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A game reviewer's lot might seem ideal but for every 10 games reviewed (or played) you may only come across one that really makes you sit up and take notice. Then there are games that grab you by the scruff of the neck, these are probably one in a 100. Then there are THE games. Quake II, Golden- Eye, Grand Prix 2, Sim City 2000, Doom, Day of the Tentacle, Tomb Raider, Alone In the Dark, Links LS etc which are the best of the best. Unreal is now a lifetime member of this select club.
It has been hailed as a Quake II- beater and although that sounds ridiculous, some of it is actually true. It is certainly better looking than Quake II and those looks aren't only skin deep. The level design is sublime, varied and the levels themselves are vast. Each of the weapons have an alternative fire mode. This effectively means you have more choices when it comes to felling the enemy. But, for some reason, the weapons don't seem to have the same "umph" as those in Quake. This may have a lot to do with the AI.
To down the well designed creatures is not easy. The enemy AI is superb and they won't just stand there and take all you've got. If, for instance, you're getting the better of them they'll leap away and hide behind walls. For those of you who don't have access to a network or the Internet there is an in-built Deathmatch simulator which can also be used to hone your skills before embarking on the real thing.
If Quake II is equivalent to a Dodge Viper then Unreal is a Rolls Royce and every self-respecting car owner would have them both. But, they do cost a lot to run and in Unreal's case it is processing power that is at a premium. Happy hunting.
Graphics: 95%, Sound: 94%, Gameplay: 93%