Howdy,
I thought I'd post my initial review.... why is "my initial review" post worthy.. well, I don't know other than I've been playing Unreal since 'round 97 and I've listened to all of you guy's reviews and comments (hype, pre beta, live beta, pre ut3 etc..). So, it's my turn. ;-)
Also, this is an *initial* review.. I haven't even finished the campaign yet... but I don't want to write a 6 page, in depth, "I'm a master", review... just some key points from a veteran of Unreal (1 a: an old soldier of long service).. so take it in that context.
First, I actually went out and bought a machine for this game. The machine will double as our TV tuner for the familly room (but all other uses are just excuses to get this machine for the UT3 until the Mac version comes out) ;-). I haven't upgraded the card yet (waiting for the 8800gt) so I've been playing UT at well under the min. requirements! (NVIDIA 6150). With the detail settings at 900 X 600 I am getting an amazing 20 FPS on average... dipping into the red (15 to 20) when fighting a bot. So, yea, I can only barely tell whats going on.
However, having had a history with Unreal, I barely needed an introduction in the new game play. This is something I want to commend the Epic team on. This game is very much for veterans and I think they/we will initially have the advantage in the multi-player environment because of this. I started up UT and did my habitual few input changes to the default setup and was instantly familiar with game movement. I like the new "weight" of the players, and yes, it is reminiscent of the older Unreal games. I have heard all the bad things about the UI, but it doesn't bother me all that much. I like the new styling just fine, though I haven't used the multi-player section yet, and I am not worried about it because I know it is on the agenda for improvement. The settings are easily locatable (even if you have to make one or two more clicks) and I'm sure there will be more customability options for the game in the future patches.
So far, though my rez settings are laughable, I am pleased with the overall result of the game. I don't think it revolutionary (like I felt when UT came out), but I think it is evolutionary for sure (I think I stole that from another review... but it works). I like how you have to aim a bit better with the link guns.
The only gripe/s I have are similar to the gripes I've consistantly had... and they are mostly just my personal opinion about the direction the games is going. I feel like the game is ever losing it's maturity. Since Unreal, things are still getting more flashy... cartoony, and yes, consoleish.
I would like to see:
More realism:
- evolve the floating armor, colorful health pack, etc.. pickups. This sort of **** harkins back to the days when this stuff was needed because resolution was crappy, or games were just cartoony (mario bro's etc..). Perhaps have the armor lying in a corner or something (more realistic).
- evolve the movement when confronted with obsticals. It's laughable that when you come up to a waist high wall you have to double jump to get over it... a fighter should be able to traverse chest high walls more realistically.. instead of awkward hammer jumps or something... you know, the hands on top of the wall and swing yur legs over - sort of thing. ...Ladder climbing, etc.. should all be readdressed.
- I'm sure it is fun for a designer to create these flashy explosions, maps etc.. but it is a bit over the top In my opinion.
Game Play: Personally, I would like to see more strategy and intellect enter into the game... things to solve, objectives to meet requiring traversing of obsticals etc.. To give Epic credit on this, It appears this game is on this road already. I like a story line, strategy, teamwork, intellect along with the skillful battle, and Epic-like Map's and skins... so Kudo's on Epic for starting down this path.
That's enough for now. Can't wait to get this game on a real monitor and card.
=Uff-Da=
I thought I'd post my initial review.... why is "my initial review" post worthy.. well, I don't know other than I've been playing Unreal since 'round 97 and I've listened to all of you guy's reviews and comments (hype, pre beta, live beta, pre ut3 etc..). So, it's my turn. ;-)
Also, this is an *initial* review.. I haven't even finished the campaign yet... but I don't want to write a 6 page, in depth, "I'm a master", review... just some key points from a veteran of Unreal (1 a: an old soldier of long service).. so take it in that context.
First, I actually went out and bought a machine for this game. The machine will double as our TV tuner for the familly room (but all other uses are just excuses to get this machine for the UT3 until the Mac version comes out) ;-). I haven't upgraded the card yet (waiting for the 8800gt) so I've been playing UT at well under the min. requirements! (NVIDIA 6150). With the detail settings at 900 X 600 I am getting an amazing 20 FPS on average... dipping into the red (15 to 20) when fighting a bot. So, yea, I can only barely tell whats going on.
However, having had a history with Unreal, I barely needed an introduction in the new game play. This is something I want to commend the Epic team on. This game is very much for veterans and I think they/we will initially have the advantage in the multi-player environment because of this. I started up UT and did my habitual few input changes to the default setup and was instantly familiar with game movement. I like the new "weight" of the players, and yes, it is reminiscent of the older Unreal games. I have heard all the bad things about the UI, but it doesn't bother me all that much. I like the new styling just fine, though I haven't used the multi-player section yet, and I am not worried about it because I know it is on the agenda for improvement. The settings are easily locatable (even if you have to make one or two more clicks) and I'm sure there will be more customability options for the game in the future patches.
So far, though my rez settings are laughable, I am pleased with the overall result of the game. I don't think it revolutionary (like I felt when UT came out), but I think it is evolutionary for sure (I think I stole that from another review... but it works). I like how you have to aim a bit better with the link guns.
The only gripe/s I have are similar to the gripes I've consistantly had... and they are mostly just my personal opinion about the direction the games is going. I feel like the game is ever losing it's maturity. Since Unreal, things are still getting more flashy... cartoony, and yes, consoleish.
I would like to see:
More realism:
- evolve the floating armor, colorful health pack, etc.. pickups. This sort of **** harkins back to the days when this stuff was needed because resolution was crappy, or games were just cartoony (mario bro's etc..). Perhaps have the armor lying in a corner or something (more realistic).
- evolve the movement when confronted with obsticals. It's laughable that when you come up to a waist high wall you have to double jump to get over it... a fighter should be able to traverse chest high walls more realistically.. instead of awkward hammer jumps or something... you know, the hands on top of the wall and swing yur legs over - sort of thing. ...Ladder climbing, etc.. should all be readdressed.
- I'm sure it is fun for a designer to create these flashy explosions, maps etc.. but it is a bit over the top In my opinion.
Game Play: Personally, I would like to see more strategy and intellect enter into the game... things to solve, objectives to meet requiring traversing of obsticals etc.. To give Epic credit on this, It appears this game is on this road already. I like a story line, strategy, teamwork, intellect along with the skillful battle, and Epic-like Map's and skins... so Kudo's on Epic for starting down this path.
That's enough for now. Can't wait to get this game on a real monitor and card.
=Uff-Da=
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