+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 5, 2007 Subscriber² Share Posted December 5, 2007 If you're a console gamer, you can't really be blamed for automatically being suspicious of Unreal Tournament games -- none have been a "sure thing" like on the PC. Despite several attempts from Epic Games to adapt its fast-paced, multiplayer-centric first-person shooter series for the controller-wielding crowd (Unreal Championship 2 and its meleecentered combat being the most recent effort), the developer is still looking for a console home run.The Gears of War maker will try to change that with Unreal Tournament 3, building the PC version right alongside the PS3 edition. Thing is, UT3 doesn't play like any other shooter on a console right now. It's not Halo 3, Gears of War, or Resistance: Fall of Man -- and one of those actually came from Epic. But just because it's different doesn't mean it can't be excellent in its own right. Master Chief this isn'tHalo's gameplay is deliberately slower-paced to create a sense of dread before an encounter. With only two weapons per player, planning is everything. Not in UT3. This game's matches, whether deathmatch, capture the flag, or Warfare (an objective-based gameplay mode requiring gamers to capture nodes), are frenzied fragfests where bullets, globs of goo, and body parts are constantly flying across the screen. Trust us, you will die here and die often, but most of the time it won't matter. Players instantly respawn, meaning dramatic match changes only take a single damage multiplier and a few multikills for someone to be right back on top. And whereas Halo's weapons have been fine-tuned across a trilogy to reflect specific strengths and weaknesses, every Unreal gun is capable of ripping someone apart. All the weapons feel powerful; every weapon hurts. Between the dozens of vehicles, weapons, and power-ups, UT3 is less about fine-tuning any specific strategy as much as it's about getting blown up and jumping right back Cover is for cowardsCharge into a group of enemies in Gears of War and it's pretty much lights out in seconds. Flanking, taking advantage of the environment's various means of cover, and deliberately hiding from the opposition until the timing is right is essential to its mechanics. Whether during the campaign or multiplayer, you're always working in teams, and combat's never about being a one man army. Cover really doesn't exist in UT3. Gamers have a better chance of surviving by stocking up on armor power-ups and hopping in vehicles. In UT3, freefor- all and team-based games coexist, and unlike Gears, a single person can often turn the tide and save the day. UT3 does share a weakness with Epic's 360 affair, though: the story. Gears tried to establish a unique mythology, but it rang pretty hollow. UT3 only seems to succeed in dumping cut-scenes between otherwise standard multiplayer matches, except you're battling with (and against) the surprisingly smart A.I. We're promised the story becomes more interesting later, but the first few hours do little but introduce us to flat space marines that could easily be mistaken for characters from the eventual Gears sequel. Don't resistTurns out we were lying: Resistance fans will feel right at home with UT3. The two games share the exhilarating speed (though UT3 is undeniably faster) and nonstop action that uniquely defines their multiplayer experiences. Each also has a taste for strange and ridiculous weapons with alternate-fire options that provide dozens of options for any given combat situation. But UT3 offers a broader range of gameplay, thanks largely to the many drivable vehicles (including a new hoverboard) and the potential for users to infinitely carry on the life of the game via mods (see sidebar). Still, UT3's single- player campaign mostly just demonstrates game types. For example, understanding how to command the A.I.-driven bots, crucial to remaining competitive in offline matches, is completely unaddressed. That might work for PC vets familiar with the series, but console folks are new to this. Whether UT3 ends up arriving for PS3 this year or next (Epic says not to count it out of 2007 yet), it's shaping up to be a real treat for PS3 owners -- meaning it won't embarrass those not versed on a mouse and keyboard. Make it your ownHalo 3's Forge mode is cool, but a true level editor it is not. When UT3 ships on PC, Epic will be bundling their complete suite of dev tools. PC developers have long made their tools available to the community -- what's special here is that Epic is including PS3. This means PS3 owners will have access to fresh modes, weapons, and levels -- even completely new games if people are ambitious enough. The specifics haven't been worked out, but, essentially, the tools come with an "export to PS3" option that makes PC user content playable on PS3. You can download mods from the Web, store them on a memory stick, then immediately start playing with them. We're not sure how Epic and publisher Midway will filter the content, but they're committed to bringing this potentially revolutionary experience to PS3 owners. Source: http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3164735 New screens as well. Can't wait for this :woot: There are some mods/maps out for the PC version already - I guess we'll see how easy it is to convert them to the PS3 version on the 13th - if all goes well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyLarry Veteran Posted December 5, 2007 Veteran Share Posted December 5, 2007 Pre-ordered Paid In Full In October. I also just hooked up my Wireless Keyboard & Mouse on my PS3 this past Sunday... So yeah, really looking forward to this game, was a HUGE UT2K4 player on the PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 5, 2007 Author Subscriber² Share Posted December 5, 2007 Pre-ordered Paid In Full In October.I also just hooked up my Wireless Keyboard & Mouse on my PS3 this past Sunday... So yeah, really looking forward to this game, was a HUGE UT2K4 player on the PC. How are they? Brand/How responsive? I'm looking at getting myself a kb/mouse combo soon. