I'm glad you're enjoying it! Favorite species/weapon?

Happy to read such comments from someone who isnt biased by old age and previous experience. I allways thought AvP was a damn good game and i'm glad it shows even more than a decade since release.

SP is kinda focused on a cinematic experience. You poop your pants a lot when playing the Marine and you get to enjoy the uniqueness of playing the Alien or Predator (maybe not so unique today though), however the maps are pretty much A->B->C, find switch, pull switch affairs. They're at least pretty well designed and easy to get lost in and you're not guaranteed to survive.

I played this back in the day both single player and multiplayer. My favorite mode then was co-op because i sucked at regular DM because i was so young but i don't remember this game being so fast paced. I guess maybe my senses were a lot sharper back then and things seemed a lot slower.

Single player was a fun experience and nerve wracking playing as a marine back in the day. It was incredibly fun though but now it's aged and it shows quite a bit with the simple goals of "Hit the button for the next thing to happen!" but that's okay. A lot of this game oddly reminds me of the original unreal, i don't know what engine they used at the time though. Probably something they made themselves that resembled the unreal engine.

Haven't pegged a favourite species yet and still trying to find my bearings with each of them, but so far, the zippiness of the alien makes it the most exciting, and the ability to climb over any part of the map is something new for me. More games should have that ability, even though it's very easy to lose your bearings at times. Despite a minor hiccup when I first tried logging into MP games, it's amazing how fast you can get into a game and just play and thankfully the graphics are at a level where they look great and don't require massive bandwidth for rendering so lag is minimal.

I used to play this game pretty competitively in multiplayer in both DM and Co-Op, and I can almost echo your experience. My reaction time is certainly slower with age :)

I just got out of a co-op. Not sure if it's just me, but I simply cannot recognize the map!

Didn't know that crouch let you climb walls, took me a moment to figure out

There are links to the PDF manual here: http://www.gog.com/forum/aliens_versus_predator_classic_2000/manual

Another first time Aliens versus Predator player here. I really like the SP, especially the Marine part. I made the mistake of playing this late last night. I was screaming at the top of my voice a few times *erm, I mean, letting out a grunting marine battle cry.. yeeeah, that's it ;). Very nerve-wracking. The neighbours must love me now ;)

I tried the Predator campaign. Really fun, and a good contrast to the marine. They've really nailed the vibe of both franchises, especially with the visuals and sound lifted from the films. Haven't tried the Alien part yet...

Multiplayer: At first, I loved this; playing as marine and crapping my pants every 5 seconds...
I still like the MP for it's atmosphere, but am now questioning it's balance a little. The Predators and Aliens seem massively overpowered. Shooting a predator dozens of times (while he's on fire) only for him to turn around and kill me in one hit when I have full health and armour seems a bit 'off'. Then again, I'm new so we'll see... :)

You've seen the movies, right? :)

Lol, yeah, lived and breathed 'em. When I see a Predator bleed in this game, then I'll know I can kill it ;). I Can't remember any time in those films when Arnie or Danny Glover shot the Predator a million times though. Yes, Predators and Aliens are tougher than humans, but in the Predator's case, his secret lies in his gadgets and stealth (in the films). I see what they are trying to do, It's just that this is supposed to be a game. It should be fairer. The only times I can't stand Predators is in free for all modes. In my (so-far-limited) opinion, the only time the Predator's immense power works is in team-based modes where you work together with a squad of marines. So satisfying :)

Let me guess. Freaking. Facehuggers. Right? I had my share of sudden swearing in a very un-manly pitch. That cursed episode 3...

As for species balance. Yeah, you're right. If Aliens and Predators dont outkill Marines by 10000000000 to 1 something is wrong. So er... balance. ^^

The Predator probably hit you in the head with a charged Wristblade, and that is a legit instakill. They are also 3 times as durable as Marines and can trade energy to heal themselves. Make yourself a VERY mobile target just to give the other player a harder time and try never to let Aliens get behind you. Predators are very satisfying to kill though they usually have to get distracted or overwhelmed before you get a chance. If you ever see one running away from you, go get him. You can run over a medkit to heal, he has to stop actively trying to murder you in order to heal, AND needs energy for it.

Keep fighting and dont let the K/D ratio get you, it's not an easy game to quickly learn, esp. not when there are competent Aliens or Predators around.

Thanks for those tips, SleepyChef :) I'll keep plugging away. Don't get me wrong, I still love this game. It just takes a bit of practice to learn how best to best each beast :D

I actually surprised myself earlier today. I played a SDM as a marine and somehow came out top player :O. Beginners luck, must have been.
I do appreciate the way they've tried to balance the species in different areas, and yes - Preds and Aliens should be hardier to an extent. Obviously the veterans will know better, but so far I have this feeling that if they had just lowered the amount of hits a Predator can take before croaking it (even if just by a little), it would be absolutely perfect.

Well don't forget that a single Predator in a match with several Marines and Aliens is going to be on the receiving end of a LOT of attention. Warm and leaded or slimy and spiny kind of attention. ;)

Lol yeah, aw poor Predator :P. I was just thinking the same though. The balance is a question of how many/which species. I think my complaint lies in those games where most of the marines quit so it's just me vs. a few Predators and Xenomorph.
I'm just going to view Predators as human-controlled boss encounters. They are worth more points if you bag one, so that evens things out a little :)
Oh and Re: Freaking. Facehuggers, standard Aliens, my own proverbial shadow ;), the music, everything! Lol.