Rebellion apologises for AVP demo issues

By Tom Bramwell Published 5 February, 2010

PC stuff fixed, investigating PS3 reports.

Rebellion has apologised for problems affecting matchmaking on the PC and PS3 versions of the Aliens vs. Predator demo released yesterday.

While the Xbox 360 version was not affected, PC owners had issues joining games until a Steam patch was issued later in the day, and PS3 problems may be ongoing - Rebellion has said it's investigating reports.

"The full game features the ability to browse for and create games but for the purposes of simplicity the demo was limited to matchmaking, alongside the ability to set up groups with friends which mitigated yesterday's issues for many.

"We're really sorry that this issue tainted a day in which we saw many people get hands-on with AVP for the first time and we're hugely gratified by the positive feedback to the game."

Check out our most recent AVP hands-on to find out what we made of the multiplayer.

The full game is due out for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on 19th February.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (94) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Sutman #1 2 years ago

    That the way its always going to be for us PS3 owners push aside as usual (with the "oh well its only PS3" attitude).

  • armandao #2 2 years ago

    Don't bother Rebellion, the demo sucks anyway...

  • smithdown #3 2 years ago

    Its rubbish anyway - played the 360 version last night and it is utter pants. The arenas are awful, textures look like last gen or even earlier, and it just felt all wrong. The predator is supposed to be 7ft+ but it felt like controlling a gnome. So disappointing, I was really looking forward to this. I'll give the reviews a look, but on the strength of the demo - pass.

  • cyacomini #4 2 years ago

    Another Turok then? I was really looking forward to this.

    *goes back to peggle

  • muscleblade #5 2 years ago

    The demo was a little dissapointing. As soon as the novelty of playing as/against the two most iconic monsters in history wears off theres nothing much left to enjoy. I hope the 3 singleplayer campaigns delivers. Their probably very short but thats fine as long as the quality is decent.
    Edited by 1 at 05/02/10 @ 11:57

  • linkster #6 2 years ago

    Useful video for those interested in exploring the combat technques a bit more

    [link url=http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=rL7VrU6upCA
    ]http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=rL7VrU6upCA
    [/link]

  • smithdown #7 2 years ago

    Yeah, if the singleplayer can squeeze at least 10-12 hours of decent set pieces and story out of this, then I might still give it a look, once BF:BC2 has lost it's glamour (errr, 2015 maybe??)

  • IneptPercy #8 2 years ago

    I am hoping this is a mighty PC game which has been gimped onto the consoles, I bought my 5850 after seeing the effects of DX11 tessalation on an alien.

    I have very little interest in the multiplayer anyway so remaining hopeful.

  • jellyhead #9 2 years ago

    The demo issues have really dampened enthusiasm and confidence in the game from what i've seen. There's a bunch of unhappy players out there thinking that this demo is representative of the final game and right or wrong they're giving it a miss because of it.

    Such a shame.

  • Murton #10 2 years ago

    Looks like what could have been a day one pre-order is becoming a bargain bin purchase. The only thing that's going to sell this now is an absolutely glowing single player review, but even then I think it's going to be too short to really impress, I guess we'll see once the review embargo ends or the game hits shelves, whichever happens first.
    Edited by 1 at 05/02/10 @ 12:16

  • laharl80 #11 2 years ago

    They should have pulled the demo off PSN as soon as the problems became apparent.A demo that doesn't work hardly inspires confidence.I think i'll rent before i buy.

  • linkster #12 2 years ago

    People are rightly frustrated with the connectivity issues but they were just impossible to predict, it hardly sets the tone for enjoying what's to come if you struggle to join a game.

    Additionally there's an awful lot to learn with the three species, but those who click really seem to be enjoying it enormously.

    It's bound to be hard to understand why the demo was structured this way but it's simply that we wanted everyone to play all three, as many times as they wanted, against other players since to achieve that in single player we ran the risk of not giving enough of the game beyond the extensive single player tutorials.

    In other words, plenty of valid criticism but really hope people aren't put off persevering, there's a lot of fun to be had

  • linkster #13 2 years ago

    @ lahar - trouble is with the problem only showing up when the system is under huge stress having it there is helping find a resolution quicker

  • SBfistfun #14 2 years ago

    I'm surprised the xbox 360 version is reported as having no problems considering how long it was taking the matchmaking to find a game.

