Unreal Tournament 3 Review - 'The UI is a joke'

Tom's Hardware writes:

"When I think of a way to summarize Unreal Tournament 3, the saying "One step forward, two steps back" comes to mind. The single player campaign should have been approached in a different manner, or just left out all together. Instead of having a single player campaign, Epic could have given gamers so much more in terms of retaining previously introduced game modes, and creating additional ones. The UI is a joke coming from the likes of Epic, and the server browser really needs an update.

What hurts PC gamers though is that Epic took a fully dedicated PC franchise and divided their resources to release on multiple platforms. Just as Gears of War took extra time to port to the PC, a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources. It is my belief that in doing so, the development quality of Unreal Tournament 3 has suffered."

[mighty_douche]

....but this will be sorted with a patch. you buy a UT game for a fun frantic frag fest not for its UI. i wouldnt let this little problem put you off buying one of 2007's most enjoyable games.

[GIJeff]

The rest of the game as good as the demo? Silly question i know, but im internally trying to justify buying the game for PC because i already have COD4 and thats taking enough time from me online. I have 18 ps3 games and a slew of good PC games (COD4, Tabula Rasa, BF2, Orange Box, 2142, etc..)

[mighty_douche]

one word: BETTER!! i personally found it ran quite abit smoother than the beta, any problems with lag seemed to disappear, and the new maps KICK ASS!!

while im loving CoD4 to, nothing offers the speed and fun factor that UT offers. buy it my friend, BUY IT!!

[Bombomb]

of a game that "have" not yet been out or have been enjoyed, become one of the most enjoyable?

why cause you said so?

UT3 is still UT3, nothing has changed except now its making an apearence on a sony console.

PC gamers play FPS on PC's for certain reasons, and Console gamers rather slower paced FPS's for certian reasons. I just don't see UT3 winning the hearts of console gamers. It's a good thing th ePS3 can use a M&K but it won't be fair to a lot of gamers.

besides the graphics nothings changed here..it's a hardcore fps that have been satisfying the masses on the PC platform.

Blade down below is right, the 360 now will get the best version in terms of tweaks and fixes, and who knows what else will be discovered after the pc and ps3 versions have come and gone..

Oh I'm so Pist....lol

[mighty_douche]

what???? noob

[GIJeff]

I need some fast paced non-modern warfare action. Lately everyones gone all iraq war on us gamers and its the whole "every shooter is a WW2 game" all over again. An idea is only fresh once, i think designers often forget that, or publishers just look at trends(<-obvious) instead of being as creative as possible in hopes of creating a real masterpiece. UT3 it is!

[eLiNeS]

You say a patch could fix the problems of UT but knowing Epic and what they did with patching Gears, the game only got worst and unplayable for me and my friends. I am talking more on the multiplayer side but I doubt they do anything for the campaign side.

[mighty_douche]

dude im talking about PC. This is UT.

either way, this is a patch for the UI, not the game. complexity wise they're not even similar.

[BrianC6234]

Tom's Hardware is right. Why make it multi-platform? Just make it for the PS3. That would have been much better. Take that Tom's Hardware. Not much of a site. Does anyone really read them for game reviews?

[Kr155]

"a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources."

Am I missing something? acording to this statement there was a simultanious release on 360 and PC? There is no 360 version yet. epic has pretty much said they aren't even really working on it. so that means only the ps3 and PC versions

[lynx1halo]

He pretty much just sound like an all out hater simply because it is being released onto consoles

"What hurts PC gamers though is that Epic took a fully dedicated PC franchise and divided their resources to release on multiple platforms."

TOOL

[ravinash]

for the exclusive high end PC club and made it accessable to consoles and gamers everywhere.
If it was on PC, I would have not been able to spend all the £££ to buy the hardware to get the latest (I have a life you know)...but on console....Oh baby!...now let me play!

[Real Gambler]

"a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well"

A console guy, no matter which one would have said:

Just released on the PC, then the PS3 and likely in about a month on the 360... So much debate about this timed exclusive PS3 console game, only a PC only gamer would make a mistake like that!

[uxo22]

Why can't he feel that way, are console owners any different. When an exclusive goes to multiplatform, thoses who lost the exclusive tend to get a bit pissy. So I don't know why you guys are tripping on him for doing the same thing.

