Unreal Tournament III Review

  • Posted January 10th, 2008 at 01:21 EDT by
  • 49 Comments

Review Score

Unreal Tournament 3

PSU Review Score
8.0
Avg. user review score:
8.5

Add your rating

Summary

This game is without a doubt one of the premier online experiences on the PlayStation 3, and is one of the few must have titles of 2007. It may falter a bit when played offline, but the support of user created mods and maps provides this game with an infinite amount of play time. If you love shooters, pick this one up.

We like

  • Gorgeous graphics
  • Great online play
  • User created content provides endless replay

We dislike

  • Single player campaign leaves much to be desired
  • AI is predictable in certain game modes

See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings

(continued from previous page) ...modes, but is very polished at the usual ones. You will find several classic modes such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Duel, as well as Warfare and Vehicle Capture the Flag, which are two newer game modes that add a little spice to things.

There should be very little need to explain Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, as they are the same in Unreal as you'd expect in any game, its in some of the other modes that we find some really cool additions. Duel offers a one on one ladder match, so to speak. During this mode, there is a queue of players watching the match as it progresses, and as players get fragged, the recently deceased go to the end of the line and a new opponent spawns, making a round robin of fragging. Warfare, which used to be called Conquest is the combination of the past modes called Onslaught and Assault. In this mode there are several nodes across a larger map that must be taken in order to reveal the enemies Primary target, which must be destroyed in order to win. Vehicle Capture the Flag is basically an altered capture the flag with vehicles on the map.

Being one of the fastest paced games out there, the game runs surprisingly smooth over the network, with almost no lag and very few dips in frame rate. Even with a full room of 16 players, the game holds steady. Epic has opted to add a taunt system to the game, which allows you to belittle your opponent in one of five or six predetermined insults.



As for downloadable content, there is an endless possibility of new maps and mods, thanks to the compatibility of user created content. At the time of this review, the first maps have become available for download. As long as there is a community of players dedicated to the game, there will be a constant stream of new game modes and environments to give the game replayability and keep things fresh.

 

UPDATED:  Sorry, we were not clear that we were not using a Dualshock 3 controller, thus we mentioned the current lack of rumble support here in North America.  Sorry for the trouble.  Due to the also constant issue of failed headset usage, at the time this review was being done, the online fix had not been added yet.  Thus it was missed from the final entry.  Sorry for the confusion.

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Comments

Comment

What are your thoughts?

  1. DaveW

    • 1:28am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    ZOMG FIRST COMMENT!!!1!!!1111!!!!!

    I enjoyed the review, however, my nose is brown.

  2. jackprkins | TheKingpin

    • 1:30am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    whoa whoa whoa!!?? no headset support? my blue-tooth works fine with it, and it DOES have rumble and leaderboards!!! and yes its the PS3 version u suck PSU PSN ID : TheKingpin

  3. DaveW | TheKingpin

    • 1:35am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Relax, kiddo.  He never said it didn't have rumble, he said the lack of rumble didn't bother him.  Meaning, he is using a standard Dualshock controller.  Calm down.

  4. NoUseMercenary | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 1:42am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Headset support wasnt fixed until after the game release in a post-release patch

  5. jackprkins | TheKingpin

    • 1:43am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    and this reveiw was released TODAY, tho i remember only a 1.1 patch for the PC version which i also have, and i used my headset on day one.

  6. tom ass

    • 1:48am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    The game DOES have leaderboards. It always has lol. The fact that this game is the first and only console game to support free user created content should make UT3 an automatic 9.0

  7. NoUseMercenary | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 1:51am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    I played through the game and found that the AI was pretty bad. Or at least my team mates AI.

    I thought the games graphics were somewhat decent and the online modes were fun. But lack of Co-Op and poor AI drops this for me.

     

    I would probably give Unreal a 8/10 or 7.5/10.

  8. tom ass

    • 1:53am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    theres online co-op. its the only way i can play the campaign mode and have fun doing it. about the AI. play it with god bots and tell me the AI sucks. if you can then your a FPS master

  9. NoUseMercenary | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 1:54am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Has anyone downloaded and tried mods yet? I have tried a few of the new maps and they are pretty cool.

  10. DaveW | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 1:54am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Tom and Jack, I apologize for the errors. We've updated it accordingly.

  11. tom ass

    • 1:55am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    the mods rock. i think theres 22 altogether available for the ps3 version at ut3mod.com

  12. NoUseMercenary | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 1:56am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @tom ass

    Yeah, but I wish there was offline splitscreen Co-Op, I much rather play with my friends at my place, and it doesnt lag.
    And I'd have to agree with you that the campaign is pretty boring by yourself.

  13. tom ass

    • 1:57am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    i bet this game would have gotten rave reviews had it launched with full mod support. i mean it would have been much easier to overlook the lackluster campaign with new maps every week.

