Developer: Epic Games
Release Date: Oct. 1st, 2002
Avg. Price: $49.99 £24.99

After months of waiting, delays, changes, and whatever else those game developers go through, the most hyped PC shooter, Unreal Tournament 2003, has finally been introduced. With a complete redesign from the original Unreal Tournament, Unreal Tournament 2003 brings back everything we loved about Unreal Tournament and adds much more to make this the best damn game ever. From the graphics to the new engine. Unreal Tournament 2003 is by far the most detailed game out today for the PC, Until Doom III of course, but that's down the road.

After that it's off to the qualification. Here you play a deathmatch tutorial, (2) one vs. one, Cut throat deathmatch, 5-way deathmatch, and a draft your team and defeat them. Once you pass these simply tests your on your way to the big time. Once past qualification, you'll play a series of deathmatch, domination, capture the flag, and bombing run matches. Below is a description of each kind of match:

Deathmatch- Free for all, anything goes. Person with most kills wins.
Team Deathmatch- Same as deathmatch only with teams. Most kills within a team wins.

Capture the Flag- Penetrate the opposing teams defences, capture flag and return to home base flag.

Double Domination- 2 dominating points in the level, must capture both by running over them and keeping in possession for eight seconds.

Bombing Run- Each level has one ball in middle of playing field. Object is to pick up ball and throw threw enemies goal.

These are simple descriptions for each game mode. As you can see, bombing run, and double domination are new to the Unreal Tournament 2003 game, and after playing them I've come to the conclusion that practice does make perfect, because they are very hard to beat.  As with the original Unreal Tournament, the large arsenal of weapons makes for fast paced killing. Nothing major has changed here except for the new assault rifle which replaces the enforcers, the lightning gun, which is like the sniper rifle, only it fires lightning, the shield gun which replaces the impact hammer and the ball launcher, which is only available in bombing run mode.

Just like the old Unreal Tournament, Unreal Tournament 2003 brings back some of the best graphics to date. The maps all have a unique feel to them with a level of detail that makes it seem like your there. The detail of characters too, sets apart enemy from foe. The Unreal Tournament 2003 engine really pushes the frame rates of this game and makes each level have a dark, and deadly, feeling which is what we would expect from a game that puts a weapon in your hand to frag your opponent. Like before in my other game reviews, when it comes to graphics, telling about them is hard, that's why in the link below you can see screenshots. These help to ease the pain, but actually experiencing it is all the better. Although I Don't have a surround sound system. Unreal Tournament 2003 offers excellent sound. The sound effects of weapons are great and the enemies screams of pain keep you at peace. It just adds to the game enough said. The controls, I found, are the easiest. Everything is in a good to reach place, and can be customized to fit your needs. What i really like, although I really don't use them, is the newly added dodge, and double jump features.

These keep you alive, and much harder to be hit. But like I said I don't use them, I'm more of a run and get up close and personal, kind of guy.

To be honest this game rocks. I didn't touch on every little detail but I think you can decide for yourself. Graphics are awesome, gameplay is hardcore in your face, and fragging your opponent with a nuclear weapon was never so much fun. Unreal Tournament 2003 lives up and surpasses Unreal Tournament. I hope that this is a title we will see live on forever.