Unreal II: The Awakening

If you like the Unreal series then you should love this. If you've never played the Unreal series then it still deserves at least a look in. Most games have cut scenes and a storyline but Unreal II pulls this off with whole cut scene levels as well as just video and dialogue. There's some attempt at character development and character life background of all things, that will probably have your average first person shooter player itching to get to the action, but that would be a shame. It doesn't have some of the over amped ultra violence of some shooters but that's because the focus is on the atmosphere and storyline. Saying that, the weapons are convincing, and always a test for me, they feel heavy and dangerous.

The model and facial animations also really stand out in this game. I haven't seen any other game made in this period with more convincing animations. Unreal doesn't take itself too seriously either, it's not trying to be 2001: A Space Odyssey, but by the time the credits roll (literally!) and the final movement of the excellent music begins, I really felt like I'd watched some fun Sci Fi B-Movie. No small achievement for a medium that is still regarded as trivial.

DJ Barney