so whos played UT2003 retial so far? here's my impressions
 

Positives:
1) Graphics improved, more gory and realistic
2) Nice new taunts (but hard to access see issues)
3) New char models and some female ones too
4) translocater has a security camera


Issues
1) Need to get rid of lightning gun and put back the sniper riffle.
2) too hard to see msgs from other users
3) too hard to tell how you got killed
4) can't configure your taunts/commands. at least I couldn't figure it out (ie, one keystroke like in the old UT) (updated, found on planetunreal.com where you can edit a file to do this)
5) can't tell how many players are on vs how many bots are playing
6) Teleporting limit to 5 (then you have to wait to recharge), that's lame.

Neutral:
1) Maps while new,seem like they need more work
2) Sound

This was my most anticipated game in a good long while but it just didnt hold my interest. Theres nothing really wrong with it but for some reason it seemed more of the same. Kinda odd because had they deviated from the Unreal formula at all I would have been screaming my lungs out.

That lightning gun is annoying!

I had never played Unreal, so this game was completely new to me. The demo ruled. I've been wanting to pick it up retail... but with Mafia, Hitman 2, and some PS2 games I picked up, there just hasn't been time. Looking forward to seeing what people here think, though.

I heard it's a major system-hog. Is that true?

I couldn't even bring myself to buy it... I tried the demo and dislike everything about the game even though it's probably the best looking game out there.

My main issue, too fast, I mean I died before knowing what was going on half the time, spawn, die, spawn, die, spawn, die, etc...

system hog? hmm, it takes 2.5 gigs of disk space and requires a nvidia geforce2 or ati radeon, p3 1ghs+ or better.
As far as CPU utilization goes, I don't think you'll be able to do other things while playing, but you probably dont want to anyways.

i'm sorry, but i love ut 2k3...

I've been playing the demo a lot. How can I tell when I'm playing with bots or with real people?

Re: so whos played UT2003 retial so far? here's my impressions
 

1. Lightning gun is a sniper rifle with spash damage - it kicks ass. You just have to learn how to use it.
2. They appear in lower left and if it's something someone typed, their face pops up. I think it's a great indicator. I think you can change the settings so the text stays up longer because it does kinda go by pretty fast.
3. Hit the console button "~" and you can see who killed you and how.
4. This system is from games like Counterstrike - with all the taunts and commands, this system is much easier... once you get used to the numbers, it becomes second nature... change is always off-putting at first.
5. Bots are always going to have a zero ping... that's how you can tell.
6. I haven't encountered this teleporting limit. I think it's a server option because I can teleport a dozen times in a row... and I do. :)

1. The maps are cool.
2. The sound is kickass! The taunts are great and footstep noises change depending on what you're walking on... There's a fantastic echo effect when you're inside a structure with vaulted ceilings that's made of metal... With surround speakers it's actually quite immersive.

I like the game heaps better than I liked the first. It's still not perfect, but for what it is - it's great. It's better than Quake 3 Arena which was only a hair better than UT. I picked it up for 30 bucks and I think it's a fair price considering all the additional maps and mods that will come available for it. There's also a bunch of great game types - Bombing Run is still my favorite right now, but I'm going to venture into other types soon to check them out. I mean Capture the Flag and Deathmatch isn't enough anymore.

The game play is the same as all other FPS's in my opinion. The graphics are great. My favorite games have to be the insta-gib bombing runs. I played for about 2 hours last night. The snow levels are the best. I scored 4 times during one match which was real cool. I do miss the fortress mode from the original UT. But, otherwise a great game. Now, should I get Unreal Championship for the Xbox too? ;)

btw, I play mostly on west coast servers (mortality being one of them) under the alias 'Furio' or 'Mulder's Informant' :)

Well as I play more I can adapt and it should be ok. Just learned how to use the adrenaline (F-F-F-F makes you go fast, etc). Haven't learned the new dodges yet. Bombing run was fun but they took away team assault for that?

so what alias do you guys play under? I'd like to know who I'm dominating :)

Bombing run rules!!!!

V-ism, this thread is for people who have played the retail version ;)