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Last night I was visiting my local EB store, and randomly searching the shelves for a game to throw down on before my vacation in April. I'm not exactly sure why I had forgotten the date, however seeing UT2k4 on the shelf was one of the most beautiful sights of a videogame's box I've seen in a while. Giggling, I paid for it, and went home, anxious to see this greatness of an update.

I did not get the special edition, unlike richie, and probably every other smart individual out there, mainly because there weren't any left, heh. However, inside the "standard version", I guess you would call it, is a CD Booklet, a few atari stickers, and a $10 rebate form, which I still think is a good selling point. Always nice to give cold cash back to your fans, heh.

Even though the install had a boisterous number of discs, I have to say, it breezed buy. Something warm and familiar about the Unreal Install Screen that just says "Don't worry, it'll be worth it".

Fired up the game, saw the same intro for the demo, only with much improved sounds, set up my controls, then got started in the single player mode. It definitely has seemed to evolved as a gametype, in that you are now able to win "credits" from battles. I've played through all of the DM qualifications, as well as 3 of the Team DM qualifications, and I'm still not sure what these credits are used for, other than hiring people for your team.

I decided to fire up the internet games, only to find that certain titles, such as "Double Domination", "Last Man Standing", and "Mutant" had absolutely NO servers to play on, which is something I was afraid of. To be honest, DD was my favorite of the included mods in 2003, and I'll be really sad if the only way I get to play it is by buckling down and running my own server, heh.

As for Assault and Onslaught, there were a plenty. I was also shocked to see a few standard death matches and team death matches in the mix. It's almost refreshing to know the love for those types are still around.

As for Bombing Run and CTF, they're still there, they're still great, but nothing has really changed in them. In fact, I think the only thing they did with the concept of the game was add more alley ways for you to duck out of places, in new maps.

I'm hoping the number of servers will increase a tad by saturday, so I can try some Mutant, which was a fun expansion from 2003 via the atari websight. Basically, whoever is the "mutant" is a super buff persona, and has until he's killed to take everyone out. If he dies, the person that administered the final blow comes back as the mutant immediately. Good stuff, but sort of disorienting if people keep taking your kills.

Oh well, I've babbled enough. Let me know what you guys think of it, not to mention list some servers you'll be playing on. I wouldn't mind fragging with you guys.

Ok, I downloaded the demo and have been playing it, and HOLY SHIT. This is like a mix of every other FPS poured into a bowl, topped with a healthy dose or two of fucking SPEED (and I mean the drug), and whipped into a frenzy. It fucking rules, but I can't keep up with the action! Hours spent playing Halo have dulled my reaction time so difficultly earned from the original UT (never had a chance to play 2K3), and even then, this game is faster than the original by far. Any tips for someone who can't even keep up with the wackos jumping off walls and shit? And how the hell are they doing that anyway??

EDIT: Oh, and goddammit, why'd they replace my dual pistols with those damn automatic assault rifles?? WHY? WHYYYYYYYYY???

Ah, yes, the ever-classic double pistols. Thou shalt be missed.

The assault rifle is decent, and the grenade launcher is a nice touch, but nothing will ever replace that feeling of going head on with someone, barrels blazing, locked in the gangsta style position .

I didn't play much Mutant when 2003 was around, which is one reason I was looking forward to it this time around. But, sadly, I have to agree, I can't find too many servers . Oh well, I'll live.

New objective-based game modes are great, but sometimes, after too much BF or Assault, I just wana go out and blast anything that moves . Sadly, there are far too few DM servers out there. Hopefully that'll change.

I feel the same way about Halo, which is why I never really got into it on PC. I bought it, because the x-box version is just amazing. But actually having a mouse, compared to my roots, such as quake, the game is incredibly slow and disorienting, heh. Thank god for UT.

I miss the pistols too, almost religiously. I still have UT:GOTY edition installed JUST for those pistols, actually. Everyonce in a while, I'll run a bot single player game, and make every other weapon against regulation. Well, that and redeemer, just incase I suck, and need to blow off some steam, heh.

The mutant game type, at least in 2003, was usually just dedicated servers running bots 24/7. It was a sad sight. I'm hoping that they added something to it to spice it up a tad, but it doesn't look promising. I'm definitely going to buckle down and learn how to make maps for this game, however. I'll make mutant fun, but force spawning them into cages, and being forced to use a sniper rifle, heh. See, caged animals are fun.

