Unreal Tournament 2003

Gaming's premier carnage contest returns with some new modes, a massive facelift, and more gibs than you can shake a shock rifle at.

Since the current crop of realistic team shooters has hogged the limelight long enough, Unreal Tournament 2003 sets out to prove that there?s still life left in the old deathmatch arena. PC shooter fans, listen up.

Devil?s Playground
As usual, there?s no plot?just kill, kill, kill under the guise of a future TV game show. UT 2003?s arsenal not only upgrades old favorites like the Flak Cannon and Minigun, but also adds an Assault Rifle (with grenade launcher), Lightning Gun, and Shield Gun. Gameplay-wise, the new double jumps, wall dodges, and adrenaline moves add pizzazz to the intense shoot-n-scoot gameplay. Team dynamics now take center stage as you recruit and trade A.I. teammates, and aside from the usual Deathmatch and Capture the Flag games, UT 2003 adds Double Domination and Bombing Run modes (but drops Assault!). Though these new team games are worthwhile, they?re plagued by frequent stalemates.

Broadband users will have no problem with the smooth online play, and fortunately for modem users, the CPU-controlled bots put up enough of a fight to make the single-player Ladder mode worthwhile.

System Shock
UT 2003 immerses players in outlandish environments like ancient alien forests, techno-Egyptian tombs, and apocalyptic cityscapes. Every arena comes loaded with jaw-dropping visual flourishes like reflective puddles, shimmering monitors, and glossy metal surfaces. But it gets better?thanks to the gruesome ?rag-doll? animation system, combatants convulse when struck with lightning, lose limbs when pelted with shrapnel, and flop limply down staircases when riddled with bullets. Who knew physics could be so entertaining? Potent 3D explosions, bloodcurdling screams, and rousing tunes lend muscle to UT 2003?s sonic assault. On the negative side, the team modes feature a chatterbox announcer who breathlessly bellows game status and scores. For sanity?s sake, mute this nerd prior to playing. All this sensory delight comes at a steep price. Even a brawny 1 GHz processor and 64 MB 3D card are too skimpy for this game?s higher graphical settings. At least players can buy some breathing room by fiddling with detail settings in the Options menu.

Flak to the Future
While UT 2003 may not score points for originality, its visceral intensity is off the charts?other shooters seem frail and timid in comparison. In other words, if you can supply the PC horsepower, let UT 2003 bring the firepower.

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