Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict

"Slaughterfest Turned Massacre"

When you play an Unreal game, there is a certain level of quality in which you're almost guaranteed. Unreal Championship 2 continues to show us as gamers the reason why Unreal has such an awesome reputation.

Another thing you come to expect from an Unreal game is violence. Pointless, unadulterated violence. Whether it be several rockets from your rocket launcher, or a five pound glob of death goo from your Biorifle, you're expecting the ability to 'tag and bag'. This is where Unreal Championship 2 (UC2 from here on out) changes everything.

Conceptually, it delivers in the same department as its predecessor(s) (depending on whether you include the Tournament series); however, it delivers in a totally new, totally cool, and totally unexpected way. The ability to 'tag and bag' still remains, only now they provide the means to literally do as such: tag them with the lock-on ability, and bag them with a flying charge of death with your twin blades. Z-axis combat just evolved into a whole new monster.

Graphics [10/10]
When reviewing a game, the reviewer must consider how to review it. Should they base it on previous games, games of the future, or the present day limitations? The score given can range drastically depending on that viewpoint. For this review, I've decided to review based on what is current... and to say the least, UC2 is one of Xbox's finest. The faces are ultra-realistic, and include some of the well done facial expressions on any console so far; the characters are highly personalized, all sporting a unique look; virtually all of the arena's (there is a nice selection) have a different atmosphere. It is the brilliant predecessor to the future Unreal Engine 3.0, which looks to be one of the most amazing and versatile game engines ever to be released.

Gameplay [10/10]
Refreshing and fast-paced, as always, the gameplay of an Unreal game is always similar. Until now. With a brand new third-person camera (while previous Tournament games included a console function to use a behindview, this game sports a true third person camera) and melee combat, this game was hit into a whole new ball field. The thrill of weakening an opponent from afar with any of the various long-range weapons, closing in with each shot, and just as they think they might have the upper hand, you deliver a stunning blast from your pistols—and the devastating new Coup de Grace, the melee one-hit kill. But don't think that this new Coup de Grace will be the perfect saving grace—quite the contrary. While it is powerful, it can oftentimes be difficult to execute and quite stubborn. Regardless, it's always a great feeling to pummel your opponent with a final Coup de Grace to win the match. Along with the new melee combat mode, you're able to lock-on to your opponent, viewing their current health, and also dodge up walls, a very handy maneuver for escaping deadly situations. Anything else and I may just be ruining it for you.

Story [9/10]
Also a brand new inclusion into the classic tournament is a story mode, "Ascension Rites". In a nutshell, you take the role as Anubis, fighting your way to the top to become the new emperor through a series of tournament-esque matches. UC2 also includes a Tournament and Challenge mode. In Tournament mode, you're able to play as a dozen or so different characters, climbing the ladder's of the tournament to the top, unlocking various mutators and bots as you progress. In Challenge mode, you play near-impossible challenges (quite...). By and by, there is plenty of beating and unlocking to be done.

Controls [8/10]
I give the controls an 8 because, well, I'm stubborn at times with a controller. It's easy to become cannon fodder or fresh chunks at the hand of your opponents when you're accidentally hitting all the wrong buttons, and as it were, when I start to feel the pressure, it's easy to hit 'X' instead of 'B', which, in essence, can and will be the difference between life and death in this fast-paced arena of death. In terms of the button layout, the control scheme is about as well done as it could be.

Overall [10/10]
Essentially, if this were the PC, I'd be a tad bit disappointed. If this were released in two months, I'd probably be disappointed. But fact of the matter is, it was released not too long ago, and it's on the Xbox. So, in terms of an Xbox game attempting something typically only done on the PC, it's damn-near ingenious. Epic, in typical fashion, has done it again. Since the Unreal Tournament, I've always had a place in my heart for the series, and always will, especially if they keep delivering games such as UC2 and even UT2004.

Note: Unfortunately, I was unable to review the multiplayer aspect of UC2, Xbox Live or otherwise (due to a broken communicator and a short Game Fly subscription). However, as a prediction, the inclusion of live players would only add to the fun.

Final Word: Most definitely worth a rental at the very least, if not a purchase.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/28/05