Is Aliens vs. Predator Still the Ultimate AVP Game After 15 Years?

15 years ago, gaming enthusiasts and horror aficionados were treated to a legendary face-off between some of the universe’s most lethal creatures: Sega and Rebellion Developments’ “Aliens vs. Predator“. This epic clash between the ruthless Xenomorphs, the noble Yautja, and frequently unaware humans has captivated readers, gamers, and filmgoers for over 35 years. Originating as a late ’80s Dark Horse Comics series, “Aliens vs. Predator” has since become the benchmark of crossover concepts, expanding into numerous comics, video games, and two theatrical films. While many AVP adaptations have come and gone, the 2010 “Aliens vs. Predator” game stands out as a major milestone. With both properties experiencing a surge in popularity once more, Disney should aim to create more top-tier Aliens vs. Predator video games.

The History of Aliens vs. Predator Video Games

Initially, when Dark Horse released its initial “Aliens vs. Predator” comic book series, it was a hit in terms of visuals, storytelling, and financial performance. Combining the most captivating and brutal aliens from 20th Century Fox was like a divine union, and both parties swiftly capitalized on this idea. The concept was initially popularized in the 1990 film “Predator 2”, which was released a year after Dark Horse’s first AVP comic issue. In this movie, Michael Harrigan encounters a Xenomorph skull within a Predator’s spaceship. Given the favorable reaction to the idea of Aliens and Predators interacting from “Predator 2”, Fox promptly endeavored to create an AVP film, but it wouldn’t be produced until 2004.

During that period, Aliens and Predators engaged in intense battles on video game consoles, starting with the 1993 beat ’em up “Alien vs Predator” for the SNES. This game garnered mixed reactions, but it wasn’t until Capcom released their three-player arcade beat ’em up, “Alien vs Predator,” in 1994 that the series truly took off in the gaming world. Inspired by a discarded script for the “AVP” movie, “Alien vs Predator” from 1994 brought back Dutch Schaefer from “Predator 1,” who teamed up with cyborg Linn Kurosawa and two Predators to fend off Xenomorph invasions on Earth. The 1994 “Alien vs Predator” was generally well-received, often hailed as one of the best arcade beat ’em ups ever made. However, it wasn’t the only successful “AVP” game launched in 1994.

Rebellion’s Celebrated History With Aliens vs. Predator

A few months following Capcom’s AVP release, Rebellion Developments introduced their initial contribution to the AVP series in October 1994, with the first-person survival horror game Alien vs Predator for the Atari Jaguar. This was where Rebellion established the core mechanics of AVP games, offering three individual campaigns where players assume roles as a colonial marine, a Predator, and a Xenomorph. Despite having minimal narrative, it received widespread acclaim for its gameplay and atmosphere. Rebellion significantly enhanced the 1994’s Alien vs Predator in virtually every aspect with the launch of Aliens Versus Predator in 1999 for PC. Continuing with three separate campaigns, the 1999 version offers a straightforward yet engaging storyline and improved gameplay elements, such as Aliens being able to scale walls, and Predators having more stealth options.

The Gameplay, Narrative, and Legacy of 2010’s Aliens vs. Predator

In contrast to the direct sequel of “Aliens Versus Predator” in 2001, titled “Aliens Versus Predator 2,” which was developed by Monolith Productions, Rebellion didn’t start work on another “AVP” game until 2008. The resurgence of the “AVP” franchise’s popularity due to the less favorably received films “Alien vs. Predator” in 2004 and “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem” in 2007 prompted a collaboration between Sega and Rebellion to create a new “AVP” game as part of their agreement with Fox to produce a series of new “Alien” games. Similar to their two previous games, the 2010 release of “Aliens vs. Predator” offered three unique campaigns and enjoyable multiplayer modes, both player-versus-environment (PVE) and player-versus-player (PVP).

