Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) is a first person shooter game. Although primarily an online multiplayer game, it has a single player mode, which can be enhanced by co-opting up to 3 friends online. Despite the release of console versions, a myth persists that Unreal Tournament is only a PC game. It is not; UT3 is perfect for PS3, and for good measure an Xbox 360 version was released on 28th March 2008.
Paradoxically, UT3 is the fourth game in the Unreal Tournament series and the eighth game in the whole Unreal series. Its name derives from the Unreal Engine 3, the engine it runs on.
Although UT3 is replete with thrilling, adrenalin pumping, high-speed shooting action, it is not shockingly ground-braking; veterans will slip easily in to the game. The single player mode is not its strongest suit, in a rather thin plot, you get to play the part of Reaper, who has been hired by Malcolm. Reaper and his pals are dispatched to wreak vengeance on the Necris (undead humans), particularly the evil Necris women Akasha, for the foul deeds they have perpetrated. There is a twist, which I won’t reveal, which brings the action to a climax.
Although AI Bots make worthy opponents, it is best to use the single player mode as practice. You can familiarise yourself with the weapons, maps and strategies before moving to intense, online, multiplayer mode.
There can be no doubt, however, that UT3 is at its best as a multiplayer game. The modes on offer are, Duel, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Vehicle Capture the Flag and Warfare. Duel, as the name suggests, involves one and one action, with other players queuing for there turn. Both Deathmatch modes, and both Capture the Flag modes offer the thrill-packed, shooting action that veterans might expect. Some of the very intense on-foot fights, in tight environments, are the high points of the game. Warfare, a hybrid of previous Onslaught and Assault modes, is a more strategic and expansive mode, which requires different, more demanding tactics.
Veterans will be familiar with the weaponry and the vehicles; past favourites return but with refinements. The weaponry includes Bio-Rifle, Flak Cannon, Tarydium Stinger, Shock Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Rocker Launches, Enforcers, Impact Hammer and Redeemer. In UT3 nearly all the weapons can get you a killing award. Kill 15 with one sort of weapon, and you will be awarded a title such as Combo King or Flak Master. A wider array of familiar vehicles is divided in to 2 equally balanced factions (Axon and Netris) which make for good action.
The gameplay has obviously moved the series forward. But it is the graphics that set UT3 apart. Sharp, beautiful images combined with slick animation make for some of the best ever graphics. The visual experience is complemented by a soundtrack that drives the action.
The only downside is that a single player might tire of the AI action. Overall, though, the developers have used their considerable experience to produce a visually stunning, high speed, all-action, online multiplayer game, that is likely to maintain interest for quite some time. It is one of the best of the year.