    When I did finally get into the game it was pretty disappointing though :(

  • bratmandu #15 2 years ago

    Lovin the 360 demo, take some getting used to the different pace of other fps games, they should have included a tutorial mode, but watch that youtube video linkster posted and you'll be in better stead. I thought the graphics were reasonable enough in HD.

    Once I realised how the 'jump to' worked, and stuck auto wall transition on - I became a killing machine with the alien. Few niggles with the demo but if they are sorted then this is a day 1 purchase for me.

    Regarding balance issues, I've heard different people complain that the Alien is overpowered, the Predator is overpowered, and the Marine is overpowered so go figure! Learn how to play properly before making final decisions! It's not COD, you won't pick up the controls in 5 mins, and unlike COD's cursor wielding contest, there's a bit of depth in tactics and options shining through in this mp demo. Eagerly awaiting final, more polished product!

    Bit of a shame there's only ffa deathmatch on offer in the demo though.
    Edited by 1 at 05/02/10 @ 12:28

  • LeemanRuss #16 2 years ago

    It does take a long time to find a game - I was more disappointed that they went with straight deathmatch for the demo, as opposed to a more team-based mode.

    I'm going to give this one a shot when it's released - if it's really bad I'll just sell it on.

  • SAMagic #17 2 years ago

    I have to say, I found the demo poor (And constantly laggy as hell, but not certain if it's my connection) and wonder why they released it. It wasn't a very good first impression, it just felt like a manic deathmatch and not a decent showcase of the game. Why not show one of the seven, presumably more unique, multiplayer modes? See the Bad Company 2 demo.

    There's an awesome trailer on the net of the single-player gameplay for the Predator, it shows they're definitely improving upon the original games for single player (the Pred can jump up onto trees and buildings, cause distractions on groups of marines to split them up, etc), but the demo has definitely lowered my opinion of the game in the run up to its release.

  • bad09 #18 2 years ago

    When's the review Tom? This one has fast become a marmite game from the demo, so I keen to see what EG think :)

    (me I LOVES it!)

  • JohnnyWashnGo #19 2 years ago

    The game looked a bit ropey at the Expo so I am not surprised to hear people saying that its not actually very good. Still, I will give the reviews a read and make a decision at that point. Right now its firmly on my 'to buy when it hits 17.99' list.

  • linkster #20 2 years ago

    More useful play hints here

    http://ww w.rllmukforum.com/index.php?sho...

  • roz123 #21 2 years ago

    I got bored of deathmatch in the 90s. Surely some multiplayer mode that was unique to the game and the characters would have been better for the demo. Still Im hoping it will be a great game like the old avps.

  • kmittal82 #22 2 years ago

    hmm, not sure about this demo, I played as the alien yesterday, some aspects were really cool but the combat really sucked.

    Having said that, Ive just seen that youtube link, they should've included that video in the demo.. cant wait to try again,

  • GamesConnoisseur #23 2 years ago

    I had fun playing the X360 demo with my mates and had six sessions in under an hour and didnt experiences any more longer wait for matchmaking than most typical games. May just be the timing of when I played the game and also the game was reasonably fine. I concur its not going to set any new standards but there is enough fun and challenges in it.

    I recall people pissing down on Batman AA due to the demo, and now? So perhaps we are rushing to judgement a bit early? Give it a chance that the whole parts works or proven correct to be a poor interpretation of the classical PC games.

    Rogue Warrior being the damned game from Rebellion but yet I m still keeping my mind open as did enjoy those sessions I had last night.

  • el_pollo_diablo #24 2 years ago

    It really goes to show the damage that releasing a bad demo does, and Rebellion are by no means the first company to find out the hard way. To be fair to them though, they've done exactly the right thing and apologised straight away. I hope they get the problems fixed asap.

  • AaronTurner #25 2 years ago

    What positive feedback?

  • bratmandu #26 2 years ago

    @ linkster

    Thanks, they really should have had people look at the youtube thing before playing the demo - a lot of the negative impressions seem to be down to people not understanding how to play it!
    Edited by 1 at 05/02/10 @ 12:58

  • Kazzahdrane #27 2 years ago

    The demo was really bad, didn't have any connection issues although a colleague tried to join the group and failed every time.

  • makeamazing #28 2 years ago

    Couldnt get on last night. Hope its fixed tonight, if not will install it on my other ps3 and create a two player friends game... it is sounding like a marmite game, might rent it first and see how it goes, this was an instant buy for me, now i am very concerned they have done a poor job on it (anyone else thought the menu system looked so old fashioned).

