Unreal may be old, but you would never know it by looking at the graphics. They still stand as some of the most stunning visuals ever put in an action game, and best those of many newer games we've played. Unreal's only real stumbling block is its uninspired gameplay, which relies too much on standard "find the key" puzzles. The game is challenging regardless--most of the enemies are smart--and we found ourselves pressing ahead just to see what sort of beautiful, strange new environment we would end up in next.

We also had a lot of fun playing deathmatch games against the computer-controlled "bots," which put up a heck of a fight. The artificial intelligence of the bots in the newer game Unreal Tournament is much better, but that game doesn't deliver the single-player story line that makes Unreal so compelling. Action fans with 3-D accelerator cards won't want to miss this technological showcase that also happens to be a very fun game. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Beautiful graphics and special effects
• Competing against computer-controlled "bots" is a blast
• Scripted events add much excitement to the single-player game

• Online multiplayer component isn't so great
• Needs a 3-D accelerator card to strut its stuff