a demo. It shows off the capabilities of LithTech 2.5 as well as displaying what the AvP franchise is about to new gamers. Old fans will be re-assured that the same scary, furious play is the main course offered up. Sadly, there is no multiplayer to prolong the life span of this baby. We'd feel more at ease recommending the download if it contained a longer level (or levels), or had a multiplayer component. As it stands, only fans looking for a quick glimpse of the full game, or those interested to see what the AvP universe is like should bother to get the demo. Those looking for a few hours of free entertainment can pass this one by.

Not so clever, is he?

I need light

A touch too bright

Note that given the name: AvP2 Marine Demo, it may be reasonable to expect an Alien and a Predator demo in time.