  14. saso_7 | goose_7

    • 2:00am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    daveW.....who are you buddy, are you some sort of authority figure around here.....loved how you puckered up those great big lips...."solid review dusty, i loved reading it".....brownnose.....i read some where you an aspiring psu editor, well i hope you bring more to the table than those other incompetent psu editors such as Mr. Sarad Jackson, who just keeps re-hashing old news

  15. tom ass

    • 2:00am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @NUM... I believe Epic was looking into having splitscreen patched in. Even so it would only be 2 player split but thats better than nothing. This is weird but, I'm waiting for the X360 version of UT3 to come out because if it has splitscreen, then we're definitely gonna see it patched into the PS3 version.

  16. NoUseMercenary | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 2:05am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @tom ass

    Thanks for the link.

  17. DaveW | NoUseMerk_PSU

    • 2:07am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Saso, I did enjoy reading the review, because I haven't had the opportunity to play the title as of yet.  This along with Folklore have caused me to decide to just go ahead and pick up my PS3 this Friday/Saturday.  I'm already an editor with PSU, so I have no need to kiss anything. However, thanks for the semi-moral support.

  18. tom ass

    • 2:09am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    hey Dave don't forget to pickup Uncharted too.

  19. DaveW

    • 2:12am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Well, I'm for sure buying Folklore and UTIII....  Uncharted I think I could beat in a rental period, so I'm kind of hazy about buying it.

  20. D3v1lwqer23

    • 2:34am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Dont get ahead of yourself DaveW, Uncharted aint no short game les you sit there for hours on end, the combat is fairly challenging, the puzzles wont kill you (les you are a retard), but dude raider has a good amount of length.

  21. bloodwarg | bloodwarg

    • 3:06am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    right so the ps3 version you can mod? are the mods free?

    i ask because i havent been impressed by trailers but i like fps's so i might get due to hype

  22. iToke

    • 3:45am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    PSU editors.....without PS3's? its like a food critic...who doesn't eat food......

  23. chilledbreeze7

    • 4:47am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    sigghhhhh just wish we could buy and play it here in the UK :(

  24. PS3-The Ultimate Machine

    • 7:54am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Sooooo,has the ps3 mod thing been fixed,as i remember that the Editor needed a patch for it to make ps3 compatible mods.

  25. tanner1 | OB1K

    • 7:58am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    bad review in my eyes it deserved @ least a 9 as 4 campain mode its only meant 4 u 2 warm up ur skills 4 online battles thats all the game is made 4 online gaming just like warhawk so 4 get campain mode it shouldnt even affect the review.As 4 the people in europe havent u heard of ebay? thats how i got it

  26. ryanh7 | ryanh7

    • 8:34am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @tanner1 exactly right it was made mainly for online so i dont see the means to critisize the single player and needs a far better score

    PSN id: ryanh7

     

  27. Untildeath89 | willmakenewonesoon

    • 8:49am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    "itoke: 22 PSU editors.....without PS3's? its like a food critic...who doesn't eat food......"

    he got ps3 and ut3 and then made this review, btw he is a editor so he doesnt need a ps3 to edit psu.

     

    nice review i think fps games that dont break any bounderies should stick with 8-8.5 max, its not like they bring revolutionary idea every time, unreal looks like halo+gow so this wasnt all that bad for the people who are complaining and if u read it says for the fps lovers its must have that should be enough appeal for fps guys like most of u here

  28. Muzikguy | Muzikguy

    • 9:07am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    It's starting to make some sense finally. If PSU editors don't have PS3s it's no wonder they're rehashing old news. They don't go out and find things out for themselves, then report it (like reporters/editors do). Considering this game has been out for a month already I would have thought there would have been a "review" on it awhile ago. Also on the homepage the relase dates for the games are NEVER right.

  29. Heavenly_King | Heavenly King

    • 9:35am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Hey PSU editors, considering that you are reviewing/previewing PS3 games,  YOU MUST HAVE A PS3.   I´m just a player; and not a guy that works on this business; and I own already 140 PS2 games, 24 PS3 games and 20 PSP.   I think you should have more than that because it´s your JOB; but with this review and  the comment of DaveW makes me think otherwise.   HOW is possible for you to recently buy a copy of UTIII, a game that was released last year, and a PS3 IF YOU ARE ALREADY WORKING ON A SITE THAT TALKS ABOUT PS3 GAMES!!! WTH.   Man, I think It was better for you to lie in the last one.   It would be very funny that even you are working on this site you first had an X360.

  30. DaveW | Heavenly King

    • 9:48am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Are you guys really this dense? There are 22-23 writers and 4 editors for PSU.com. I'm the only one without a PS3 and I handle articles from Blu-ray, to PSP, to PS3 news. The rest of the staff have the PS3 console. Quit being so illogical with your coments and think things through first. I understand a lot of you are kids, but that's no excuse to be ignorant.

