The installation passed without a hitch and the game installs a handy icon on your desktop (believe me you'll want it). A quick double click and your away. The game engine supports PowerSGL (Power VR native mode) and Glide (3DFX native mode) along with a software renderer for those not lucky enough to own a 3D accelerator. Direct3D and OpenGL versions are following soon, and will be provided through the Internet via the Unreal homepage Unreal.com.

Right from the off, whether your in hardware or software, the graphics hit you in the face like a speeding fully loaded 18 wheeler. It opens with a rotating ariel shot of a gloomy castle occasionally cast into shadow by sheet lightning effects. The options are split into the simple and immediate (basic video, audio and control configuration) and the advanced option mode which gives you the ability to tweak every technical option manually via a windowed menu system. Once you are happy with your settings start your new game.

As soon as you start the game you are plunged into a panic inducing situation involving you escaping from a crashing mother ship. Lights flicker and steam escapes from cracked piping in the walls. A computerised system announces (in a voice reminicent of the Aliens film finale) that the prisoners (that means you) are escaping the hold. Explosions rock the ship as you search for a weapon of some kind, tortured screams eminating (in stunning 3D sound) from your colleagues ring in your ears. Essentially the first couple of levels are to let you familiarise yourself ith the controls and to let you gawp at the stunning scenery without any worry of being shot at.

In actual fact the gawping factor remains with you throughout the entire game. I have read gushing reviews of past 3D first person perspective shooters such as Quake 2 whose language have been drenched in hyperbole but I cannot emhasise how much this game knocked me for six. The volumetric lighting, reflective floors, transparent portals (through which you can see the destination through in full perspective (the first time ever my jaw has literally dropped viewing a game!). Basically we are fast approaching the stage with in game graphics where they are starting to resemble pre-rendered scenes.

In game sound is the most under-used aspect of creating a believable 3D world, Unreal however takes realtime sound generation to new heights with the interactive music that changes beat with the mood of the game. The atmosphere created is tangible and unsurpassed even by Quake 2.

Unreal's designers have gone all out to try and be original. This originality means some pretty radical ideas for the in-game weaponry not all entirely successful. However they all provide a fresh alternative to the standards set by Quake 2. Theres also an additional fire button to fire your selected weapon in a different way. For example the Dispertion Pistol fires rapidly with the Fire button 1 but when you press and hold Fire button you can charge it for a few seconds and then release a more powerful blast of energy. This works extremely well most of the time and only Quake 2 masters will find the need to replace it on the mouse with the jump button.

The levels themselves are brilliantly designed and some ar truly huge in scale. There are also quite a few outdoor section which makes a nice change from the dank gloomy corridors of Quake.

Deathmatch is where Unreal falls down slightly. Though the weapons hold their own in the one player mode they dont acheive the balance that those in Quake 2 managed. Because of their nature (most notably the sniper rifle) they just arent best suited to deathmatch use. The levels are nicely laid out and obviously a lot of care and attention has been lavished on them. They have even included their own innovation called Darkmatch where players are plunged into a level devoid of lamps and supplied with a torch each. When all is said and done the Deathmatch niggles are based mainly on the fact that Quake 2 is established as the deathmatch game of choice a game has to be truly unique to usurp Quake as the master. The one area that Unreal does beat Quake 2 hands down is with its enemy AI. For instance its perfectly possible that you could be playing an 8 player deathmatch game and the computer controlled players (known as bots) could be the overall winner. They do show remarkable inteligence and are rock hard as a result.

Was it worth the wait?? Absolutely. I really cannot reccomend this game highly enough. Even if your not a fan of the genre, Unreal brings enough originality to make you change your mind. If however you are a fan then it is safe to say that you will have found heaven on earth.

Reviewed by : Paul James