Aliens vs Predator Extinction Review MandaloreGaming English English (auto-generated)

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[Goosebumps theme playing]

[Music] [Music]

With Halloween right around the corner, now is a good time to talk about an “Aliens vs Predator” game.

with halloween right around the corner now's a good time to talk about an

There have been a few of these over the years, but I think most people know the FPS games now.

aliens versus predator game there have been a few of these over the years but i think most people know the fps games now

And they should! They’re overall pretty great!

and they should they're overall pretty

And yeah, there were some mistakes here and there, but there was a lot of fun to be had, and the multiplayer was excellent

great and yeah there were some mistakes here and there but there was a lot of fun to be had and the multiplayer was

(even if some barely had maps when they launched).

excellent even if some barely had maps when they

Still, this may come as a surprise if you only know the IP outside of the games.

launched still this may come as a surprise if you only know the ip outside

What do I mean? Let me show you.

of the games what do i mean let me show

You have the original “Aliens vs Predator”. It’s a fun concept inspired off an Easter egg in “Predator 2”.

you you have the original aliens vs predator it's a fun concept inspired off an

But then we have “Aliens vs Green Lantern”, “Superman vs Predator”, “Batman vs Giant Crocodile Alien”,

easter egg and predator too but then we have aliens vs green lantern superman vs predator batman vs giant

“Aliens vs Superman”, “Predator vs Batman”, “Superman and Batman vs Aliens and Predator”, “Aliens vs Predator vs The Terminator”… [a bunch more titles delivered over each other]

crocodile alien aliens vs superman predator versus batman superman and batman vs aliens and predator aliens versus predator versus

…“Predator vs the Midnight Society” and of course, the most important of all, “Alien vs Predator vs Brown vs Board of Education”.

the midnight society and of course the most important of all alien vs predator versus brown vs board of education

It’s a thrash metal track! ♪ A! V! P! ♪ ♪ Sci-Fi bully! ♪

it's a thrash metal track

So you can safely ignore all that for the games. They take place in the future “Aliens” setting, and Predators are there. That’s it.

so you can safely ignore all that for the games they take place in the future alien setting and predators are there

However, “Extinction” is not a shooter – it’s an RTS game. A console-only RTS game.

that's it however extinction is not a shooter it's an rts game a console only rts game so naturally

So, naturally, it doesn’t get much attention. The only reason I was aware of it was because I rented it back in the day.

doesn't get much attention the only reason i was aware of it was because i

The original plan was to go see the “AvP” movie, but the theater was far away from where I lived, and there was a tornado in the area.

rented it back in the day the original plan was to go see the avp movie but the theater was far away from where i lived and there was a tornado in

I can only hope no one died on the way to see that movie...

the area i can only hope no one died on the way

So, instead, I went to the local video store and saw it on pure chance. So, I bought a snack and rented it for the weekend.

to see that movie so instead i went to the local video store and saw it on pure chance so i bought a snack and rented it for

And wouldn’t you know it, but it’s storming again tonight, so things will be just like they were then!

the weekend and wouldn't you know it but it's storming again tonight so things will be just like they

[*smack*]

were then

Ehh, it’s close enough…

that's close enough alright let's get

Alright, let’s get started. I’ve gotta say, for a 2003 RTS game (especially one on console), these character models are impressively detailed.

started i've got to say for a 2003 rts game especially when on console these character models are impressively

You might think the powers of emulation are skewing me on that, but no, I looked at it natively too.

detailed you might think the powers of emulation are skewing me on that but no i looked

Textures have tiny details, and all around, the units are easily readable.

at it natively too textures have tiny details and all around the units are easily readable

So upping the render resolution does make it pop out more, but the good stuff was always there.

so upping the render resolution does make it pop out more but the good stuff

Beyond that, there’s solid animation work, including sync-kills, and “Dawn of War” won’t be coming out for another year.

was always there beyond that there's solid animation work including sync kills and dawn of war

Upgrading units also makes them change visually. Some are a lot more subtle than others, but it’s a great touch.

won't be coming out for another year upgrading units also makes them change visually some are a lot more subtle than

I love when games do that, and they really do nail the art style. Captain America and his Oculus Rift would fit right into James Cameron’s “Aliens”.

others but it's a great touch i love when games do that and they really do nail the art style captain america and his oculus rift would fit

right into james cameron's aliens

And you can give them a bigger firework launcher.

and you can give him a bigger firework

But that fidelity isn’t free (especially on the PS2). For one, you don’t get that many units per faction.

launcher but that fidelity isn't free especially on a ps2 for one you don't

The most you can get are the xenomorphs with 45, but once you reach it, the game engine starts breaking down a bit. No surprise, this also happens on console.

get that many units per faction the most you can get are the xenomorphs with 45 but once you reach it the game engine starts breaking down a bit

no surprise this also happens on console

Secondly, outside of precious few exceptions, the levels are incredibly bland.

secondly outside of precious few exceptions the levels are incredibly

You’ll actually be surprised to see plants or buildings or much of anything. And when you do, this stuff is ugly for the time period.

bland you'll actually be surprised to see plants or buildings or much of anything and when you do this stuff is ugly for the time period

