M-m-monster kill!

Epic Games is set to blast an Unreal hole in the First Person Shooter genre. Find out why in this first look at Unreal Tournament 3 on PlayStation 3.

Since its conception way back in 1998, the Unreal series has always been a graphical showcase. So it makes perfect sense that its most recent sequel, Unreal Tournament 3, is coming to the most powerful system available in PlayStation 3. Due in 2008, the First Person Shooter is already looking the part thanks to some exceptional visuals: blasting players with detailed textures, a fast and consistent frame rate and lavishly long horizons. It all brings the wide landscapes, dank corridors and intense gothic sci-fi action to life.

Feeling mighty (Un)real

Epic Games Founder and Vice President, Mark Rein, is especially pleased with the way Unreal Tournament 3 is shaping up on PlayStation 3. The FPS genre on non-PC systems occasionally comes under scrutiny by a small selection of die-hards, but Rein is more than happy with his title which has been developed to take advantage of the PS3 system's powerful hardware. "It feels just right," says Rein. "The movement speed is just right, the weapons and vehicles feel just right."

Unreal Tournament 3 puts you in the blood flecked armour of space marines, bounty hunters, cyborgs and alien races to fight in a number of kill or be killed deathmatch scenarios, such as team deathmatch and capture the flag. While the bulk of the game focuses on its massive online multiplayer features, a stand alone story mode has also been included. "We have actual cinematics that explain what's going on," says Rein. "It's the most robust story we've had for Unreal Tournament. If you're new to UT you've got to play [the story mode] as you get to play every level in the game; it teaches you through it."

Regardless of whether you choose the story or multiplayer mode, one thing that should remain consistent in Unreal Tournament 3 is its fast paced pyrotechnic mayhem courtesy of its variety of exaggerated weapons. Sniper rifles, rocket launchers, flak cannons, shock rifles and more are available to rain destructive torment on your foes - and that's not even taking into account the miniature thermonuclear warhead launcher that is the Redeemer weapon.

Blown away

If you prefer vehicular based obliteration there are several ways to indulge, including the Mantra hovercraft, airborne Raptor and the Scorpion assault buggy. Each player is also equipped with a hoverboard, which is fast and manoeuvrable enough to perform tricks but leaves you vulnerable to attacks of any kind.

To make things even more interesting, Epic Games has made both the hoverboard and Redeemer motion control sensitive to the SIXAXIS Wireless Controller. "You know when you're playing a flight simulation and you're [gesturing and tilting] because you've got a controller in your hand - it's natural," explains Rein. "So when you're using something like the Redeemer, SIXAXIS is a really good way to control that, as it's actually really natural. It's like with the hoverboard - you're turning and leaning and it actually works quite well. If I play for a while using [SIXAXIS] for the hoverboard I find it's preferable for me."

When it comes to the subject of future downloads for Unreal Tournament 3, Rein is optimistic. "We'd definitely like to see some [user created] mods on PlayStation Network. People are going to make mods that will be good enough to put out there, so that could be a natural thing. But at the moment it's all a bit too early [to talk about]. Will there be more maps and stuff? Yep. I know there's one [in particular that] players will be really excited about, but I'm not spilling the beans."

Even with his cards close to his chest, the Epic Games chief is very excited about Unreal Tournament 3 and on these impressions it's easy to understand why, with its smooth gameplay, responsive controls and keen awareness of what makes the FPS genre fun. UT3 is certainly one to watch when it launches in the opening months of 2008.

"I feel we've made a great FPS for PlayStation 3," Rein enthuses.  "Go play it!"