  • laharl80 #29 2 years ago

    @makeamazing
    Yeah i would say the menus look like they come from a game that had multiplayer nailed on as an after thought.Maybe they look better in the full game.I can only comment on the menus since thats all you get on the PSN demo.

  • Artemus #30 2 years ago

    Biggest problems with the demo:

    1. No tutorial. Being thrown into a room with no idea what the controls/mechanics are for the Alien/Predator. Then getting killed repeatedly while you try and slowly work it all out.
    2. Deathmatch. They really should of included Team DM instead. Most people naturally gravitate towards teaming with their species and it's a lot more fun. Or what about letting people try one of the more unique modes (Infestation/Survivor/Predator hunt)?
    3. A single player level would have been good. Allow people their head around the controls etc in a 'safer' environment. Also some people aren't interested in multiplayer.
    4. And of course matchmaking. Ridiculously slow and no server browser.

    All of this has combined and has understandably put a lot of people off. Once I managed to work things out I did enjoy it, but the persistence needed to get there was unacceptable. I'm a massive Aliens/Predator fanboy so I was willing to give the game the benefit of the doubt.

  • wiggy1 #31 2 years ago

    LOL positive feedback? i haven't seen any.

  • neems #32 2 years ago

    So when does Colonial Marines come out?

  • Darren #33 2 years ago

    Well I tried the PC demo AFTER Steam had applied the new update and it took me LONGER to join a game than it did earlier that day, 25 minutes instead of 10!!! I also tried the PS3 version and it also took me 20 minutes to join a game. It might be a demo but it doesn't leave a very good impression IMO.

    If this is indicative of the final release then I'm glad that I have little interest in the online modes beyond briefly trying them at least once.

  • Lord_Gremlin #34 2 years ago

    I've tried this demo from PSN and right now I canceling my preorder for PS3 AvP. This year there are too many PS3 games coming out, I won't bother with sub-par product, when I have to find time to play Heavy Rain, GoW3, Yakuza 3 etc.


    Well, maybe I'll buy this game later on - dirt cheap on sale.

  • pingu #35 2 years ago

    wiggy; plenty of positive comments over on avp galaxy & rll:

    [link url=http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=28659.0
    ]http://ww w.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php...[/link]

    [link url=http://www.rllmukforum.com/index .php?s=&showtopic=202125&view=findpost&p=6783938
    ]http://ww w.rllmukforum.com/index.php?s=&...[/link]

    Seems that pretty much anyone that spends 5 minutes learning how to play is really enjoying it.

  • Darren #36 2 years ago

    ... and what Artemus said above ^^^

  • bodypopper #37 2 years ago

    You do have to work at it to get the most from it but the demo has a nice 'sudden violent death is just around the corner' pannicky atmosphere to it which seems fitting for the subject matter. It's not trying to be CoD and if memory serves isn't that far removed from the orginal PC in terms of the way it plays.
    The graphs seem a bit low-res on the 360 though which I assume is to accomodate the need for the Alien/s to move at speed.
    I think team games and Survival will provide a more satisfying mutliplayer experience.

  • cyacomini #38 2 years ago

    ..."plenty of positive comments over on avp galaxy"

    Isn't that a bit like saying there's lots of chocolate lovers over on chocolatejunkies.com ?

    :)

  • Bloobat #39 2 years ago

    ps3 pushed to the side again lol, this game 9appart from the melle moves really didn't look that impressive, lookng forward to bfbc2, jc2, modnation racers and red dead redemption :)

  • Koborover #40 2 years ago

    I'm having fun with the 360 demo, no issues although deathmatch is probably the least interesting multiplayer mode.

  • UKLL #41 2 years ago

    I didn't have any connection issues when I played yesterday (360) but I thought the demo was disappointing, this was one of my most anticipated games and I love the whole Alien and Predator universes but it doesn't look or play good.

    Top marks for atmosphere and sound but the whole thing is clunky and awkward as hell, the animations are twitchy, there are balancing issues and it feels unpolished. The press X to grab/kill seems completely random and even worse when you factor in the speed of the Alien, there were times i would be hammering the X button to grab when the icon was on the screen but everything was moving so fast it was completely pointless. The Alien wall transition is hit and miss when you push the button and when you turn on auto transition you crawl over/round everything even a small crate on the floor, it's very disorientating especially at the speed you are going.

