Unreal Tournament 2004 20 Years Later: An LGR Retrospective
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Date: 2024-04-05
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Comments and reviews: 20
PrekiFromPoland
I remember being fascinated by UT2k4 back when it came out, because if UT99 was a smash hit I've spent (and I'm still spending) long hours on, so the sequel could be only better, right Well. yes and no. Sure, the engine was a vast improvement in strictly technical terms, tons of new content was introduced, and the game's editor was still easy-to-use just like its precedessor. But something was. off. And it's the vastly different art direction than UT99. You see, that game evolved directly from the first Unreal, retaining lots of its codebase and assets, while UT2k4 was something completely new, developed from ground-up. I'm not a fan of Egyptian themes shoehorned into a science/fantasy setting prevalent throughout both UT99 and U1, some character designs look like they belong to completely different universe. And they changed the arsenal, visual presentation aside, they nerfed the Rocket Launcher by reducing it to three barrels, replaced Enforcers with some bland Assault Rifle and they got rid of Impact Hammer, but most jarring was the removal of the Ripper. Sure, sure, not very competitive weapon, but it was fun to use nevetheless. Also, the sound design is. like, bland Original UT's weapon sounds were very distinct and hard-hitting. And the soundtrack. I know Rom Di Prisco is no pushover, but it seems that only the Straylight Productions crew could produce songs that feel truly Unreal, and till this day I still wonder why Epic didn't hire these guys again. Perhaps because the module format went out of fashion, even the engine ceased to support it, and Straylight basically ceased to exist after doing the sountrack for Deus Ex (or Age of Legends, I think.
With that said, Unreal Tournament 2004 is still a great experience with lots of vanilla content and fan-made stuff as well. Definitely better than UT3, but for me it's not the evergreen that is the classic Unreal Tournament from 1999. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years.
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I remember being fascinated by UT2k4 back when it came out, because if UT99 was a smash hit I've spent (and I'm still spending) long hours on, so the sequel could be only better, right Well. yes and no. Sure, the engine was a vast improvement in strictly technical terms, tons of new content was introduced, and the game's editor was still easy-to-use just like its precedessor. But something was. off. And it's the vastly different art direction than UT99. You see, that game evolved directly from the first Unreal, retaining lots of its codebase and assets, while UT2k4 was something completely new, developed from ground-up. I'm not a fan of Egyptian themes shoehorned into a science/fantasy setting prevalent throughout both UT99 and U1, some character designs look like they belong to completely different universe. And they changed the arsenal, visual presentation aside, they nerfed the Rocket Launcher by reducing it to three barrels, replaced Enforcers with some bland Assault Rifle and they got rid of Impact Hammer, but most jarring was the removal of the Ripper. Sure, sure, not very competitive weapon, but it was fun to use nevetheless. Also, the sound design is. like, bland Original UT's weapon sounds were very distinct and hard-hitting. And the soundtrack. I know Rom Di Prisco is no pushover, but it seems that only the Straylight Productions crew could produce songs that feel truly Unreal, and till this day I still wonder why Epic didn't hire these guys again. Perhaps because the module format went out of fashion, even the engine ceased to support it, and Straylight basically ceased to exist after doing the sountrack for Deus Ex (or Age of Legends, I think.
With that said, Unreal Tournament 2004 is still a great experience with lots of vanilla content and fan-made stuff as well. Definitely better than UT3, but for me it's not the evergreen that is the classic Unreal Tournament from 1999. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years.
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HoroJoga
I don't know why but this kind of themes in gaming (futuristic space shooter) never grew up on me. It may be something that's too american for people outside the country, even though I had some friends at the time who enjoyed UT to some extent, but our thing was really Counter Strike in terms of FPS or korean/japanese MMORPGS like Ragnarok and Priston Tale.
Neverthless, awesome video, Clint. It's always good to dip into this time of gaming that's somehow forgotten between current gaming and early 90s videogames.
