Video Game Gazette
There are certain games that you simply must buy if you have a particular game system. Examples include Super Mario Bros. 3 for the N.E.S., Sonic the Hedgehog for the Genesis, Final Fantasy VII for the Playstation, and Halo for the X-Box. In fact, the existence of many of these games is reason enough to buy the system itself. Aliens Versus Predator, or AVP for short, for the Atari Jaguar is just such a game. It is an absolutely stunning first person shooter in the tradition of Doom.
Being based on the movies, Aliens vs. Predator has a rich background. As one would expect, Activision took full advantage of this and made the game true to the movies. It has a good storyline, and the designers created modes of play for each of the three races: (1) Human Marines; (2) Aliens; and (3) Predators. These were not simply slopped together by adding more sprites, but were made so that each race has its own style of play. The marines rely on long range weapons and flamers to help them exterminate the alien menace. The aliens rely on cover to close in with the enemy and devour them in hand to hand combat. The stealthy Predators have cloaking devices, allowing them to move undetected while they stalk their prey. Activision also did an outstanding job of keeping the eerie feeling that made Aliens classic.
Now we all know that most games that are based on movies are not very good. AVP is the exception that proves the rule. The graphics are top notch. In addition to the detailed sprites, it has a heads up display with a map, and incredible light-sourcing. The game is rendered at blazing speeds, and the controls are right on.
So, if you have a Jaguar and don’t yet have AVP, then you should buy this game.
