Unreal Tournament 2003

"The Quality Just Won't Falter!"

Ever since I was broken into Unreal on my PS2, I've loved it. I always place it at the top of my FPS list because it really sets itself apart from other games in the same genre. Out of all the shooter games currently out, I think Unreal maintains its creative aspect through it all, and just as Unreal Tournament was a hit, 2003 is another Epic (no pun intended) game.

Gameplay: 10/10
Most FPS games have the same standard gameplay, and Unreal varies only a little from that. Movement is the same, aiming, getting around. A few features have been added to spruce the game up, such as the double jump. Of course with an online game you can expect people to create new modifications for it every week, but with all that aside the original game comes with nice features. Double jump allows you to jump farther and higher, making the grandiose levels more accessible. Dodging is a nice feature, so that you can jump out of the way of slower moving projectiles, make larger jumps, and in general make yourself harder to hit. The weapons are mainly nicer looking versions of their original counterparts; the shock rifle is the same as ever, but it looks sleeker, and the shock combo alone is worth buying this game. Rocket launcher god cut down to 3 rockets, because it was all too powerful last time around. Flak Cannon is more concentrated, but mainly the same. The Pulse Gun is now the 'Link Gun' and the beam can be used to attach to other players to empower their own Link Gun. The translocater, one of the defining aspects of Unreal, is still here. It's been made a bit less potent, but that won't hamper anyone's use of it. It's fire rate is slower, and you are limited to the number of times you can fire it in a certain time period. It also acts as a camera if you so desire it to be, by selecting it again after the teleporter is fired. All in all gameplay is all that it can be.

Plot: 0/10
Plot? Who said anything about a plot. This is a straight up tournament game, it has absolutely no plot. If you want a plot, play Unreal 2, or Half Life.

Controls: 10/10
Not much to say here. Standard WASD control setup, spacebar jumps, and mouse turns and aims. You can configure the entire setup if you don't like how it is by default. There are tons things to set as well, such as manual taunts, manual body taunts, commands ('Get our Flag back') and weapon select keys. Double tapping a direction will get you a dodge/leap. Pressing spacebar at the apex of your jump will double jump you for more height. Mouse buttons are fire and alternate fire, with the mouse wheel (if you have it) being a weapon cycle.

Graphics: 10/10
Spectacular. Some of the indoor factory levels don't show them for all they're worth, but the graphics in this game are top of the line. Water that shows reflections of the level you're in, shining crystalline substances, lifelike trees crowding the levels; this game has it all. Maybe some of the newer games like Doom 3 or Half Life 2 will outdo it, but from what I can tell of those games they are mainly based inside, and don't show too much scenery. Doom especially is more focused on gore than on beauty. Unreal, when played in outside levels, is breathtaking. Now granted you may (godforbid) get tired of the default levels included with the game. This can be remedied a couple of ways. First, Epic and Infogrames have released official map packs for the game, with a few more levels. Secondly, as long as you are confident online, and with your Unreal system folder, you can download user made maps to play. It's harder to find quality user made maps, but they are out there. If you're lucky you can find some of the actual programmers who designed the game; they make some unofficial maps for the game on their free time. The only (minor) issue with these levels is that sometimes they are unbalanced, and the reflecting elements in these levels 95% of the time reflect the original level they are from, not the actual level you are in.

Sound:
BGM: 10/10
SFX: 9/10
The in game music, much like Unreal Tournament, is great. It varies from softcore trance to heavy metal. I appreciate it greatly because it varies, and that a lot of it is trance/techno (which I happen to love). Most FPS games go with standard heavy metal and rock because it fits in with all the killing. I find that the trance in this game fits nicely with the scenery and all. Sure, you're killing other people, but how's about a change of pace now and then? Also the game has a neat little mini feature where you can play any music file from the game in any level, with a little 'Unreal Player' accessible from the keyboard setup.
Sound effects are above average, and the only reason I didn't give them a 10 is because some of the sayings just don't make sense ('You fight like Nali!' or 'You be Dead!'). The voice acting is good, and reflects the nature and fervor of people in mortal combat. Weapons firing and explosions sound better than most games on the market now.

Replay Value: 10/10
What do you think? It's a flat out action game, it's based on replay value. One level will take you between 5 minutes and a few hours, depending on your settings. You can play online, with all the best competition, or you can play alone with bots; either works. With all the downloads and possibilities, I fail to see how this game could get old for long.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/11/03