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I don't know why but this kind of themes in gaming (futuristic space shooter) never grew up on me. It may be something that's too american for people outside the country, even though I had some friends at the time who enjoyed UT to some extent, but our thing was really Counter Strike in terms of FPS or korean/japanese MMORPGS like Ragnarok and Priston Tale.
Neverthless, awesome video, Clint. It's always good to dip into this time of gaming that's somehow forgotten between current gaming and early 90s videogames.
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LTonyGames2099
I loved unreal tournament and i used to play the one under development on unreal engine before fortnite came out. It was sad when fortnite came out and became huge as development for UT slowed then stopped. Its even sadder to know that Epic games decided to remove all unreal tournament titles from their site and steam. Ill never understand companies and their need to remove legacy games. i havent finished the video but as soon as i saw the title, i felt sad and happy seing it.
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I loved unreal tournament and i used to play the one under development on unreal engine before fortnite came out. It was sad when fortnite came out and became huge as development for UT slowed then stopped. Its even sadder to know that Epic games decided to remove all unreal tournament titles from their site and steam. Ill never understand companies and their need to remove legacy games. i havent finished the video but as soon as i saw the title, i felt sad and happy seing it.
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Krynis
I have fond memories of both games for 3 I still think the tournament story was quite good with Xan being absolutely epic (if a little lame at times) but 04 is nearly as untouchable as 99, I still have my DVD edition (the normal one) in a box here, also I ALSO ran a 9800 Pro which I ALSO still have with a giant after market copper cooler because the stock one was overheating at a LAN and someone had the cooler spare, I bought the card for HL2 before it was delayed.
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I have fond memories of both games for 3 I still think the tournament story was quite good with Xan being absolutely epic (if a little lame at times) but 04 is nearly as untouchable as 99, I still have my DVD edition (the normal one) in a box here, also I ALSO ran a 9800 Pro which I ALSO still have with a giant after market copper cooler because the stock one was overheating at a LAN and someone had the cooler spare, I bought the card for HL2 before it was delayed.
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appidydafoo
Thanks for taking me back. At the time, as a CS 1. 6 fanboy, I remember UT2K4 as a refuge of pure fun from the nightmare disappointment that was CS: Source. Onslaught mode was the most fun I'd have in gaming until Halo 3 and Battlefield Bad Company 2 a few years later. Looking back 20 years later, it's really sad to see the synergy of sheer fun exhibited by 2K4 evaporated shortly thereafter. Games taking themselves too seriously continues to be a disaster.
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Thanks for taking me back. At the time, as a CS 1. 6 fanboy, I remember UT2K4 as a refuge of pure fun from the nightmare disappointment that was CS: Source. Onslaught mode was the most fun I'd have in gaming until Halo 3 and Battlefield Bad Company 2 a few years later. Looking back 20 years later, it's really sad to see the synergy of sheer fun exhibited by 2K4 evaporated shortly thereafter. Games taking themselves too seriously continues to be a disaster.
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sokarash
Honestly, I liked the LIghtning Gun. Because I never liked the Sniper Rifle in UT, because I don't like getting shot out of nowhere. And it was ridiculously overpowered, for a headshot all you needed was to hit the upper chest. So in UT2004, I played a lot with the mutator that replace all snipers with the lightning gun.
Its a shame that Epic bascially abandoned everything before Fortnite. UT3 still technically runs, but who plays that
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Honestly, I liked the LIghtning Gun. Because I never liked the Sniper Rifle in UT, because I don't like getting shot out of nowhere. And it was ridiculously overpowered, for a headshot all you needed was to hit the upper chest. So in UT2004, I played a lot with the mutator that replace all snipers with the lightning gun.
Its a shame that Epic bascially abandoned everything before Fortnite. UT3 still technically runs, but who plays that
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AleBober
I remember being obsessed with this game when I was a teenager, to the point of playing in a clan and even making maps. Still play it from time to time, and still got the muscle memory - even watching the video I can't help but notice the absolute lack of dodging off the walls, haha.