[C_SoL]

i'll just wait for the IGN review....

[DethWish]

tomshardware is actually a pretty huge site for PC gamers and technophiles. I'd say it is very credible and I agree, the UI sucked, it has been updated with a patch now. The gameplay is still awesome though

[Kleptic]

if it is a great site...why does it blatantly miss the multiplatform issue?

" a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources..."

that is 100% wrong...360 development has stalled for some time...and Epic assured time and time again that the PC version was getting every bit of attention that it would if there was no PS3 version in the first place...

but simply...there was no simulateneous release of any kind...something that a reviewer with any credibility should know right off the bat...

[n00dl3s]

So you can get a truly lame review? I'm sorry but IGN FTL.

[Bladestar]

great... all these community input and complains will surely guarantee a fix for the xbox 360 version.

[Skerj]

Actually dude, the UI is perfectly fine for consoles and that's the problem for PC gamers. Being used to all of the options we've had in the past and other PC games only to be introduced to a dumbed down bastardized UI and settings menu. Of course if you know how to mess with the INI file you can bypass needing to use that, but it's inconvenient to do so in the middle of a game. They're fixing this as we speak, and some users have been putting up new concepts of UI mods since the game came out. Somehow though I think it'll remain the same for the console releases.

[Bladestar]

First, I want to make sure you people are aware that I didnt even mentioned the PS3 version... and second have any of you seen the xbox 360 version? How do you know they wouldnt probably make the same mistakes with the xbox 360 version.. thinking that they did a great job with the PC version... user input will help the xbox 360 version... what's there to disagree? isn't that common sense?

[Skerj]

I didn't even disagree with you dude get off the defense. I stated that the UI is FINE for consoles which is why the PC community is pissed. Because it's gimped for us, if you load the game up now and try to tweak it like 2004 you won't be able to. From a console standpoint the UI is perfect with a lot of features that the other console shooters DON'T have. Hence me saying it probably won't be changed for the consoles since the features and things we're clamouring for aren't needed for anything but a PC.

[GIJeff]

any obvious or serious problems on the PC version, dont you think it will be patched? or is Epic the only company who never uses patches? The PS3 version is fine, trust me.

EDIT @ captain disagree: So, Epic doesnt patch/update games? you tool.

[Skerj]

The game is fine, the only gripes were the UI, Assault mode being taken out YET AGAIN (in favor of Warfare), and no Dodge Jumping. The first is being officially worked on by Epic and community members, the second will be alleviated by mods, and the 3rd has already been resolved afaik by mods.

[mighty_douche]

lol dont like you dude do they. Unfortunately the PC seems to no longer have a place on this site, the article really concerns PC UT3, im not sure why everyone is even talking about the console versions. name the PC in your comments and your guaranteed disagrees.

you have to remember that most of the people here probably have never been into PC gaming what ever they claim, and there for really dont understand the PC is still light years ahead. People agreeing in over "ha your console doesnt even have in game messaging or music...". From a PC point of view thats like arguing which year, 1972 and 1973 was better ... "ha, your year didnt even have larva lamps..."

[Skerj]

Yeah hah I don't know what's up with that. What I said was pretty much the undisputed truth if they look at the official UT forums. UI shouldn't be a concern for the console version, worry about the mods, being able to use custom players, dedicated servers, and keyboard and mouse support.

[Anything but Cute]

"a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources."

This dude doesn't know what he's saying.

[Lex Luthor]

The game was meant for simultanious release, but Sony paid for timed console exclusivity.

[Skerj]

Actually it was slated as only PC and PS3 until the success of Gears of War made Epic change their minds and bring it to the 360 as well. Sony got timed exclusivity out of the deal in the end.

[Kleptic]

Lex...don't be an idiot...

Sony offered "help" with UE3 optimization for the PS3...Epic made their own decision to stop develpment on the 360 version until they (as in Epic and MS) have come to some sort of agreement on UGC distribution...something that XBL struggles with big time...

SCE had nothing to do with timed exclusitivity...Epic had everything to do with it...MS dropped the ball, and Sony picked it up...simple as that...