    I still might get it if the single player is really good but it's not looking promising, given the reaction I can see a lot of poor reviews.....
    Edited by 1 at 05/02/10 @ 14:58

  • Joco84 #42 2 years ago

    I think I'm gonna pass on this one and wait for Colonial Marines.....

  • penhalion #43 2 years ago

    There's a demo for this.....Yes I really didn't know there was one until I read this article. Guess that shows my level of interest in this game doesn't it.

  • JDFreeman #44 2 years ago

    @Sutman Ha! hahahaha Oh dear /whipes a tear from eye.

    You've brightened my day Sir! your sad pathetic fool. Gawd bless ya.

  • Lunatic4ever #45 2 years ago

    bad start ,aint it?

    saw gameplay vids,dont know but it looks really...uhm...hectic and chaotic to me.
    wouldnt be a problem if there werent these damn "press button x" to start KILL MOVE XY scenes.
    that ruins it.

  • IneptPercy #46 2 years ago

    I am not wasting bandwidth to download this, but surely a frantic death match with no instuctions is frustrating, I remember playing an online demo of battlefield on the 360, it started everybody ran off into tanks, helicopters etc and I was just stood there. Not much fun.

    It sound like the single player will be quite tactical and not as frantic which will be this games strength, as it is my £17.99 pre order remainss. As its already uber cheap on PC and most probably better, I am on a winner.

  • metallicorphan #47 2 years ago

    took me awhile but i got used to the Alien in the demo,i changed the settings so that you don't have to press RT all the time when you go on the walls etc...better that way,although i still think the Alien is the worse of the 3

    hope the other maps are bigger in the full game

    however early this morning i was having a lot of problems finding a game on the 360,it just always said 1 player,waiting for 7

    i have also heard that SEGA are holding out for Colonial Marines to see how well this does first

  • BritishBlue1 #48 2 years ago

    Meh, it's got average written all over it.

  • bad09 #49 2 years ago

    @ IneptPercy

    There actually is instructions in the demo, before every match your controls are shown on the loading screen.

  • brazzauk #50 2 years ago

    Demo is not good at all.

    Sticking with MAG thanks. Community has bedded in a bit and its a great game. With MAG and BFBC2 just around the corner, there is no room for a not so great FPS.

  • Amgzone #51 2 years ago

    I'm not making a final judgement on the game untill they fix the PS3 demo. As of this moment i don't really believe its living up to the hype, however, that might change once i can get more than one game every 2 hours! :p

  • IneptPercy #52 2 years ago

    Fair enough on the instructions, still probably not enough time to full digest and understand them.

    For this reason I do avoid multiplayer demos, why not just give a short section of one of the campaigns.

    People are comparing this to other multi player games, consider it as a single player game with multi player tacked on, to give a demo of the tacked on bit is a bit foolish of them.

    I am still under the firm belief that as a single player game this will be amazing.

  • Jelly_Head #53 2 years ago

    Multiplayer demos are a big risk, and I can only see justification for it where there is no single-player/offline element to the game.

    A much better strategy is to run a limited online beta trial by invite. Ok, it's largely the same thing with a different name, but at least that way you aren't raising anyone's expectations on performance/functionality.

  • bad09 #54 2 years ago

    I don't think 7 modes of online play is "tacked on" IneptPercy :)

  • WJF #55 2 years ago

    I really didn't get on with the demo. Controls felt loose, guns feel weak, combat as the alien is just messy and confusing.

    Didn't get round to playing the Predator - uninstalled after the 2nd game.

  • Ziggy_badMonkey #56 2 years ago

    played it...didn't like it
    Looks like a 5 year old game even on a PC with max settings.
    Controls are bloody awful it took me ages to get the Alien moving properly.
    It gets very confusing when climbing walls as all the textures are the same on walls and ceilings it might have helped to have a different look for the aliens Fperson vision (like the mirrors edge idea of colouring diff climbable surfaces
    The aliens feel small and weedy (as do the predators)
    Marines are ok.
    Sound is rubbish and using the same samples from a 10 year old game does just not cut it in these BFBC2 audio days.
    Rebellion have for the last 10 years been a shit factory and this isn't looking at changing that.

  • AtomicBanana #57 2 years ago

    'Sound is rubbish and using the same samples from a 10 year old game does just not cut it in these BFBC2 audio days. '

    The samples are from the films . .

  • drumbaby #58 2 years ago

    But why the fuck was it set to matchmake for 8 players only? It doesn't take a genius to realise that having a few more choices available for the numbers involved would have alleviated problems. Twats.

