A Very UNREAL Experience (Unreal Tournament (PC))

Member Name: MC_bubba

Product:	Unreal Tournament (PC)
Date:	22/01/01 (122 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The greatest game I have ever played!

Disadvantages: The most addictive game I have ever played!

***NERD ALERT***
This opinion has its nerdy moments!

I am 18; that makes me old enough (when most kids start at 6 years old) to have played a very large amount of video games. Unreal Tournament is simply, the best game ever made. It kicks aside, my reigning all-time-best-game: Gunship for the Commodore 64. In my opinion, it's also better than such wonderful games, such as: System Shock 2, Quake 3 Arena, Tribes, Starfleet Command, Civilization and, Command and Conquer: Red Alert.

Now, you may be asking why? Why does this game elicit such rapture? It's incredible, that's why. I drool over this game, like Homer Simpson drools over 72 different varieties of doughnut.


The Good:

1. Graphics: With a revamped Unreal Engine, Unreal Tournament (UT) shines!
Intricate textures, highly detailed skins, fractal effects, shiny surfaces and volumetric fog; just to name a few. Yes, Quake 3 Arena (Q3A) has curved surfaces and yes, Tribes has the largest detailed maps of any game. But, they do not look as pretty as UT. And, I am not biased; I play Tribes and Q3A regularly, too.

2. Sounds: Bit rate-sampling output of up to 48000kHz. CDs are only 44100kHz. Support for EAX and A3D extensions. 32 channel sound, reverb, the list goes on. Think of it, 3D spatially correct CD-quality sound with 32 different 'volume levels'. This means that sounds are not just, 'far away' and 'near' but an additional 30 degrees of accuracy for truly real sound.

3. Gameplay: Flawless. Single player training in 5 different game modes. Multi-player LAN or Internet games. Bots (computer players) that are truly smart and they do learn. This is important, when you are playing with a small group of people or by yourself; you are always challenged. This is unlike Q3A, when you are playing a Deathmatch vs. the computer bots; they never seem to figure out where you are sniping them with that railgun. UT bots will hunt
you down once you've killed them; and the bots will work with each other to kill you.

4. Options/Games: 5 different types of games are included: Capture the Flag, Assault, Deathmatch, Domination, Team Game. These games are both in single and multiplayer. This is four more options than it's competitor Q3A. Included with game are over 50 beautiful maps: space stations, castles, islands, a Spanish Galleon and others. These maps are excellent with incredible detail, playability and connectivity. This means that you will not get stuck in a corner or on some ledge with no way out.

5. Weapons: UT has a large array of weapons. Sniper Rifle, BioGun (shoots hazardous waste!), pistol, pulse rifle, redeemer (nuclear missile) and more. The weapons are balanced. Only two can kill with a single shot, the sniper rifle: with a headshot and the redeemer: it'll take out a room of people, even yourself, if you are not careful. All weapons have an alternate fire mode. For example, the pulse rifle, fires green balls of plasma, but in its alternate mode it fires like a 'Ghostbusters' gun. It's pretty neat! Again, Q3A does not have these options.

6. Maps and Mods: There's large 3rd party support for UT. Many people make modification programs to enhance UT in some aspect or another. Many people also design maps for UT. These maps vary greatly in quality, but when they're good, they're great. They leave you wondering why someone didn't put the map in the retail box.

7. Intangibles: UT is simply a really fun game to play. And, no, it's not that Tetris kind of fun either. Yes, you do blow off people's heads or body parts. Yes, you do hunt down your friends. But folks, it ain't real!

8. Machine Requirements: You do not need a tricked out machine to play UT (very enjoyably) like you do for Quake 3 Arena. Your run-of-the-mill P300 with 64MB and a decent graphics card will suffice! Of course, the bet
ter your hardware, the better your gameplay.


The Bad:

1. Graphics: Q3A's engine is more robust and handles OpenGL video better. Insane frame rates (>100fps) are known in Quake 3. In UT, I'd say that's uncommon, in all but the cutting-edge machines. But, you do need a better machine for Q3A. And while the maps can be faster they are in no way more attractive, or playable. UT has much more eye candy, and the maps are usually larger.

2. Maps and mods: Q3A and Tribes, both have a larger base than UT for maps and modifications. It's not that UT does not have a good amount; it's just that the other two games have so MUCH more.


Conclusion:

UT is the first game I have had no regrets paying £45.00 for. Also, in many of the comparisons, I have used Quake 3 Arena or Tribes as a comparison. Just remember, I really like them both, too. But, UT, steps over that line from mere greatness to perfection.

But which ever games you prefer, be it strategy, arcade, or something like Quake 3 or Half-Life; buy Unreal Tournament, you will not, and furthermore can not be disappointed in this fine, fine game. I did not expect to enjoy this type of game when I first got this.

This game is SO good that it's, well, Unreal!

Summary: