Aliens versus Predator Classic 2000 is a first-person shooter that puts players in control of one of three distinct species locked in a fight for survival across tense sci-fi environments. The game delivers three full single-player campaigns alongside a dedicated skirmish option and online multiplayer support through its Steam integration. Each species brings its own movement, weapons, and objectives, creating a loop where players switch between aggressive close combat, stealth tactics, and ranged firepower depending on the chosen faction.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around navigating linear levels filled with enemies, objectives, and environmental hazards while using species-specific tools to stay alive. Colonial Marines rely on motion trackers to detect threats, along with shotguns, grenade launchers, and flamethrowers for clearing rooms. Predators emphasize ranged precision and stealth, deploying wrist blades for melee finishes, shoulder cannons for distant targets, and a cloaking device to reposition. Aliens focus on speed and verticality, scaling walls and ceilings to ambush from above or below before tearing into foes with claws and tail strikes.
Levels span starships, space stations, colonial outposts, and alien planet surfaces, with lighting and sound design that heightens tension during exploration. One misstep often shifts the player from pursuer to target, especially when facing groups of enemies that react to noise or movement. Controller support for Xbox 360 pads allows comfortable play on modern hardware, while the original soundtrack plays throughout to reinforce the atmosphere. The experience runs on DirectX 9.0c for compatibility with current PCs and laptops.
Game Modes
Single-player content centers on three separate campaigns, one for each species, that together cover all levels from the original Gold Edition plus the Millennium Expansion Pack. These campaigns follow distinct story paths and difficulty settings that adjust enemy aggression and resource availability. Skirmish mode offers a standalone single-player challenge where players face endless waves of Aliens in arena-style encounters designed for quick, intense sessions.
Multiplayer operates through an in-game lobby browser that lets hosts create matches and players join via the Steam overlay. Friends can be invited directly, and the system attempts automatic host migration if a connection drops. Dedicated servers receive no support, keeping all online activity peer-to-peer. Matches support the same three factions with their unique abilities intact, allowing mixed-species combat across the available maps.
Species and Mechanics
Each faction operates under its own rules that reward different playstyles. Aliens gain wall-climbing and rapid movement to close distances quickly and overwhelm isolated targets. Predators combine stealth with powerful projectile options, forcing opponents to scan for visual distortions or sound cues. Marines emphasize preparation and firepower, using scanners and heavy weapons to hold positions against superior numbers or individual threats. These differences carry across both campaign levels and multiplayer matches, encouraging repeated playthroughs to master every perspective.
Is It Worth Playing?
The re-release maintains strong player approval, holding a Very Positive rating from thousands of reviews on its primary distribution platform. Recent feedback remains Mostly Positive, indicating the classic mechanics and atmosphere still resonate with fans of older first-person shooters. The game suits players who enjoy asymmetric combat, horror-tinged action, and short-to-medium campaign lengths without modern hand-holding features. Those seeking ongoing seasonal content or large-scale updates will find none, as development stopped after the initial modernization patches. Availability on current hardware and controller compatibility make it accessible for anyone interested in revisiting the 2000-era experience or trying the three-faction formula for the first time.
