UPBEAT iGamer Video Game Review

by Cochaman Peef with additional editing by John Mundazio

Midway's 'Unreal Tournament™'— Award Winning!
The Unreal series has a long and varied history far stretching from the uniquely original Single Player world traversing marathon with a rather surprisingly entertaining Multi Player mode to an MP focused franchise that tended to give Single Player a back seat to improved network code and frantic shooting action; Unreal Tournament. Originally conceived as Unreal Tournament 2007 (following 2003 and 2004), deemed a big enough leap from its predecessors Epic Games rebranded this game Unreal Tournament 3 and has just released it upon the world in all its Unreal Engine 3 goodness. From way back Deathmatching in Ariza there has been something special about the Unreal style, and UT3 takes a stand of replaying everything rather than reinventing it and seems like game play has stood still while the graphics have been given an upgrade. The game plays pretty much the same as UT2004; the flak cannon, bio rifle and other classic weapons returning to provide a wide variety of ways to take your enemy down. The impact hammer also returns, and the mini-gun and stinger combine to form the (any ideas?) stinger mini-gun. Generally quite balanced almost all weapons have a situation where they are useful. Traditionally, in the Unreal Tournament series we’ve been privy to a campaign mode that lets you play through the majority of the levels in sequence against bots in a plot-less but progressive mode, and in UT3 they’ve taken it one step further. With some pretty snazzy cinematics (all originally rendered in-engine but captured for quality benefits on the lower spec machine) documenting the war between your faction and the newly included Necris, and trying to explain the reasons for playing this war in an arena, respawning after death in a contrived but worthy addition. Yes, even respawning is explained in the context of the war, and flags are… well… not exactly flags.

The campaign begins with your sister challenging you to a duel to help you relearn the ropes and while she taunts you in a friendly but slightly crazy way it seems a little strange to be blowing her up with rocket launchers even if she does just respawn afterwards. Throughout the matches some context specific dialogue is thrown up from your teammates, whether it’s the first time you’ve seen a new enemy vehicle or the discovery of a new area of the level and it adds much more to the characterization and story aspect of the game. While the bulk of the game’s life is clearly going to be spent in Multi Player, the Single Player campaign is worth starting out with if only to get back into the UT way of thinking and to learn the levels; an essential part of doing well online, though the cinematics are definitely worth checking out too.

Unreal Tournament 3 actually marks the return of the world's premiere first-person shooter debut on PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Unreal Tournament 3 unleashes the full power of Unreal Engine 3, taking graphics, game play, and challenge to a whole new level. Players engage in intense battles with other human players online, or against Unreal artificial intelligence that sets the industry standard. With the most powerful futuristic weapons and vehicles available, this is FPS action at its best! Vast Arsenal of Weapons: Unreal Tournament has always been known for brutal weaponry, and now the arsenal is even bigger and badder. Detonate your opponent from a distance with the Shock Rifle or blast away at close range with the Flak Cannon. New Single Player Campaign: Unreal Tournament like you've never seen it before! The Necris invasion has begun, and your clan was one of the first to be slaughtered. New and Favorite Characters: Fight side-by-side with or compete against new and returning characters from the Unreal universe, all with extraordinarily enhanced abilities, extremely detailed designs, and distinct personalities. Enhanced Popular Game Types: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and all-new Warfare mode and more. Online Innovations: Unreal Tournament 3 brings back all the award-winning online features of previous Unreal Tournament games, plus seamless loading on servers, improved matchmaking, and co-operative campaign play online. UB

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