Unreal II: The Awakening

About

"Unreal II: The Awakening" is a single-player and local multi-player science fiction shooter game, with split screen option. As ex-Marine John Dalton, you must defend human space against violent turmoil among races, and prevent the "Awakening." The game boasts masterful gameplay, a good story, phenomenal visuals, and a very atmospheric experience, with awe-inspiring graphics and 3D sound.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 258 reviews

story48 positive mentions

replayability4 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and varied environments that still impress.
The weapon variety is enjoyable, with unique options like the spider gun and black hole launcher.
The game has a decent sci-fi narrative and character interactions that add some depth.

The movement speed is painfully slow, making gameplay feel sluggish and frustrating.
The story is clichéd and lacks the engaging atmosphere of the original Unreal.
There are long loading times and technical issues that detract from the overall experience.

story
181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The story of "Unreal II: The Awakening" receives mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a cliché and predictable narrative that lacks depth and originality. While some appreciate the atmospheric settings and character interactions aboard the spaceship, others criticize the pacing, voice acting, and overall execution, describing it as rushed and linear. Despite its shortcomings, a few players still find moments of enjoyment and emotional resonance within the story, suggesting it has redeeming qualities for those who prioritize narrative in their gaming experience.
- “Old, but atmospheric and with a good touching story.”
- “Great old game with a short and sad story, but enough simple and deep so you remember it for a long time.”
- “Unreal 2 combines a gripping storyline with old school shooting, tactical & variating gameplay and some very satisfying weaponry.”
- “The story is insipid, and cobbled together from pieces of aliens and aliens ripoffs, with some other 80s action IP for good measure.”
- “The story is boring and muddled; only the immediate ending is remotely interesting, but then it's over.”
- “The biggest flaw with the game is probably the story; it starts off so slow I don't have any urge to play through it.”
gameplay
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
6%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as standard and somewhat dated, reflecting early 2000s mechanics that feel sluggish and clunky compared to modern standards. While the environments are visually appealing and the game features interesting scenarios, the core gameplay lacks depth and innovation, often leading to a mixed reception among players. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original series but falls short in delivering a compelling gameplay experience.
- “Interesting scenario, good design, fun gameplay, inspiring atmospheres...”
- “The solid gameplay that we know and expect from other Unreal games is here too -- expect some great firefights!”
- “Unreal 2 combines a gripping storyline with old school shooting, tactical & variating gameplay and some very satisfying weaponry.”
- “The game mechanics definitely feel like they're from the early 2000s.”
- “Overall, a game by a different studio, with no links to the roots, and kinda meh gameplay.”
- “The different missions will take you to diverse environments with various objectives, but the core gameplay doesn’t evolve much throughout the game.”
graphics
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The graphics of the game, released in 2003, are generally regarded as good for their time, showcasing beautiful visuals and impressive environmental design that still hold up to some extent today. However, many reviewers note that the graphics have aged and may not impress modern players, with animations and certain gameplay features feeling outdated. Overall, while the game may not be a graphical marvel by today's standards, it retains a certain charm and aesthetic appeal that resonates with fans of the Unreal series.
- “The graphics were also amazing for the time, especially fire/lighting, and they still hold up today.”
- “Beautiful Unreal Engine graphics, even from a game that is nearly 20 years old!”
- “The game has aged very well in terms of graphics and the skyboxes look amazing as well.”
- “Of course it's a game from 2003, so it aged a bit in its graphics, animations, and a few gameplay features like movements that are not right to modern standards.”
- “Anyone looking for next-gen graphics will be disappointed.”
- “Anyway, it was outdated graphically when I originally played it, and it's even more so graphically outdated now.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
62%
14%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the solid soundtrack and catchy tracks like "Suferon," while others criticize its inconsistency and lack of scoring during many segments. Although the audio can create a nice ambiance, it often feels mundane compared to the predecessor's more magical score, leading to a perception that the music is underutilized throughout the gameplay. Overall, while there are standout moments, the soundtrack does not fully meet expectations.
- “The audio is spectacular, sometimes sounding like a THX demo, and features music by the same guy who'd later compose for Mass Effect.”
- “Some of the music tracks were pretty catchy; I particularly liked the Suferon music track (I'm listening to it now as I write this review).”
- “It has beautiful visuals, lovely worlds, fun weapons, plentiful amounts of enemies, and good music.”
- “Soundtrack is mundane.”
- “I found there to be plenty of unscored segments in which the clank-clank-clanking of John Dalton's boots is the closest you will get to hearing music throughout many of the missions.”