They had to make sacrifices for the character models, and it really shows. It’s not too hard to actually see the seams on the ground.

they had to make sacrifices for the character models and it really shows it's not too hard to actually see the

It’s not horrible enough to make it “AvP: Checkers”, so, if you had a bad TV like mine, you might not have noticed it.

seams on the ground it's not horrible enough to make it avp checkers so if you had a bad tv like mine you might not

That said, the level pallet is still awful. Every map is either grey or green.

have noticed it that said the level palette is still awful every map is either gray or green

Sometimes, the game has mercy on you, and it will slightly tint it red, but that’s about it.

sometimes the game has mercy on you and will slightly tint it red but that's

For reference, one of the big shakeups is playing inside of this laboratory. A Staples in “AvP: Extinction” is like Disney World.

about it for reference one of the big shake-ups is playing inside of this laboratory a staples in avp extinction is like disney

So, some neat models and animations, and horrible everything else. Which is remarkably similar to “Metal Fatigue”.

world so some neat models and animations and horrible everything else which is remarkably similar to metal fatigue

Which is actually not that remarkable, because it’s the same developer.

which is actually not that remarkable because it's the same developer

This makes “Extinction” their second asymmetric RTS game.

this makes extinction their second asymmetric rts game i wasn't kidding

I wasn’t kidding when I said it wouldn’t be the last time I talked about them, but we’re not getting to “Mr. Bones” just yet.

when i said it wouldn't be the last time i talked about them but we're not going

I’m really scraping the barrel here, but at least “Metal Fatigue” had snow maps.

to miss their bones just yet i'm really scraping the barrel here but at least metal fatigue had snow maps

The intro actually showed a decent amount of snowy areas, but none in the game unfortunately.

the intro actually showed a decent amount of snowy areas but none in the

Then again, if I start judging games on their cutscenes, I might as well bully myself.

game unfortunately then again if i start judging games their cutscenes i might as

So then we have the sound design. A lot of it is movie-authentic, but also very compressed, so your mileage may vary. [compressed Alien hissing] [compressed Predator roar] [compressed pulse rifle fire and beeping of motion trackers]

well bully myself so then we have the sound design a lot of it is movie authentic but also very compressed so your mileage may vary

The thing is, the PC shooters did this too, but the sound effects were much cleaner.

the thing is the pc shooters did this too but the sound effects are much

And weirdly enough, they share a lot of sounds between them, but for very different purposes. Some are pretty easy to place.

cleaner and weirdly enough they share a lot of sounds between them but for very different purposes

MARINE "A-ah!" MARINE "A-ah!" Hmm…

some are pretty easy to place

MARINE "A-ah!" A-ah! So was that scream from one of the movies?

so was that scream from all the movies

Okay, how about this one? [mechanical wizzing] SPACE COW: "Mo-o-o..." 😭

okay how about this one

[*wizz*] There’s tons of weird examples like this. I’ll stop before I get sick.

there's tons of weird examples like this

[sounds of being sick]

i'll stop before i get sick

As far as voice acting goes, the mission narration is very clean and well done, but the rest of it is the most…

as far as voice acting goes the mission narration is very clean and well done but the rest of it is the most

Well, you can tell they grabbed whoever was in the office to do some lines.

well you can tell they grabbed whoever was in the office to do some lines

STEVE FROM ACCOUNTING: “I’ve spotted a Predator!”

i've spotted a predator there's barely

There’s barely any voice acting at all, so I do find it kinda charming.

any voice acting at all so i do find it

MARINE: “OH MY GAHD!”

kind of charming oh my god

[Alien huffing]

what's not charming is how the audio is

What’s not charming is how the audio is mixed. When battles get big, it’s an assault on your ears, too. Because it does seem fine AT FIRST.

mixed when battles get big it's an assault on your ears too because it does seem fine

And then… [all the sounds of a battle overlap and form obnoxious cacophony]

at first and then

I’ve had people ask why I point out things like sound, and this is an example why.

i've had people ask why i point out things like sound and this is an example

Someone can make a great sound effect, but properly layering and triggering them is a skill.

why someone can make a great sound effect but properly layering and triggering

This is why audio engineers are one of many unsung heroes for video games. A good sound effect is half the battle – how it’s implemented is the other.

them is a skill this is why audio engineers are one of many unsung heroes for video games a good sound effect is half the battle

how it's implemented is the other

You don’t have to alter the movie sounds too much for an FPS game. There’s a lot going on, but not that many. But for an RTS…

you don't have to alter the movie sounds too much for an fps game there's a lot going on but not that many

[if you're reading these because you can't hear, know that you've dodged a bullet here]

but for an rts [Music]

This is noise. Terrible, terrible noise. [terrible, terrible noise]

this is noise terrible terrible noise

The one real saving grace of the audio is the music.

the one real saving grace of the audio

There is a good variety and blend of Alien- and Predator-inspired tracks, and each faction gets about a half an hour of music each.

is the music there's a good variety and blend of alien and predator-inspired tracks and each faction gets about a half an

[tense strings with iconic tapping]

hour of music each

MARINE: “Copy that!” [tense strings with iconic tapping] [tense strings with iconic tapping] [tribal drums and chanting]

copy that

[foreboding orchestral theme]