[NextGen24Gamer]

I agree. With a score like 8.0....its not turning out to be the Game I was hoping for. But with the 360 version coming out a few months behind the Ps3 version (though it wouldn't surprise me if that changed) It gives Epic time to tweak and improve the 360 version. Good news for 360 owners because I was really hoping for another AAA game from Epic for my 360. Gears of War was perfection. But as it turns out Unreal doesn't even stand up graphically to Call of Duty 4. Interesting Indeed.

[Anything but Cute]

the game is the game. I would rather have it now than tweaked 3 or 4 months from now.

Tweaked means tweaked, not remake a new game.

[TheMART]

It'll be ironed out in the 360 version, they can put all their efforts in that now they facked up the PC/PS3 version to rush out before Christmas!

[Anything but Cute]

whatever makes the wait more tolerable.

[SeanScythe]

Like oblivion was for the ps3 you mean. wait but won't the ps3 and pc still be better since we can have mods?

[rubarb23]

lol, you actually want to start comparing who's getting better ports?

[HarryEtTubMan]

PS3 outsells the 360 worldwide.
http://vgchartz.com/weekly....

Already this soon? WOOOOWWW Its gonna be a long 9 years for you theFART

[Kr155]

of course a ignorant console fanboy like you would think that. the fact is this game has more UI features than most console multi player games. the missing features are ones the PC crowd are used too. so no I doubt very much the game will be "ironed out" for the 360. in fact it will be gimped with lack of mod support. so while even ps3 users will be playing assault and various other ingenious modes you'll have to wait for them to get launched on XBL even after the game finally launches for you. but hay I guess thats the life of a fanboy. Taking everything MS tells you is superior, and ignoring the possibility that someone else might come up with a better idea. What a small cage you must live in

[sandip787]

what u mean the menus etc are a joke?

[Skerj]

First when you start the game you have to log in. That's trivial because you can have your credentials cached but I saw someone irritated at that. The main offender is the options menu. Whereas in UT2004 we could tweak every possible setting from the options menu, resolution, coronas, damage decals, physics, texture depth, world geometry complexity, lighting complexity etc. We have THREE count them THREE sliders and box in UT3. Screen percentage, texture detail, world detail, and enable vsync can be ticked on or off.

That's pretty paltry and a damn shame. Like I said earlier, for consoles this is fine since they're ALL built to run the same way but for PCs we need far more options to tweak. I for one turn down/off shadows and other things I don't need to crank up the framerate. Considering I'm not paying attention to a dude's shadow but if he's going to blow me the hell up or not, it's a worthy trade in. I could go into the INI file and change and tweak settings accordingly, but I don't feel like exiting the game, navigating to the folder with the ini file, changing settings, and starting the game back up everytime I need to do something. I'm not even going into the network and player settings but you should get the idea nao.

Edit:

I forgot one thing about the server browser too, it registers servers that you can't communicate with as having 0 ping. Thus making it look like they're fast when in actuality they aren't.

[SeanScythe]

a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources... What does he mean here? The PS3 is coming out next month and the 360 version is just now getting started.

[Bombomb]

the 360 is as close to the PC when it comes to the architecture, I highly doubt they have not started working on the 360 version.

The early PS3 UT3 release, is probably a paid deal.

[sandip787]

im ok then, seeing as though im getting it on ps3...
(pcs not very good)
cant wait for this to drop on ps3. gonna be a fraggfest :D
PSN:sandip778 add me guysss

[PimpHandHappy]

online

you didnt last 30secounds and all ppl did was run to there fav weapon and die. Not saying it wasnt fun but its wasnt awesome by no means. I did like the chainsaw thou!

anyway

I dont think i will buy Unreal. I dont buy many FPS and COD4 is the best FPS i have ever played and i will be playing this one till maybe KZ2. Just wish it had more ppl on a map like RFOM. Warhawk is still the best online war game i have ever played.

I have bought 3 FPS since i bought my PS3. RFOM Vegas and COD4. Tell the truth i dont need a new one for atleast 6months. Maybe i will buy Unreal then but i doubt it.

