• ID = PS0925
• STYLE = First-Person Shooter
• DEV. = Epic Megagames
• PUB. = Infogrames North America, Inc.
• R-DATE = Oct-23-2000
• ESRB = M / For Mature
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

The PC hit UNREAL TOURNAMENT has made its way to the PlayStation 2. All you have to do is choose your avatar, and you’re good to go. There are several different gameplay modes that let you get destructive. The Single-Player mode shows how all of the available game types are played. Deathmatch is the typical game, where the goal is to be the last person standing. Along with the individual nature of the Deathmatch, there are several team games available. Domination has players trying to gain control of three points on the map and hold them for as long as possible. Assault has one team on defense guarding a base and one on offense trying to infiltrate the base; if the offensive team captures the base, the teams switch sides. All of the modes and action of the PC game have been included in UNREAL TOURNAMENT for the PlayStation 2.

• Over 50 levels of 3D rendered graphics.
• Four playing modes including a Four-Player Simultaneous mode.
• Clear and detailed sound effects.
• Simplified menu and HUD displays.

Description 2:
From the creators of the mind-blowing Unreal comes Unreal Tournament, the ultimate in competitive gameplay. Unreal Tournament showcases the enhanced hugely popular Unreal engine, the benchmark of 3D graphical excellence and immersive gameplay. The first tournament 3D shooter of its time, includes over 30 unique levels - waterfronts, oil rigs, speeding trains, floating castles, pirate ships and much more.

• 32 unbelievably addictive levels masterfully designed to maximize on the fun of Unreal Tournament's different game modes.
• Gripping single player experience that casts you in the role of a team leader tasked with beating the most vicious criminal scum in the galaxy.
• Your goal? To be victorious on 32 different play fields and emerge the Unreal Grand Master.
• Unparalleled user friendliness. Whether Unreal Tournament is the first game you've ever purchased or whether you're a grizzled veteran of the first person shooter scene, you'll find setting up a game and jumping in to be a snap.
• In-game server-querying tool makes finding and joining games online easier than fragging a camper with a Sniper Rifle.
• Life-like Bot AI makes this a knuckle whitening 3D shooter.
• All new weapons, including the dreaded IMPACT Hammer and the world-shaking Redeemer
• Boatloads of new features and options like Jump Mode, Hardcore Mode, and radio chatter.

Amazon.com Preview
Unreal Tournament has lined itself up to set its first-person-shooter note in the PlayStation2's opening chord. The game, a PC fragfest from the previous year, features four familiar game types: Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Domination, and Assault. Fans of the PC original will have the same large assortment of deadly weapons at their disposal for a frag-filled experience. After all, it isn't the first "M"-rated game on the PlayStation2 for nothing!

Not only is there two-, three-, and four-player split-screen action on the same TV, but also up to eight PlayStation2 systems can link together via the PS2's built-in FireWire port. In total, there will be between 40 and 50 maps to be spread across all single-player and multiplayer game modes. Some maps are identical to the game's PC predecessor, while others have been designed specifically for the new 128-bit system.

The 'bot artificial intelligence also is impressive, especially in the simulated Capture the Flag mode. Players also can assign orders effortlessly to virtual teammates, such as "Attack," "Defend," "Hold Position," and "Cover."

There are a couple of issues that we had with the game, but Epic Games still was working on the final version at press time. The frame rate was noticeably slower than its computer brethren were, especially in split-screen mode. Perhaps Epic hasn't been able to tap just yet into the PS2's full potential. Also, game control in this early build of the game seems very awkward. Luckily for those of us who were weaned on Unreal and Unreal Tournament on the PC, a standard keyboard and mouse can be connected to the PS2's USB port.

All things considered, however, this game's a visual force--given its popularity, the only thing that would be "unreal" here is if the game failed to live up to expectations. --Todd Mowatt