Unreal Tournament

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Unreal Tournament is a revolutionary first-person shooter, debuting in the Unreal series, known for its futuristic weapons, ammo, and arenas. The game offers a single-player campaign, as well as local and online multiplayer modes, supporting up to 2 players in split-screen and co-op, or multiple players in deathmatch and team-based matches. Experience the game that transformed physics in gaming, available for various platforms, with a rich selection of maps, characters, and fast-paced action.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,153 reviews

gameplay91 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Timeless classic with fast-paced gameplay that still holds up today.
Great variety of weapons and game modes, including unique features like alternate fire.
Strong community support with numerous mods and custom maps available.

Graphics are dated and may not appeal to modern gamers.
The Steam version lacks some content from the original Game of the Year edition.
Online multiplayer is not as active as it once was, making it harder to find matches.

gameplay
199 mentions
46 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Unreal Tournament is widely praised for its fast-paced, intense action and fluid mechanics, making it a standout in the arena shooter genre. Players appreciate the variety of game modes, diverse weaponry, and the balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for seasoned players, ensuring a high skill ceiling. Despite its dated graphics, the core gameplay remains engaging and addictive, supported by a strong modding community that enhances replayability.
- “The gameplay in Unreal Tournament is fast-paced and intense, and it features a wide variety of game modes and weapons.”
- “The fast-paced, reflex-oriented gameplay was - and still is - some of the best to be experienced.”
- “The gameplay is still rock solid; some player activity is also available these days.”
- “This presents a huge issue in skill-gap, as you’ll stand no chance against players exploiting every gameplay mechanic unearthed in the last 3 decades.”
- “Weapons felt weak and didn't have much mechanics depth.”
- “The dx one does not support widescreen resolutions higher than 1600x900, and the opengl one has support but it makes the gameplay be like 10x faster which makes it very unplayable.”
graphics
170 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of Unreal Tournament, while undeniably dated by modern standards, are often praised for their impressive quality at the time of release in 1999. Many players appreciate the game's art style and aesthetics, noting that the visuals still hold up reasonably well today, especially when enhanced with community mods. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to younger audiences accustomed to contemporary visuals, they do not detract from the game's fast-paced and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The game was released in 2000, but the graphics still hold up today, and they are impressive for a game from that era.”
- “For a game that was released in late 1999, it is still graphically amazing.”
- “The graphics are honestly impressive in my opinion considering the game is like, 20 years old.”
- “The graphics are old, but the gameplay is still very fun.”
- “The graphics may be dated, but the gameplay is still fast-paced and a lot of fun.”
- “The graphics are not good by today's standards, but if you can look past that or view the graphics as how they would have been like in its day, then you can get a lot of enjoyment out of this classic.”
music
154 mentions
60 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in this game is widely praised for its energetic and nostalgic qualities, featuring a standout soundtrack composed by Michiel van den Bos, known for his work on titles like Deus Ex. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with its rich techno and drum and bass beats perfectly complementing the fast-paced action. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's defining features, contributing significantly to its lasting appeal and enjoyment.
- “The music is great too, composed by Michiel van den Bos, also known for his original work on Deus Ex and Overlord.”
- “Unreal Tournament's tracker music has aged like wine, offering rich techno and drum and bass beats which match the high-intensity action.”
- “The soundtrack is probably by far the best video game soundtrack I have ever heard; it packs memorable beats and further encourages you to play this game.”
- “The music in this is nostalgic but not quite in my lines of being favored above the other games in the series.”
- “Many modern first-person shooter games seem to make their soundtrack sound as if they are from some Hollywood studio, whilst this game's soundtrack doesn't make you feel like an actor but rather makes you feel like you're going to unleash the ultimate killing spree.”
- “However, its use of musical scores changed the way games would be designed forever.”
story
63 mentions
25 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for the action rather than a central focus. While there is some lore and character backstory, most players find the narrative to be simplistic and not essential to the overall experience, which emphasizes fast-paced gameplay and multiplayer action. Overall, the game is appreciated for its engaging combat and replayability, with the story being a minor component that does not detract from the enjoyment.
- “A masterpiece, amazing story without it being in-your-face (most of the story is in the opening cutscene from the menu), amazing combat, and has some of the best AI ever, even today.”
- “The story, thin as it is, is all it needs to be – a couple of lines introducing the character or level, and the fact you are in an interstellar deathmatch tournament run by an evil corporation (cool!).”
- “It has an actual campaign mode, where the 'plot' may be simple as a doornail (you play in a futuristic gladiator tournament) and most participants only have a single-paragraph story, but it is still enough to build the foundation of a world you can immerse yourself in and make you care about your team.”
- “The story is pretty much what you’d expect from a 90s FPS; you’re the latest contestant in the titular tournament that started as a way to end violent miner riots, and your goal is to win.”
- “There really isn’t much to the story, and whilst there is more information within the single-player campaign explaining the lore, character motivations, and certain events within the Unreal universe, it really doesn’t add that much to the overall story.”
- “I don't really consider this to be a single-player campaign in the conventional sense, as the story is minimal, there are no single-player specific levels or enemies, and the levels are just the standard multiplayer levels.”
replayability
22 mentions
64 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its extensive campaign, diverse game modes, and customizable bot behavior that keep the experience fresh. The inclusion of community-generated content, mutators, and a variety of unlockable levels further enhances its longevity, making it a timeless choice for both online and offline play. Overall, players rate its replay value highly, often describing it as infinite and a key reason to revisit the game repeatedly.