[Music]

You have the Predator horns, the Alien strings – a great mix. But there is one Alien track that sounds like a Captain Beefheart experiment. [*quawk*]

you have the predator horns the alien strings a great mix but there is one alien track that sounds like a captain beefheart experiment

[*quawk*] [*WRYYYYY*] [dramatic music sting] [tortured warbling]

[Music]

[another dramatic sting]

It’s like a seagull being murdered in a haunted house. My brain is screaming that my eyes should be seeing a claymation adventure game, and not this.

it's like a seagull being murdered in a haunted house my brain is screaming that my eyes should be seeing a claymation adventure game and not this

Still, even with the music being good, I can barely stand how this game sounds.

still even with the music being good i can barely stand how this game sounds

"It's quiet." Still, even with the music being good, I can barely stand how this game sounds.

it's just clawing my ears out in the

It’s just clawing my ears out in the same way “Fire Warrior” did.

same way fire warrior did i've already

I already failed to recapture my youth by emulating the game, so I guess I’ll add another treat…

failed to recapture my youth by emulating the game so i guess i'll add

[*slam*]

another treat

Even with the cool units and music, the presentation feels like it’s actively attacking me. The lack of map variation and the sound balling together.

even with the cool units and music the presentation feels like it's actively attacking me the lack of map variation and the sound

It’s like you’re staring in a mud puddle, and your apartment neighbors have kids that are just screaming at each other at the top of their lungs.

balling together it's like you're staring at a mud puddle and your apartment neighbors have kids they're just screaming each other at the top of

So this is bad. BUT, grading on a curve of all RTS games I’ve played, this is actually pretty average. So let’s move on.

their lungs so this is bad but grading on a curve of all rts games i've played this is actually pretty average

Now, having heard all of that, you might think the controls are a vortex of pain too, but they’re not. They’re actually very well done.

so let's move on now having heard all of that you might think the controls are vortex of pain too but they're not they're actually very well done

The left stick moves the screen, the right stick moves around the mini-map and allows you to jump around easily.

the left stick moves the screen the right stick moves around the mini-map

Yeah, it’s still stiff, and will never be as fluid as mouse and keyboard, but I didn’t find myself fighting the controls all that often.

and allows you to jump around easily yeah it's still stiff and will never be as fluid as mouse and keyboard but i didn't find myself fighting the controls

You can make groups with the D-pad and snap to an event with a button.

all that often you can make groups with a d-pad and snap to an event with a

It’s not a micro-intensive game, and there’s no base-building, outside of the Alien – and even that’s barely base-building.

button it's not a micro-intensive game and there's no base building outside of the alien and even that's barely base

So it gets the job done in a simple and elegant way. Now I can finally go through all the factions.

building so it gets the job done in a simple and elegant way now i can finally go through

First up is the United States Colonial Marine Corps. As per usual, they’re out to do company dirty work.

all the factions first up is the united states colonial marine corps as per usual they're out to

They’re a mobile force, and each of their units has a specialized role.

do company dirty work they're a mobile force and each one of their units has a specialized role

The regular Infantry is your trusted go-getter. With enough of them, they’re good at murdering pretty much anything.

the regular infantry is your trusted go-getter with enough of them they're good at murdering pretty much anything

There wasn’t a single mission where I didn’t upgrade them with better armor and grenade launchers.

there wasn't a single mission where i didn't upgrade them with better armor

Upgrades affect all current and future units, so it’s a good deal.

and grenade launchers upgrades affect all current and future

You have facehugger-immune Flamethrowers, which massacre things up close, and are weak to range.

units so it's a good deal you have face hugger mean flamethrowers which massacre things up close and are weak to range

Deadly Snipers that are the opposite and can be upgraded to shoot through walls.

deadly snipers are the opposite and can be upgraded to shoot through walls

The company Androids who carry the iconic motion tracker and also carry everything else.

the company androids who carry the iconic motion tracker and also carry

There’s more, but you get the idea. You wanna tailor your forces to the weakness of the enemy, and you have a lot of options in doing that.

everything else there's more but you get the idea you want to tailor your forces to the weakness of the enemy and you have lot

You don’t get every unit from the first mission, but they do unlock periodically throughout the campaign.

of options in doing that you don't get every unit from the first mission but they do unlock periodically throughout

In the missions, their limit is money, and they do earn a small amount by killing enemies,

the campaign in the missions their limit is money and they do earn a small amount by killing

but the main source is repairing and securing some atmosphere processors.

enemies but the main source is repairing and securing some atmosphere processors

These give money for a while, before expiring.

these give money for a while before

Each map has a few, and a lot of the battles are centered around capturing or holding them. They’re never main objectives, but always a worthy target.

expiring each map has a few and a lot of the battles are centered around capturing or holding them they're never main objectives but always a

You actually buy your troops and upgrades through a Commtech unit.

worthy target you actually buy your troops and upgrades through a commtech unit he's

He’s responsible for keeping machinery maintained, and, on a larger level, all of your people. And the people-machinery too, I guess…

responsible for keeping machinery maintained and on a larger level all of your people and the people

Reinforcing is not an instant process. They get dropped in after a while in a designated landing zone. This can get really hairy.

