Techtite's PC Game Reviews!

"In the end, this game bravely tries to one-up a perfect game like Unreal Tournament 2003, and with the new Assault and Onslaught modes, succeeds."

---from the review

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Sidebar :

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The Special Edition...? Much like other games before it, this game was released for a (VERY) short while as a "special edition." The Special Edition is the same game on DVD, not five CD-ROMs. There's also a second DVD with extended video, to allow even the most novice of game editors to create their own UT2K "mods." Then there is the free headset, to allow you to chat with other players online, not unlike X-Box Live. Topping off the gifts is a window sticker and a tin box to keep it in. In short; a nice Special Edition. Sorry if you missed it, but the order link above is all that remains. Click on it to see if some gracious soul is selling a "used" copy...but I really doubt it.

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Feel free to contribute. As always, review submissions are accepted!

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Unreal Tournament 2004

Click picture to order this game (PC/windows version)

A Techtite Review

Unreal Tournament 2003 was, quite obviously, just last year. So one might be wary to buy this "2004" edition, thinking it is simply a mission disk in "new game" clothing. After all: how do you improve a game that already looked pretty near perfect to begin with? Two words: "Onslaught" and "Assault." Add to that a massive graphics upgrade, and yeah, you need to get this game.

Let's jump right to the two new game formats. "Onslaught" involves two teams on either corner of a game map. Your base is linked to a chain of mini bases, that are linked to the enemy team's base as well. You must commandeer a chain of "mini bases," so to speak, to reach the enemy's base at the opposite corner of the game map. Only a complete chain allows you to reach the enemy base and destroy it. There are a lot of rules to this game, making it a lot more fun (example: you cannot attack a base that is in the "middle" of a chain; only the ends). This is indeed an "onslaught," and another fine variation of the Unreal theme.

 "Assault" is, quite frankly, the best cross between adventure gaming and multiplayer action-gaming that I've ever seen. Two teams compete in a military-style simulation, to perform a particular task. Teams perform the task twice; once as defense (preventing the other team from doing the task) and then as offense (trying to complete the task itself). Tasks include everything from an assault on a military base to steal a prototype plasma tank (which you can even use during the mission!), to an attack on a Terminator-style robot base, to destroy the master supercomputer within. The winning team is the team that either completed the task, or, in the case of a tie, whoever completed the task in the shortest time.

As for older game styles, they are enhanced thanks to superb graphics and truly sinister game maps. In the original game, most of the maps were very basic. There may have been a building or two though the overall map design was not unlike an arena; one tunnel, one building, and that's about it. In this game, maps are far more elaborate, and in a sense, as challenging as the opponents you're playing against. In contests involving enemy bases (like Capture the Flag), there is no longer one or two clear-cut paths to get to each base, enhancing the possible strategies, both for offense, and for defense.

There are a few minor caveats to prepare for. Gamers who have already played the 2003 version of this game may be a bit miffed that some of the maps are repeats from last year. However, the game designers don't seem to be saying "We ran out of new game maps" as much as "Look how much cooler these maps look in UT2004." Indeed, this is no mere mission disk: there is a lot of upgrading to the game engine itself. Even old game maps look a lot more polished, with superior graphics potential. As always, the latest Unreal game is the sort of game you use to show off your best graphics card. That much is not changed.

There are other game design tweaks as well. New game rules mean that winning tournaments gains you money. You can use this money to heal your teammates, plus buy new teammates. There is even a wider variety of characters to play as; you can even play as an alien "skaarj" (the soldier aliens from the original Unreal game). Other minor game tweaks are present here as well; too many to list here.

Of course, there are even more tweaks possible, for the inevitable "Unreal Tournament 2005." For one thing; Assault mode challenges are too basic. Sure, it's a new game mode meaning this is the first attempt as such a game style, and yet I was hoping for a more thought-provoking Assault, than simply "make it to location X alive and proceed to next location." Imagine if, during all the adrenaline-pumping action, the opposing team had to solve a problem or two in order to complete the task. Most of these missions involved assaults on major military bases; where are all the security locks? Have a mission where one teammate must work on a computer and solve a puzzle while the others defend them; something like that. This was merely a "reach location X alive" affair, and as such, was a bit disappointing. Not a lot. Just a little bit.

In the end, this game bravely tries to one-up a perfect game like Unreal Tournament 2003, and with the new Assault and Onslaught modes, succeeds. There's also a new game engine to enjoy, which with a top-notch graphics card (like this critic's Geforce FX 5900 Ultra) is a thrill upon itself. The prior game was already great. This could only be better.

---Techtite