Chapter 3 - Marine Strategies

Vision Modes

Unlike the unique vision modes of the Alien or the Predator, the human's sole image enhancement tool only provides night vision in dark areas. Like other vision modes, though, extremely bright lights and explosions can cause a bit of blindness.

Image Intensifier
Unfortunately, no creature is especially highlighted in the human's image intensifier. Though you'll at least see creatures in the distance, they'll still be somewhat hard to distinguish against walls and especially large light fixtures. Use the image intensifier often; in conjunction with the smartgun (described below), it's really your only way of getting recon on advancing enemies before it's too late. You'll enter plenty of dark areas through the Marine campaign. Don't hesitate to switch on the intensifier frequently.

Weapons

If you're a seasoned first-person shooter player, the Marine's armament should look familiar. From grenade launchers and rocket launchers to machineguns and flame throwers, all the usual pyrotechnic tools are represented and perform quite like their counterparts in similar games.

Pulse Rifle
The default issue for all Marines, the pulse rifle acts like a standard machine gun with the added bonus of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher as a secondary weapon. Get used to this weapon; it's the one you'll most often be using, particularly in the Director's Cut version of the game. Though the bullets aren't especially piercing, it won't take many rounds to take down an advancing Alien. A head shot, like most weapons, is most effective but even taking down an Alien's feet can work wonders. The pulse rifle is effective in both close-quarters and long-range and works best against the standard Alien foes.

With a smaller blast radius than the SADAR but more accuracy than the other grenade launcher, the pulse rifle's secondary grenade-launcher function could assist in extremely dire situations. Like all explosive weaponry, however, don't fire too close to your own body. The grenade fires in nearly a straight line and fairly quick; just line up and fire. Use against multiple enemies if possible. The pulse rifle grenade launcher works best against the standard Alien as well as tougher foes like the Predator and Praetorian.