Bombing Run is da Bomb. Figuratively speaking of course.
The main improvement in UT is the graphics, with a polygon count that exceeds the original UT three hundred times. When you look at the screenies below, you can see how much UT evolved. Unlike the lifeless industrial complexes in the original, UT2003 is populated with wild shrubbery, trees, waterfalls and other breathtaking natural phenomenon. Not only are these maps beautiful but they stretch on and on, big is just an understatement. The skin movements and weapons are what anarchists dreams are made off, with stunning explosions and satisfying player actions. This game really does need to be seen in full flow, stills don't do this game justice. I urge you to download a movie, because you need to know just how great this game looks.
Enough about graphics lets talk about the game play. 5 modes populate the new UT, with one new (very exciting) edition; you are going to love this. Death match, Team Death match and Capture the Flag all make a welcome return to UT, being generously tweaked a long the way, but they all remain essentially the same.
Domination is also back under the disguise of Domination 2.0. The original mode was very chaotic and a tad 'fluky' at times, requiring hardly any team play or skill. But 2.0 will change all that, with only 2 markers on a map, both placed on opposite sides of the map, in order to stretch the team, and making it impossible to hold both tags comfortably. The aim of this mode is to take possession of 2 different markers placed on the opposite ends of a map, you do this touching them, thus turning them your colour. But if your enemy touches them they will turn their team colour. Points are given for the amount of time your hold the tags in your possession, the longer they are in possession the more points you earn. Understand? Good lets move on.
Finally we reach the coup de grace, the brand spanking new mode for Unreal Tournament 2003, Bombing Run. This mode is truly a sport. The game play revolves around a ball which appears in the centre of a map, the teams aim is to get the ball in the other team's base, to score points. Sounds easy doesn't it well there is a catch. You cannot fire any weapons while holding the ball, and you have to rely on your team-mates to cover you. While that happens the other team will be trying to frag you will a full arsenal of redeemers, and rocket launchers. Many online teams, clans, and leagues have already declared their support for this mode and have spawned universal gaming support. So expect hundreds of leagues popping up on the release date, lead designer Mark Rein seems excited "It promotes teamwork and strategy", "A true UT sport, which several UK based online groups, and organisations are already backing." The potential of Bombing Run is limitless, it could be compared to American football with more explosions and ton loads of excitement. We should all be very excited.
Even though UT2003 is designed for internet play, Epic has taken considerable effort in perfecting their single player experience. You have already been crowned the Ultimate Death match champion (in the original) only one area is left unconquered, the Team death match scene. You are drafted into a lowly division team, you are soon proclaimed captain and must take your band of merry men (or women) to the top. Your team consists of five players, two offenses, two defenses, and the captain's free role. You must lead your team to glory using strategy and skill. You will play against over fifteen different races including Skarr, robots, Egyptians and many other surreal life forms. All with a different playing style which adapts to your own as you play, the bots actually learn as you play. The 'Matrix' future moves ever closer.
Your team mates also improve and as you travel up the leagues, gaining valuable experience. You can even use your winnings to draft other players in, in case yours aren't pulling their weight, just like in real sports such as football, and soccer. A multiplayer game with an enthralling single player experience? Well Half Life showed that dream is possible, lets hope Epic can pull off the same feat.
The weapons in UT2003 have been tweaked to perfection, with a few new additions. The Machine Gun, Translocator, Rocket Launcher, Flak Cannon, Minigun, Shock Rifle and Redeemer all make a welcome return. The first new addition is the Shield Gun, it replaces the hammer in UT, it covers the player with a flat shield, it is however very ammo hungry, and doesn't last too long, although is does recharge in time. The second new firearm is the Pulse Rifle, this gun releases a steady stream of energy towards your opponent, slowly wearing him down after a few seconds, it can however be charged by linking it with your team mates, thus doubling the damage to the enemy, this gun can be linked with 3 of your team mates. All guns have been slightly altered to add a more balanced form of game play, and to eliminate the 'Newb' always going for the Rocket Launcher.
Throughout UT2003's development the fans have been involved every step of the way, with lead designers such as Mark Rein giving q and a sessions on MIRC, and releasing videos of game play with every new development. Epics dedication to the gamer has been absolute. This support will continue with the new Unreal Editor that is shipped with the game. It is based on the original editor for Unreal, but is much more powerful and easier to use. It has become a lot easier to create new levels, modifications, and entirely new gaming concepts with this editor. It is so easy to use that the creators are confident that they expect new levels and mods to appear days after UT2003s initial release.