Overview
Unreal Tournament 3 is a multiplayer-focused sci-fi fantasy first-person shooter developed by Epic and published by Midway for the PC on November 19, 2007. It was later released for the PlayStation 3 on December 12, 2007 and for the Xbox 360 on July 7, 2008.
The sequel to Unreal Tournament 2004 (and the first in the series without involvement from Digital Extremes), Unreal Tournament 3 brings the fast-paced arena-based gameplay to Epic's Unreal Engine 3 game engine. Along with a revamp of both aesthetics (featuring a grimier style similar to Epic's earlier game Gears of War) and gameplay (including the removal of the ability-based "Adrenaline" system), the game features customizable characters, new game modes, new vehicles, and a story-based campaign mode (which can be played in single-player or co-operative for up to four players).
Unlike previous games, the main campaign does not follow the Liandri Grand Tournament. Set in the year 2307, four years after the events of Unreal Tournament 2004, the story follows a band of survivors after their human colony was invaded by Krall forces (which was quickly discovered to be led by the Necris High Inquisitor Akasha). After joining the Izanagi Corporation as mercenaries (under the codename "Ronin"), the team (led by James "Reaper" Hawkins) works against Izanagi's rivals (Liandri and Axon) to gather resources for their payback against the Necris. It is the first game in the series to use the concepts of "Respawners" and "Field Lattice Generators" (or "FLAGS") to explain the universe's combat outside of a tournament scenario.
The PS3 version of the game features inputs for mouse and keyboard controls and support for community-made mods. While the X360 version does not feature any of that, it includes timed-exclusive content (including maps, characters, and split-screen support). The PC and PS3 versions of the game later received a major content update on March 5, 2009. Dubbed the "Titan Pack", it added a new user interface, numerous gameplay improvements, a dozen new maps, two new game modes, new vehicles, and the namesake "Titan" mutator. The PC version was also digitally released by Epic for Steam on the same day, with the Titan Pack included, as Unreal Tournament 3: Black Edition (also known as Unreal Tournament 3 Black).
As the game used the GameSpy multiplayer service for the PC and PS3 versions, the game's original multiplayer servers were shut down on July 31, 2014 after GameSpy's demise. While the PS3 version remains unsupported, the PC version was updated on June 2, 2014 to replace the multiplayer service with a working in-house solution.
Game Modes
The base game features six game modes:
- Deathmatch - Standard free-for-all deathmatch. Earn points by killing enemies and lose points by suicide.
- Team Deathmatch - Standard team-based deathmatch. Earn points as a team by killing enemies and lose points as a team by both suicide and killing with friendly fire.
- Capture the Flag - Objective mode where teams earn points by taking their opposing team's flag and bringing it to their own flag post with their own flag intact. It is the only official mode where the Translocator is used (which can be optionally disabled).
- Vehicle CTF - Capture the Flag with vehicle support. Instead of the Translocator, players have access to the Hoverboard (which can be optionally disabled). While players with the flag can get into the passenger side of some vehicles, they drop the flag when they enter any other vehicle.
- Warfare - An extended version of Onslaught mode from Unreal Tournament 2004, Warfare is a large-scale vehicle-based team-based objective mode where teams fight for control over a series of "Power Nodes" connecting both bases (each with their own "Power Core"). Teams can only take control of a Node by either attacking it with weaponry (then staying nearby as it builds) or by carrying a special Orb item to that Node (both of which require the Node to be "connected" either the team's Core or another of the team's Node). Players can heal their Nodes and speed up the build time of their Nodes using the Link Gun's Secondary Fire. Once a team controls all Nodes linking their Core to the enemy team's, they can attack the enemy Core. Destroying the enemy team's Core gives the winning team points and restarts the round. In addition, the game includes Support Nodes which give additional benefits (including access to more vehicles, quicker access to certain areas, and the ability to damage the enemy Core without it being vulnerable). Like Vehicle CTF, players have access to the Hoverboard for easy transportation.
- Duel - Free-for-all deathmatch with a twist: only two players fight at a time in one-on-one rounds. The loser of the round is sent to the back of the player queue, with the player at the top of the queue entering the game for the next round. A special mode-exclusive mutator, Survival, replicates the mode of the same name from the Xbox version of Unreal Tournament 2003 (replacing multiple one-on-one rounds with a single round, with the queue rotating per-kill).
Additional game modes can be applied using game mods. The game later received two additional game modes, acquired by installing the Titan Pack:
- Greed - Objective modes where teams earn points by having players collect "Skulls" from killing enemies and depositing them at the enemy goal. When players die, they drop a Silver Skull pickup that can be collected by any other player. If the player has any additional Skulls, they also drop those as additional pickups (where every 20 skulls are dropped as single Red Skull pickups and every 5 skulls after that are dropped as single Gold Skull pickups). Players who are driving vehicles drop additional Skulls when killed (+9 for Leviathan, +5 for Goliath/Darkwalker, +1 for any other vehicles). Once a player reaches the enemy goal with one or more Skulls, all of their Skulls are immediately deposited and they teleport back to one of their spawn locations. In addition, players gain armor and a temporary Damage Amplifier boost by collecting Skulls (first after their fifth Skull, then after ever ten Skulls). With the Titan mutator, collecting Skulls adds to the player's Titan Meter, players who transform into a Titan drop their skulls (and cannot collect any more), and dead Titans/Behemoths drop a fixed amount of Skulls (one Gold and one Red respectively). The game uses both Capture the Flag and Vehicle CTF maps, with Vehicle CTF maps adding the ability to use the Hoverboard.
