In the past years there's been a vast flood of first person shoot 'em ups. Of all the contenders, only three have really stood the test of time. Now their progeny begin to enter the fray, and from a parent who had a patchy start, Unreal Tournament is the first to enter the arena.
Ben Morris

Ever since Team Fortress Classic emerged to teach the first person shooter world the value of teamwork, the next generation of multiplayer 'arena'-style bloodbaths has been guaranteed. The plot here, such as it is, is that of a futuristic game show where contestants must slaughter each other in the name of entertainment. But forget the plot - there's no subtlety, just pure unadulterated violence. Perfect!

The emphasis here is on multiplayer action and the traditional favourites of deathmatch and capture the flag modes are present and correct. Additionally, Unreal Tournament introduces Domination, a variant of King of the Hill where teams must occupy and defend zones for as long as possible in order to gain points; Last Man Standing, a cousin of deathmatch where you must, surprise, be the last person standing at the end of the match; and Assault, where one team must defend a base while the other must attack, before swapping around.

The objectives are clear, and to aid you in your quest of destruction is a veritable armoury. One of the original failings of Unreal was the rather puny weaponry. Fortunately, the've had a major overhaul and return with new, bulkier models and thunderous sound effects. The old favourites from Unreal return, with the exception of the little-used Stinger and the default pistol. In their place is a batch of new, exceeding painful weapons.

The battlefield consists of a diverse range of maps all geared towards being fast, explosive affairs. Ranging from the usual industrial factories, mountaintop monasteries and ancient temples to the more unusual settings of a pirate galleon or a speeding train, the maps certainly impress. Accompanying the superb design are some simply gorgeous graphics. Unreal itself was a work of art and the same engine has been employed with great effect in Unreal Tournament.