IMO nothing can top COD4 in the list of FPS

[candystop]

I loved Gears online and thought it was overall just as good as halo online except the controls were hard for some to get use to! Visually also Gears was and still is a masterpiece blowing vegas and RFOM out of the water!

[sleepbox]

The sad truth is that the PS3 is STILL without an exclusive killer FPS app...while the 360 has almost 10.

[PS3 Limps on and on]

...

[aiphanes]

COD4 is the best FPS...and its on PS3 and Xbox 360
Halo3 is alright...and its on Xbox 360
Resistance fall of man is awesome and its on PS3
Bioshock is good...but no online support and its on Xbox 360
UT3 is good and its on PS3 and PC but not on Xbox 360 yet...

Gears of War is a third person shoot.
Rainbow Six vegas is on both consoles and it nowhere as good as COD4
Graw 2 is on both consoles and is noway as good as COD4

The ultimate FPS are not even out yet...and they will be on the PS3 only....Killzone 2 and Resistance 2...both next year.

Remember Reisistance fall of man support 40 players online with no lag..this is not even possible on any xbox live game.

[OmegaKulu]

If I remember it right, a PC UI patch(along with some other stuff) is in the work. The original UI is builded a bit more towards console friendly, making it somewhat weak for the PC.

people, just leave ur 360/PS3 comments out of this please.

[Lex Luthor]

Just hurry up and bring out Gears 2 please Epic.

[deeznuts]

Confucius said, "He who reads Tom's Hardware and believes, IS A FOOL!"

C'mon right in the preview, "... a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources."

A simultaneous realease on the 360? You guys should have stopped reading right there (including the person who submitted the article).

[WilliamRLBaker]

toms hardware is one of the most trusted hardware and software sites on the net, its been around for over 10 years.

and the UI was screwed up because instead of making a seperate UI for console and PC they used the UI from the consoles.

[deeznuts]

I know who Tom's Hardware is, who Tom Pabst is, and their sites are not respected. Respected is Anandtech, Arstechnica, Tech Report, Xtremesystems et. al. I am in computer hardware forums more than gaming forums, THG and it's sister sites are ridiculed constantly. If anyone points to their site in an argument, you will get laughed at.

I even pointed out a blatant mistake they made right in the second paragraph. There is no 360 version even being worked on, yet Tom's Hardware feels the need to say Epic spread their resources thin on a simultaneous release on the 360, with the PS3 version following later.

[dexterwang]

The game is great, but the UI is a complete piece of s%#*!

Coming from steam, I almost cried when I saw UT3's UI...
Steam offers, filter by ping, easy to join friend games, easy to find servers and maps
UT3 offers nothing, and finding a good server is a nightmare

No offense to console owners, as I am 1 myself, but they seriously gimped it to a console level... PC can handle better and deserves better! UI that is

[PS3PCFTW]

98% of the people in this thread dont give a sh1t about the 360 or the rrod problems.

will the 2% that DO, get the fvck out?

thank u
----------------------------- --
on topic: this game is loads of fun. screw the menus. ITS WHEN YOURE PLAYING AND HaVE A HOTSTREAK GOING only to catch a plasma rifle to the face that makes this next gen game a fun/frantic/high speed warzone

@17.1: it would be for the better if all angry little ignorant trolls ignore me, when i speak i hurt their feelings because im right and i back it up with facts. so do yourself a favor and ignore me.

[eLiNeS]

- (__)

[candystop]

Dude what facts shut the he11 up! The only facts right now is PS3 is sucking and Killzone one sucked just like 2 will!

[Myth]

If you don't agree with that then you are blind. I'm not saying COD4 doesn't have great graphics. COD4 may even have better looking environments in the game, but that depends how much you like scifi compared to modern environments. But guys UT3 has more textures in it's graphics and more detail. Compare the two when they come out, what I'm saying is true.

[aiphanes]

I agree the PC version of the UI is weak...but nobody has seen the UI for the PS3 version...we will in less than 2 weeks.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Guess they haven't learned from Gears yet. UI for the online aspect of the game kinda blew hard. Hopefully they fix for 360 version although I doubt it'll be any different.

[BADBOYEK4]

Unreal might sale 300,000 copies on the PS3 and that is it. the PC version is getting reviews in the High 8s and Low 9s,so the PS3 version will get lower REVIEWS and run the PS3 fans away.