machinery too i guess reinforcing is not an instant process they get dropped in after a while in a designated landing zone

Hold on, exosuits are on the way!

this can get really hairy hold on exo-suits are on the way

So you need to keep your troops alive and make sure your Commtech stays safe. It’s always good to have a few.

so you need to keep your troops alive and make sure your comptex stays safe

So, fights can have some tension, knowing that, if you’re not careful, you might lose your reinforcement supply.

it's always good to have a few so fights can have some tension knowing that if you're not careful you might lose your

You could finish missions without them, but it will be tricky.

reinforcement supply you could finish missions without them

Now, you could complete missions normally, but there are some bonuses.

but it'll be tricky now you could complete missions normally but there are

All missions have a time limit to beat, and usually optional objectives. Some of these won’t be revealed until partway through the mission.

some bonuses all missions have a time limit to beat and usually optional objectives some of these won't be revealed until

Trying to accomplish both can make missions challenging and genuinely fun.

part way through the mission trying to accomplish both can make missions challenging and genuinely fun

The relatively smaller scale and specialized units makes the gameplay feel very tactical.

the relatively smaller scale in specialized units makes the gameplay

Do you wanna avoid Androids for more firepower? Better hope they don’t have invisible bois.

feel very tactical do you want to avoid androids for more firepower better hope they don't have

Are the xenomorphs sending your troops into a coma to drag them off into the hive? Well, the doctor is in.

invisible boys are the xenomorphs sending your troops into a coma to drag them off into the hive

[marine getting his shots]

well the doctor is in make no mistake

Make no mistake, this is a difficult game, especially if you go for the optional time and mission objectives.

this is a difficult game especially if you go for the optional time and mission

Your main goals are the standard RTS affair, with nothing really unique or out there, which is disappointing for the setting.

objectives your main goals are the standard rts fare with nothing really unique or out there which is disappointing for the

But, despite everything, I was having fun with it. Especially when I rediscovered my love for the exosuits.

setting but despite everything i was having fun with it especially when i rediscovered my love for the exo suits

It wouldn’t be until “E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy” that their fire rate was surpassed. [steadily rising rate of fire]

it wouldn't be until i divined cybermancy that their fire rate was surpassed

[it reaches what you'd expect from a gatling gun]

[Music]

Oh, I’m sorry about that – I meant the upgrade.

oh i'm sorry about that i meant the

[wailing squall of lead]

upgrade

So the lesson is: you can drown out obnoxious sound effects if you fill the air with “brrt”.

so the lesson is you can drown out obnoxious sound effects if you fill the

Unlocking them is powerful for morale. That said, this is the same mission where you hit the difficulty cliff.

air with bert unlocking them is powerful for morale that said this is the same mission where you hit the difficulty cliff

It’s the second to last mission, but, man, things get hard…

it's the second to last mission but man

You fight every other faction in the game, including humans, and they’re all teamed up against you somehow.

things get hard you fight every other faction in the game including humans and they're all teamed up against you

You crawl through a hell dungeon to get to the top of the big map, and there is no money up there, so it’s an endurance round.

somehow you crawl through a hell dungeon to get to the top of a big map and there's some money up there so it's an endurance

You have to keep taking down Predator anti-aircraft guns, which sounds easy, right?

round you have to keep taking on predator anti-aircraft guns which sounds easy

Well, not when you attack them and they reveal more and more turrets around them. And you have no money.

right well not when you attack them when they reveal more and more turrets around them

Also, I didn’t mention it yet, but the biggest problem the gameplay here has is pathfinding.

and you have no money also i didn't mention it yet but the biggest problem the gameplay here has is

That’s one of the chief elements you don’t want going wrong in an RTS game.

pathfinding that's one of the chief elements you don't want going wrong in

You click your army somewhere, and most will go, but some will just wander off. Or they’ll get bunched up in a tight area and start freaking out.

an rts game you click your army somewhere and most will go but some will just wander off or they'll get bunched up in a tight area

You just want them to go up, and a bunch of guys just run off into the hallways.

and start freaking out you just want to go up and a bunch of guys just run off into the hallways

Where are they going? Do they know how dangerous it is out there alone?

where are they going do they know how dangerous it is out there alone

So, the more complex the map, the more likely this happens. Doing this in a time limit AND with a bonus objective is absolute hell.

so the more complex the map the more likely this happens doing this in the time limit and with the bonus objective

But, if I don’t do that, then I don’t get the special mission medal.

is absolute hell but if i don't do that then i don't get the special mission

What am I supposed to do? Just not get it? 🙄

medal what am i supposed to do just not get it

So, after several tries, I finally do it – three minutes to spare.

so after several tries i finally do it three minutes to spare

You may be wondering why I’m not talking about the story. Well, it’s told in these screens before the missions, and that’s it.

you may be wondering why i'm not talking about the story well it's told in these screens before the missions and that's

There are precious few in-game reveals, and nothing really noteworthy. I do like this artwork though.

it there are precious few in-game reveals and nothing really noteworthy i do like this artwork though so spoiler

So, spoiler warning, here’s the ending for the Marine campaign. [*KA-BOOM*]

warning here's the ending for the marine campaign

No cutscene, no screen, not even a “you win” – it’s just… it’s done.

