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Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict
Developer(s)	Epic Games
Publisher(s)	Midway Games
Designer(s)	Michael V. Capps
Engine	Unreal Engine 2.5
Platform(s)	Microsoft Xbox
Release	April 18 2005
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict is a first-/third-person shooter video game part of the Unreal series of games. It was developed by Epic Games and published by Midway Games for an April 18 2005 release on the Xbox game console. It is a direct sequel to the 2002 game Unreal Championship, which itself is a console version of its PC counterpart Unreal Tournament 2003. Unreal Championship 2, to a much larger degree than its predecessor, is specifically designed from the ground up for the Xbox console and takes full advantage of the Xbox Live gaming arena.

Gameplay

In the game a player can choose from fourteen different characters from the Unreal universe. Unreal Championship 2 features the new gametypes Overdose and Nali Slaughter, new weapons; including the use of never-before seen melee weapons, and more adrenaline moves than ever before.

Unreal Championship 2 attempts to combine the genres of first-person shooter with third-person fighting games like Soul Calibur. To aid in this new kind of combined gameplay, a secret character is included in the game from Mortal Kombat, another fighting game, specifically, the Thunder God Raiden.

Players can use mêlée weapons only in third-person mode (choosing them will change the mode automatically), but can switch between first- and third-person mode on the fly while using guns. Many players learn to use guns in third person because of the extra sense of their surroundings it gives, as well as the ability to switch more easily to mêlée mode which can literally deflect bullets. In fact, one can redirect a rocket or sniper bullet directly back to the person who shot it.

The game also features, in addition to the classic multiplayer, a single player story spiced up with cut scenes, story specific missions, and tournament ladders for each character in the game. All of the characters have the adrenaline moves "Speed" and "Nimble", as well as race specific moves, started with a sequence similar to a combo. The player can modify gameplay with mutators such as "High Speed Mode", "Low Grav", "Big Head", "Vampire" and others.

Rosters

Throughout the Unreal Universe, several species from round the Universe come to Liandri to compete on a match, each with different skills type and race. Each character has a different fighting style, choosing from one of:

• Light: Speed in movement & acrobatics but weak attack rates.
• Heavy: High in attacking but slow in movement and double jumping
• Neutral: Medium attack rate, medium speed in movement and performing some acrobatic moves

Weapons

There are three types of ranged weapons. Energy weapons, powered by tarydium crystal, Explosive weapons, powered by explosive ammo, and a set of unique pistols. Different characters have his/her own unique weapon depending on their race. For example, a Nakhti will use a set of small duel pistols while Robots which are made by Liandri Corp, will use a Rivet Gun.

Melee

The melee weapons each have similar moves and a special ability that varies with the character when performing their specific 'Coup de Grace'. A melee weapon also has the ability to deflect projectiles approaching the wielder, and if timed correctly the projectile will reflect to the attacking character causing higher damage. It can also be used has a shield which uses energy.

The Melee weapons are:

• Nakhti Staff: A staff used by the Nahkti for centuries.
• Legion Sword: A heavy sword used by the Imperial Legion.
• Nakhti Swords: A pair of swords popular among the Nakhti.
• Thunder Staff: Raiden's main weapon.
• Nakhti Axe: An axe used by Apophis.
• Liandri Hammers: Pounding weapons used by Liandri Mining bots, used by Corrosion, Raptor, and Szygzy.
• Necris Swords: Dual swords coated with nanoblack, used by Lilith, Lauren, and Calypso.
• Molten Kama: Short-bladed knives designed by Liandri Corporation.
• Dark Staff: A staff coated with a nanoblack, this is used by Judas & Brock.
• Juggernaut Fist: The hands of a Juggernaut, used by Gorge, Arclite, and Jackhammer.
• Cryo Swords: A pair of swords used by Sapphire, that can freeze an enemy.
• Skaarj Claws: The traditional Skaarj weapon, can wound enemies with poison. It is used by Torgr, Szalor, Korig, Karrg, and Garek.
• Cryo Staff: A staff that freezes enemies, only available to Malcolm.

Pistols

Pistol weapons can be used as normal projectile weapons, but can also freeze an opponent in alternative-fire mode.

• Nakhti Scorpions: Energy-based pistols.
• Skaarj Razik: A small weapon loaded with poisonous ammunition.
• Dual Enforcers: A simple pair of pistols, these weapons may be used by Human, Juggernaut or Necris fighters. The Enforcers' alternative-fire mode will infect and damage the target over time for a Necris fighter, while it simply fires faster when used by a Juggernaut. Used by a Human, it will freeze target temporarily.
• Lightning Bolts : A unique weapon available only to Raiden that fires lightning bolts and may shock the opponent.

Energy weapons

Unlike in other games in the Unreal Tournament series, players can only pick up energy weapons for which they already have ammuniation.

• Sniper Rifle: An advanced sniper rifle, firing a three-round burst. Alternative-fire mode activates the scope.
• Shock Rifle: A distinctive weapon of the series "AMSD", the Shock Rifle fires a hitscan laser beam in primary fire, while alternative fire fires a slow-moving project that can frozen by the user.
• Bio Rifle: Another stock weapon of the series, the Bio Rifle rapidly fires dozens of small blobs of deadly green goo, while alternative-fire charges it up to unleash a much larger projectile.
• Stinger: An energy-based minigun. In alternative-fire mode, Stinger rounds that locks onto the target from a distance.