- Betrayal - Free-for-all deathmatch with a twist: players automatically form temporary alliances with 1-2 other players, where their kills also add to the team's kill "pool". All players are limited to a special version of the Instagib Rifle (with the Secondary Fire firing a seemingly-harmless blue beam). At any point, players can use the Secondary Fire to kill a teammate and become rogue, dumping all points from the team "pool" into their personal score and disbanding the team. While a player is either rogue or freelancing, none of their kills contribute to any "pool". Former teammates have a limited amount of time to hunt down their corresponding rogue to gain bonus points. After some time, more temporary alliances are formed of freely-available rogue/freelancers (with possibility for the same alliance). In addition, players who kill other players with a higher score gain additional points to help them catch up in the scoreboard (the value depending on the score difference, with the maximum value at 10 points).
Weapons
Vehicles
Axon
Necris
Other
Pickups
Deployable
Factions
The base game includes 28 playable characters, with eight characters as unlockables, two characters requiring a pre-order unlock code, and two characters with a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360 version). All characters are sorted into five factions (Iron Guard, Ronin, Krall, Necris, and Liandri) and are customizable (with players choosing armor pieces).
Ronin
A team of human mercenaries backed by the Izanagi Corporation. Comprised of survivors from the invasion of the Twin Souls colony, they will not rest until they witness the destruction of all responsible for the massacre.
Led by Reaper, they are clad in red-plated armor with black mesh and serve as the game's main protagonists.
- Reaper
- Bishop
- Othello
- Jester
- Kai
- Kana (timed-exclusive to the Xbox 360 version, later added in the Titan Pack)
Necris
An elite group of assassins backed by the secretive Phayder Corporation. Comprised of humans brought back from the dead (using the company's Necris Process, which uses "nanoblack" nanobots to reanimate corpses), they declare war on Earth's forces and begin conquering worlds.
Led by Akasha, they wear black armor with golden plating and serve as the game's main antagonists. Unlike previous Unreal Tournament games, they are also seen with cybernetic body parts.
- Akasha (unlockable)
- Loque (unlockable)
- Damian (unlockable)
- Kragoth (unlockable)
- Malakai (unlockable)
- Alanna (pre-order exclusive, playable with an unlock code)
Iron Guard
Consisting of highly trained human mercenaries, the Iron Guard is also known for their continued presence in the Liandri Grand Tournament. Currently, they guard areas belonging to the Axon Research Corporation.
Led by Lauren, they wear thick yellow armor and serve as one of the game's minor antagonists.
- Lauren (unlockable)
- Barktooth
- Harlin
- Slain
- Blackjack
- Ariel (pre-order exclusive, playable with an unlock code)
Liandri
A team of combat-modified security drones for the Liandri Mining Corporation, also known for their continued presence in the Liandri Grand Tournament. Currently, they guard areas belonging to Liandri.
Led by Matrix, they serve as one of the game's minor antagonists.
- Matrix (unlockable)
- Aspect
- Cathode
- Enigma
- Nova (timed-exclusive to the Xbox 360 version, later added in the Titan Pack)
Krall
A tribe of intelligent, yet vicious, reptilian predators used by the Necris to pacify newly-conquered planets.
They are led by Scythe, and is their first appearance in the series since the original Unreal. They serve as one of the game's minor antagonists.
- Scythe (unlockable)
- Cerberus
- Gnasher
- Scorn
Maps
Deathmatch
Base Maps
- Arsenal (6-10 players)
- Biohazard (2-4 players)
- Carbon Fire (4-8 players)
- Deck (4-8 players)
- Defiance (4-8 players)
- Deimos (6-10 players)
- Diesel (2-6 players)
- Fearless (2-6 players)
- Gateway (6-10 players)
- Heat Ray (4-8 players) - Also included in the game demo.
- Koos Barge (2-8 players) - Timed exclusive to the X360 version and made available to all in the Titan Pack.
- Rising Sun (2-4 players)
- Sanctuary (4-8 players)
- Sentinel (2-4 players)
- Shangri La (6-10 players) - Also included in the game demo.
Bonus Pack
- Morbias Station (2-6 players)
Titan Pack
- DarkMatch (5-10 players)
- Eden Inc (3-9 players)
- Ocean Relic (4-8 players)
- Turbine (2-7 players)
Capture the Flag
Base Maps
- Coret (8-10 players)
- Hydrosis (8-12 players)
- Omicron Dawn (8-10 players)
- Reflection (6-8 players)
- Strident (6-8 players)
- Vertebrae (10-12 players)
Bonus Pack
- Facing Worlds (10-16 players)
- Searchlight (10-12 players)
Titan Pack
- Lost Cause (8-12 players)
- Morbid (6-10 players) - Has additional support for Titan mutator.
