Chapter 7 - Multiplayer
Tactics
As engaging as Aliens vs. Predator
is in single-player, the ante is upped considerably for multiplayer. Now
you're up against your fellow humans; humans that think and react much
differently than the computer-controlled enemy. Not only will you be faced
with unpredictability, but you'll have to overcome squad tactics and coordination,
as well as come to grips with many different multiplayer game types. What
follows is an examination of the various game styles, as well as specific
tips and tactics for each class of character.
Game Types
Aliens vs. Predator offers
much more variety than the average first-person shooter. While straightforward
deathmatches are a given, the game has quite a few interesting tricks
up its sleeve to keep the game extremely challenging. Let's take a look
at what you can expect.
Deathmatch
Traditional deathmatch is where you let it all hang out. Kill anything
you see, even a fellow species. He or she that attains the most kills
wins - simple as that. A good tactic for deathmatch play is to always
hang back and let the other players engage in combat with each other.
Then, during the peak of the fray, you enter the picture and mop everyone
up with the weapon of your choice.
Species Deathmatch
Similar to traditional deathmatch, this is effectively a teamplay modification
that finds players of the same species working together to attack the
other classes. The added hitch here is that if you kill a member of your
own species you can expect to lose points ... and face. You must work
together as a team and play up to the strengths of your race. Predator
teams should split up and stake out effective sniping positions; Aliens
should travel in packs and stay in darkness, launching surprise assaults
on unsuspecting squads of players; and Marines should stick together as
a close-knit unit, moving slowly and cautiously, using their impressive
firepower to tackle anything that comes.
Teams should allocate point-men
to scout ahead and, better still, keep a little distance among themselves
to avoid friendly fire accidents.
Last Man Standing
When a Last Man Standing game begins, all players will enter as a Marine
save for the host, who will be an Alien. The objective of the Alien is
to kill as many Marines as possible. When a Marine is killed, they respawn
as an Alien with the same objective as the original host. Ultimately,
there will be one Marine left standing and this Marine will have his work
cut out for him. The last Marine on his feet will receive bonus points
for killing Aliens. Try to survive as long as possible and take out as
many enemies as you can before finally falling.
Predator Tag
All players will begin the game as Marines or Aliens, save for the host
who will begin as a Predator. The only scoring in this game type is done
by the Predator, whose sole objective is to kill as many enemies as possible
without dying. The lucky player that finally scores a victory against
the Predator will become the new Predator.
Cooperative
Cooperative play is a challenging form of Aliens vs. Predator that finds
all the human players working together as Marines, Predators, or a mix
of both. When the game begins the computer will control a legion of hungry
Aliens out to stop you. You'll have to work close as a team to prevent
the onslaught, protecting doors, watching passageways, and covering each
other's back.
Alien Tag
See Predator Tag above.
Next:
General deathmatch tactics
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