I remember my friend playing this when the game was brand new. I thought it looked damn cool, from the spectator's view. Didn't get a chance to experience the game myself though, back in the day. Today was finally my chance...

So I installed the game now and honestly... I'm having a hard time getting into it. First I tried the Alien campaign. It took me approximately 0.12 seconds to lose track of which way I'm facing, which way I came from, and where I should go. I eventually, by accident, managed to block off the fire and later I even found some humans, but after killing them I once again got lost. The game briefly told me that I should sabotage some things or something, but I had no clue how many things there were, where they would be, and what they would look like. Then I again got lost, and with it lost all interest.

Then I tried the Predator campaign. My first encounters were a little silly: I was getting shot point blank, while I was flailing my wristblade. I managed to kill all the enemies though, but then I hit a dead end. I looked through every cranny and nook, but the only door that might lead somewhere new is locked and I have no idea how to get past it.

Now, while I understand it might be disorienting (at times) to play as Alien, and because the game came out 14 years ago, the combat might have aged a bit, but honestly I think the learning curve here might be a bit too much and too sudden. Getting lost with the Alien under 5 minutes, and hitting a dead end with Predator under 5 minutes: uhmm...do I even dare try the Marine? I understand most people hate an arrow that points to the next objective, but I'll be damned if I didn't enjoy the game more, if it had that arrow. Or even a map, for christ sakes!

Anyway, just something I wanted to get off my chest. You may hate me if you want, or move on. Either is fine. It's just that since people keep saying the game's a classic, I guess...I expected it to be a little bit more user friendly. Thank you.

Yeah it plays really different then what you are used to. But once you get the hang out of it it's amazing.

Years ago when i was a child I bought the big box version and i played the marine campaign and it was too scary for me. I couldn't handle it and that is still the only game (or movie) that got that effect on me. I had to uninstall I just couldn't play it. A couple of years later I installed it again and loved the marine campaign, struggled with the predator and was unable to play alien campaign like you said. Still I loved the marine part. A couple of years ago i bought it on steam and finished all three campaigns.

You just need the first levels to experiment with how they move, know that you play alien guerilla style and predator stealthy. (maybe look up some youtube videos on how to play, helped me a lot with the alien). Once you get the hang out of it they are actually the easiest campaigns if I remember correctly...

That being said: the game is very oldschool in it's approach and throws you into the deep without explanation. Throw in the limited saves and you have one very hard game. Also you have to complete it on the hardest difficulty to unlock the last levels. That being said: the levels do get easier. With the marine because you get better and better weapons, with the others because once you figure out how to play it's not really that hard.

Stick with it and you'll be enjoying an amazing game, even if it's rough to start with when you've never played it before.

Alien - you have to destroy 4 panels on walls in 4 different rooms, and that will allow you to get to LAB 1 and 2. There you have to destroy those pipes comming from computers in LAB 1 and 2. Alien campaign generally includes destruction human equipment.

Predator - there is a switch downstairs (you can see it when you start the game). It will open that door.