As an avid gamer for about the last 20 [gulp!] years, I've played just about every genre that you can think of: role-playing games, action, strategy, you name it. When a friend invited me over to take a peek at Unreal tournament on his Mac, it sounded like yet another "Run up and down the halls shooting people " kind of game. I didn't expect much ... boy, was I wrong! Unreal tournament for the Mac is one of the most addicting games I've come across in years.

Basically, you and a bunch of other people [or computer-controlled opponents] are thrown into an arena-like setting [there are hundreds to choose from] and blast the living you-know-what out of each other!

So what makes "UT" better than the competition, such as Quake or Doom? well, although quake has fancier graphical effects, UT more than makes up for it with smooth response, excellent level design and an overall adrenaline-pumping experience. Just like its peers, UT's gameplay and objectives are quite simple: find a weapon, find health if you're wounded, and other goodies such as shields, powerups and even invisibility. Although there are several modes of play, like capture the flag type scenarios, the most popular is " deathmatch" wherein your objective is simply to kill [or to use use their term, "Frag"] as many people as possible before time runs out. Bonus points are gained in several ways, such as being the first to Frag, or Fragging several times in a row, referred to as a "Killing spree".

Levels can vary wildly in design, taking place in such varied styles as Gothic castles, hi-tech space stations or pirate ships. Hundreds of homespun levels are also available for download which range from the ridiculous to the sublime. Some levels even place you in familiar territory like kitchens and bathrooms! Levels can be quite complex and include ramps, elevators and the like. Lighting effects such as flickering neon really enhance these environments. Note that such luxuries can be turned off to maximize smoothness on lesser-powered systems.

It should be noted that UT requires significant CPU horsepower and 3D acceleration to run smoothly. Check the system requirements before purchase!

Recommended: Yes