  31. NameTaken | NameTaken33

    • 11:10am GMT - January 10th, 2008

    UT3 online is great. Currently ranked in the 200's and am working my way into the top 10 :D

  32. iToke

    • 12:01pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @until death-wasn't even talking about the guy who did the review........

  33. Wieldsith | Wieldsith

    • 12:25pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    I love this game, I personally would have given it a 9 myself.

  34. iToke

    • 12:35pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Old news or useless news....it is usually either or - at least with this place.  I finally understand why now.....  DaveW-an editor of PSU-openly admits he doesn't have a PS3, but in fact, he still has a 360..............whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

  35. DaveW

    • 12:45pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    It's completely amazing how you still find yourself coming here iToke. It's almost unbelievable that you're still here reading the old and useless news that keeps you returning.

    PSU stands for PlayStation Universe, not PlayStation 3. The PlayStation brand name roams over to the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable; however, that's obviously over your head. The X360 is an electronics entertainment device just like the PlayStation 3. The fact that you're simple-minded enough to feel the need to justify your insecurities by feeling it "lacks" in any way, is mind boggling. Get a grip on your own reality.

    Being a gamer without enjoying all forms of gaming is like being a fat kid who only enjoys cake... Spread your tastebuds, turbo.

  36. iToke

    • 1:03pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Dude, turbo?  hah, man, I wasn't trying to be rude....but I think you succeeded in that department.....and you keep returning to this "old" article as well....it seems tho you only come back to defend yourself from what the "people" are saying......I was only joking about that whole 360 thing, but it definitely seemed to "irk" you in some manner.  No need to get so defensive.....and yes, while I know this is the Playstation Universe - as a whole - the majority of articles are in fact related to the PS3.....and Blu-Ray....I mean, I know I certainly don't come here to get up to the minute information on my PS2 or PSP - scratch that - I know I certainly don't come here to get up to the minute information on ANYTHING - but seriously, since I know you will be back, I might check this page once more to see what crazy stuff you are going to say next........after that, I agree to not return to this review of UT3 (Which is a little late anyways)

  37. blachaze | blachaze213

    • 1:06pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    jus release it in UK 4 gods sake!!!

  38. thegame97338 | G_PIG79

    • 1:53pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    This game is insane....

  39. Lp47PS3 | Lp47

    • 2:48pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    fun online game i like it alot. Wanna play PSN ID: Lp47

  40. GR3G0444 | Spectre01

    • 2:52pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Don't buy this game, rent it. If i bought this before i rented it, i would have been sooo pissed.

  41. tanner1 | OB1K

    • 3:37pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    @GR3G0444 if this game dont float ur boat then ur on titanic bud

  42. yoboyrob9041226 | BIGROB904

    • 4:45pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    look i am seriously thinking about getting this game just because of mod support seeing as how i dont play computer games only console i never experienced mods before this should be included in most games for the ps3 for now on this proves it can be done its just the fact that u need the pc version that gets me they should find a way to make some kind of software that can be downloaded to the ps3 and u can use it to make mods that would be great and this would slowly turn pc gamers away from pc games for good other than the graphics but it cost so much to get the best out of computers anyways but long live ps3

  43. Uncool | Admodistrator

    • 9:52pm GMT - January 10th, 2008

    Been going back and forth on the PC side but regardless this game is really polished and solid for fps fans.

  44. Damodoomer

    • 12:17am GMT - January 11th, 2008

    lol the comments here are more interesting than the review. Interesting that it's "one of the only must have games of 07" but only gets an 8.0. Didn't Lair get an 8.5? :P

  45. panaloiz | Panayiotis8

    • 11:08am GMT - January 16th, 2008

    I'm a great fan of unreal ....i have all the games of unreal on computer and i'm looking forward to buy it on PS3......One of the best games.....!!!!!

  46. cobracube | DESTRO2000

    • 6:48pm GMT - January 25th, 2008

    great review ...Single Player could be better!

  47. Pipes75 | Pipes75

    • 12:56pm GMT - February 16th, 2008

    It ain't no Call of Duty, but it is a decent shooter game that coulda been alot better.  It's a lil too sci-fi for me, but i have enjoyed it a lil when i decide to give call of duty a break, and I still feel like shootin stuff, :D. I'd rank it an 8, but I would suggest trying the game before getting this one, cuz if your like me, then unreal tournement will have troule getting in the system with call of duty staring at me, LMAO

  48. Die-romantic | Demon_King

    • 7:09pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    @itoke at least PSU has easier and faster navigation than IGN and Gamespot

  49. xXBIGZXx

    • 12:38pm BST - April 24th, 2008

    I have the ps3 version and let me tell you guys that the ps3 can support a mouse and keyboard when plying UT3! And its so much easier! The AI on God mode are quit easy for me since i have been playing the game since it first came out! So i would Give UT3 a 7.5/10. it strangly reminds me of GEARS of WAR for the 360!

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