Unreal Tournament III

A powerhouse of a game and a real boon for the PS3, which is in dire need of some fantastic shooters.

A brilliantly executed arena-based first-person shooter, with a plethora of depth, speed, and a virtually infinite scope on replay value. User-created content will drive this game and its online community for years to come, just as it has on the PC. It is visually stunning to behold, with superb texture detail everywhere you look.

What this numerical score can't possibly demonstrate, in the past several years of ever-better games across all genres, not a few of them arriving in recent months, Unreal Tournament III is the first title in a long time making me recall that this is why I long ago started loving games, compelling me to, almost literally, jump and down, and to keep me up playing late into the night and seduce me into a few morning matches before I sit down to work.

Whatever UTIII lacks in offerings right now (and I can't find one among them beyond stuff from older games), the mod community will add. If that doesn't demonstrate this whole "Game 3.0" concept perfectly, I don't know what does. Seriously, go buy it.

Even though the PC version runs faster, Unreal Tournament III for the PlayStation 3 is an outstanding first-person shooter. All of Tournament's frenetic action stays intact, both in the jam-packed single player campaign and numerous multiplayer modes. The graphics explode onto the screen with little loss in detail.

If you've never played Unreal Tournament before, this is a must-own game on PS3. It's still the most frantic, engrossingly intense first-person shooter formula out there and even after eight years still proves to be wildly entertaining.

Unreal Tournament 3 for the PS3 is easily the closest a console has ever come to capturing the look and feel of a true "twitch" FPS.

Vehicles, weapons, arenas, controls - it's all very intuitive, could probably survive without the added layers of instruction, and significantly still feels natural when the diversifications from standard multiplayer FPS modes and equipment are asked to work together. Warfare is a splendid mode.

Exactly what you would expect from the series. The fast paced action is still among the best available and the visuals set a new bar for shooters. PC gamers may balk at the lack of features out of the box, but PS3 owners looking for a great online shooter will have a hard time finding a better option this winter.

Unreal Tournament III is a must-own PS3 title for anyone who enjoys frantic online shooters and total mayhem.

Ultimately it’s shiny, it’s new and it’s a majorly streamlined edition of a much-played online game. The esoteric game modes are gone and there are considerably less maps, but those that there are are generally of the highest standard. If you meet the system requirements then it could be worth a look – even if you’ve moved on to other series – if only for the sensory aspect of it.

As a port for the PS3, Unreal Tournament 3 is an example of how things should be handled.

Epic Games has done a more than admirable job of transporting the game from PC onto PS3 and further refined their genre-leading gameplay. Offline gamers, however, should just rent it.

A superb online FPS shooter that sets the standard for deathmatch on PS3 and showcases just what the Cell processor is capable of. Shame about the single-player mode, though.

Its larger than life sci-fi world and speedy, explosive gameplay really work on console and the whole thing runs like a dream. A great PS3 port, and a ready demonstration of what the system can do in the right hands.

Solid and addictive gameplay in the best online experience to date bundled with a worthwhile campaign mode.

This is a good solid game with some interesting concepts around vehicles and weapons. It sits well on the console, both single- and multi-player.

Good lord, this is fantastic!

An excellent game. With amazing graphics, a steady framerate and keyboard and mouse support, the PS3 version of UT3 is a worthy companion to its PC counterpart.

If you have no friends and no broadband connection then UT III will be a snore. When twitching out against opponents around the globe it can be as addictive, and deep, as video games come.

Were it to include a killer campaign this would be a game that is hard to beat - as it stands it is still an impressive first outing on the PS3.

Long-time fans are essentially playing the same game rebuilt with a new graphics engine. But, do not fret – the gameplay is still whole-heartedly entertaining. For PS3 fans, the large-scale combat is particularly the most intriguing part to experience online.

Epic has created a monster of an FPS that's only slightly let down by its single-player mode. [Issue#162, p.78]

Unreal Tournament III is an inessential addition to your PS3 library if you enjoy online FPS.

The numerous polished facets of Unreal Tournament 3 add up to a fantastic multiplayer experience that is currently unparalleled on the PlayStation 3.

Aside from some online hiccups, it is fast, furious, and fun to play, and never fails to impress from a visual perspective. As a result, it stands up favorably against the other strong multiplayer shooters available on the platform.

Getting that “Flak Master!” award never gets old, and it’s no less satisfying to crush the enemy from your couch than it is from your desk in the end.

Faster than any shooter out right now.

A great title that with a little more time cooking, could have really been something special.

Not one for loners, but a technical tour de force - one of the sharpest shooters on PS3. [Feb 2008, p.56]

With its fast paced action, powerful visuals and some of the best vehicles and weapons ever seen on an online environment, UT III is tailor made for anyone who craves for online competition. [March 2008]

Unreal Tournament III is a great PC port for the PS3. It makes for a fun, fast and furious multiplayer shooter that stands out on a system without much else.

UT3 may be a bit light on strategy, but it's heavy on fast, frantic mayhem. [Feb 2008, p.80]

One of the highlights of the year for Net-connected PS3 owners. For many, this will be a fresh experience, lessening the impact of the modest mode options and lack of some fan favorites from prior versions. At the same time, the lessons learned over the years of iteration and the sparkling new graphics engine make this the latest and greatest version for fans of the series.

Irrespective of talent, taste, spare time or even online connectivity, it has something for anyone with even a tingle in their trigger finger. [Jan 2008, p.78]

A stunning looking, slick and polished FPS that every competitive PS3 gamer should add to their collection.

On the Playstation 3 Unreal Tournament III has become a great game. Even without a keyboard and mouse combination, the game stays fast and precise like the gameplay has always been. The adding of mods within consoles may be called unique. Unreal Tournament III is an excellent shooter which will keep PS3 owners satisfied for a while.

Epic Games has done a great job in returning the series to its roots, and while there are plenty of new additions in there, the core gameplay remains fast, frantic and as action-packed as ever.

When it is all said and done though, UTIII offers nothing new.

A technically accomplished, visually impressive game that you'll struggle to work up an appetite for. [Feb 2008, p.82]