Unreal Tournament III has finally made its way to the 360, and the results are, as expected, excellent. First released on the PC and PS3, the online-focused shooter should prove to be a fan favorite across all systems. Although there are some notable additions for the 360, this is essentially the same game everyone else has been playing without any compromises.

Porting Action

Although UT3 now supports 1080p resolution (the PS3 was 720p), there's little in the way of visual distinction. The lighting seems a bit more subtle here, though the colors are slightly muted. Nitpicking aside, argumentative console fanboys won't find a clear winner in the presentation—both console versions look terrific.

Looks are important for the Unreal engine, and it's clear that no one can use the technology quite like Epic. Since there's virtually no story in the game, and the gameplay focus is squarely on killing other players, the devil is in the details, and Epic has had plenty of time to refine the nature of their long-running tournament. Refinements are really all you should expect here though. This is Unreal Tournament through and through, and for players who didn't like the arcade-style, run and gun play of the previous games, UT3 won't change their minds.

Instant Action... Just Add Jibs

UT is all about frenetic action, complete with double jumps and action-hero evasion moves, power-ups, and a faster pace than its competition. More weapons, vehicles, levels, modes, and characters are added to the mix of course, and the game successfully manages to balance all these elements. The result is satisfying multiplayer game that will enthrall shooter fans, but still drifts on the shallow end of the online experience. Since UT3 is meant for jumping right in, recent advancements in the genre—such as a persistent world and character building—are absent. The lack of meaningful customization of your character's appearance is also disappointing, and you're stuck with the game's character models. The 360 version does sport two new models though.

Other additions include five original maps, in addition to the three extra maps previously available for the PC and PS3. The biggest addition is the inclusion of two-player split-screen multiplayer, which can be combined with the online play for times when you have friends at home and abroad. No matter how you choose to multiplay, there are plenty of options in store.

Deathmatch, team deathmatch, warzone, duel, and vehicle and regular capture the flag offer up a well-rounded selection of game styles. The maps range from suitable for one-on-one to supporting up to 16 players and are all very well designed. The vehicle-oriented maps in particular are huge, and crossing them without the use of a vehicle or your trusty hoverboard is a daunting task.

Guns, Guns, Guns

There's an incredible variety of weapons and vehicles in UT3. Traditional tanks and ATVs, small aerial fighters, and turrets will feel familiar; but the alien necris craft seem like H.G. Wells' designs gone crazy. Most of the weapons from prior games are here as well—the rocket launcher, flak cannon, link gun, shock, sniper, and bio rifles, minigun. The new anti-vehicle longbow rocket was added to help round out the vehicle focus, and there's even a portable tactical nuke launcher.

Although the single-player game is really just a tutorial for the online action, there's a surprisingly meaty campaign here, complete with some semblance of a story and minimal explanation of why wars in the future are played out like multiplayer games. The AI bots are effective and reliable, can complete objectives well, and act remarkably autonomous. While not flawless of course, the game sports some of the best bot AI you're likely to find.

Unreal As Usual

The real meat is online though, and Unreal Tournament 3 doesn't disappoint. Rock solid framerates even during intense, large matches, and stable connections help make the game one of the best online fights out there. Although games like Halo 3 have a devoted following purely for their multiplayer, UT3 has an appeal all its own, with enough style and refinement to warrant a place in the online hall of fame.

Review by: Jason D'Aprile