We’ve just uploaded the review for Dark Horse’s latest Aliens novel, Criminal Enterprise:

“I’m not saying that the characters are boring by any means. Merely that they are very unlikeable. Quite a few of the characters have a very complex and very sordid past. They’re well fleshed out, all their motivations well explained and written. The story itself is very straight forward. It’s very much a character story.

Overall I gave the novel a 3.5. It seems that the Aliens novel just can’t find their footing as well as the recent Predator novels have. Be sure to read the whole review. While we’re on the topic of literature, Dark Horse has recently released all of it’s Alien/vs/Predator comics for download. You can find out more on our forums.

Following behind AvPvU, another marketing game for the upcoming DVD release of AvP Requiem is now out, this one called Combat Evolved:

It’s in the same sort of vein as some King Kong games where you destroy buildings and eat people. It reminded me of the War of the Worlds game for the mobile. Quite entertaining actually, I’m embarrassed to say it but it is fun. Check it out. Thanks to SiL for the news.

Another review is out for AvP Requiem, this time it’s from IGN for the Blu-Ray release. They gave it 7/10 but the reviewer mentions the Unrated version is no different to the Theatrical version. A slight exaggeration perhaps.

“The problem with announcing an “unrated” version of any film is the implication that it is, in some way, significantly different. AvP: R sports an unrated cut that is in no way different than the theatrical version. It’s easy enough to determine this fact when the DVD offers an interactive Added Footage Marker which appears on-screen with incredible infrequency, and only for a scant few moments at a time. With the exception of some inconsequential and slightly extended gore, there are no new scenes here – no fully-restored sequences never glimpsed by audiences…”

He also mentions how dark the movie is like the last review. Chances are if you thought it was dark in the cinema, this is how it will be on the DVD. Thanks to Yellow Alien for the news.

Another review of the AvP Requiem Unrated DVD can be found over on Arrow in the Head. They give the DVD 2.5/5 but the major point here is how many times the reviewer mentioned how dark the movie is. As we all know, a big complaint was about the darkness and evidently, this hasn’t been corrected on the DVD.

“In fact, I really liked the design of both the Aliens and the Predators in Requiem, but sadly, most of the time the film is so dark that you can’t see a damn thing. I didn’t see the film in the theatre, but I wonder if it was as dark on the big screen as it is here. This is a big problem much of the film, I could barely tell what was happening and I started to lose interest as to who is fighting whom.”

They go over the special features but don’t talk about the differences between the Theatrical and Unrated cut. Thanks to ScarPredator16 for the news. Also check out his Fan Review of the DVD in the forum where he mentions what new scenes are in the Unrated cut.

I was just surfing around and found that the Official AvP Requiem DVD website is now online. Beware though, it’s terribly slow. There’s various video clips from the movie as well as a few new production stills I haven’t seen before. There’s two new wallpapers too.

There’s also a link to another promo site called AvP: VU with a flash FPS game. I played it but I was killed straight away.

I come bearing news of literature and one of them is a massive shock to me. Announced sometime in 2004, Civilized Beasts look to finally be making it’s way into the stores. It recently received an updated cover and Dark Horse has just released a preview!

As well as that the profile page for Predator – South Sea China, formerly The Island, has been released. You’ll find a synopsis on there. It’s due out in August while Civilized Beasts is penciled for next month. For more information on South Sea China check out our forum. Thanks to nchurch81 for the news.

The first review of AvP Requiem DVD can be found over on DVDTalk. They reviewed the R1 Unrated edition. They’re generally negative about the movie of course and that the Unrated cut doesn’t really add anything interesting.

“Fox presents Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem in its unrated format on DVD. While some of you out there might be imagining globs of gore footage reinstated back into the film, the bulk of the footage is minor character development bits that don’t do much to flesh out the story and simply make a bad movie a longer, bad movie. That said, the scene with the hunter and his son in the forest is slightly harder now and the scene where the Colorado National Guard shows up to eliminate the alien menace is noticeably bloodier. The majority of the reinstated bits are conversational snippets and little talky pieces, though there is an interesting added bit early on where a Predator finds a downed ship containing one of his deceased brethren.”

They also looked at the commentaries and featurettes in detail. Thanks to Yellow Alien for the news.

There’s a new ten-page article about Aliens: CM in the Official Playstation Magazine. Here’s the scans. There’s no new screenshots apart from new renders of the Dropship, Pulse Rifle and APC. The article isn’t as spoilerific as the GI article but there’s a few new details.

They mention one of the missions – Sweep and Clear – where you explore the abandoned Sulaco spaceship. Check out the scans for more stuff. The Official Playstation Magazine is released this week in the UK, as is the Official X-Box Magazine which also has an article about Aliens: CM. Thanks to Sh0dan for the tip.

So, the Brothers Strause had always talked about doing another one but they’ve since vanished from regularly appearing here. Well, according to Shock Till You Drop, there’s another one coming:

“An anonymous source over at 20th Century Fox got in touch with us over the weekend to relay the news another Aliens vs. Predator sequel is a “certainty” at this point. If you recall, the brothers Strause – who helmed the Christmas release Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem – stated Fox was going to take a “wait-and-see” approach to a third chapter, furthermore, that the story would have to continue in space (details). “AvP-R” grossed a worldwide total of $128.8 million; $41 million domestically. It hits DVD on April 15th (specs and art). No word yet if the Strause brothers will return to the franchise.”

I’m currently waiting back on word from our own sources. Thanks to Chocolate Man! for the hint.

There’s a new interview with Randy Pitchford who is the president of Gearbox. Gamereactor Sweden interviewed him at GDC 2008 where he talks about the upcoming games Brothers in Arms and Aliens: Colonial Marines.

Nothing frightfully new, I’m afraid. Just that they’re making the game and he talks about the game engine a little. Thanks to Redken for the news.