Unreal Tournament 3 (PC)

Outfitted with the third iteration of the eponymous Unreal Engine that helped make games like Gears of War and Bioshock so successful, Unreal Tournament 3 gives gamers more of the frenzied and futuristic multiplayer action they've come to expect from the series. This time, however, Epic Games has thrown players a bit of a curveball by also including a more involved single-player campaign in which players must battle the Necris invasion as a member of the Ronin team. The single-player campaign also serves as a bit of a tutorial for the multiplayer modes, as familiar options like Deathmatch and Capture the Flag are worked into the plot.

The single-player campaign is noteworthy, but as always, the main aspect of the Unreal Tournament games is the frenzied multiplayer action. Weapons from throughout the series, like the link gun, shock rifle, and flak cannon, return in upgraded forms, while new weapons like the impact hammer, the redeemer, and the target painter give gamers new ways to inflict massive damage. Vehicles also play a prominent role in Unreal Tournament 3, with craft like the Manta, the Hell-Bender, and the Raptor, returning from Unreal Tournament 2004 with modified and upgraded abilities, while the all-new hoverboard gives players an entirely new way to get into the action.

Players will be able to select characters, both new and familiar, with distinct abilities and personalities, as they battle through multiplayer modes like Team Deathmatch, Vehicle Capture the Flag, Duel, and the all-new Warfare mode. Modes from previous Unreal games, like Onslaught, Bombing Run, and Double Domination do not return, but Epic has included an Unreal Engine 3 toolset that will allow gamers to recreate those modes, come up with new levels and game types of their own, or download mods from the extensive Unreal community. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide