Unreal Tournament 3 (xbox360: 2008): Reviews

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Unreal Tournament 3


7.5

based on 45 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 83 votes
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Cheat Code Central

Official Website

[Also known as "Unreal Tournament III"] Players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense shooting battles against skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These contests are fought with the most powerful sci-fi weapons and vehicles.Unparalleled graphical and physical realism from the latest Unreal Engine 3 technology delivers the most compelling First Person Shooter Experience to-date...online and offline. The weaponry is bigger and badder than ever. Destroy your opponent from a distance with the ever popular Link Gun or blast away at close range with the Bio Rifle. Battle against lightening fast A.I. in the deeper and richer single player tournament mode. Expanded Onslaught game type features two complete sets of high-tech vehicles, including the massive Leviathan, the terrifying Darkwalker, and a completely new way to get into the action...the Hoverboard. Fight side-by-side with or compete against new and returning characters from the UT franchise, all with enhanced abilities, extremely detailed looks and distinct personalities. Enhanced popular game types, including: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Instagib CTF and more. Unreal Tournament 3 will feature two new characters, five new expansive maps and split screen capability, all exclusive to Xbox 360. [Midway]

PUBLISHER:	Midway
DEVELOPER:	Epic Games
GENRE(S):	First-Person Shooter, Action
PLAYERS:	8
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	July 7, 2008

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Game Chronicles

Unreal Tournament III is about pure adrenalin and blazing reflexes and nothing can touch UT3 for experiencing both in classic shooter fashion online or going solo.

Team Xbox

It’s an old school shooter more closely related to "Quake" than "Call of Duty 4," with fast-paced explosion heavy action, a sci-fi theme to the levels and the weapons and a bunch of fun powerups like shields and damage amplifiers. In other words, it’s quintessentially an Unreal Tournament game.

MEGamers

An excellent, furious, intense FPS game that will keep you at the edge of your seat for a good, long time.

Worth Playing

No matter how many first-person shooters the Xbox 360 has, there's always room for one of the quality of Unreal Tournament 3.

Official Xbox Magazine UK

As a tech demo of Xbox 360's power and a showcase of how fast, skilful and enjoyable simple online battling can be when it's taken back to basics, there's nothing better around right now.

360 Gamer Magazine UK

Despite being low on solo content, UTIII manages to escape the usual pitfalls this presents with some wickedly intense action whether you’re alone, with company or getting your ass handed to you online. It’s like a constant onslaught of the infrequent thrilling bits of many other FPS games, only with absolutely no respite. If your heart is up to it, then you really can’t go far wrong.

Gameplayer

Epic Games is onto a winning formula and UTIII does deliver just what online console gaming needed: accessible, frantic, and endlessly enjoyable old-school gameplay. Just switch on your console, get in there and blow sh.t up.

X360 Magazine UK

Incomparable to the pure fear that accompanies "Rainbow Six Vegas 2" and more akin to taking part in a sport than a war, Unreal Tournament III is the most accessible and technical shooter available, and it’s near impossible to fault it.

GameSpy

The game looks gorgeous (come on, what did you expect?), runs very smoothly, and features some cool new additions to the series. Sure, the single-player mode is hackneyed and contrived, but the multiplayer action is as good as ever. This is the best console Unreal game to date.

WonderwallWeb

The single player campaign is not so great, however this game is all about online and it is here that it excels.

Xbox360Achievements

It looks great and plays great and that is more than enough for me.

XboxAddict

Overall this game is top notch and a must have for FPS fans.

AceGamez

The most compelling reason to play Unreal Tournament III is its rarity, as such games are a dying breed. Regardless of your feelings toward this vein of game, you can't deny that they're something a little different than what born and bred console players are used to and Unreal still proudly flies the flag for old school shooters with great success.

ZTGameDomain

With a lack of user-customization being the biggest pitfall Unreal Tournament 3 is still worth your money if you don't already own it. You will be hard pressed to find a faster or more visceral experience on the console.

Console Monster

Unreal Tournament 3 is all about the action. It isn't deep, but it is immensely fun.

Pelit (Finland)

A very good classic FPS. The warfare-mode is great fun with large amount of players. Too bad the maximum is only 16 players. [Sept 2008]

Gamers' Temple

If you're looking for a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable online shooter, then you'll find UT3 to be among the best that the Xbox 360 has to offer. If you don't like playing online, though, there are better first person shooter experiences for solo play out there.

IGN AU

A pristinely polished package that owns old-school twitch shooting. Not only does it look ravishing, but the new vehicles and features round it out as a near faultless package. Our only main concern is that its chaotic gameplay lies on a road well trodden, and the game's prized mode – Warfare – at times feels as much laborious as it us fun.

