Unreal Anthology (PC DVD)

This sure brings back memories... This pack contains the following 4 games:

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1.UNREAL (5-stars)
Where should I begin praising THE PERFECT GAME?

Graphically, it may seem dated today yet it was cutting edge at its time. I remember getting the original game, about 12 years ago, bundled with an nVidia graphics-card - and could not believe my eyes! Beautifully rendered surfaces, exceptional environments and an UNBELIEVABLE sky.

The weapons are well designed, there are upgrades and all have two different modes of firing! Walk and there is (adjustable) bobbing. Jump and you better had measured the distance or land in water - otherwise you get torn to pieces.

The game is pretty much linear, yet shortcuts or back-doors are available at numerous points - so exploring is encouraged. Simple puzzles add to the game's appeal (push a lever to drop the ladder here or turn the power on to activate the elevator there) - and usually reward with a weapon power-up.

Something lacking in many shooters even today is UNREAL's balance and fairness: you could take an enemy down with a single sniper headshot - but so could they. UNREAL was the first game I remember that WHERE you landed your shot started to count on the damage it did. EPIC had done a MONUMENTAL JOB!

What separated this game from the rest though were mainly two things: its unsurpassed atmosphere and its immersive story.
From the very first moment you wake up on the prison ship that was carrying you but crashed on an alien planet, you are gripped by fear and apprehension. You get only fleeing glimpses of the aliens - yet find ample evidence of their cruel handiwork on the ship's crew.
The first weapon you get is quite weak so you actually believe to be wandering out of the ship an into a world unknown with a puny phase gun. As the game progresses you are rewarded with both confidence and very impressive and innovative weapons. Who can forget the spinning blade-gun, blades bouncing around and shooting around corners but also yourself if not careful!

On top of everything else, the game is HUGE! The content of the original UNREAL alone would have been released in at least 3 installments today... Not to mention its (included for free!) multiplayer that spawned the UNREAL TOURNAMENT series.

The game comes bundled with its (hard to find) RETURN TO NAPALI expansion.

They just don't make them like this anymore...

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2. UNREAL TOURNAMENT (GOTY edition) (5-stars)
Based on the same engine as the original, this was the very first standalone Tournament game. Although its graphics may not appeal today to everyone, it is great fun and its numerous gameplay options together with the dozens available (free) MODs make this yet another classic masterpiece.

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3. UNREAL II (2-stars)
The original UNREAL was a phenomenal game - one of the best ever created. And I can understand that measuring up to that legacy would not be easy. However, ATARI could had, at least, tried.

Unfortunately this is not a game that has anything to do with the original title. I could not get myself involved, couldn't care less about the characters or the story. It took me all of two afternoons to finish it off and was a great disappointment since I was a great fun of the first and couldn't wait to get my hands on the "sequel" - which it is not.

The graphics are good but nothing close to groundbreaking. The surfaces are nice, the shadows non-existent and the muzzle-flashes totally annoying.

A poor addition to the series.

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4. UNREAL TOURNAMENT 2004 (Editor's Choice edition) (5-stars)
Not only is this the best Unreal Tournament game ever released but it is also the one with the most MODs available for endless hours of fun. This is a game I have replayed many times - and every time is as good as the first.

All in all, a great deal on a bundle of classic FPS games.

even better than the first time.. really. maybe its the 32in widescreen, but it looks amazing, plays great too (note for dual core processor users, the game can become jumpy or runs too fast or slow due to a timing issue. there is a patch that fixes it. I downloaded a patch from the amd website, and its all good, it may only affect win xp sp2 users. plenty of help and advice online too) four games for under four quid! Im going to have to try and stop using words like awesome and amazing ..but really.
one other thing if you dont install all of the games initially, you cant add them later without uninstalling the existing ones, worth remembering.
there are plenty of downloadable additions too, mods, texture packs and updates to enrich the experience. Personally i just dont care. Im gong back now to frag some skaarj, like i said before, awesome!

In just one box you get 4 of the best multiplayer games. Unreal Tournament 2004 it's my favourite one, it's very funny and full of action.