'Aliens versus Predator' seems like a perfect fit. Take the galaxy's ultimate hunter and give him the galaxy's ultimate prey. Of course, it didn't take long for anyone to figure this combination out since the hunt has been going on for at least 10 years in books and comics. There have even been a number of games depicting this clash of sci-fi bad asses, ranging from FPS's to Final Fight-like brawlers on a number of systems. Even the ill-fated Jaguar played host to an excellent Aliens versus Predator game. Though it's been a few years, the hunt is back in full swing, only this time as an RTS. And, even though it's an interesting take on the series, there are a still a few flaws that hold it back.

Visuals and sound are clearly Aliens versus Predator: Extinction's strong suits. Character models do an excellent job faithfully representing different troop types. The deeper you delve into the game, you'll even see some new troop types like the Predator Hydra and the Marine Exosuit. It's all very, very cool. Even though the game's levels look good, they are very static and except for the random lava pool or geyser, lack the same life found in other RTSs. Sound is about the same, with a familiar mix of machine gun fire, attack shrieks and that weird clicking noise of Predator. A hollow, industrial soundtrack compliments the effects and helps give the game its gritty feel. A few nice graphical touches, such as Predators collecting the skulls of fallen enemies and then giving out a triumphant war cry, helps to offset what is a good, yet ultimately bland presentation.

The game begins with a group of Colonial Marines making a grisly discovery on the planet LV-724. A massive war involving the Aliens and Predators has broken out. The Marines, for reasons known only to them, decide to get involved, further escalating the already savage affair. It's up to you to decide the fate of the planet after selecting one of the three races,

At first glance, Aliens versus Predator: Extinction seems like a great concept, and it is. However, the game never seems to gel, and begins to feel like a misguided, mindless quasi-RTS after only a few missions. Even though the game is labeled an RTS, much of the strategy that makes games like Rise of Nations, Age of Mythology and Warcraft work simply aren't present. It's the margarine of RTS's. The Diet Coke of RTS's, just one calorie, not RTS enough. But anyway...

Each of the three races has their own specific skills and attributes. Marines pack unmatched firepower and an assortment of troop types like medics and synthetics. Aliens can spawn offspring faster than a rabbit in heat and prove to be the most fun to play with since you have to cultivate eggs and find hosts for Facehuggers to infest. Predators are the real muscle of the three and tend to work in smaller groups, but they also get some of the better technology like healing suits and that cool cloaking device.

As expected, most of the game revolves around building up massive armies and destroying your enemies for control of the map. However, unlike a traditional RTS, AvP: Extinction places more emphasis on troop deployment and control rather than base building. You begin the game with a set unit of troops. As you work your way though the game's labyrinthine maps, you gain points which can be spent on either calling for reinforcements or upgrading your current tech.

Make no mistakes, Aliens versus Predator: Extinction is about as hard as they come, even for RTS vets. Though each mission usually revolves around going from one side of the map to the other, the stuff in the middle can get really frustrating at times. Most of this is due to a combination of faulty controls and dumb-as-bricks ally AI. One particular aspect worth mentioning was my troop's blatant disregard for their marching orders. Whenever I would order a group to walk more than three feet in front of them, at least one of two (usually the most important guy in my group) would decide he didn't like the path I chose and would go off on his own little nature hike and you won't realize it until you hear an alarm saying that your troops are under attack or have been killed. Poor schmucks, but I run a tight ship, just ask Boomer in SOCOM.

It's a well-known fact that RTS controls rarely translate well onto console games, a notion Aliens versus Predator: Extinction only helps to reinforce. The left analog stick controls your cursor and the right stick controls the camera. This is a relatively simple concept that any player should be able to master within a matter of minutes. It's when you decide to actually do something with your troops that things get complicated. Amassing a group of troops is the first problem on the game's laundry list of control issues. Instead of dragging a box around the group you want to use, you have to place the cursor in the center of the group and hold down X as a giant blue circle envelops them. During times of peace this isn't a big issue, but try using it to order your left flank to disengage in the heat of battle and you've got problems. Targeting enemies is also a pain since enemies move faster than your thumbs ever could. After trying to manage three battles, I simply gave up and allowed the game's auto-attack to take care of things. I'm usually not one to gripe and moan about not having keyboard and mouse support, but it would have helped and those USB ports do work for things other than the SOCOM headset.

If I told you I didn't have fun with this game, I'd be lying to you. Of course the exact definition of fun would probably differ, but some 'fun' was had. At the same time, I also have a very hard time recommending the game. Though the concept is great, the follow through isn't nearly as good. After the initial thrill of the game wears off, monotony begins to sink in.