no cutscene no screen not even a you win it's just

But what if you get all the medals? Sorry, but no, you just unlock cheats.

it's done but what if you get all the medals sorry but no you just unlock

Maybe something happens if I get them for every faction? Surely, right?

cheats maybe something happens if i get them for every faction surely

So it was buggy and loud, but I had a surprisingly okay time with the Marine campaign.

right so it was buggy and loud but i had a surprisingly okay time with the marine

For some reason, I don’t remember much of the Predator one, so I guess I’ll find out why.

campaign for some reason i don't remember much the predator one so i guess i'll find

We start off next to lava water, straight from “Oblivion”. I’m not sure what it means yet.

out why we start off next to lava water straight from oblivion i'm not sure what it means

The Predators are a smaller, but more elite force.

yet the predators are a smaller but more

For one, most of their units can cloak, which is governed by an energy meter. The cloaks have gotten better since the movies, since they now work in water.

elite force for one most their units can cloak which is governed by an energy meter the cloaks have gotten better since the movies since they now work in

This meter can also be used to heal them at any time. And thanks to the movie “The Predator”, we can now speculate on whether or not they’re shooting up autism.

water this meter can also be used to heal them at any time and thanks to the movie the predator we can now speculate on whether

or not they're shooting up autism

The Shrine is their base unit. Unlike the Marine Commtech, they can only get one, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

the shrine is their base unit unlike the marine com tech they can only get one and when it's gone it's gone it is tanky

It is tanky and has heat death ray, so that does make up for it. It also comes with near-instant reinforcement.

and has heat death rays so that doesn't make up for it it also comes with near

Now pair that with vision upgrades. These let you see enemies inside the fog of war and still blast them.

instant reinforcement now pair that with vision upgrades these let you see enemies inside the fog of

And if you do this while cloaked, the AI does not react to the attack at all. This will make them easy prey, and instead of money, you get honor points.

war and still blast them and if you do the swell cloak the ai does not react to the attack at all this will make them easy prey and

instead of money you get honor points

You earn a few from kills, but much more from taking trophies. The deadlier the prey, the higher the payout.

you earn a few from kills but much more from taking trophies the deadlier the

So you could go and mass-murder harmless space cows, but there won’t be much for it.

prey the higher the payout so you could go and mass murder harmless space cows

It’s all simple, and the roster looks powerful. The first mission is a breeze, so time for the second.

but there won't be much for it it's all simple and the roster looks powerful the first mission is a breeze

“Kill five units and take their trophies.” Easy enough.

so time for the second kill five units and take their trophies easy enough

Wattafuk?

what the [ __ ] [Music]

Why are there so many? It’s the second mission!

why are there so many it's the second

It’s- It’s just the second mission!

mission it's it's just the second mission after

After several tries, I barely make it in time, 7 seconds to spare.

several tries i barely make it in time seven seconds to spare maybe it's like

Maybe it’s like Marine 6, and this one will be easier. You know, I got OVER the difficulty hump. [DOOM 2016 OST - BFG Division]

marine six and this one will be easier you know i got over the difficulty hump

I’m… supposed to hunt animals in this mission.

i'm supposed to hunt animals in this mission

What’s happening?

what's happening the challenge spike is

The challenge spike is HUGE for so soon. And I’m only playing on Medium!

huge for so soon and i'm only playing on medium i even

I even knocked it down to Easy to check, and the swarm still came.

knocked it down to easy to check and the

What’s worse is, like the Marine campaign, you fight human and Predator enemies, but they don’t fight each other.

swarm still came what's worse is like the marine campaign you fight human and predator enemies but

Actually, it sure looks like they’re working together to screw me over. There’s no story reason for this.

they don't fight each other actually it sure looks like they're working together to screw me over there's no story reason for this

I’ve played missions where the enemies DO fight each other, so why did these ones have teamwork and absurd numbers of enemies?

i've played missions where the enemies do fight each other so why do these ones have teamwork and absurd numbers of

The mission right after this is a fairly easy sneaking mission. And after that, you unlock Military Predators, which are absurdly powerful.

enemies the mission right after this is a fairly easy sneaking mission and after that you unlock military predators which are

In a way, the Predator in the movie was just a redneck shooting some deer. So what do these guys bring?

absurdly powerful in a way the predator in the movie was just a redneck shooting some deer so

Apparently, artillery-range auto-targeting cluster missiles. Also, the sweeping heat beams of death.

what do these guys bring apparently artillery range auto targeting cluster missiles also the sweeping heat beams of death

These are all upgradeable, too, so, after this point, the campaign is kind of a joke.

these are all upgradable too so after this point the campaign is kind of a

[sounds of relentless annihilation]

joke

It is mindless, but it’s mindless FUN. To the point that the last mission has an optional objective that’s just “don’t use them”.

it is mindless but it's mindless fun to the point that the last mission has an optional objective that's just don't use

It’s like the progression balance is at random.

them it's like the progression balances at

After much suffering, I did unlock cheats, and I wanted to see what the deal with Mission 3 was.

random after much suffering i did unlock cheats and i want to see what the deal

One lets you spy on the enemy, and there’s not many here. Then someone walks far enough to trigger it. The mini-map starts exploding with new signatures.