  • Fightclubber #59 2 years ago

    The demo was pretty piss poor, a terrible boring level badly underlit and just lots of boring start stop game play is not a great way to show off your game to the public for the 1st time.
    Why not a decent team death match or a single player portion of the game to show off 1st as a demo.

    I still hold hope cus the films are in my blood and piss, but its not looking overly good.

    Plus the bell end who represents the game in interviews looks like a bored maths teacher. Crinch worthy

  • makeamazing #60 2 years ago

    Luckily i have two PS3s (slim and fat), so installed it on both, and then had two PS3s working with it... enjoyed playing a marine, found the alien confusing (as someone else says the jumping/transition was weird) and the predator wasnt bad, except i couldnt get the spear that was on top of the box.

    The graphics do look pretty below average... not what you would expect from a modern day game, perhaps because its dark.

    Anyway still holding out hope the single player is not a few hours long and better than the demo.

  • Ryboy #61 2 years ago

    was kinda stoked.

    Played the Alien for 3 minutes.

    Was most unimpressed.

    Will not be buying this.

  • Shiflett #62 2 years ago

    I think it has some promise, they just picked the worse game mode they could. As it stands it's a conga line of "press X to kill" deaths until a marine mows everything down.

    I think the Species death match and infection modes will be far better, they make you work as a team (which is when the old AVP's were at their best)

  • Dylbot #63 2 years ago

    I absolutely hated it at first. For some reason I persevered, managed to work out the controls and the general gist of how to play, and it suddenly became awesome. Rebellion seriously needed to include some kind of quick tutorial mode because too many people will dismiss it after the first go. Especially if they picked Marine first.

  • ChocNut #64 2 years ago

    I'm really surprised at all these comments! I really thought it was great and I'm actually going to see if there's a special edition I can preorder.

    Everything worked perfectly for me and I had an absolute blast!

  • curtlikesmeat #65 2 years ago

    Downloaded it after I said I wouldn't just to check the graphics really. They were ok but it's hard to get a feel for things from a level like that as it is fairly bland corridors / bit of hive and you can't really get close to the character models long enough before getting killed.

    I last played the Predator briefly and was starting to get into it - I can see how it can work fantastically jumping across through high points of the level and stalking people.

  • drumbaby #66 2 years ago

    Just got rid of 1gb worth of garbage from my PS3 hard drive.

    The game wouldn't launch. It's fundamentally broken. Today I finally got the game to count down from 8 to 1 player(s) needed for the match. But it would freeze at 1 player needed for 2 minutes, then the whole search thing would kick off again. The tenth time this happened I vowed not to allow this piece of shit software to waste anymore of my time.

    So Sega, Bayonetta, and now this...care to foist anymore 3rd rate crap on us PS3 gamers? They haven't even bothered to put the facehugger in the menu...at least Xbox owners get to watch a facehugger animation while waiting for a game.
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/10 @ 14:53

  • cock #67 2 years ago

    The PS3 matchmaking problems haven't been fully addressed yet, though it has improved a bit.

    A lot of people are taking a bit of time to get into it, it seems. If you don't like it then fair enough but I wouldn't jump to conclusions until you've got used to it, especially when it comes to playing as the Alien or Predator.

  • metalangel #68 2 years ago

    A multiplayer demo with no instructions (loading screen/config screen is not good enough) and no offline empty server sandbox to try and figure it all out in is should not still be accepted practice. Bad Company 2 has just done it, Battlestations Midway put a lot of people off by doing it, etc etc etc. Devs, your demo is like a CV to us, the prospective employer. Unless you catch our attention, and hold it, you go in the reject pile.

  • General_Zod #69 2 years ago

    I wasnt over wowed by the demo but most of the criticisms on here are "Played for 10 secs, WORST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". At least play it for 30 mins so you can figure out whats going on before trashing the game.

  • George-Roper #70 2 years ago

    I wasnt over wowed by the demo but most of the criticisms on here are "Played for 10 secs, WORST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". At least play it for 30 mins so you can figure out whats going on before trashing the game

    Coming into this fresh, it plays like a average FPS based on Aliens and Predator. 6/10

    Coming into this knowing what its heritage is, AVP and AVP2, it plays like a hobbled version of the classics. 3/10

    All we have here are two perspectives on it, based on player expectations. Players who did enjoy the glory days of AVP and AVP2 and players who've not had the immense pleasure.

