Unreal Championship looks stellar. Each level design is unique and varies from the tight, cramped and frantic, to the overly large, hide and seek levels. What’s more, each game play type also features different levels to suit the game play experience better. The levels are richly detailed with great textures, lighting, and atmospheric effects. The player models are noticeably different, which enables you to tell one person from another easily. The weapons and their effects are also unique in their design. There is no doubt what weapon takes you out, as the damage and effects are diverse. Whether you play single player, split screen, link play, or online, the game play is fast and insane. With some levels having some small frame rate issues, it’s these issues that keep the game from perfection. Luckily the frame rate doesn’t hamper the game play one bit. The overall package is gorgeous and is one of the most exciting titles on the Xbox, and is great for the launch of Xbox Live.

Audio is killer as well. Supporting Dolby Digital sound, Unreal Championship is easily one game your neighbors will know you are playing. Loud and vivacious sound effects rock your speakers as you blow away your victims. Well-used surround sound places you in the heart of the action, and allows you to know where the action is, or who may be behind you. Clever taunts fill the game and will make you laugh even after the 100th time you’ve heard them. Music is the typical techno bass lines, and don’t really add or take away from the experience. Add in some Xbox Live capable mic options, and the package is complete. You can use the voice mask option; use your own voice, or totally mute out other players. There is even the option to select certain channels to communicate with, so your friends can hear you, but your foes may not. All in all the sounds are fantastic and while not totally new, push your speakers to the limits.

Game play is tight, responsive, fast, adrenaline rushing, and great for beginners or masters. Unreal Championship takes full advantage of the, obviously crafted for 1st person shooters, Xbox controller. Each button has a purpose, and believe me, in order to win, you need to know all of them. While the game defaults a great control scheme, you can customize the game anyway you like. Don’t like the button layout? Change it. Don’t like the sensitivity? Change it. Don’t like whatever? Change it. No reasons, no worries, no whining. Quit your bitching and play the game…period. The game even becomes second nature for those of us who’ve played mouse and keyboard for years. If you can’t hang with Unreal…then give up…it doesn’t play much better.

What good is a great game if it doesn’t support options? Look no further my friends as there is so much to UC that you won’t get sick of this one anytime soon. Offline, sure there is a problem, but come on, who plays these games much offline anyhow? Get into the 21st century folks, these games are created, designed and will reign online. If your offline, you need something else, not to mention, you’re missing 3/4 of the fun. For those of us online here’s what you get. A multitude of game play modes to choose from; Death match, Team Death match, Capture the Flag, Double Domination, Survival, and the ever fun Bombing Run. Each game is unique from the other, and to top it all off, ranked individually. You get a top whatever (40000? +) ranking for each mode, which also separates weekly, monthly, and total playtime. The better you are…the better you rank. The game also supports the friends’ list, so you can add players to get that subtle revenge, or the beating they deserve. It’s all in good fun. Did I forget to mention the game supports downloadable content? More levels, more weapons and other content will be coming in the near future, and while the details are few, it will just add more to the experience. You will not get bored anytime soon…I swear!

If you haven’t guessed by now, Unreal Championship is what we console fans have been screaming for, for years now. It is online gaming at it’s best, and nothing really compares. You can single handedly blow away your enemies, team up, or whatever, it’s up to you. Oh and if you happen to see “Boogeyman” online…I’m sorry for killing you.