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Quake 3 vs. Unreal Tournament  by Inferno January 1, 2000

At first glance, one could say Quake 3 looks very similar to Unreal Tournament. Both are first person fighting games that require the player to become skilled with a variety of weapons. Both have single player bots and multiplayer Internet capabilities. Both have similar weapons, the rocket launcher, machine gun, etc. Both where even unveiled around the same time. However, looking closer, one finds that each game has a lot that is unique to it and it alone. In comparing the two games, one will find differences in style of play, graphic quality, and game construction.

Quake 3 tends to be a fast pace, shot-them-up, explosive game. When playing it, you need to have the skills to contend with 2 to 3 enemies at a time. Using quick reflexes may be the only thing that will keep you alive, or at least keep you alive for a few more seconds. Quake has the feel of a glove when playing. You take and receive as if that glove was you, keeping you on your toes for danger. Progressing in skill, you learn different things about your weapons, and you become attune to moving in a quake body. Quake is more a game of fast thinking rather than tactics. Sure it involves a variety of small tricks like judging distance and checking heath before firing explosives, but when you come right down to it, Quake has more to do with reflexes.

Unreal Tournament on the other hand, has more the feel of a hunting game. A slower pace allows this type of feeling. In Unreal your fighting is more limited to one-on-one, taking on each person as they are hunted down. Sure quick reflexes and fast thinking has something to do with it but the vast majority of your playing involves picking your arsenal and finding your opponent with out him finding you first. Often the player to fire the first shot is liable to be the winner of the bout. Even when the actual encounter commences tactics are a large part of the fight. Since each weapon has two different uses, the way a player combines them can decide the victor. In addition, the ground chosen to fight can move the balance of power. As Quake 3 is to reflexes and fast thinking, Unreal is to hunting and tactics.

There is one word to describe the graphics of both Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament... WOW! The striking maps and models are superb. The Quake 3 maps are incredible, with curves and unbelievable walls that look as if they were living tissue. Quake 3 has a great gothic look, and when need be has a just as great technical look. Mirroring surfaces, reflective metallic walls and unsurpassable lighting effects all make Quake 3 one of the best-looking first person shooters around. Even some areas that may not be great, including fog and bullet and explosive marks, are still ground breaking. Quake 3 has great animation; the movements of the model are so realistic it even fooled me for a minute. When searching for a great game as far as graphically, Quake 3 definitely hits the top of my list.

Unreal is the only other first-person shooter that can come close to rivaling Quake 3; some things in Unreal are superior. Unreal maps are just as wonderful, a different feel though. Unreal maps have a more rigid look, rather than the flowing look of most Quake 3 maps. Unreal does not have the curving walls and columns of Quake 3, which has much to do with the rigid appearance. None the less, Unreal is impressive. Bullet marks in Unreal are awesome and the fog looks great. The marks from bullets are not simply black blotches; they have the appearance of depth and look as if a bullet really did strike there. Though, considering the pace of each game, your not going to stop and smell the roses when killing someone every two seconds, but when at a slower pace seeing bullet marks is much easier. Animation in Unreal, just as many other things, has a different look to it but it still is great. However, I do think Quake 3's animation is much more realistic. Unreal has its place next to Quake 3 on my list.

If there is anything more different between these games is their layout. Quake 3 relies on a set of menus, Unreal Tournament, on the other hand, uses an almost windows approach with a menu bar. The ease of navigating these different set ups depends on the user and what he or she is comfortable with. As far as bots, both games have an equal precedence on that. There is not much to layout, for how you start a game is not going to have a major effect on how much you like that game.

In comparing Quake 3 and Unreal, I have explored the subtle differences between these great games. Quake 3 is a fast pace game, requiring rapid reflexes, and swift thinking. Playing Quake 3 warrants that you get to business and do it quickly and skillfully. Unreal is a slower paced game, call for a player to hunt down opponents, and tactically using their weapons to kill the prey. Even with their differences, both are great games, and both are very fun to play.

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