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red. Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Yeah can't wait for the game either. I pre-ordered a couple of months back but i'm still waiting to see when it is actually going to be released in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 5, 2007 Author Subscriber² Share Posted December 5, 2007 Yeah can't wait for the game either. I pre-ordered a couple of months back but i'm still waiting to see when it is actually going to be released in Europe. You should consider importing from ebay/American websites that ship internationally. That's what im doing if the wait for Europe is Feb+. But how were you suppose to know before preordering.... back then it was 2007 release worldwide (or thought to be anyway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakey Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 funny thing is, this game really isnt that fun. Guess because i never found the other ut's as much fun as i found the other deathmatch games of those times, like q3 and rocket arena and others. The graphics are nice, but theres no innovation on the gameplay or anything. Just felt the same. I feel sad that this is what consoles have to look forward to for their fps :( at least they did great justice with COD4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyLarry Veteran Posted December 5, 2007 Veteran Share Posted December 5, 2007 How are they?Brand/How responsive? I'm looking at getting myself a kb/mouse combo soon. :) I got a Logitech Cordless Duo. I did not want to spend a ton of money on it since I already own tons of keyboards (none cordless though), so I got the EX110 for $29.99. I know it is not relevant to you since you are in Scotland, but here is where I got it. It is not the most kick ass keyboard, little small as well, but I can confirm it works fine as can be in the system itself, do not know how it is with games yet so I cannot really say if it is responsive or not, but it works for messages and simple things so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 5, 2007 Author Subscriber² Share Posted December 5, 2007 I got a Logitech Cordless Duo. I did not want to spend a ton of money on it since I already own tons of keyboards (none cordless though), so I got the EX110 for $29.99. I know it is not relevant to you since you are in Scotland, but here is where I got it.It is not the most kick ass keyboard, little small as well, but I can confirm it works fine as can be in the system itself, do not know how it is with games yet so I cannot really say if it is responsive or not, but it works for messages and simple things so far. Brilliant! I'll have a scour around ebay for some cheap deals. I'm not wanting to spend a lot on the combo either, but they obviously have to be wireless. I used wired controller/mouse on the PC so I can't even test anything right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Ninja Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Nice preview :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green_Eye Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 funny thing is, this game really isnt that fun. Guess because i never found the other ut's as much fun as i found the other deathmatch games of those times, like q3 and rocket arena and others. The graphics are nice, but theres no innovation on the gameplay or anything. Just felt the same. I feel sad that this is what consoles have to look forward to for their fps :( at least they did great justice with COD4. You really dont get Unreal Tournament.... thats not a bad thing its just you know you probably dont get it like say me who has been playing since the original unreal.. TBH I hate change when it comes to unreal tournament infact adding vehicles was way too much change for me :( And even though its coming to 360 I won't buy this game not because I don't love it more than oxygen but more because of lack of mouse and keyboard support for 360 and having a snail for a computer. Me is SAD PANDA :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted December 6, 2007 Author Subscriber² Share Posted December 6, 2007 Some nice gameplay! http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28622.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted December 6, 2007 Veteran Share Posted December 6, 2007 After waiting years for the next UT, I played the demo and was pretty disappointed in the end. Will probably give it a miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDQuiksilver Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Yep.. picking up my copy next Wednesday. (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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