Explosives

• Rocket Launcher: A powerful projectile weapon, the Rocket Launcher fires up to three rockets at a time, both of which may lock onto the target. Different tactics can also be used with this weapon such as, pulling of a druken rocket mode.
• Flak Cannon: A shotgun on steroids, this squat, huge-bore weapon fires a hail of molten metal shards, capable of gibbing virtually any foe at close range, particles of shot can also be deflected by narrowed walls.
• Grenade Launcher: A relatively new addition to the series, the Grenade Launcher flicks small explosive ordnance a short range. These rounds may be detonated at any time by the player. Tactics can be used for this weapon, such as firing it and exploding in mid air.
• Rip Jack: The Rip Jack fires razor-thin shuriken at the target, which bounce around the environment. Additionally, the blades shatter on impact when fired in alternative-fire mode.

Controls

Just as with all other games in the series, Unreal Championship 2 is primarily a first-person shooter. However, the game introduces a new third-person view, allowing the player to control their player from an alternative perspective for much better view of their environment.

The game's major new feature is its melee combat system. While armed with a melee weapon, the player's viewpoint switches to the aforementioned third-person view, allowing the players a much wider field of vision with which to track their opponents. Furthermore, the player may use a range of special attacks in melee mode:

• Pounce Attack: This attack allows a character to pounce on their target with great force.
• Heavy Attack: Launches a more devastating version of the player's normal melee attack. However, the force of this strike is so great that the player is left momentarily unbalanced and slow, allowing the enemy to fight back easily for a few moments.
• Coup de Grace: When attacking a frozen opponent, the player may switch to melee mode to unleash a Coup de Grace attack. The game will display a brief sequence on the screen that must be repeated by the player, then will show a cutscene of the player performing a devastating finishing move against their opponent. Although the cutscene will not play to people who are not in the situation.
• Deflect & Shielding: Deflect allows the player to deflect projectiles and bullets, if timed correctly, not only deflecting the rounds but even returning the rounds in the direction of the player that fired them. Shielding is every effective, it protects the player from certain arm against explosive weapons, energy weapons, melee, pounce attacks and pistols. Note that this also consumes some energy maintain for the energy pistols.
• Dash/Charge: Dashing allows the player to move at a greatly increased speed, even damaging an opponent when used correctly.
• Wall Jump: New to Unreal Championship, wall-jumping allows the player to jump from walls to wall, extending their time off the ground.

Changes from Unreal Tournament

Additions

• Wall jumping
• Third-person view.
• Melee weapons.
• A melee combat system, allowing for powerup attacks such as shielding/deflection and Coup de Grace strikes.
• Character-specific Adrenaline combos.
• Survival and Nali Slaughter game modes.
• Mixture of Mortal Kombat theme and content.

Changes

• Modified Adrenaline system.
• Players may only carry three weapons at a time.
• Players can decide what weapons to carry before the start of the match

Gametypes

The game features a similar multiplayer mode to other Unreal titles and additions in the series, allowing players to compete over Xbox Live, across a Local Area Network or in splitscreen mode.

• Nali Slaughter: Invented by the Skaarj, this game simply involves the players slaughtering as many Nali as they can for points.
• Overdose: An enhanced version of Bombing Run, using 2 sets of coloured ball white and gold.
• Survival: A 1 person vs 1 person deathmatch, in which the losing player of each round must wait in line with other players to return to the fight, while the winner remains. The winner is the first player to reach a predetermined score.
• Deathmatch
• Team Deathmatch
• Capture the Flag

Ascension Rites

Ascension Rites is a single player Campaign mode for Unreal Championship 2, in which combatants of many races and types fight within the Liandri sponsored Grand Tournament. In the particular game year featured, the Grand Tournament is held in concert with the Nakhti Ascension rites. Ascension Rites take place on the Nakhti World, where the strongest fighter will be crowned Emperor. The main character is Anubis, players will only be able to use Anubis throughout this campaign mode.

Anubis is featured in the Ascension Rites storyline as the main character. Anubis ran away from an older tournament taking place during some time ago, and also abandoned the woman he was to marry, Selket. For ten years, he has served and trained in an isolated military outpost. Now he returns to the capital and to the Grand Tournament. He had no choice but to participate on the Liandri tournament, because Selket was to be made emperor if she wins the Ascension Rites, her family only wants the sekptor but not the duty of the throne.

Tournament

Tournament mode is just like Ascension Rites, albeit without videos or cutscenes. This mode allows the player use any character, provided that it has been unlocked by succeeding with another character in previous Tournaments. The tournament storyline takes place after the Acsension Rites.

Challenges

Challenges take place inbetween the tournament, inviting the player to take part in more difficult games than are otherwise available. The character the player can choose are already decided, this is the only option to unlock Raiden.

Awards

As in other Unreal titles, players are rewarded for performing certain features in each round. Awards like for suriving for a period of time and killing multiple enemies at once.