    Fact is, Rebellion screwed it up. Perhaps it can be patched into shape, but there are some pretty deep problems in there. No MP FPS, for example, should require you to 'Press X to climb' and then watch a climbing animation complete before the player can do anything else.

    No MP FPS should allow any player to insta-kill another via QTEs. It's about the worst possible mechanic to have in what should be a fast and frantic game. As someone else so eloquently put it, watching these kill-animations take place is like having a shopping queue of death, with other players lining up to drop in after the previous animation has played out.

    Look at L4D 1 and 2. Those games are AVP in Zombie clothing. They do everything right. The game engine, the controls, the performance, the polish, the atmosphere, everything. Players being able to form up firing lines to fight off the zombie rushes never ceases to get the pulse racing.

    AVP looks, in comparison, like its been designed and developed on the cheap. That there are key FPS abilities missing, such as being unable to crouch or lower your profile, speaks volumes about how much thought actually went into making players believe they're in a 3D space or (as Marines) emulating the various scenes from Aliens. Aiming is only allowed through the Sniper Rifle scope, yet the summary of Survivor mode is "Conserve precious ammo and take good aim". Aiming from the hip....

    Weapons also come across as weak, especially the Flamethrower effects and the whole 'Press and hold to pickup new weapon' bollocks just makes the process even more tedious.

    Aliens and Predators can 'lock on' and then just hit a single button to melee attack locked-on players. I ask you, wheres the fucking skill requirements in that?

    Major, major fuckup.
    Edited by 2 at 06/02/10 @ 17:53

  • Deckard1 #71 2 years ago

    hated it at first but once you understand how to play it properly its really starting to grow on me.

  • Dizzy #72 2 years ago

    Hmmm... I don't know what to think of this demo.

    I understand the haters and I can see their points but I also understand the people who love this and I am willing to give the game some extra time to grow.

    They have shown the worst part of the game IMHO (WHY? A demo is there to sell!!!). The deathmatch is pretty bad (actually I think deathmatch is bad in almost all games, it is a mechanic that has seen it's day). Everything is soo dark on my plasma I can't judge the graphics, in fact it seems like a bug because the setting for making the game brighter is supposed to show me a logo that I can never actually see.

    The motion sensor is also a bit pants TBH.

    BUT... it has a lot of atmosphere.... it really feels like the Aliens are out to get you and could be awesome in horde mode and species Deathmatch.

    The graphics, based on the available movies, seem more than good enough so I am willing to believe that.

    All in all.... we need to see more before we can judge this I think.
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/10 @ 18:32

  • MrE26 #73 2 years ago

    @George Roper

    "No MP FPS, for example, should require you to 'Press X to climb' and then watch a climbing animation complete before the player can do anything else."

    Modern Warfare 2?

    "No MP FPS should allow any player to insta-kill another via QTEs. It's about the worst possible mechanic to have in what should be a fast and frantic game. As someone else so eloquently put it, watching these kill-animations take place is like having a shopping queue of death, with other players lining up to drop in after the previous animation has played out."

    It's a classic risk vs. reward mechanic. You get a cool kill sequence on your opponent & leave yourself wide open in the process. You don't have to use it. Another example is the chainsaw gun in Gears, you only use it when you know it's safe to.

    "Look at L4D 1 and 2. Those games are AVP in Zombie clothing. They do everything right. The game engine, the controls, the performance, the polish, the atmosphere, everything. Players being able to form up firing lines to fight off the zombie rushes never ceases to get the pulse racing."

    Not really a fair comparison, given that you're basing it on one solitary deathmatch map. The likes of Infestation, Hunt or Survivor play far better to the strengths of the licence than a basic every man for himself demo. Would you be as big a fan of L4D if you'd only played deathmatch on it?

    "Aiming is only allowed through the Sniper Rifle scope, yet the summary of Survivor mode is "Conserve precious ammo and take good aim". Aiming from the hip...."

    So, just like Left 4 Dead then?

    You're right about the lack of crouch though, seems a bit of an odd thing to be missing.

  • KillerMonkey #74 2 years ago

    The demo is pretty sweet. Really love skulking about as alien and gutting bitches from behind.
    Don't like the predators or marines though. The UI is simply too shit for fps/ranged combat.

  • George-Roper #75 2 years ago

    @MrE26

    "No MP FPS, for example, should require you to 'Press X to climb' and then watch a climbing animation complete before the player can do anything else."