IGN

Because of Microsoft-imposed restrictions on the sharing of user-created content, Unreal Tournament 3 lacks the incredible expandability of the other releases. Thankfully that doesn’t stop this latest Unreal Tournament 3 release from being well worth your time and money if you’re fan of either the genre or the series.

Game Informer

UT 3 still offers fast and furious action like few others, and 360 sci-fi shooter fans finally have a reason to take a break from "Halo 3."

MS Xbox World

If you're more of a solo gamer that prefers a shooter with some form of campaign, then Unreal Tournament 3 is quite simply not that kind of shooter, this game is just based on all out bloody carnage in the best tournament arena available, which is online over Xbox Live.

GameZone

A true frag fest that is destined to become a classic among UT fans.

Official Xbox Magazine

It sometimes feels overwhelming to navigate labyrinthine passageways while directing a team and trying to not get flanked by a flak cannon, but that’s exactly the kind of chaotic depth that helps replay value.

PTGamers

UT3 is an excellent addition to the Xbox 360 catalog, even though it lacks some features that were present in the PS3 version.

Extreme Gamer

Unreal Tournament III showing on the Xbox 360 is in top form. Epic Game’s Unreal Tournament III still proves why it's one of the most successful and loved online shooters of the last decade.

Planet Xbox 360

Despite all it offers in terms of maps, vehicles, and weapons, the 360 version of Unreal Tournament III is unfortunately lacking. While PC and Playstation 3 users get essentially the same content to play with, the ocean of depth of their experience makes the 360 version look like the kiddie pool.

Gaming Age

While UT3 isn't going to reinvent the FPS wheel, it does supply what has been greatly missing in FPS as of late, which is just a straight forward, fun as hell, experience that is endless as long as you have friends to play with.

Games Master UK

Lone players be warned, this is not for you - but online it's a multiplayer masterpiece. [Sept 2008, p.75]

GameFocus

Great visuals.

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Everything just feels so tight, so slick, so-self assured. Yes, it might take you five minutes to get used to the lightning quick, almost slippery feel to the controls, but when those controls 'grip', you start to realise you're being guided by one of the best.

VideoGamer

A stunning looking, slick and polished FPS that every competitive 360 gamer should add to their collection. It's difficult to see how UT can unleash itself from the shackles of its genre though. Should Epic even bother?

PALGN

Though it lacks the modability of the PS3 and PC ports, it makes up with the excellent implementation of split-screen and is a game sure to please multiplayer gamers in search of something new.

EuroGamer

As good as "Enemy Territory: Quake Wars," "Frontlines: Fuel of War" and "Team Fortress 2" are, Unreal Tournament III is the most intense and ridiculous of the bunch. What it lacks in terms of bold innovation, it more than makes up for in terms of raw playability and refined execution, and Epic has come up trumps with a fine conversion.

GameDaily

Not all is perfect, however. UT III's single-player campaign is shallow, the dialogue is cheesy (and constantly repeated) and you can't create your own maps. Aside from those dilemmas, this is still a Tournament worth your attention.

G4 TV

The real meat is online though, and Unreal Tournament 3 doesn't disappoint. Rock solid framerates even during intense, large matches, and stable connections help make the game one of the best online fights out there.

Gamer.nl

Unreal Tournament 3 is a fantastic shooter that you'll enjoy for weeks to come. There's great balance here and there are five new maps. A sure bet for fans of shooters.

Boomtown

For those of you who have always loved Unreal Tournament but no longer game via your PC than there's really no need to deliberate. You need UTIII on console, and either the X360 or PS3 versions will scratch that UT itch in a very satisfying way.

GameSpot

Even without player-created content, the Xbox 360 version of this online shooter holds its own, providing plenty of slick, thrilling sci-fi action.

Level7.nu

Unreal Tournament III is, like it's siblings on the PC and Playstation 3, a great looking multiplayer title with equally great gameplay mechanics. Playing a round with a friend in your couch is a great experience, as is jumping into a frantic game online. The only caveat in this version is loading times being a tad bit too long and the lack of downloadable user created content. These shortcomings aside, this is one great and entertaining experience.

Cheat Code Central

A solid first-person shooter marked by exceptionally smooth multiplayer support. Plus, the community of players that gamers who purchase the game will be joining is outstanding.

Thunderbolt

It's decidedly old-school, but if instant-gratification action is what you're after, don't hesitate to pick up the 360 version of UTIII.

Game Revolution

UT3 would have been a stroke of genius ten years ago, but now is just a passable entry into a genre that has exploded since the series was first introduced. Is it good? Sure, but if your multiplayer diet is already given over to consuming much better games, there’s no reason to make the switch.

