Well, started it today at approx 1pm, just finished all 3 campaigns (having said that, would have finished it way earlier, but Jen came over and we had epic curry and watched some TV shows).
My opinion: I enjoyed it, however I'm a big fan of both the alien and predator films as well as the 1st AvP game (not the AvP films though...predator and a human become pals? fuck off). Each campaign is approx 2-2:30 hours long on normal for me. Each campaign takes place in the same maps, albeit different ppl and things there and in a different sequence (this kind of annoyed me, couldnt decide whether it was the developers trying to show all this shit was going on in the same areas, or just lazy level design. I recall the last one having different level designs for each but every now and then a tie in with another campaign, as like a little wink to the player).
Basically, I never played the marine section of the old AvP, was pretty young at the time and found it absolutely terrifying, used to watch my brother play Resident Evil cos I enjoyed it, but had to hide under the duvet as he played. However I overcame my fear of the game that I found most terrifying during my childhood a couple years ago, completing it twice, so I was prepared for marine madness this time.
I started off with alien, twas ok, lots of lol stealth kills, dropping from ceiling, kill someone, jump back onto ceiling before anyone notices, rinse, repeat. This was amusing for a while and some of the kill sequences were pretty fucking awesome, but after a while got a bit samey (at least till you fought a predator, but even then...). Also they got you to "harvest" civilian humans with facehuggers if you grabbed them, however this process had no benefit and the sequence was the same every time (unlike the kills) so I dont understand the point. But hey ho, was pretty enjoyable, but was appalled by the ending
Predator was a tad better. With the xenomorphs, it's pretty much just hand to hand combat cos all the weapons you pick up they either dodge, or arent too efficient. Melee combat (in pretty much all the campaigns) pretty much boils down to rock, paper, scissors.
They light attack = block You
They heavy attack = light attack You
They block = heavy attack You
However you only have a split second alot of the time to make the right choice and in the heat of combat with shit loads of things attacking you, tis pretty easy to fuck up (although mega satisfying if you get a sequence right). Pretty much xenomorph fights involve trying to knock down your opponent, the stab the shit out of it before it gets up. Humans/androids are pretty easy prey, hardly worth mentioning, they can be a little tougher at the start, since you need to get up close mostly, but as soon as you get what can only be described as the one hit stick of pain, they become obsolete. But I enjoyed the campaign. Also some of the kills were awesome
Marine. I
WISH I had started with this campaign. By far my favourite. Alot of the atmosphere was partially ruined for me cos I already knew the map, so there wasn't any mystery as to where i had to go next (bar a couple of side tracks). The flash light only lights a minimal area which had the potential for making fighting in most of the dark rooms pretty fucking scary. However, I cant help thinking they made a mistake by giving unlimited flares, they regenerate like every 5-7 seconds and they light up a fair area, so you just toss them round every corner you go. Considering the xenomorphs tend to run along the ceiling, if it wasnt for the flares, you'd be looking dead ahead, your motion sensor going off, but nothing there. Then you look up and the fucker's right above you. That would've been fucking awesome! However I can't help but feel that the flares kinda ruin those kinda suprises, maybe that's just me. Even so, by far my most enjoyed campaign.
However note, flamethrower = Fucking SHIT, SMART gun = Fucking WIN. Flame thrower requires as much shooting as say the pulse rifle, but the xenomorphs explode after it, which if they are remotely near you (which a FT requires), results in insta death. SMART gun is just a pwning spree weapon. On the last level, after fighting off a shit ton of xenomorphs, found there was a bunch of smart guns which I imagine they expected you to use on that wave. So picked it up and continued, confronted with invisible androids, that I imagine would be tough with any other gun, but with the SMART gun was just rofl, they didnt stand a chance. Then the final "boss" went down in like 5 seconds. Pwned ftw
My final thought: I definitely enjoyed it and think it was worth the £25 I payed for it HOWEVER I acknowledge that I'm a fan of the series and the story is a tad thin and I get the feeling it assumes you've seen the films. I think it is worth it, but I can imagine some might disagree.
Have yet to try the multiplayer out, but from what I've heard sounds like fun.
TL;DR