- “Timeless music, level design, iconic weapon arsenal, tons of fun and replay value, only for the low price of £7!”
- “The campaign, while mostly just a collection of bot games, is pretty damn replayable thanks to the well programmed AI & difficulty options.”
- “Mutators and community-generated content make for infinite replayability.”
- “The campaign, while mostly just a collection of bot games, is pretty damn replayable thanks to the well-programmed AI and difficulty options.”
- “Classic arcade gameplay with so many mods, mutators, conversions, and maps out there; it has a massive replayability factor.”
- “It is still heavily populated for people who like online; it has brilliant variety and settings for offline bot matches, and the replayability is so high you are gonna see Jesus Christ walk in and ask what server you are on.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
35 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of tension, dark futurism, and immersive soundtracks, creating an experience that feels both invigorating and eerie. While some reviews note dated graphics, the high-quality sound effects and distinct map designs contribute to a consistently engaging environment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing its gameplay and replayability.
- “Let the music and atmosphere engulf you.”
- “The atmosphere... the trash-talking bots... the environments... it all comes together to make an experience unlike any other.”
- “I really love the dark futuristic gothic atmosphere in this game.”
- “Its too bad that the dark atmosphere is gone in the newer games.”
- “The atmosphere is eerie but invigorating, the sort of thing that keeps it a game to be played again and again; augmented by the evocative soundtracks that I often play on YouTube for the sake of reminiscing on other games.”
- “However the next time you notice the musical atmosphere in a game, remember that you have this game to thank.”
stability
17 mentions
41 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
53 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many users reporting it runs well on various systems, including Linux and budget laptops. However, players on Windows 10 and 8 may encounter glitches, performance issues, and the need for troubleshooting to achieve optimal settings. While some minor bugs exist, many consider it one of the more stable titles in its genre, with a few humorous glitches adding to the experience.
- “Still runs great after all these years!”
- “No glitches or errors while running this game.”
- “Its a lot of fun, the bots in this game are amazing, and it's probably one of the most bug-free games I've ever played.”
- “The disk freezes up on install; it straight doesn't work anymore, it's scratched all to hell.”
- “Further more, it has the original map glitches that were fixed in UT (GOTY) that are not fixed in this one.”
- “Buggy with Windows 10; once I get resolutions dialed in, the mouse becomes uncontrollable. Waste of $10.”
optimization
15 mentions
33 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of Unreal Tournament is praised for its ability to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including older systems without dedicated graphics cards. While some users noted the need for specific tweaks, such as changing rendering settings or installing patches, the game is generally regarded as well-optimized for its time, delivering solid performance and high framerates even under less-than-ideal conditions. However, some players experienced bugs and performance issues, particularly when launching through Steam.
- “A totally optimized game for its time that ran so smooth on any machine.”
- “This game was super well optimized on crappy school computers with no 3D cards back in the day.”
- “The graphics weren’t a huge improvement over Unreal; the reason for this was to increase performance when playing the game and maintain a high framerate with its fast-paced gameplay.”
- “I had to change the render to OpenGL to make the performance smooth though.”
- “It won't start with Steam and still suffers from major bugs and performance issues.”
- “A bit frankenstein-y if you don't download a small performance boosting mod for the graphics drivers, but not more complicated than dragging and dropping some files. 100% worth it.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the funny taunts, hilarious glitches, and a cartoony aesthetic that keeps the tone light-hearted rather than gory. Many reviews mention the nostalgic and comedic elements of gameplay, including amusing interactions and memorable moments that enhance the overall fun experience. Overall, the game's humor contributes significantly to its appeal, making it a joy to play.
- “The music is great, the action is cartoony and made of enough polygons to be funny and not gory.”
- “This game is hilariously fun.”
- “It is a hilariously gory, hectic, and trash-talk filled ride that has created a precedent for many other games we know and love.”
monetization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a strong desire for a monetization model that avoids excessive microtransactions and paywalls, with players appreciating a balanced experience free from commercial distractions. Many express frustration with current trends in the industry that prioritize profit over gameplay quality, advocating for a more straightforward and player-friendly approach.
- “The balance is near perfect, it's fast-paced, no loadouts, no sprinting, no ads and no killstreaks.”
- “No camping, no IEDs, no grenade spamming, no quickscoping, no mic spam, no fanboys, no microtransactions, no netcode woes and no commercial nonsense that plagues today's premium multiplayer games.”
- “They're too wrapped up in perks and microtransactions and hiding content behind grinds and paywalls.”
- “Not this microtransactions-on-every-step-of-the-way nonsense and non-optimized products with unresponsive devs.”
- “No commercial nonsense that plagues today's premium multiplayer games.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express that Ut99 evokes profound and unique emotions, with one player stating it has created feelings unmatched by any other game, solidifying its status as their all-time favorite. However, there is a contrasting opinion that suggests the game may not provide an emotional experience for everyone.
- “UT99 is a game that made me feel something I've never felt before.”
- “Nothing has ever, nor probably ever will, make me feel the same way that this game made me feel.”
- “Since this is hands down my favorite video game of all time, I feel it deserves a very heartfelt review.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable initially, with some recalling extensive grinding sessions that kept them engaged for years. However, the grind can become repetitive over time, leading to a mixed experience.
- “It was fun for a time, if not a bit grindy.”
- “I played this game 20 years ago, hardcore grinding, so much so that when UT2003 and UT2004 came out, I never played them because I kept playing this game!”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is not designed to focus on story or character development, indicating that players should not expect significant growth or narrative depth in its characters.
- “It isn't really a game meant to have a story or character development, though.”