Handheld
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
By George Damidas
Dec 31, 2007, 7 :41 am

There are few things as disappointing as the original Aliens vs. Predator film. After having played several good games that involve Aliens, Predators, and bunches of fighting, there are few follow-ups as disappointing as Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem on the PSP.

This thud of an action title is even more surprising when the pedigree of the developer is taken into account. Rebellion, the talent behind the original, more-survival-horror-than-most-survival-horror-labeled games, PC Aliens versus Predator is responsible for Requiem. This is genuinely surprising, not because that they haven’t put out some duds before but because they have already proven that they can properly handle the property. While the original PC first-person shooter was a tense affair, this is just a mess.

Taking a nod from the movie, Requiem is based around the Predator hunting down all traces of its presence and ridding the surrounding area of Aliens. This involves three paths of progress, with the first path completed being the primary path and the remaining two paths remaining playable as a means of unlocking the rest of the weapons and upgrades. I had gone through the game via the middle path and then again by the top,a nd halfway through my second time around I had already had access, or maxed out, the two fiercest weapons in the game: the hand cannon and shoulder cannons. With these long-range blasters, the game devolves into simply strafing around and blasting the Aliens whenever they appear. Doing this might seem to detract from the melee experience, but that is only if there is something to detract from.

As progress is made, the various weapons and weapon upgrades are unlocked for the Predator. These include the spear, shuriken, throwing disc, and the cannons. The combat system is incredibly basic, consisting of simply swiping the spear or using a long-range weapon, with any excitement coming from an Alien ambush and a warning popping up to press a button. Yep, that is as exciting as it gets. Seeing a warning and pressing a button.

The locations, including a wooded area and a town center, should have made good settings, but they are squandered thanks to short and uninvolved missions. Despite all the movie gadgets given to the Predator, including semi cloaking and various visions (thermal, technology, etc.), they aren’t needed. Alien hatchlings and alien technology can be spotted without any aides, and cloaking only works some of the time – mainly when the game deigns it necessary. Instead of being an intergalactic badass hunter, the Predator comes across as some generic autojumping beast, side strafing its way to victory.

Aside from the stars of the show, the game’s graphics are bland and prone to displaying polygon seams. The sound fares worse, with absolutely nothing standing out: the growls and roars aren’t the freaky omens of impending fear that they are in the movies. Going along with the theme of underachieving, there is multiplayer component that consists of online and skirmish modes, but the game is too unpopular and too boring for either to be of much use. There just is not much going on here.

Overall: 3/10

Stretching to the point of absurdity, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is a generic action platformer. That’s being too polite, though, because this is a game that involves two of science fiction’s greatest and most cherished properties. Not only that, but they are properties that are tailor-made for gaming – naturally creepy, nerve-wracking, and interesting (re: cool). The biggest problem isn’t the lack of care with the properties or the failure to live up to the company’s own previous releases, but the fact that the game is undeniably boring. Fans of both can wade through it without wanting to break their PSP, but they will have a hell of a time trying to stay awake during that time. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is nothing more than a completely forgettable and regrettable title.