Unreal Video Game Series

Action 12 November 2007

The next installment of the bestselling series of FPP shooters, focused mainly on multiplayer gameplay. Unreal Tournament 3, developed by Epic Games, is not an improved version of the previous installments, but a completely new game. The title introduces a number of previously unavailable elements, and employs the third generation of the powerful Unreal Engine. The authors decided to cut some of the previously known game modes, at the same time introducing some new ones, such as Duel, Betrayal, Greed, Vehicle Capture the Flag, or Warfare, a mix between Onslaught and Assault modes. The game contains the characteristic elements of the series, and contents known from UT 2004, such as maps, weapons, and vehicles, although the game doesn’t lack completely new elements as well. Other highlights include the new system of global communication, and an improved matchmaking system that pits beginner players against similarly skilled opponents.

PCX360PS3

Action 31 October 2006

A compilation of the most important installments belonging to the iconic FPS series - Unreal; it was created by Midway Games. Unreal Anthology includes games belonging to two main branches of the famous franchise created by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. Fans of single player experience will find here the original Unreal (1998) along with its official expansion - Return to Na Pali. Furthermore, the compilation includes its successor - Unreal II: The Awakening, which was released five years after the original game. On the other hand, for those fond of multiplayer competition there's the first installment of the Unreal Tournament subseries (Game of the Year Edition, 2000), as well as Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition. The entire set is complemented by a bonus CD containing digital game instructions (in PDF format) and various music themes connected with the Unreal series.

PC

Action 18 April 2005

The continuation of Unreal Championship from 2002, which is an Xbox-only spin-off of a popular series of multiplayer FPP shooters. The main plot of Unreal Championship 2: Liandri Conflict revolves around Anubis, a fighter attempting to destroy the dangerous Liandri Corporation. Similarly to the games from the main series, the plot is just an addition to the epic multiplayer battles conducted by the players from all around the world, in different gameplay modes. The biggest novelty of this installment is the introduction of melee combat, during which the camera switches from FPP mode to TPP mode. As a result, each map from 40 available ones was designed also with melee combat in mind. The players can choose from fourteen different warriors, each of them equipped with unique attacks.

XBOX

Action 15 March 2004

The third installment in the popular series of online first-person shooters developed by Digital Extremes. It is an improved and enhanced version of its 2003 predecessor, expanded with patches, expansions and additions. In addition to having better graphics, based on the improved engine from Unreal Tournament 2003, and a new user interface, Unreal Tournament 2004 adds two new game modes: the Assault Mode from the first game and Onslaught Mode based on the similar mode from Battlefield 1942. There are nine vehicle types in Unreal Tournament 2004 and the list of available weapons was expanded. There are 20 completely new maps for the modes known from the previous game in the series. The game introduces a special system for voice communication between players and the Unreal TV that allows hundreds of spectators to watch the matches.

PC

Action 04 February 2003

Unreal II brings a continuation to a classic FPS game released in 1998. The second installment was created by Legend Entertainment, and contrary to the spin-offs developed in the meantime (Unreal Tournament) it was created specifically to deliver a single player experience. The player takes on the role of John Dalton - an ex-soldier and a law enforcer, who patrols a distant sector of space aboard a vessel named Atlantis. When an interstellar war breaks out in the sector, he has to take responsibility for the colonists living there. However, the protagonist also has to find the source of the conflict and put an end to it. The player has 15 weapons at their disposal in this game - both new ones and some which appeared first in the original Unreal. 24 new kinds of enemies were added in the second installment. Contrary to the original game, subsequent missions require the player to complete various kinds of assignments. Moreover, substantially more tactical approach is required of the player.

PCXBOX

Action 12 November 2002

A spin-off to Unreal, the popular series of first-person shooters. The title was developed by Digital Extremes and is available only on Microsoft consoles. The game uses gameplay solutions from both installments of Unreal Tournament and combines a well-developed multiplayer mode with option to play the game alone by fighting AI-controlled bots. The main differences between both games are related to the necessity of adapting the mechanics to the consoles by reducing the difficulty level, adding aim assist and making moving through the terrain easier. The main attraction of the game is still its multiplayer mode. The matches take place on 25 varied maps. One can choose from 28 characters, each of which has its unique story and abilities. The game can be played through Xbox Live or by directly connecting consoles. Up to 16 players can play the title simultaneously.

XBOX

Action 01 October 2002

A sequel to Unreal Tournament, the 1999 game by Digital Extremes. The title was a spin-off of the popular series of first-person shooters and it focused mostly on multiplayer competition. The general gameplay principles haven’t changed, but Unreal Tournament 2003 introduces many improvements and changes to the series, including new gameplay modes, a expanded set of standard and special movements and the possibility to use various vehicles. The most noticeable difference lies in the improved graphics that are based on a new version of Unreal Engine. The players have access to 37 new maps of different shape and environment type (for example desert, jungle, ice, volcanic area and space) and about 50 character models that belong to seven different races. Similarly as in the first installment of the series, Unreal Tournament 2003 offers single player mode in which one can compete with bots controlled by artificial intelligence.

PC

Action 01 July 2001

A compilation of three titles from the famous series of first-person shooters, Unreal, powered by the revolutionary graphics Unreal Engine created by Epic Games. The Totally Unreal collection contains the first installment of the series, the action of which takes place on planet Na Pali, which was conquered by the hostile race Skaarj. The player is tasked with helping the inhabitants and escaping the dangerous place. The second title in the collection is the official expansion to the aforementioned game, called Return to Na Pali, in which the player returns to fight aliens on new maps and with new weapons. The collection is completed by Unreal Tournament, a game that focuses on multiplayer matches in several different game modes. The players assume the roles of futuristic champions who compete with each other on specially designed arenas.

PC

Action 23 November 1999

A first-person shooter based on the engine of the bestselling game Unreal. The title was developed by Digital Extremes and focuses on online battles between players on futuristic arenas. In Unreal Tournament the players can compete in several gameplay modes – deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, domination, last man standing, and assault. Each mode is different from the remaining ones. There aren’t many weapons available, but each one can be used in two ways. In addition to the multiplayer mode, the developers have also prepared a single player mode which consists of a series of matches against AI-controlled opponents. The realistic behavior of the bots is worth mentioning – their intelligence can be set based on player’s skills and preferred gameplay style.

PCPS2

Action 15 May 1998

A first person shooter set in science-fiction world, developed by the team of Epic Games studio, led by James Schmalz and Cliff Bleszinski. We play as a convict whose prison ship crashes on an unknown planet Na Pali, ruled by a hostile Skaarj race. Their representatives took over control of the planet and enslaved its inhabitants. To help them and escape from this dangerous place, the protagonist will have to travel through many different locations and face hordes of distinctive, intelligent monsters. Unreal's biggest asset was its game engine - the original Unreal Engine, which could generate graphics of previously unseen quality and support multiplayer matches, offering five different game modes.

PC

Action canceled

Another installment in a popular FPS series that originated back in 1999. This title is a reboot of the series – and the first installment to feature the free-to-play business model – created by Epic Games, the fathers of the franchise. The game is set in the far future, when humans colonized many distant worlds and made contact with alien civilizations. As always, gameplay is focused on competitive multiplayer. Battles take place on large and diverse arenas. There is a wide selection of play modes, including classic Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, but also new, more complex modes. Along with the game, the authors offered powerful modding tools that let players change almost any element of the game. You can sell your works for in-game currency in a special store, and the profits from those transactions are the main source of income for the game’s developers.

PC