E3 2009: Aliens Vs. Predator

SEGA was demoing Aliens Vs Predator on the show floor here at E3, with an introductory level featuring the Predator gameplay. As an Elite Predator, you're on the planet looking for the novice Predators who went missing. A tease at the end of the closing cinematic would seem to indicate that after encountering some Xenomorphs, those Predators aren't entirely Predators anymore, if you catch my meaning. Cycling through your different visual modes lets you swap between infra-red, Alien-vision, and other ways to scan your environment for threats. In order to help guide you through the environment in the way a Predator moves, jump guides are visible and the simple press of a button will send you up onto a tall branch, or down on top of an unsuspecting Marine. Thankfully, while your energy weapons and mines will deplete energy that needs to be replenished, cloaking does not. Instead, it's based on speed of movement — the slower you move, the more you will be cloaked.

The Predator is all about stealth, but in the Marine level that SEGA demoed behind closed doors for me, it's all about fast-paced action. (Unfortunately, no one would spill any information on the Alien gameplay. Or multiplayer. Not until later this year.) The graphics are stunning, and it really looks like you're exploring the colony buildings from Aliens. The game uses Rebellion's own Rebellion Zero Engine, and it looks fantastic. Lighting is a big part of the game with the Marine, who has a flashlight and flares to help keep the environment well-lit, because the AI on the Aliens will use the darkness to their advantage. The Aliens are beautifully animated, even when they get up-close and personal to rip your face off. Luckily for me, they're including some difficulty options so even I might be able to survive long enough to get through the game.

Releasing on the PC, 360 and PS3 in early 2010, Aliens Vs Predator is practically four games in one. Playing as the Predator, the Alien and the Marine gives you three separate storylines to follow, which will intersect periodically, but are each their own campaign. And then there's multiplayer on top of that! Oh, if only it had been playable!