with mission 3 was one lets you spy on the enemy and there's not many here then someone walks far enough to trigger it the minimap

starts exploding with new signatures

I’ve seen tons of RTS games cheat resources or build speed, but this is something else.

i've seen tons of rts games cheat resources or build speed but

This Marine horde is far past their population count. But that’s still not enough, because they’re still being spawned in the conventional way.

this is something else this marine horde is far past their population count but that's still not enough because they're still being spawned in the conventional

I’m starting to truly realize why I never got far into the Predator campaign.

way i'm starting to truly realize why i never got far into the predator campaign

Was this to artificially make the game longer, to combat renting it? Wouldn’t these fights horribly lag out a PS2?

was this to artificially make the game longer to combat renting it wouldn't these fights horribly lag out

I feel like my soul won’t be at rest until I have answers…

of ps2 i feel like my soul won't be at rest until i have answers

The progression is so busted and weird that it’s all I think about whenever I think back to the Predator missions.

the progression is so busted and weird that it's all i think about whenever i think back to the predator missions

The roster is cool, but the experience is either braindead easy or madness hard.

the roster is cool but the experience is either brain dead easy or madness hard

When I played without military guys, it did bring things back to sanity, but there’s no salvaging the earlier stuff.

when i played without military guys it did bring things back to sanity but there's no salvaging the earlier stuff

It’s not the worst “Predator” game… thing… I’ve played. There were fun unit combinations and tactics to pull off.

it's not the worst predator game thing i've played there were fun unit combinations and tactics to pull off

The situations you’re put in though… It’s just a mess.

the situations you're put in though it's

When it comes down to it, I’d still rather play this than see “The Predator” ever again. Is was just a strange experience overall, but the artwork is still good.

just a mess when it comes down to it i'd still rather play this than see the predator ever again it was just a strange experience overall

but the artwork is still good

Okay, one last faction…

okay one last faction now is the time to

“Now is the time to breed and grow and dominate.”

breed and grow and dominate our xenomorph

Our xenomorph friends play very differently than the rest. They’re melee-focused and have superior numbers. Without cheating.

friends play very differently than the rest they're melee focused and have superior numbers without cheating

The Aliens gain currency by downing their enemies in combat, and that’s it.

the aliens gain currency by downing their enemies in combat and that's it

The reason for that is that they don’t use currency as much as the other species’. They can’t just buy more units to spawn in.

the reason for that is that they don't use currencies much as the other species they can't just buy more units to spawn

Instead, the hive Queen needs to start laying eggs. Then your unconscious victims can be dragged in and impregnated.

in instead the hive queen needs to start laying eggs then your unconscious victims can be dragged in and

You go through the facehugger, the chestburster, the cocoon – it’s the whole process.

impregnated you go through the facehugger the chest bursts or the cocoon it's a whole process

The ideal scenario is having a constant drag parade. The more bodies you bring in, the more xenos you hatch.

the ideal scenario is having a constant drag parade the more bodies you bring in the more xenos you hatch so

So that’s already radically different, but there are more nuances to it. For one, the kind of Alien you get depends on the host body.

that's already radically different but there are more nuances to it for one the kind of alien you get depends on the

Animals can make Drones or Runners, humans can make Warriors, Predators make Predaliens – you get the idea.

host body animals can make drones or runners humans can make warriors predators make pred aliens you get the idea

However, you can take it even farter, through upgrades.

however you can take it even farther

How about the Drone? Well, they’re given an acid that makes the host bodies more ideal for gestation.

through upgrades how about the drone well they're given an acid that makes the host bodies more ideal for gestation

So, if you bring them along for your victim-hunting parties, you’ll spawn more powerful variants of the Aliens.

so if you bring them along for your victim hunting parties you'll spawn more powerful variants of the aliens

Of course, you could just hatch the eggs and send the facehuggers out, but that’s not always a good idea.

of course you could just hatch the eggs and send the facehuggers out but that's

They’re incredibly vulnerable to every weapon, and some enemies are near impossible, or straight up impossible to facehug when they’re alive.

not always a good idea they're incredibly vulnerable to every weapon and some enemies are near impossible or straight up impossible to

Plus, when they’re outside of your hive infestation, their health is always going down. So you can make it work, but you’ll likely lose a few.

facehug when they're alive plus when they're outside your hive infestation their health is always going down

so you can make it work but you'll

This makes having your Drones tidy up and build a nice home an advantage. It’s a safe place for facehuggers to play, and it also heals all your units up.

likely lose a few this makes having your drones tidy up and build a nice home and advantage it's a safe place for face huggers to

play and it also heals all your units up

And I mean DRAMATICALLY heal them up.

and i mean dramatically heal them up

Check out Lt. Dan here. Looks to me like he’s ready to go back to the jungle.

check out lieutenant dan here looks to me like he's ready to go back

To make it even better, if anything even touches your infestation, you’ll know where they are for a long, long time.

to the jungle to make it even better if anything even touches your infestation you'll know where they are for a long

In conclusion: xenomorph hive is prime real estate. Remember, you can always move if a new lot opens up.

long time in conclusion xenomorph 5 is prime real estate remember you can always move if a new lot opens