    Modern Warfare 2?

    "No MP FPS should allow any player to insta-kill another via QTEs. It's about the worst possible mechanic to have in what should be a fast and frantic game. As someone else so eloquently put it, watching these kill-animations take place is like having a shopping queue of death, with other players lining up to drop in after the previous animation has played out."

    It's a classic risk vs. reward mechanic. You get a cool kill sequence on your opponent & leave yourself wide open in the process. You don't have to use it. Another example is the chainsaw gun in Gears, you only use it when you know it's safe to.

    "Look at L4D 1 and 2. Those games are AVP in Zombie clothing. They do everything right. The game engine, the controls, the performance, the polish, the atmosphere, everything. Players being able to form up firing lines to fight off the zombie rushes never ceases to get the pulse racing."

    Not really a fair comparison, given that you're basing it on one solitary deathmatch map. The likes of Infestation, Hunt or Survivor play far better to the strengths of the licence than a basic every man for himself demo. Would you be as big a fan of L4D if you'd only played deathmatch on it?

    "Aiming is only allowed through the Sniper Rifle scope, yet the summary of Survivor mode is "Conserve precious ammo and take good aim". Aiming from the hip...."

    So, just like Left 4 Dead then?

    AVP should be nothing like MW2. MW2 is based on contemporary warfare, AVP is based on claws and knives and frenzied savage killing machines, where climbing animations have zero place. In SP, fine. In MP? No fucking way. See, whilst AVP boasts an array of MP modes, I can't help but feel that leaving shit like this in is based on minimal effort to bring the game into a MP arena.

    QTE kills are for achievement whores. They serve no purpose in the actual MP game, apart from giving 'extra XP' to the player for unlocks. It's the console-kiddie development mindset. AVP2 had no such shit bogging it down and yet even now offers a better MP game than this incarnation does. Go figure.

    You miss my point entirely, regards L4D. I wasn't comparing against the AVP demo I was making a comment on the quality of the development. Everything about the PC version of AVP reeks of a shit console port, from the UI through to the distinctly average engine (yes I am aware the demo is DX9). In terms of presentation and actual dev effort, L4D blows AVP out of the water and offers a better AVP experience. How ripe is AVP for a proper engine with shadows? Look at how shadows are put to immense use in the Hospital level of L4D 1. Now swap all the assets out, change the location to a hybrid power station/Alien hive and you have the makings of an amazing AVP experience. Given what we've seen in the demo so far, I have zero expectation on Rebellion delivering such an experience in any of their MP modes.

    Christ, I just wish someone would put some proper effort into modding L4D into an AVP MP game. It would look and feel SO much better than this.

    Of course i'm aware that L4D doesnt have sight aiming but L4D also doesnt boast a MP game mode that specifically suggests players "Aim well...." to conserve ammo. If Rebellion want Marines to aim, at least allow them to look down the sights of the Pulse Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun. Forget the Smartgun and Flamethrower.

    Rebellion have done the bare minimum to deliver a proper Aliens and Predator MP experience. To those that bang on about the game modes, Survivor (arguably the best AVP MP game mode ever made) was already fucking designed and in AVP2, so no actual extra effort was required.

    Time will tell but i'm calling a 5 or 6/10 score on this, combined SP and MP. It's just mediocre and average.
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/10 @ 22:33

  • tastierax #76 2 years ago

    Dont buy this game for PC..............is another Operation Failpoint

    Rebellion shame on you
    Edited by 1 at 07/02/10 @ 07:32

  • drumbaby #77 2 years ago

    "''we're hugely gratified by the positive feedback to the game."

    Where? "

    From the people desperate for this game to be good....oh, and their own Mums.

  • actionfitz #78 2 years ago

    Issues aside, when i finally did get into games it was seriously fun :)

  • actionfitz #79 2 years ago

    @bratmandu

    Thanks, they really should have had people look at the youtube thing before playing the demo - a lot of the negative impressions seem to be down to people not understanding how to play it!
    Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/02/10 @ 12:58
    --

    totally agree.
    once i got over the initial WTF!? disorientation of racing around full pelt over walls and ceilings I started to have lots of un playing the alien.
    The predator seemed like he had lots of cool toys and tricks that the single map in the demo didn't really let shine - maybe with something bigger and more open?
    Close quarters and tight, dark tunnels were always going to favour the Alien though.
    Poor marines hehe. Again though if a marine catches you in his sights mid to long distance it can be 'lights out' for aliens/predators pretty quickly.