Following the events of “Alien 3”, the game “Aliens vs. Predator” finds Karl Bishop Weyland, previously seen in both the Alien and AVP movies, venturing into a Yautja pyramid to acquire an Alien Queen’s eggs for weapon production. Unfortunately, an EMP malfunction leads to the release of these Xenomorphs, causing widespread havoc on the planet. Players assume the role of Xenomorph Specimen 6, tasked with hunting down humans, liberating the Queen, and subduing a Predator using a facehugger.

Meanwhile, an unnamed rookie Marine is deployed to contain the Xenomorph outbreak. However, as he battles Xenomorphs, Predators, and combat androids, he becomes embroiled in uncovering Weyland-Yutani’s hidden objectives on the planet.

At the same time, a Predator named Dark is dispatched to respond to distress signals, demolish the pyramid, and eliminate Specimen 6’s hybrid – a Predalien.

2010’s Aliens vs. Predator Unanswered Future

2010’s video game “Aliens vs. Predator” features three interconnected stories: Specimen 6 orchestrates an Alien infestation and gives birth to the Predalien, a Marine utilizes a diverse range of weapons to combat threats like Praetorian Xenomorphs and Praetorian Weyland, while Dark successfully halts the outbreak. The game concludes with the Marine and some survivors being saved by Weyland-Yutani as the genuine Weyland travels to the Xenomorph homeworld, frequently depicted in Dark Horse Comics. Interestingly, Specimen 6 is recovered on the same ship, evolving into a mature Queen, and Dark sets off for the Xenomorph homeworld upon discovering an ancient Predator mask. Despite these tantalizing plot threads, “Aliens vs. Predator” did not receive a follow-up and remains the final significant release in the AVP series.

Following the 2010 release of “Aliens vs. Predator”, there came two more games under the AVP series: “AVP: Evolution” in 2013 and “Aliens vs. Pinball” in 2016. However, this was all before Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.

The Potential of New Alien vs. Predator Games

Since Disney took ownership, the Alien and Predator series have seen a resurgence in both critical acclaim and financial success, particularly with 2022’s Prey and 2024’s Alien: Romulus. However, despite Disney owning these franchises for almost six years, only a few AVP (Alien vs Predator) related content has been produced. This includes the occasional appearance of Xenomorphs and Predators in video games like Fortnite. Interestingly, both species have started to interact with Marvel Comics’ characters such as the Avengers and Wolverine, but not with each other yet. It appears that Disney is conscious of the historical camaraderie between these two species, having launched new comic runs for both under Marvel’s 20th Century Studios label. However, they haven’t combined them again for some unexplained reason.

Despite the triumph of “Alien: Romulus” in 2024, the director of “Romulus,” Fede Álvarez, showed interest in collaborating with Dan Trachtenberg, director of “Prey,” on a potential “Alien vs. Predator” film. This collaboration is not yet an official project, but both directors are currently working on sequels for their individual “Alien” and “Predator” films. The possibility of a new “AVP” film has sparked discussions among fans about what a contemporary “AVP” narrative might entail. With recent “Alien” and “Predator” video games receiving positive feedback, such as “Aliens: Dark Descent,” “Alien: Rogue Incursion,” and “Predator: Hunting Grounds,” the innovative gameplay elements and enduring appreciation for “AVP” could result in an exceptional “AVP” game soon.

A New Alien vs. Predator Game Story and Gameplay

Disney might consider recruiting Rebellion to create another take on the “Aliens vs. Predator” game series, given their past achievements with this intellectual property. The new “AVP” could either mirror the style of the movie or introduce a fresh narrative, perhaps focusing on the Alien Queen surviving her escape from the spaceship, wreaking havoc on a different planet, and attracting the attention of Predators. Instead of sticking solely to first-person perspective, Rebellion may opt for a third-person view for the Predator character, incorporating stealth gameplay akin to their “Sniper Elite” series. In contrast, the colonial marine could retain a first-person perspective but offer a more survival horror-oriented story and gameplay reminiscent of “Dead Space” or even “Alien: Isolation”.

2025-02-16 13:34