Definitely one of the best arena shooters out there, and one of the best soundtracks out there (Corrugation and Deck17 tracks are amazing.
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I remember being obsessed with this game when I was a teenager, to the point of playing in a clan and even making maps. Still play it from time to time, and still got the muscle memory - even watching the video I can't help but notice the absolute lack of dodging off the walls, haha.
Definitely one of the best arena shooters out there, and one of the best soundtracks out there (Corrugation and Deck17 tracks are amazing.
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xansaibot3134
The only thing that always irritated me while playing 2004 UT was an absurd amount of bot evasiveness on high difficulties.
UT99 nor UT3 didn’t have this amount of bot jumpiness. Bots were smart and evasive, but not to the point that their moving could be considered cheating. 2004 bots though was like on next step from your capabilities of dodging. It sucked(
Other than that, great times, great game
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The only thing that always irritated me while playing 2004 UT was an absurd amount of bot evasiveness on high difficulties.
UT99 nor UT3 didn’t have this amount of bot jumpiness. Bots were smart and evasive, but not to the point that their moving could be considered cheating. 2004 bots though was like on next step from your capabilities of dodging. It sucked(
Other than that, great times, great game
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jbmcb
Still play UT2004 with dgVoodoo to crank the res up. You nail the reason why UT is great, it's the physics. Things have weight. You don't feel like you're a video game character bouncing around a fake arena like UT2003 or Quake 3. Forward momentum seeps off properly. Acceleration while falling feels right. Even vehicle physics are proper - you can go fast with little control or slow with a lot of control.
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Still play UT2004 with dgVoodoo to crank the res up. You nail the reason why UT is great, it's the physics. Things have weight. You don't feel like you're a video game character bouncing around a fake arena like UT2003 or Quake 3. Forward momentum seeps off properly. Acceleration while falling feels right. Even vehicle physics are proper - you can go fast with little control or slow with a lot of control.
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MINI_91
I would honestly love if games could still look like this.
It takes up less space on your machine, more people can actually run it, it still looks great and the worlds/maps could be massive, reduce development time and cost and much more.
Honestly a near perfect looking game in my eyes. I love the aesthetics from games made in the 90's up to the mid 2000's.
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I would honestly love if games could still look like this.
It takes up less space on your machine, more people can actually run it, it still looks great and the worlds/maps could be massive, reduce development time and cost and much more.
Honestly a near perfect looking game in my eyes. I love the aesthetics from games made in the 90's up to the mid 2000's.
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patriots227nick
10: 50 Tribes Vengeance was my first online FPS game, once I learned how to go online I thought it was the coolest thing, me being a dumb kid, when it asked me for my name, I literally just used my full name no knowing what a gamer handle was lmao after a few games where I saw everyone had nicknames I changed mine, I don't even remember what to tbh
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10: 50 Tribes Vengeance was my first online FPS game, once I learned how to go online I thought it was the coolest thing, me being a dumb kid, when it asked me for my name, I literally just used my full name no knowing what a gamer handle was lmao after a few games where I saw everyone had nicknames I changed mine, I don't even remember what to tbh
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gimok2k5
UT2004 was one of my first online FPS. Got it for my 16th birthday (in 2006, and still own the copy. It was a simple single DVD version at that point.
Ended also falling into the rabbithole of mods, with Ballistic Weapons being basically a must-install for me even to this day, and playing the original mod-version of Killing Floor.
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UT2004 was one of my first online FPS. Got it for my 16th birthday (in 2006, and still own the copy. It was a simple single DVD version at that point.
Ended also falling into the rabbithole of mods, with Ballistic Weapons being basically a must-install for me even to this day, and playing the original mod-version of Killing Floor.
