Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alien vs Predator delivers a tense, side-scrolling beat ’em up experience that faithfully captures the hunter-versus-monster dynamic of its comic book origins. You step into the armored boots of a Predator, navigating industrial complexes, alien hives, and derelict corridors on New Shanghai. Combat revolves around basic attacks—claws, jump slashes, and sliding strikes—while layering in your iconic shoulder cannon, which can be tapped for quick bolts or charged for a powerful blast that even costs Predator health when overcharged.

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The pacing is relentless. Each level teems with Xenomorph drones, warriors, and facehuggers that swarm in varied patterns, forcing you to juggle melee combos and ranged fire. The game cleverly uses power-ups dropped by fallen aliens to reward aggressive play: health packs for survival, trophy skulls that unlock hidden bonuses, and weapon upgrades like dual blades or throwing spears to diversify your tactics. Active camouflage power-ups add a brief but exhilarating stealth option, letting you slip past overwhelming groups or launch surprise attacks.

Boss encounters punctuate the journey, presenting massive, screen-filling Alien Queens or elite hive warriors that demand pattern memorization and precise timing. These battles can be punishing, especially if you’ve squandered power-ups or health along the way. However, mastering the balance between ranged volleys and close-quarters combat elevates each victory. While the controls sometimes feel stiff in tight spaces, the overall combat loop remains satisfying—delivering a steady ebb and flow of tension, brutality, and reward.

Graphics

For its era, Alien vs Predator showcases detailed pixel art that brings the 25th-century colony and its horrifying inhabitants to life. The backgrounds shift from dimly lit maintenance tunnels to chambers dripping with acid blood, creating a foreboding atmosphere that never lets up. Foreground elements—grimy metal grates, steam vents, and flickering lights—add depth and a sense of environmental danger.

Predator and Alien sprites are well-animated, capturing signature movements like the Predator’s leap-kick and the Alien’s slithering gait. Explosions from charged cannon shots light up the screen, and enemy death animations—ranging from xenomorphs bursting into plasma to Predators recoiling in self-inflicted damage—add visceral impact. While a few background tiles repeat, careful color choices and dynamic lighting effects help maintain visual interest throughout the eight main stages.

The sound design complements the visuals with dripping echoes, mechanical hums, and the unmistakable crackle of energy weapons. Alien screeches and Predator growls punctuate each skirmish, enhancing immersion even on hardware with limited audio channels. Though the soundtrack isn’t particularly memorable, it underscores the action and heightens tension during key encounters, ensuring the pixel art and animation shine without sonic distraction.

Story

Based on the Alien versus Predator comic series, the narrative serves primarily as context for the carnage you’re about to unleash. We learn that New Shanghai’s colonists have inadvertently unearthed Xenomorphs, prompting a distress call that attracts Predator hunters seeking worthy trophies. This setup effectively merges the two iconic universes and provides a clear objective: hunt or be hunted.

Narrative beats appear sparingly between levels, using brief text screens and minimalist artwork to advance the plot. While die-hard lore fans might crave deeper cutscenes or voiced dialogue, the streamlined storytelling keeps the gameplay front and center. It also allows players to fill in the gaps with their own mental images—envisioning the Predator’s honor-bound ethos and the Xenomorph’s relentless hive mind in vivid detail.

Despite its brevity, the story trajectory has satisfying progression: you infiltrate research labs contaminated by Facehuggers, storm hive nests on the planet’s outskirts, and ultimately confront colossal queen creatures guarding hidden chambers. The final act ties loose ends by hinting at larger galactic consequences, effectively teasing potential sequels or expanded lore. For a side-scroller, it strikes a solid balance between setting the mood and keeping the action rolling.

Overall Experience

Alien vs Predator stands as a prime example of licensed gaming done right: it channels the primal fear and lethal prowess of its source material into addictive, stage-based action. The blend of tight combat mechanics, varied enemy designs, and atmospheric level art makes each playthrough a thrilling hunt. Though not without minor control quirks or repetitive moments, it remains a compelling challenge for action aficionados.

The learning curve rewards skillful play, encouraging you to conserve power-ups, master charge timing, and study enemy patterns. Replay value comes from discovering hidden pathways, accumulating trophy skulls for bonus content, and tackling the game on higher difficulty settings. Cooperative or versus modes (where available) also expand longevity by letting friends join the hunt or face off Predator versus Alien in short, explosive battles.

Ultimately, if you’re a fan of dark, intense side-scrollers or the Alien and Predator franchises, this title delivers a potent dose of both. Its fusion of visceral combat, haunting visuals, and minimalist storytelling creates an experience that remains memorable decades after its release. For gamers seeking a challenging, lore-rich romp through Xenomorph-infested corridors, Alien vs Predator is a trophy worth claiming.

Retro Replay Score

5.2/10