You also have the option of going for a pure strain of the parasite.

up you also have the option of going for

These are the Praetorians, and morphing a regular egg into one of theirs does cost money. But no matter what host you have, you always get a Praetorian Alien.

a pure strain of the parasite these are the praetorians and morphing a regular egg into one of theirs does cost money but no matter what host you have you

From here, it can morph into a Queen, if your hive is missing one, or two other strains.

always get a praetorian alien from here it can morph into a queen if your hive is missing one or two other strains

There’s the Ravager, which is just a brick shithouse of power. It’s incredibly deadly, but, unlike other Aliens, it kills its enemies outright.

there's the ravager which is just a brick [ __ ] house of power it's incredibly deadly but unlike other aliens it kills its enemies outright no

No face means no facehugging.

face means no face hugging

On the opposite end, you can make a hive-supporting Carrier. This one ferries facehuggers around like a horrible camel spider.

on the opposite end you can make a hive supporting carrier this one fairies facehuggers around like a horrible camel

If anyone gets too close, it’ll chuck a facehugger at them.

spider if anyone gets too close it'll

So, yeah, the Aliens have a lot going on. Their campaign definitely has some harder levels, but nothing like the Predator one.

chuck a facehugger at them so yeah the aliens have a lot going on their campaign definitely has some harder levels but nothing like the

It’s unique and genuinely like nothing else I’ve played in an RTS.

predator one it's unique and genuinely like nothing else i've played in an rts while the

While the majority of missions are still mainly your standard RTS affair, they do venture out a little bit.

majority of missions are still mainly your standard rts fare they do venture

It challenges you to master the lifecycle and pick out the right hosts and Aliens for the job.

out a little bit it challenges you to master the life cycle and pick out the right hosts and

There’s still not much going on in the story. It mainly revolves around you fighting, eh… premium currency Aliens that Weyland-Yutani is making.

aliens for the job there's still not much going on in the story it mainly revolves around you fighting

uh premium currency aliens that weyland

I’m not kidding, they just have gold skins. “Extinction” is really a fever dream sometimes.

yutani is making i'm not kidding they just have gold skins extinction is really a fever dream

Eagle-eyed RTS veterans may have noticed the problem already. Aliens are a melee-focused horde faction, with a complicated lifecycle.

sometimes eagle-eyed rts veterans may have noticed a problem already aliens are melee focused toward faction with a

So let’s see how long a new unit takes in the best possible conditions where everything is already set up. [*shlurp*] [*hop*] FACEHUGGER: "Ach!"

complicated life cycle so let's see how long a new unit takes in the best possible conditions where everything is already set up

Okay, nearly half a minute.

okay nearly half a minute that seems

That seems like it would be a detriment, but you can upgrade eggs to have two or three or four facehuggers in them,

like would be a detriment but you can upgrade eggs to have two or three or

and the facehuggers themselves can eventually put two embryos in certain hosts.

four facehuggers in them and the facehuggers themselves can eventually put two embryos in certain hosts

So what if you lose a battle and just have nothing but the Queen?

so what if you lose a battle and just have nothing but the queen well

Well… she’s THE QUEEN.

she's the queen if she sees a problem

If she sees a problem, she could just get right up and slap the shit out of it. Vengefully.

she could just get right up and slap the [ __ ] out of it

She is a mother, but also a career woman. And her career is ubering anyone and anything into the next life.

vengefully she is a mother but also a career woman and her career is ubering anyone and anything into the next life

That could explain the cult…

that could explain the cult so no that's

So, no, that’s not an issue. The real issue is their actual combat gameplay.

not an issue the real issue is their

You’re all about numbers and melee, and can only influence this through a controller, so your gameplay is gonna be very blobby.

actual combat gameplay you're all about numbers and melee and can only influence this through a controller so your gameplay is going to be very

Sure, you can control-group them to separate them out or avoid AOE weapons, but there’s not a whole lot to it.

blobby sure you can control group them to separate them out or avoid aoe weapons but there's not a whole lot to

It is fun being a swarm, and there is enjoyment in managing the hive and hatching all these different Alien types, but the combat itself…

it it is fun being a swarm and there's enjoyment in managing the hive and hatching all these different alien types

You really can’t go wrong just making a murder ball. It could get stuck, because the pathfinding is still terrible, but you knew that.

but the combat itself you really can't go wrong just making a murderball it could get stuck because the pathfinding is still terrible but

I truly do think there’s something to this lifecycle idea. Even outside of an RTS game, like an Alien hive management game or something.

you knew that i truly do think there's something to this lifecycle idea even outside of an rts game like an alien hive management

I think I’d love playing that.

game or something i think i'd love playing that back on

Back on track, I got all the medals, and no, there’s no secret ending or screen or anything. It’s only the same cheats as always.

track i got all the medals and no there's no secret ending or screen or anything it's only the same cheats as always i

I can accept that the campaigns had terrible, terrible moments. Entire stretches of them, stacked on top of each other.

can accept that the campaigns had terrible terrible moments entire stretches of them stacked on top

The thing is, with the asymmetrical gameplay, and all the different units, there’s a lot of hope for skirmish!

of each other the thing is with the asymmetrical gameplay and all the different units there's a lot of hope for skirmish maybe