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ogrejd
I reinstalled it last month. Uninstalled it less than a week later because I no longer have the reflexes to handle the 'bots in the campaign. Took like 3 tries just to get past the 'Choose your team' fight. :P Alas, I only have the slightly later single-DVD version that came with nothing in the box but your disc and online key. :(
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I reinstalled it last month. Uninstalled it less than a week later because I no longer have the reflexes to handle the 'bots in the campaign. Took like 3 tries just to get past the 'Choose your team' fight. :P Alas, I only have the slightly later single-DVD version that came with nothing in the box but your disc and online key. :(
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BigBeardBuilds
Yes! Feeling less 'connected' the game is exactly what put ME off 2003/2004 UT. It felt 'bobby' and 'slow' like Quake 3 movement instead of the instant 'snappy' character response I was used to from UT99. UT3 brought it back. but that was never as succesful and today, no such game exists anymore, sadly.
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Yes! Feeling less 'connected' the game is exactly what put ME off 2003/2004 UT. It felt 'bobby' and 'slow' like Quake 3 movement instead of the instant 'snappy' character response I was used to from UT99. UT3 brought it back. but that was never as succesful and today, no such game exists anymore, sadly.
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fanjoy
Unreal Tournament 1999 remains my favourite game ever. I love 2004 but wish it had the same modern day patch/update/pack attention that 1999 has.
With 1999 you can install 469d, foxfov, a couple mod packs and it's totally modernized and awesome. getting 2004 running properly is such a chore.
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Unreal Tournament 1999 remains my favourite game ever. I love 2004 but wish it had the same modern day patch/update/pack attention that 1999 has.
With 1999 you can install 469d, foxfov, a couple mod packs and it's totally modernized and awesome. getting 2004 running properly is such a chore.
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lazygamereviews
I remember having a copy of a local gaming magazine that has this game reviewed months after this game came out, but never played this game. Even weirder is that a bootleg copy of Unreal Tournament PS2 has the cover art of this game used for the packaging (with the 2004 removed)
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I remember having a copy of a local gaming magazine that has this game reviewed months after this game came out, but never played this game. Even weirder is that a bootleg copy of Unreal Tournament PS2 has the cover art of this game used for the packaging (with the 2004 removed)
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consolehacker54
I love UT 2004 and 99, I still play them along with some other older FPS games like Counter Strike 1. 6 and Quake III Arena. I've always been into older FPS games and all of those are up there with my favorites that I install on every gaming PC I get
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I love UT 2004 and 99, I still play them along with some other older FPS games like Counter Strike 1. 6 and Quake III Arena. I've always been into older FPS games and all of those are up there with my favorites that I install on every gaming PC I get
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robhardie6687
My dad brought this home from HMV after the guy on the till accidentally put it in the bag with the CDs my dad had bought. It may have been free, but it actually cost me money because I had to buy a DVD drive to play it (likely at about 20fps)
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My dad brought this home from HMV after the guy on the till accidentally put it in the bag with the CDs my dad had bought. It may have been free, but it actually cost me money because I had to buy a DVD drive to play it (likely at about 20fps)
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DeusMaximusX
I remember how much of a pain in the ass it was, having to install from that pile of CDs. It gave me Amiga PTSD. It's also why I re-bought it on Steam as soon as it came out there, just so I never had to reinstall it from CD ever again.
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I remember how much of a pain in the ass it was, having to install from that pile of CDs. It gave me Amiga PTSD. It's also why I re-bought it on Steam as soon as it came out there, just so I never had to reinstall it from CD ever again.
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bwagner23
i missed out on UT as a teen, but it's wild seeing the influence a game like this has had on a game i do play. Splatoon. from weapons to game modes, there are a lot of design choices that live on in a bright Nintendo game about squid kids!
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i missed out on UT as a teen, but it's wild seeing the influence a game like this has had on a game i do play. Splatoon. from weapons to game modes, there are a lot of design choices that live on in a bright Nintendo game about squid kids!
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