[jctoyou]

look i dont care if it sells 2 copies cause i will have one of them and wont the 360 people be pisseeee dddddddddd,i think so!

[achira]

Unreal 3 is the best multiplayer game. period. some haters want only to smash this game without reasons. i think the ui is just fine, yes i think it is even in a nice style.

[PS3PCFTW]

the reason is becus its on ps3. dont you know the motto?:

"if it has anything to do with sony, it isnt quality and it will break"

[candystop]

The PS3 has alot to prove and in no way have they proved to be the most powerful next gen system! With 360 games always looking slightly better and in some cases much better it's no wonder people hate on the PS3! The 360 is the only nextgen gaming console available unlike the other 2 so get use to the criticism!

[pshizle]

GAME much rather play ORANGE BOX THANK YOU havent got to the game yet!

played UT3 demo did not like it

IN MY OPINION EPICS best game is GOW

[MANTIIS]

"Just as Gears of War took extra time to port to the PC, a simultaneous release on the Xbox 360, PC, and nearly the PS3 as well, cost Epic resources.It is my belief that in doing so, the development quality of Unreal Tournament 3 has suffered."

Oh, really? A simultaneous release on PC,360 and nearly PS3? Really? HAHAHAHA!!
I'll leave the reviews of this game to the pros, who incidentally rate the game high-and forgo this bogus review as blatant attempt by a jealous Xbot to undermine the game. Tom should indeed stick to hardware. LMAO!!!

[djroberts]

Tom's hardware lol. I don't think Tom understands how Epic developes games. It's engine based so once the engine works on a platform, the rest is comparatively simple. Now that UT3 runs on both PS3 and 360, there will be tons of multi-platform games that run well.

Tom should stick to hardware...

[jackdoe]

I'm sorry, but that preview is making sh1t up.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

http://www.gamerankings.com... avg 8.5, they should have let Cliffy do it. The extra painfull addition of charging for the mods on the console versions is going to hurt even more. I have always been open about my hatred of Epics shady practices just puts a big smile on my face. It's been a long time coming for Epic to take a hit and now they have, "karma".

[Kleptic]

what are you talking about?...the ps3 version has access to any free mods anyone makes...maps, skins, new games, w/e...it is all free if people want it to be...the PS3 version will have access to all the mods submitted for Epic's annual contests also, which is all free...

XBL and the 360 version doesn't have a single thing of that though...XBL will only get official map packs or mods that MS will charge you for...this is exactly why the 360 version was delayed...Epic's shady practices?...Epic was pissed that MS was charging for the Gears map packs, and found it counter productive...once again...MS is what delayed this game for the 360...it wasn't Epic screwing the 360 crowd...it was Epic basically telling MS that their nickel-and-diming online procedure isn't as great as their fanatical army of fanboys make it out to be...

You 360 fanboys are funnier than ever when it comes to this game...do not couple the PS3 with your console when it comes to UGC...PSN and XBL share nothing in common in that department...

[nomad117]

Man I can't wait for this game.

[wil4hire]

"THE JUMPING IS TOO EASY"

WHo cares bout the UI? Is that going to be the standard way to peg a game down now? The UI isn't how this guy likes it? The hell does that have to do with the game?!?!

Unless its a huge black X across the screen I am 100% it wont mater to any gamers.

[leon76]

Don't care, don't believe it no more!!! I'm going to buy the game for the PS3 and that's it! The End.

[FirstknighT]

Unreal has never made a smooth transition to consoles. They should of just kept it on the PC. Way to fack up a great franchise.

[Kleptic]

great comment...I bet you would be saying the same thing if it would be launching on the 360 next week also...

and the original UT was ported to the DC nearly flawlessly (interestingly as was Quake III around the same time)...

putting UT3 on a console, keeping full mod support, and keeping mouse and keyboard support if wanted...is hardly facking up a franchise...the PS3 version is not losing one single aspect of the game that makes this a legendary franchise...the 360...is...its tough I know, get over it...

[Altair-HD]

just waiting for the IGN review???????????????????????? ?????? what a joke!!!

[sonyfanonly]

if this game was just on the 360 and pc they would have praised it