Which games will quench your Aliens vs Predator thirst?

It’s been quite a while since the first Aliens vs. Predator game was released for the SNES way back in 1993. This side-scrolling beat ‘em up wasn’t anything extraordinary, but for fans of the AVP comics, it was nice to see something a little different from other beat ‘em ups at the time. It was a game set in a universe they adored and thoroughly drenched in the lore they craved.

The game series really hit its stride in 1999, when the PC exclusive was released to critical and audience acclaim. It’s been a long seven years since the last AVP game, and although Alien: Isolation may have quenched the thirst of some AVP fans, its slow-paced, stealthy gameplay is a drastic departure from what AVP games are known for: fast paced, frenetic action. Oh, and lots of cloaking. With that said, we’ve compiled the Top 7 best games that resemble an AVP game close enough to hold you over until the next reboot or sequel, because dear lord, was AVP: Requiem ever the disappointment.

Natural Selection 2

INTENSE Natural Selection 2 Gameplay

Originally developed as a Half-Life mod, this first-person shooter/real-time strategy hybrid PC game pits Marines vs aliens in a futuristic, industrial, sci-fi setting. If you choose to play as an alien, the first-person camera is placed in its mouth, where instead of just seeing the gun you’re holding, you play from either the view of your alien’s sharp-toothed, beastly mouth or its menacing claws, which are both accessible based on which evolved form of the alien you are playing. These aliens have several types of vision such as Alien Vision, which resembles the first-person vision of the Predator in AVP games.

But what sets this game apart from other sci-fi shooters is its strategy aspect that you get to indulge in if opting to play as a marine commander, observing and assisting the action from a top-down perspective, helping your team by aiding them with resources such as health packs, researching upgrades, or erecting walls to help block the aliens’ insurgence. The gameplay is insanely fast-paced and gives the AVP game franchise a definite run for its money. Natural Selection 2 has the most strategic elements out of the bunch and if that strikes your fancy, by all means, buy this now on PC, or if you’re super trendy, Linux.

Evolve Stage 2

Evolve – BEST IN GAME MONSTER SLUAHGTERS EVERYONE – Evolve Stage 2 Gameplay

Evolve’s sequel, Evolve Stage 2, is a free-to-play, multiplayer PC shooter, with 4 vs 1 team combat. You can either play as one of the four hunters: The Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, or as the lone “monster.” Playing as either a hunter or the monster, it’s a fun, futuristic team-based game where you can, as any of the four hunters, strategize with your team to hunt down the enemy, or if solo play is more your style, you can play the monster and stalk your human prey any way you like. Playing as the monster, the feeling of stalking your prey feels extremely reminiscent of the first-person AVP games. Evolve Stage 2 is currently only available for PC, but it’s free! (although it may eat up all your time).

AVP: Evolution

AVP: Evolution – Alien Mission 9 – Temple Wars

A mobile off-shoot of the Aliens vs. Predator series, AVP: Evolution is third-person action game this time. AVP: Evolution prefers a mission based structure over a usual single campaign, each the Alien and the Predator having their own, where they have to fight their way through the Colonial Marines’ base, the Weyland-Yutani research facilities, and even the Predators’ Temple Arena. For only five bucks, the graphics are surprisingly good for an android and iOS game. It’s a quick, on-the-go treatment for an AVP fan to get his or her fix, wherever they may be. A lot of bigger game franchises branch off into the mobile realm, to much chagrin, but this affordable, portable spin-off has enough meat here to entertain even a die-hard AVP fan.

Aliens vs. Predator™ (2010)

Aliens vs. Predator 2010 FULL VIDEO OF THE HIVE + QUEEN FIGHT

Developed by Rebellion, the same team that made the 1999 Aliens vs. Predator game, this game is the closest as you can get to a legitimate AVP experience. You can play a campaign as either a rookie colonial Marine, an Alien known as Specimen 6, or a predator character who has been sent to the ship BG-386 to mop up everything in its site and recover the Predator technology that has been stolen. It doesn’t have the impact the original 1999 game did, but it’s one of the best AVP games thus far (I’m hoping for a VR version sometime soon, fingers crossed). It’s currently available on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Aliens: Colonial Marines – Queen Boss Fight (Final Boss)

Aliens: Colonel Marines takes place three months after the 1986 film Aliens left off. Set 17 weeks after the events of Aliens, you play as a Colonial Marine sent to investigate the disappearance of the USS Sulaco, after receiving a distress call from Corporal Hicks. Upon arriving at the Sulaco, your character and his accompanying team of marines discover a Xenomorph infestastion aboard the ship.

It’s not a frighteningly scary game, but like other AVP entries, action is the main thrust here. While the gaming mechanics and enemy AI are pretty wonky and the graphics are subpar, the sound effects and character audio are top-notch and spot on. It truly feels like you are playing the film Aliens, although this time, interactively. The best aspect of this game is the rich universe and they totally nailed it. Aliens pop out out of everywhere and your only choice to survive is to gun them down like it’s going out of fashion. Unless you’ve never played a video game before, it’s not “Game over, man.” Colonial Marines is currently out on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2: First Gameplay on Sentinel Titan

Bungie’s sequel to their Halo-esque predecessor, Destiny, the open-world FPS, places you as one of three species of characters, Hunter, Warlock, or Titan, each with their own set of skills, as you attempt to take back your homeland from the brutal and devastating Red Legion army, led by commander Ghaul.

You’ll get to explore a variety of outer space locales including the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as a futuristic earth, where the last safe city has fallen into ruins. Stay alive by obliterating alien enemies such as the War Beast, Gladiators, and Incendiors. Who doesn’t love blasting aliens? It’s a classic trope that helped make AVP games so much fun to play in the first place. Bungie promises the largest open world they’ve ever created, and hopefully they don’t disappoint. They’ve also stated that character aesthetics from the original Destiny will carry over into Destiny 2, giving the sequel a familiar face, literally. Destiny 2 is scheduled for release this fall 2017 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

Space Hulk: Deathwing

Space Hulk: Deathwing – 20 Minutes of Gameplay

Space Hulk: Deathwing is an FPS set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and based on the Space Hulk board game first released in 1989. Essentially the first FPS in the game’s series, you play as a space marine exploring a giant derelict ship, fighting off deadly, vicious creatures known as Tyranids, or Genestealers, as well as their hybrids, who, not surprisingly, want you dead. Apparently they love to infest giant, dilapidated starships, but again, who doesn’t? With set designs reminiscent of the creepy and grimy ships from the Alien series, if you’re craving dark, moody, and atmospheric futuristic FPS, consider picking this one up. Space Hulk: Deathwing is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Sci-fi-horror first-person shooters are bountiful in our current age, and if you’re an AVP fan especially, there’s a plethora of options for you to choose from to fill the void. It’s only a matter of time until the next AVP game hits the digital store shelves, so there’s no reason to pout – just boot up your gaming system and enjoy.

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