Unreal Tournament 2003 (Demo) review
2D GRAPHICS: Good (overall)
The 2D graphics in UT mainly consist of three parts...the interface (reviewed on it's own further down), the in game HUD and the textures used in the game. The overall "Good" rating comes from the fact that the resizing issue is something the can most likely be addressed.
HUD: Average
The in game HUD has a stylized/futuristic look. It does a decent job of conveying the appropriate information to the player. My only real complaint about the HUD is the lack of ability to decrease the "size" of the HUD items without removing them. The "-" and "=" keys are supposed to adjust the HUD size, but intead, all they do is add or remove the items to/from the screen.
TEXTURES: Good
The textures in the demo are reportedly lower quality versions than will be in the full version of the game. As such, it be hard to determine if the graphics performance will decrease when the higher quality textures are used in the full version. With that out of the way, the texture work in UT2003 is VERY well done. A LOT of attention to detail has been paid when the textures were created and used within the game. My only negative comment about the textures is the color pallet used ranges between realistic to stylized (futuristic/arcadish). When those two types are incountered within a level, the slight difference in continuity causes me to mentally question (if just for a split second) whether this is supposed to be "realistic" or "stylized".
3D GRAPHICS: Good (overall)
A LOT of work has been done in the area of 3D Graphics for UT2003. While there are supposed to be multiple races of characters in the full version of the game, the demo only includes four "Geneboosted" human males. My wife noted the lack of ANY female models included in the demo. :{ The character modeling work is very well done. The animation of the characters, when seen within the environments sometimes looks strange. The characters move as if the HUGE armor on their bodies is "part" of them rather than on them. They don't seem to move like they are weighted down or actually "wearing" armor (must be a result of being "Geneboosted").
The modeling work done on the weapons/pickup items is (for the most part) well done. A few of the weapons+effects+sounds don't quite seem to "fit". The one complaint I (and some others) have is with the amount of screen real estate the weapon models take up in 1st person view...these things are HUGE! Perhaps decreasing their size a bit would make them less obtrusive.
Within the levels there is a great amount of modeling work (beyond the actual level design). While MOST of this work is used as "eye-candy" to help decorate the level, it is well done. The items created are done in a realistic manner that truely reflects something real (even if it is something that doesn't actually exsist in real life).
All in all, the best portions of work within UT2003 (imho) is the great amount of 3D detail and modeling work within the game. Unfortunately, great modeling work does not make a great game (more on this later).
INTERFACE: Average (actually Below Average if compared to UT menu system)
The initial translucent blue colored interface for UT2003 is set up in a basic list type menu as used by many games today. Beyond this first screen, the menu system changes to screen top tab style system (in the same translucent blue coloring). Click on a tab and the screen area below updates to that tabs function.
I usually try and keep comparisons out of my review thoughts. However, I would be VERY remiss if I didn't bring up the fact that the original UT interface was a thing of beauty in it's simplicity and ease of use. The UWindows interface, based upon the recognizable Windows menu system, was praised by MANY players/reviewers of the game.
The interface bar was raised by the UT menu system (at least for games). Unfortunately, even thou the UT2003 menu system is fully functional, it is just a shame to see the UWindows interface go away only to be replaced by something that looks like it was designed for a console game. Due to the fact that the UT2003 menu system is more closely related to the "standardized" style of menus used by many (most) "average" games today, the interface gets an "Average" rating.
SOUND EFFECTS: Average (at least until the announcer is changed)
Excluding the previously mentioned sounds items, the sound work in UT2003 is (for the most part) well done. Most items sound like you expect them to (a good thing). The only exception to the good quality sound work in UT2003 is the voice of the announcer. The voice acting lacks the "OOMPH" you expect to hear when "GODLIKE" hits your ears. This is one area where some more work REALLY needs to be done.
One more note about the announcer, when there is a great deal of back and forth trading of control of a flag/bomb the entire audio file cannot be properly finished and the player hears "Blue has", "Red flag", "Blue", "Red", "Blue". Red, Blue, Red what?...it get's VERY confusing and distracting in game. Perhaps a specific "tone" could be played when a flag and/or bomb is taken/returned/etc...
On a side note, something that needs to be addressed by the developers, is that enableing hardware sound is reported to GREATLY decrease the framerate within the game. Many players are currently using software sound to avoid this problem.
MUSIC: Good (overall)
I will admit that in most games I turn the music either down REAL low or off. There are three reasons I usually do this, the music is "game" quality and repetitious, the music distracts from being able to hear what is going on around you, and/or the "mood" of the music just doesn't fit the need of gameplay (i.e. fast paced is needed for quick speed games). If, and only if the music adds to the game do I leave it up at a high enough level that I can take notice of it.
Interface Music: Good
For some reason I can't get the idea out of my head that this music reminds me of the beginning music from the Wing Commander movie (yes, I wanted my money back too, and all I did was rent it). It has a full orchestrated sound that also reminds me greatly of the interface music in Deus Ex (a good thing).
DM-Antalus Music: Good
The pacing of this music matches the action of the level well. Perhaps I'm just not used to the "orchestra" sound of music in a game, but some of the riffs in the music still make me think of a space opera from time to time thou...lol (not a bad thing).
DM-Asbestos Music: Good
The frenetic pace of the music does a good job to match the action of this level as well. This music is actually closer to the type of music you might hear in a game, based upon the repetition of some parts. I have a tough time rating this music as I keep in mind the fact of the level being my least favorite in the demo. However, to be fair, if this music was used in a different level I would have (and am going ) to rate it "Good".
CTF-Citadel Music: Good
This level NEEDS Dark and menacing music. And, this is exactly what the music provides. Even with the orchestra sections/undertone of the music, the driving guitar and drums help to keep you on the move. However, once the guitar/drums fall back and the orchestra sections take over, the required mood decreases. I would almost want to switch the music from Asbestos to use for this level. In any case, the music is well done.
BR-Anubis Music: Average
Anubis REQUIRES that the music reflect ancient Egypt. And, that is exactly what the music does. However, I think this music would be more fitting for a singleplayer level than a fast paced full on multiplayer action battle.
CONTROL: Average
UT2003 demo has the typical First Person Shooter style of control. It is fully configurable to the needs of the player. The control would normally be given a "Good" rating. But, as with many of the weapon types, the "average" FPS game controls have been pretty much the same for several years. Without there being something to break them out "above average" (my Good rating) they receive an "Average" rating.
Previous Page (4/7)
Added: September 16th 2002
Product reviewed: Unreal Tournament 2003 (Demo)
Reviewer: STATIC3D
Score: 7/10
Page: 5/7