Alien vs. Predator (ARC, 1994)
Graphics-9 Sound-7.5 Control-8.5/7.5** Challenge-7.5*
Level Design-7 Frustration-7.5* Fun-7.5* Originality-6
Overall Score-8
*1-player, default mode in Euro cabinet
**male marine
+
Decent length (~45 min)
3-player co-op (no friendly fire)
Four different characters to choose from (some differing moves and weapons)
Mixes in a short shooter section (very easy) and a SF2 style beat up the machine section (very hard when playing alone)
Solid amount of moves and weapons (mid-air throw, wall bounce, dash stab, pile driver, mid-air ranged attack, break out move, uppercut)
Each character has a default firearm and melee weapon (the latter can be dropped)
Fast paced and fairly intense
Decent storytelling for a beat 'em up (each cutscene can be fast forwarded as well)
Unlimited ammo power up (timed, gain one after each credit used)
Good art direction and animation
Decent combo options (team juggling, wall bounce with predator, grab two discs and keep throwing them, attack enemies bouncing off of the floor from a previous attack)
Health and ammo power ups stay on screen so you can be tactical and grab them when needed
Block attacks by using the break out move (press any two buttons at the same time)
+/-
No strafe (vertical dodge - see SoR 3) move
"Break out" move barely costs any life to use (hits enemies around you, doesn't work when grabbed or lying down)
Different versions have different amount of lives per credit (E=only 2 lives, other versions=5 lives)
Can't gain new lives during play?
Config screen is hidden (8 difficulty levels)
-
"Pick up" mapped to same button as punch and can't be changed (see SoR etc.)
Somewhat uneven difficulty (some enemy attacks do way too much damage and you can't escape when they grab you (?), enemy predator's throws take precedence over your attacks)
The male marine kinda sucks (too slow)?
Some overpowered weapons (disc, knives)
Sometimes sloppy hit detection (unforgiving for some alien bosses and the laser traps, forgiving when using the breakout attack)
Repetitive (not pits or platforming sections, repeats a couple of bosses)
Trial & error (fast ambush attacks, enemies may attack from off screen when you're standing near the edge with your back turned, boss patterns, learning player moves)
Some annoying/repetitive sfx ("alright!")
Predator ranged attack sometimes doesn't aim properly
Level Design-7 Frustration-7.5* Fun-7.5* Originality-6
Overall Score-8
*1-player, default mode in Euro cabinet
**male marine
+
Decent length (~45 min)
3-player co-op (no friendly fire)
Four different characters to choose from (some differing moves and weapons)
Mixes in a short shooter section (very easy) and a SF2 style beat up the machine section (very hard when playing alone)
Solid amount of moves and weapons (mid-air throw, wall bounce, dash stab, pile driver, mid-air ranged attack, break out move, uppercut)
Each character has a default firearm and melee weapon (the latter can be dropped)
Fast paced and fairly intense
Decent storytelling for a beat 'em up (each cutscene can be fast forwarded as well)
Unlimited ammo power up (timed, gain one after each credit used)
Good art direction and animation
Decent combo options (team juggling, wall bounce with predator, grab two discs and keep throwing them, attack enemies bouncing off of the floor from a previous attack)
Health and ammo power ups stay on screen so you can be tactical and grab them when needed
Block attacks by using the break out move (press any two buttons at the same time)
+/-
No strafe (vertical dodge - see SoR 3) move
"Break out" move barely costs any life to use (hits enemies around you, doesn't work when grabbed or lying down)
Different versions have different amount of lives per credit (E=only 2 lives, other versions=5 lives)
Can't gain new lives during play?
Config screen is hidden (8 difficulty levels)
-
"Pick up" mapped to same button as punch and can't be changed (see SoR etc.)
Somewhat uneven difficulty (some enemy attacks do way too much damage and you can't escape when they grab you (?), enemy predator's throws take precedence over your attacks)
The male marine kinda sucks (too slow)?
Some overpowered weapons (disc, knives)
Sometimes sloppy hit detection (unforgiving for some alien bosses and the laser traps, forgiving when using the breakout attack)
Repetitive (not pits or platforming sections, repeats a couple of bosses)
Trial & error (fast ambush attacks, enemies may attack from off screen when you're standing near the edge with your back turned, boss patterns, learning player moves)
Some annoying/repetitive sfx ("alright!")
Predator ranged attack sometimes doesn't aim properly