Special Ratings

• Cavalier: Killing an opponent using the Dash attack.
• Combo: Rejecting Lauren's freeze attack.
• Flawless: Winning a round without a single death or defeat.
• First Blood: First player in a match to make a kill.
• Headshot: Fragging a player by taking off his/her head.
• Interception: Freezing an opponent in Overdose in order to steal the ball.
• Jumpy Bitch: Jumping excessively around the map.
• Rejection: Deflecting a shot back at the person who fired it.
• Samurai: Using a samurai skill to frag an opponent.
• Smack Down: Two players pouncing at each other simultaneously.
• Wasted: Missing an opponent with a charged melee attack, or firing a poison Skaarj claw at another Skaarj.

Kill Ratings

As in other Unreal Tournament games, the player is awarded a Kill Rating for making a certain number of kills without dying.

• Killingspree: 2 kills.
• Rampage: 3 kills.
• Massacre: 4 kills.
• Dominating: 5 kills.
• Unstoppable: 6 kills.
• Godlike: 7 or more kills.

Furthermore, the player is awarded an additional Rating if they kill a certain number of enemies within the space of just a few seconds.

• Double Kill : 2 kills.
• Multikill : 3 kills.
• Mega Kill : 4 kills.
• Monster Kill:.
• Ultra Kill : 6 kills.
• Unholy : 7 kills.
• Impossible : 8 kills.
• Unpossible : 9 or more kills.

Notes & Trivia

• The game's Coup de Grace move is a reference to the Fatality move in Mortal Kombat.
• When frozen, the player must repeatedly hit the buttons on their controller to escape - a reference to Mortal Kombat's mini game test, Test Your might.
• The game brings out a certain slogan word used alot in gaming culture the word "n00b" makes reference to gaming culture by using the word noob.
• The player may choose between the normal Unreal announcer and Mortal Kombat's announcer Shao Khan.
• The Unreal Championship games are not simply console ports of the PC versions of Unreal Tournament, but bear a number of substantial changes from the others in the series. They are therefore unique games in their own right.

Unreal Engine

Graphic Engine

Mentioned above, the graphic engine used to power up this game was bought by Unreal Engine 2X. Unreal Championship 2 is running on a new edition of the Unreal Engine 2.5 technology specially optimized for the Xbox. Earning more up to 3-4 times polygons. Unreal Engine 2X supports the fixed pipeline and programmable pipeline. It also supports vertex and pixel shaders support.

Unreal Engine website promotes details for their Unreal Engine 2X optical optimised for Unreal Championship 2, details below Unreal Engine 2X as different special features which can be seen during the game:

• Full Scene Light Bloom and Emissive Materials

Both emissive materials (materials that appear to emit light) and full screen light blooming are two of the post processing effects that UE2X supports. The full screen light bloom uses the luminance of pixels in the scene to determine whether or not they are “hot.” “Hot” pixels are then manipulated using image space techniques resulting in a soft light blooming effect. Emissive materials are handled in a similar way, except that which portions of an object that give off light are completely under the control of an artist.

• Depth of field

UE2X supports two different modes of depth of field. The first mode is always on, is based upon an absolute depth/blur amount, and enhances z-depth perception. The other mode is used to focus on specific objects in the scene, blur objects outside the focus depth planes, and give the player the feel of looking through a rifle scope.

• Image Space Effects

Distortion, controllable filter kernel blurs, radial blurs, and color space manipulation are some of the image space effects supported by the UE2X engine. Distortion can even be applied on arbitrary geometry, for dynamic explosions, character effects, and the like. This can be noticed, when a player uses "concussion" (Gorge's Adrenaline power) on another player. When respawning, speed dashing and using the "Speed" Adrenaline power. Certain levels have Ocean designs, stages like Praxis, when a player looks out the window, the Distortion emulating water can be seen. Even using the Shock Rifle's alternate combo firing, the special effects on the shocks can be seen, velocities passing along the sphere.

• Dynamic Gamma

Dynamic gamma correction is used to keep textures crisp on televisions and is used to calculate the overall luminance of a scene for light blooming (an ocular adjustment effect).

• Advanced Projected Lighting/Textures

UE2X improves projectors by handling them on the GPU to free up precious CPU cycles. Additionally, projector rendering batches multiple projectors into a single pass using specialized vertex and pixel shaders. If a character stands on a certain distances of light, he/her shadow will display on the ground. Each interactive movements caused, also makes the shadow to interact just like the character.

• Efficient Player Shadows

UE2X uses special texture formats to make higher resolution shadows affordable on the Xbox. These shadows are 1/4 th the memory of the same resolution shadow without this optimization. Also, an optimized render path is used to give nice soft edges without multiple passes. If a character stands on a certain distances of light, he/her shadow will display on the ground. Each interactive movements caused, also makes the shadow to interact just like the character.

Bullet point notes is gotten from this site source

External links

• Unreal Championship 2 official website
• Planet Unreal
• Unreal Engine 2X page on UC2:Liandri Conflict

• Unreal
• 2005 computer and video games
• Xbox games
• First-person shooters
• Midway Games