Maybe Military Predators are more expensive there or something. If there was system link, I could see this being a great time in multiplayer.

military predators are more expensive there or something if there was system link i could see this being a great time in multiplayer

Well, trick or treat, there’s none of that… There is a lot of lore to read up on, but no more game.

well trick or treat there's none of that there is a lot of lore to read up on but

This was disappointing back then, but even more so now, because I know they made “Metal Fatigue”.

no more game this was disappointing back then but even more so now because i know

Sure, that did have a lot of issues, but it also had everything you’d expect in an RTS.

they made metal fatigue sure that did have a lot of issues but it also had everything you'd expect in

I get the sense this game was rushed out far before the vision was completed.

an rts i get this sense this game was rushed out far before the vision was completed

Elements like so much voice acting sounding like placeholder when I know they’ve done better. Missions just having a number, with no real ending.

elements like so much voice acting sounding like placeholder when i know they've done better missions just having a number with no

I just have this nagging feeling about it.

real ending i just have this nagging

What’s even stranger is you’d think this game might have been rushed out for the movie, but no, the movie wasn’t even in production when the game came out.

feeling about it what's even strangers you think this game might have been rushed out for the movie but no the movie wasn't even in

They crunched on that movie, trying to get “Freddy vs Jason” money.

production when the game came out they crunched in that movie trying to get freddie versus jason money i can't

I can’t really recommend it. It’s not like some hidden console gem you need in your collection.

really recommend it it's not like some hidden console gemini in your collection

There are monumentally better “AvP” games and RTS games, but this is a fascinating little title.

there are monumentally better avp games and rts games but this is a fascinating

I would love to know more about it, because I could barely find a thing.

little title i would love to know more about it because i could barely find a thing back

Back when I did the “Return of the King” video, I actually had one of the animators reach out to me.

when i did the return of the king video i actually had one of the animators

I never thoroughly combed his brain or anything,

reach out to me i never thoroughly combed his brain or

but only talking to him for a bit gave me more insight on that game and the “Third Age”, and I felt a little bit… more at peace, I guess.

anything but only talking to him for a bit gave me more insight on that game and the third age and i felt a little bit

But those were games I loved playing. This was one I liked playing, and sometimes hated playing.

more at peace i guess but those were games i loved playing this was when i liked playing and sometimes hated playing

Even back then, I remember the feeling of it being like a weird dream I was having. This was a monkey’s paw wish for me.

even back then i remember the feeling of it being like a weird dream i was having this was a monkey's paw wish for me i

I can only lament that the game wasn’t made for PC. Beyond the obvious control issues, there could have been fan patches or mods or who knows…

can only lament that the game wasn't made for pc beyond the obvious control issues there could have been fan patches or mods or

It is appropriate to start October with something that haunts me to this day.

who knows it is appropriate to start october with something that haunts me to this day

To its credit, “Extinction” never screamed “ODST!” at me over and over, so, I guess there’s that.

to its credit extinction never screamed odst at me over and over so i guess

More to come soon. Something scarier. MARINE: “I’ll get some backup!”

there's that more to come soon something scarier

It might not have been the “AvP” game people expected, but maybe some deserved it. I don’t know what all of you get up to.

[Music] it might not have been the avp game people expected but maybe some deserved it i don't know what all you get up to

RamblingRhetoric: “Do RTS games have a place on console, and which one do [you] think has the best controls?”

do rts games have a place on console and which one do i think has the best

They do have a place there. Some sell well.

controls they do have a place there some so well

The controls in “Extinction” are solid, but I’d have to say “Pikmin”. But if we meant like a traditional RTS game, probably “Halo Wars”.

the controls in extinction are solid but i'd have to say pick men but if we meant like a traditional rts game probably

Pontus Jönsson: “Do you have media you come back to every Halloween?”

halo wars do you have media you come back to every

For games, “Dead Space”, but for movies and TV I have too many. Might need to make a list somewhere.

halloween for games dead space but for movies and tv i have too many might need to make a list somewhere what

Doyes: “What are [your] expectations for “Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines 2”?”

are my expectations for vampire masquerade bloodlines too

I was uncertain at the announcement, but with all the recent news, now they’re pretty low. I’ll be glad if it turns out really good though.

i was uncertain at the announcement but with all the recent news now they're pretty low i'll be glad if it turns out really good

Tim farrons dog: “What are your expectations for “Warhammer: The Old World”?”

though what are your expectations for

If they put things back, it’ll be fine. If they do a prequel, that could be a disaster.

warhammer the old world if they put things back it'll be fine if they do a prequel that could be a

Marksnus: “Pulse rifle or smartgun?”

disaster pulse rifle or smart gun i do think the

I do think the pulse rifle is cooler, but if I was in a situation, I’d want a smartgun.

pulse rifle is cooler but if i was in the situation i'd want a smart gun it

It basically auto-aims for me, and in reality, I’d probably kill myself with the grenade launcher.

basically auto aims for me and in reality i'd probably kill myself with a

Shrapnel is a fast little friend, and you never know when he’s visiting.

grenade launcher shrapnel is a fast little friend and you

Okay, more October stuff soon!

never know when he's visiting okay more october stuff soon