I was also hoping to see a little Unreal 2 influence in this game, some of the game play elements in U2, such as "benefits from gaining spawn points" and such, would really make Onslaught a perfect game, IMO. The constant struggle with that damn Leviathan is getting on my nerves though. I spent 5 minute minutes alone, dodging, and firing at that blasted thing, only to still lose the match. Air raids weren't doing a darn thing, heh. Levis definetly need to be toned down a tad.

I've finally figured out what the small emptiness inside of me is from: the lack of the Ripper. I loved the Ripper in the original UT, though it was under-appreciated and under-used.

I've seen some continued bitching on forums about the Lightning Gun, even though the old-school-style Sniper Rifle is back. Honestly, I don't like the Lightning Gun as much either, but as a flag runner or a melee fighter, being able to locate sniping campers is very much a blessing. I know, I know, the whole point of sniping is not to be seen, but in old UT, the Sniper Rifle often dominated. The way it is now, UT2004 is just about camper-proof, which is crucial to mantain the frenzied pace the game is known for. If I'm not mistaken, I've only seen the old-style Sniper Rifle in Assault mode, which is fine with me because Assault mode requires much more strategic tatics, and camping is a critical tactic when you're defending objectives.

To be very honest, I don't miss the pistols. (Enforcers I believe they were called) The new Assault Rifle(s) serve the same purpose, and don't really seem weaker or more difficult to use. It's all the same to me.

R.T. wrote:Any tips for someone who can't even keep up with the wackos jumping off walls and shit? And how the hell are they doing that anyway??

Think Super Smash Bros. There's double-jumping too, just hit jump again at the peak of your jump. Once you get the hang of it, do it off the walls.

Tips... hmm... stay in the air, stay moving, stay alert. Jump and double-jump rather then going up stairs as much as possible. Elevators are very fast, use them. Do some Deathmatch before jumping right into Onslaught or Assault, you'll be much more effective. Headshots are very helpful, try playing a little CS if your headshot-reflexes are rusty. Get good with the Rocket Launcher and Flak Cannon, those are the two most important weapons. High ground is often better, stay up. Never pass up an opportunity to grab some health or shields - it can save your ass. Learn where the Super-Shield and the Double Damage power-ups are on each level. Also, adapt to the other players, if they are just wasting you with Flak Cannons, then go long range with the Shock Rifle, Lightning Gun, Rocket Launcher, etc.

Realm wrote:To be very honest, I don't miss the pistols. (Enforcers I believe they were called) The new Assault Rifle(s) serve the same purpose, and don't really seem weaker or more difficult to use. It's all the same to me.

Indeed, the Assault Rifle does a great job of being an adequate first gun, but (to me atleast) the pistols always felt a ton more accurate. Much better for long range stuff too, IMO. The Assault Rifle seems to only be good for close quarters stuff. /me shrugs Just my style coming out, I guess.

Lol, I think you're giving the Assault Rifle a Halo stereotype. Halo is the only game I've played where a PISTOL is more accurate than a RIFLE. (think about the definitions, and you'll realize how retarded that is) I've killed from very long range with the UT Assault Rifle, I don't know anything specific, but it seems to be quite accurate. Compared to the old Enforcers though? I don't know, maybe, maybe not.

Trust me, the assault rifle's accuracy is nothing compared to the old enforcers'. That was the very first thing I noticed about this game. You have to pick up a link gun or a shock rifle to have something with any accuracy (anything useful anyway... the lightning rifle seems to actually take longer to fire than the average sniper rifle, but that could just be me...)

I finally got my copy of this game after a little trouble with an Ebay member... I tried to get a deal, but it was more of a headache. It's mine now though.

From what I've played I'm loving it so far. I liked the original quite a bit, and thought 2003 was rather fun. In the original UT days I actually played Quake III more because I just love the faster paced insane action. UT was good, but I loved the speed in Q3. 2003 was fun but I never got into it much.

So far 2004 is a good combination of everything good. It's tons faster than the previous games, plenty of maps, gametypes, etc. Although my current PC rig is aging a bit, and when I try playing team games like Assault, my frame rate just sucks. Which is OK for me. A team game is ok once in a while, but I've always been a huge fan of deathmatch games. Since Doom and Quake I've just been addicted to this style game. Although I was having some fun with a little CTF yesterday.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes FPS's or just good games in general. Now if only I had money to upgrade my PC.