One of the main questions which should be on everyone's mind is, "What will make UT better than Unreal multiplayer?" After all, Epic messed up once, what makes them think that they will get it right this time? Well, rest assured that this will be one of the most intricate DM games of the year, perhaps even beating out the mighty Q3A. Epic has put in many touches that should tickle anyone's fancy.

First would have to be the added styles of gameplay: Capture the Flag, Domination, and Assault; each one with its own different type of strategy. Anyone who has Quake II knows about its awesome CTF mod, which is played just about as much as normal DM. For those of you out there who don't know what its like… there are two teams (red and blue traditionally), each with their own base and each with their own colored flag. The objective is to capture the opponent's flag and bring it back to your base all the while fending off the other team from doing the same. It might sound simple, but it creates some of the most intense moments I have ever had in any game.

Assault is a new mode of gameplay which is slightly similar to CTF yet allows for a more diverse experience. Players are split into two teams… the attackers and the defenders. The attackers have several objectives that have to be completed by breaking into the defender's base, and carrying them out. These objectives can be just about anything… from destroying the enemy's computer core, to escaping a prison. One of the more elaborate settings puts the attackers on a shorefront, with their objective being to assault the base where the defenders are located which is quite a distance away high up on a cliff. The defenders have access to cannons, and can use them too, attempting to squish the onslaught of the attackers. While this whole process goes on, a timer is constantly counting down… announcing times every 5 minutes, and every minute from 5 down. If the attackers complete their objectives (which are constantly monitored on billboards in the game or on translator-type devices), then they win. The defenders win by keeping the attackers at bay and keeping them from their objectives in the allocated time period.

Domination is yet another type of setting in UT. The level is scattered with "control points", or small areas. The objective is for either team to control the most points. Players run thoughout the level trying to find these control points. When one if found, a player can take control of it by standing on it for a certain amount of time; four seconds if the point is neutral, eight if it was previously controlled by the other team. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. It sounds easier than it looks, because not only do new points have to be taken, but old ones have to be protected.

Lastly is what UT calls regular singleplayer. It is basically DM, but it can be played either online or offline. Online opponents are players from across the globe. Meanwhile, offline opponents are bots. However, each one of these games CAN be played offline! And this is where the new bots come in. They are completely customizable, and can even take commands from you. Simple terms such as "cover me", "protect the base", and "attack", along with many more will be included in UT. These commands can be given to your teammates, bots or not. And the best part is… if they are bots, they actually carry them out... well! Although I have not seen the bots in action, I can say from what I've heard that they are really quite intelligent in making decisions and will follow you to the death if need be. They are more obedient than having your best friend play along with you! Oh yeah, and now they also know how to camp!

The damage and speeds you play at can also be configured. Newbies to the genre might want to play at the novice skill, which tones down the damage bots do to you and also slows them down a bit. Meanwhile, if you really want an insane DM experience, try hardcore mode. It raises the damage done and increases the speed of players. Expect the guts to fly in this mode!