An adrenaline filled, fast paced Shooter with loads of fun
Not unlike other shooters, the Campaign is but a taste of what can experienced in the game. Short, but at times not too sweet, the Campaign is an incoherent conglomeration of most, if not all, of the available modes and maps combined into one singular continuous plotline that at times makes no sense, but is all the more competent. It's not Shakespeare nor is it compelling, but the plot works to a degree. The characters are one dimensional, but in a testosterone fueled adventure, I do not think I'd expect more. Not to mention, Campaign is just a mere tutorial, a teaser for the MP portion of the game. It helps familiarise all the game's mechanics and so forth, and doesn't take too much time nor does it drag. It's not an epic plot nor do the locales help give off a sense of spectacle and grandeur, but the firefights are well done and it's a good excuse to pass some time.
MP is the heart and soul of the Unreal franchise, and offline, the game works just as well as online. The AI bots, depending on individual settings, can offer just as much challenge as a human. In the 360 version (and the PS3 version now as well), there is a splitscreen mode. The splitscreen is a real gem - with a friend over, let the good times and trash talking roll. Few games this generation offer the kind of action and frenetic pace this game does in splitscreen, and on a technical level, no hints of slowdown or visual hiccups mire the otherwise smooth experience. Works just as well as going solo, but is far more interesting and fun. You and friend tussle with bots, but as aforementioned, these bots can keep a solid pace.
The MP package seems small at first, but there is depth here. Modes include standard MP deathmatches, Capture-the-Flag, one-on-one duels, and the like, but a mode like Warfare adds a whole new perspective on the tired and prosaic modes we've come to expect from online-focused shooters. Capturing and defending nodes which can help either bring a team to triumph or to ruin is a lessen in chaos, but the sheer panic the mode offers is more than enough to satiate the most impatient of jaded shooting fans. Modes that were present in previous Unreal Tournaments and missing here include Invasion, Mutant, Domination, Onslaught, and Assault, but Warfare takes care of Onslaught and Assault. The lack of prior game modes can be seen as a blow, but there's enough here regardless to keep someone awake for hours on end.
Controls are adequate, and the 360 controller lends itself well to an arcade shooter. Although the twitch senses of the shooting can be lost in the transition, it's not inept and it's quite accurate, although sometimes discrepancies can occur with aiming. Being an arcade shooter, the weight of the character in control feels lighter than that of a simulator or realistic shooter, with jumps and so on being exaggerated, but it creates a unique experience, similar to Quake. The actual shooting mechanic satisfies, but there are times where one can be aiming and miss their target, even if the crosshair is on point. Such is miniscule for it's a rare occurrence, but it's something to think about. It's refined, but could use some work.
Epic did a magnificent job polishing up this game. Presentation is above average. The menus, though not sleek, are indicative of the game's nature and theme and work fine. Graphics, even for a game released in 2008, are beautiful, though the shine is overused, like most Unreal-engine games. It was rare to experience a visual hiccup or texture pop-in, but it did occur at times. The game runs smooth and I witnessed no slowdowns or other technical disparities during gaming. It's a testament to Epic's technical genius and knowledge of their own code and engine, as other Unreal-engine games have been technical disasters or missteps. Character models are disproportionate, but this is due to the artistic approach more so than lack of sculpting talent. Men are hulking, muscular figures while women have slender bodies. It's an overused design choice, but Unreal made it famous in the beginning so it's not much of a problem.
Overall, the game is a fun romp through vibrant levels and action-packed modes. It's fun, it's fast, and it's furious. There is enough here to last, but the lack of game modes from prior Unreal games, aiming hurdles, and a nonsensical campaign do hurt it somewhat, but these complaints should not be treated as deterrents. The game works and is not broken. As a total newb to the Unreal universe, perhaps I'm just naive but I did find this game a hell of a good time. Unreal purists, I do understand that it's not the best, but I found it a worthwhile gaming experience and it's one of the 360's most intriguing shooters. Give it a go. Who knows.