GamePro

Unreal Tournament III's game style is still too tied to the PC's mouse-and-keyboard interface to be easily playable on a console controller (and believe me, I tried). Had Epic dialed down the speed, simplified the interface, and re-tuned the weapons to leverage the strengths of the Xbox 360's input device, Unreal Tournament III might've found a niche on Xbox Live.

Giant Bomb

It's a predictable entry in the series, and it's also competing in what's still the most competitive genre on the platform. I ended up liking UT3 for its constancy--at times it feels like a warm handshake from an old friend. But it also feels totally routine from start to finish.

1UP

UT3's Xbox 360 version is huffing and puffing and bringing up the rear, long after anyone cares to watch the race.

The average user rating for this game is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 83 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Apocalypse Brown gave it an8:
This is definitely a game of two halves, an excellent multiplayer then a dreadful single player. In the unreal world, the single player is only ever practice for the multiplayer. However in previous games the single player was short and sweet. This version however has some of the longest and most stale ideas I have ever seen! Truly boring after an hour. But the real meat and potatoes is the joint BEST multiplayer on the 360. It's better than Halo, Ghost Recon, Battlefield and the woeful COD. Only GOW and TF2 are on par with this, and why? Because it is sheer quality of FUN and BIG WEAPONS! From the first game to the last, lobbies are full of players waiting to blow each other to pieces, which in unreal is very satisfying. It is so easy to pick up and play, yet it takes time to master, it truly is a gaming classic. But the graphics are quite weak compared to it's PC brother, and of course no modding of characters suck! But with more levels and options, the 360 version more than makes up for it. In conclusion the multi gets a perfect ten, but the single player and graphics drag the overall score down to an eight.

Khristian R. gave it a9:
This goes back to the very first UT game with the weaponry. Also the gameplay goes back to. Graphically it looks brilliant and it moves at a hell of a smooth speed. There's a hell of a lot of levels to choose from and different options. Also the one player campaign is a decent addition to. A bit bizarre talking about the one player being the addition, but its the Multiplayer people will play for definitely. Usually its the other way around. I've always rated the UT slightly higher than Quake for the main reason, there's a bit more imagination behind the levels and a bit more creation. This is one of those games that has to be seen and played to really appreciate how good it is. Also this still has the bot feature, a feature which most games don't seem to have. You can fight up to 15 bots and include yourself in the fight for a 16 free for all. I've never understood why games don't have both bots and online play so that it caters for both sides. The additional of Vehicles on the Warfare modes, as well as the board on the Flag modes really adds a new dimension. Admittedly I do miss the Star-Wars-Esque Sword fighting from UT 2: Liandri. There are problems but only minor ones. Say for example, if you're on the level. I forget the name of it, it looks like Blade Runner, set in a street, all dark blue, the one that has a hologram ad in the middle. If you get control of the spider robot, everyone has to work to take it down. It really can make things a little one-sided. But thats small in comparison. I ts a total 360 game, style, speed, graphics and most of all playability. It has it all. Definitely a 360 essential. SCORE : 91%.

Dan L. gave it a7:
Great looking game. Very fast paced and attractive shooter. A bit shallow in depth, but to be fair it is what it is- a pure as it gets old school shooter. Online an absolute necessity with the game. If no online-don't bother. I enjoyed it but found myself getting a little bored. It's a safe bet, but not to everyones taste. It deserves much credit for what it puts out, a really honest game pretending to be nothing it's not.

Cory D. gave it an8:
Beautiful looking game, and some really fun maps for a variety of games. The storyline is almost disposable, but the gameplay is fun enough that it's not a big detriment. If they had made the multiplayer interface/lobby even remotely as user-friendly as Halo3, I could maybe even justify a 9 out of 10! ..still, it has only a few shortcomings, but plenty of enjotment to be had.

Matt B. gave it a9:
Fast and frantic as always, but with by far the best graphics ever in a UT game and a few new modes (Warfare mode is awesome). Not much has changed, it's pretty much good old UT but it rocks. Campaign is lame, but who cares? Tight controls, split screen is a nice bonus. Insanely fun, and though one trick pony, it does what it does so well I can't stop coming back for more. Best played with joystick sensitivity pushed wayyyy past default settings (I play on max) to better emulate keyboard & mouse speed.

Brett B. gave it a10:
Awesome game, best futuristic shooter on 360, and very faithful to the UT series! Includes splitscreen multiplayer, bot support, an upgrade from the tournament style singleplayer to a campaign, updated original UT maps as well as new ones, and the warfare mode is awesome!

Paul J. gave it an8:
Basically the single player game is one big tutorial with cut scenes. But saying that the game looks real nice and you only really buy Unreal Tournament games for the online play anyway. A must for any UT fan or online FPS gamer.