- “Background music isn't as impressive as in the first game.”
atmosphere
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
26%
16%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its beautiful rendering and engaging design, while others lament the absence of the haunting, surreal qualities that characterized earlier titles in the Unreal franchise. While certain missions evoke a tense and immersive experience, many players feel that the overall atmosphere lacks cohesion and connection to the original game's themes, leading to a sense of disappointment. Ultimately, the game offers a visually appealing environment, but it struggles to deliver the same atmospheric depth and emotional resonance as its predecessors.
- “Old, but atmospheric and with a good touching story.”
- “Good shooter with great sci-fi atmosphere.”
- “Personally, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this game.”
- “Doesn't have the amazing atmosphere of older Unreal games.”
- “The surreal, alien, fantasy-esque atmosphere that makes the original Unreal so hauntingly good isn't really present on any of the planets you visit, and, aside from the Skaarj (who feel like they were shoehorned in) and the presence of Liandri mining, the connection between this game and the other titles in the Unreal franchise is a bit tenuous.”
- “A bunch of weapons and enemies are carried over from Unreal with new appearances but identical gameplay functions; unfortunately, Unreal's solid atmosphere of alienation, displacement, and vulnerability isn't also carried over.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many users noting a lack of multiplayer options and exploration elements that previously enhanced the franchise. Players report minimal incentive to replay, often citing frustration with the absence of autosaves and repetitive gameplay. As a result, the game has largely been forgotten shortly after its release.
- “Not much replay value; I have played this through maybe 3 times since it came out.”
- “It also suffers from a lack of replayability and multiplayer, which is part of what made the franchise great, and subsequently part of what spoils this otherwise beautiful game.”
- “The replayability of the game is low, not to mention that you may become frustrated when you completely forgot to save (there are no autosaves) and then are forced to restart the mission.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, with some genuinely funny moments, particularly in the interactions between characters like John Dalton and Aida, but it often leans towards c-grade material with predictable lines and excessive exposition. While the humor can be charming and the characters likable, it doesn't consistently elevate the overall experience. Players who appreciate old-school shooters may still find enjoyment in the game's quirky humor and engaging character dynamics.
- “The characters are all fairly likable, and there is some charming humor at times.”
- “The exchanges between the main character John Dalton and his briefer Aida are really funny.”
- “I found this game to be an absolute blast, from the very first scene with a large tower and a massive expanse laid out before you, to the humor found in the characters aboard your own ship.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a notable emotional response, particularly towards the end of the campaign, with surprising and touching moments that resonate with players. While it may not reach the emotional depth of its predecessor, the characters are compelling for their time, and the storytelling offers a satisfying experience despite some dialogue shortcomings. Overall, it provides a unique emotional engagement for an early first-person shooter.
- “Old, but atmospheric and with a good touching story.”
- “I definitely remember having a very emotional response to what happens near the end of the campaign.”
- “This is actually the earliest FPS ever to give me an emotional reaction to its storytelling.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while most users report minimal performance issues, some experience microstuttering during voice clips and strange performance problems in the final levels.
- “There's little in the way of performance issues with this game.”
- “The game runs smoothly without significant performance hiccups.”
- “Overall, the optimization is impressive, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “There is microstuttering when a voice clip is played.”
- “It has some strange performance issues in the last few levels.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have stability issues, including frequent crashes and freezes, particularly when alt-tabbing. While some users acknowledge the presence of bugs and glitches, they still find the game enjoyable overall.
- “Played on Windows 10 Pro x64 - had quite a few crashes and freezes, mostly as a result of alt-tabbing.”
- “Frequent glitches that cause crashes to desktop.”
- “It's a bit buggy, but overall it's a good game to play.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, particularly criticizing the level design. However, they appreciate improvements in graphics and combat, as well as the absence of frustrating driving segments and a lackluster story.
- “The grinding feels tedious and boring due to the repetitive level design.”
- “I found the grinding aspect to be incredibly monotonous and unengaging.”
- “The game forces you into endless grinding, making it feel like a chore rather than fun.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the absence of ads in the game, highlighting a positive monetization approach. However, some express disappointment that the game concludes without additional content or adventures, leaving them wanting more.
- “The only cons for me were no ads, and it ended - no more sci-fi adventure after you beat the game :(”