    I would say from the demo that it's pretty solid. The visuals are spot on for me, seriously half the time you are running through the dark or looking through heat-vision etc. don't understand what some people are saying here.

    At the end of the day all I can say is give it a go once the issues are sorted - better to find this shit now and fix it than for people to go ape-shit at launch day.

    I have a few sessions of this and the BFBC2 demo planned for tonite with my mates :p

  • flaming-carrot #80 2 years ago

    Tried playing the demo last night, but couldn't connect to a game.............

  • evilrobot #81 2 years ago

    Devs give people a demo they moan, they don't giva a demo they moan? after playing for 2 mins. Geez i'm sure people won't be happy until were all playing pong again! I for one love it and can see that it is exactly what it says it is a DEMO a small look at whats to come it's not the whole game!

  • drumbaby #82 2 years ago

    "it's not the whole game! "

    True, at the moment it's just a menu. I'd love to actually get a game.

  • cock #83 2 years ago

    For those wondering about the claims of positive feedback, one example would be the thousands of people on Xbox Live that have so far rated the demo an average of 4.5* out of 5. (You can see this on xbox.com even if you don't have a 360.)

    Yeah, it sucks that the PS3 demo's matchmaking still isn't working properly, and it sucks that the PC demo wasn't working for the first 12 hours or so, but there are lots of people having fun with it out there. It's a shame you're not one of them but each to their own.

  • George-Roper #84 2 years ago

    For those wondering about the claims of positive feedback, one example would be the thousands of people on Xbox Live that have so far rated the demo an average of 4.5* out of 5. (You can see this on xbox.com even if you don't have a 360.)

    Thousands eh? Woooow, that should secure us an AVP2.....
    Edited by 1 at 07/02/10 @ 20:42

  • General_Zod #85 2 years ago

    Having played more I am enjoying it a lot more, running around the ceilings as an alien is too much fun. Having said that matchmaking is terrible, thank goodness they are giving us dedicated servers in retail. If PC is going the way of console matchmaking and player hosts I dont think I will be picking up many more multiplayer games.

  • ravnaz #86 2 years ago

    "Survivor (arguably the best AVP MP game mode ever made) was already fucking designed and in AVP2, so no actual extra effort was required."

    You know AvP2 was developed by a totally different company right? So what do you know about how much or little effort was/had to be put in?

  • George-Roper #87 2 years ago

    You know AvP2 was developed by a totally different company right? So what do you know about how much or little effort was/had to be put in?

    Erm, of course I know.

    Well, lets speak of the design effort shall we. Oh, zero, because the game mode already exists and can be copied.

    Well, lets speak of the asset/art/control effort shall we. Oh, zero, because all they've done is left every asset and control option in from the SP. 'Press X to climb' FTUFW!

    All they've had to do is adapt the rules of the MP game and reuse some existing maps with altered spawn locations.

    Please, do not try to imply that all these MP game modes have taken years of dedicated code monkey slaving. They haven't.

  • smoison #88 2 years ago

    Lovely demo, I'm not a fan of deathmatch, but its still VERY fun fighting and playing the 3 species.

    The only problèmes i've had were finding matches and lag, something the server browser should clear up (still waiting for one in L4D!).

    And as an AvP 1 and 2 fan, I find this an excellent sequel, graphics, and controls seems fine to me now that i've gotten the hang of them.




  • muscleblade #89 2 years ago

    First review is out:

    Its a whopping 5.8/10 from Gameinformer. They usually give out pretty high scores. After playing the demo and now this. My expectations= low.

  • drumbaby #90 2 years ago

    Finally got a match. It was pretty good, and I'm defo buying on day one. I take solace in the fact that FFA DM is always the weakest mode in games of this nature, but was quite good fun in its own right. TDM is going to rock!

  • ravnaz #91 2 years ago

    so, 8/10 in OXM. Huh, not bad for no effort..

    http://ww w.computerandvideogames.com/art...

  • muscleblade #92 2 years ago

    @ravnaz

    Not bad. My hopes has returned. Thank you.

  • bratmandu #93 2 years ago

    Sounds like a 'play it an see for yourself' title. I guess you either get it or you don't. Will be interesting to see if the review scores vary greatly from place to place.

  • ravnaz #94 2 years ago

    8.5/10 on IGN...

    [link url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1068446p1.html ]http://uk .xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1...[/link]

    Damn, putting in zero effort really pays off!