- Nanoblack (8-12 players)
- Shaft (10-12 players)
Vehicle CTF
Base Maps
- Containment (8-12 players)
- Corruption (8-12 players)
- Kargo (8-12 players)
- Necropolis (8-12 players)
- Rails (10-14 players) - Timed exclusive to the X360 version and made available to all in the Titan Pack)
- Sandstorm (8-12 players)
- Suspense (8-12 players) - Also included in the game demo. Has an alternate "Necris" version as a timed exclusive to the X360 version, which was made available to all in the Titan Pack.
Titan Pack
Warfare
Base Maps
- Avalanche (8-12 players) - Has an alternate "Two Fronts" layout.
- Cold Harbor (8-12 players, timed exclusive to the X360 version, made available to all in the Titan Pack)
- Downtown (8-14 players) - Has alternate "Two Fronts" layout (for 8-12 players) and an alternate "Necris" version (as a timed exclusive to the X360 version, which was made available to all in the Titan Pack)
- Dusk (8-12 players) - Has an alternate "Free Mine" layout.
- Floodgate (8-12 players)
- Islander (8-12 players) - Has an alternate "Necris" version.
- Market District (6-8 players)
- Onyx Coast (8-12 players)
- Power Surge (8-12 players)
- Serenity (8-12 players) - Has an alternate "Nercis" version.
- Sinkhole (6-8 players)
- Tank Crossing (8-10 players)
- Torlan (8-12 players) - Has alternate "Classic", "Short", and "Double Prime" layouts, as well as a "Necris" version.
Titan Pack
- Confrontation (10-16 players)
- Hostile (10-16 players)
Mutators
- Big Head - Enlarges each player's head size (including hitbox) as they gain frags, while shrinking them as they get fragged.
- Friendly Fire - Players can damage their teammates (although half of that damage is negated). Not available in Deathmatch, Duel, or Betrayal.
- Handicap - Provides bonus armor and weapons to losing players when they spawn. Cannot be used with Instagib. Not available in Betrayal.
- Instagib - Removes all weapon and ammo pickups from the game while having all players spawn only with a modified infinite-ammo Shock Rifle (whose shots instantly kill opponents, at the cost of no separate Secondary Fire function). Not available in Vehicle CTF, Warfare, or Betrayal.
- Kills Slow Time - Every kill that the human player makes temporarily slows down time. Instant Action games only. Cannot be used with Slo Mo or Speed Freak.
- Low Gravity - Reduces the gravity of all players and objects. Not available in Vehicle CTF, Warfare, or Greed.
- No Hoverboard - Removes the ability to equip Hoverboards. Only available in Vehicle CTF and Warfare.
- No Orbs - Removes all Orbs from the arena. Only available in Warfare.
- No Super Pickups - Removes the Redeemer, Shield Belt, Big Keg o' Health, and all power-ups from the arena. Cannot be used with Instagib. Not available in Betrayal.
- No Translocator - Removes the ability to equip Translocators. Only available in Capture the Flag.
- Slo Mo - Reduces the game speed. Cannot be used with Kills Slow Time or Speed Freak.
- Speed Freak - Increases the game speed. Cannot be used with Kills Slow Time or Slo Mo.
- Super Berserk - Increased weapon firing speed for all players (with the same value as if they had the Berserk power-up).
- Survival - Replaces multi-kill rounds with a single round, where rather than switching out between rounds, losing players switch out after losing a single life. Only available in Duel.
- Titan - Added in the Titan Pack. Each player has a Titan Meter on their HUD, which increases as they kill other players and perform objectives. When enough points are collected, they can transform into a Titan using the Titan Transformation key. Titans are twice as large as other players, can perform a devastating ground pound attack (using the Use key), start with 400 points of both health and shield, and have access to only two powered-up weapons (a Shock Rifle and a Rocket Launcher). However, Titans can no longer interact with game objectives, use vehicles, collect items, use jump pads, or transform back without dying (resetting their Titan Meter). When enough points are collected while as a Titan, players can further transform into a Behemoth using the Titan Transformation key. Behemoths are twice as large as Titans and start with 800 points of both health and shield, but automatically detonate in 45 seconds (dealing a Redeemer blast). Cannot be used with Instagib or Weapon Replacement. Not available in Duel.
- Weapon Replacement - Configurable. Changes the weapon and ammo pickups of each type of weapon to another chosen type. This includes the starting weapons if the Impact Hammer and Enforcer are changed. Cannot be used with Instagib or Titan. Not available in Betrayal.
- Weapons Respawn - Classic-style weapon pickups. Instead of the pickup remaining after being collected, the pickup disappears for a temporary amount of time. Players can collect additional weapon pickups for additional ammo. Cannot be used with Instagib. Not available in Vehicle CTF, Warfare, Duel, or Betrayal.
Soundtrack
Disc One
Disc Two
Bonus Tracks
System Requirements
Useful Links