History VideoGame / Unreal

* AlienBlood: Some creatures bled differently from humans.
* AlienSky: Considering the saga as a whole takes part in an universe...

* ArrangeMode:The multiplayer-based games of the series have the Mutators, modifiers which change the rules of the game by modifying the players' starting loadouts, the items in the match (including their availability), or modifying physics properties such as overall gravity and player speed.
* ArtificialBrilliance: Most of the franchise's [=AIs=] are a challenge even by today's standards.
* ArtificialLimbs: Some characters feature this.
* AwesomeButImpractical: At least one weapon per game falls into this.
* BlatantItemPlacement: Especially in the multiplayer games.
* BodyArmorAsHitPoints.

* CrapsackWorld: Well... let's just say that, across the series, the Unreal universe's setting is ''extremely'' DarkerAndEdgier, and that's being generous.
* DifficultButAwesome: At least one weapon per game falls into this.
* EndingTropes: Normally of the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] variant. Comes with a universe based on GreyAndGrayMorality.
* EnergyBall: What some of your guns fire.

* GangstaStyle: Mostly done with the starter weapon or a weaker one.
* GatlingGood: At least one weapon per game falls into this.
* {{HisScan}}: While most weapons end up firing PainfullySlowProjectile[=s=], generally each game will go for this instead for your starting gun, the Shock Rifle's primary fire, your [[MoreDakka minigun equivalent]], and the SniperRifle.
* LazyArtist: In spite of the newer engines' features, there is many old stuff taken from previous games.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters

* NoOSHACompliance: Many of the factories and buildings visited across the saga.
* PainfullySlowProjectile: Some weapons fall into this, even in the multiplayer games.

* QuadDamage: One per game.

* SceneryPorn: Even the older games have breathtaking scenery in today's era.

* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Especially with the multiplayer games, what with the players being able to shoot themselves in the foot, being crushed or drowned in water, lava, slime.

* TropeOverdosed: Just so you know, this page had to be broke onto several different pages. Now imagine how big this page was. WikiMagic at its finest!

* HitScan: While most weapons end up firing PainfullySlowProjectile[=s=], generally each game will go for this instead for your starting gun, the Shock Rifle's primary fire, your [[MoreDakka minigun equivalent]], and the SniperRifle.

* ''Unreal Tournament 2003'' (redirect to Unreal Tournament 2004)

Lore-wise the games take place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, starting with the adventures of Prisoner 849, a {{featureless|Protagonist}} prisoner stuck in an ancient planet after the prison ship that carried her crashed onto it. While at first the series appeared to be your run-of-the-mill FirstPersonShooter, what really made Unreal stuck on its time were [[SceneryPorn the ginormous, gorgeous and colorful landscapes]]. Afterwards, the series moved onto an AnachronicOrder after the release of ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'', which started as an ExpansionPack of ''Unreal'' and became a multiplayer-focused SpinOff of it, focused on [[TournamentArc a multi-billion intergalactic tournament]] managed by TheEmpire and a MegaCorp. The third game of the franchise, second in the single-player series, ''VideoGame/UnrealIITheAwakening'', is an {{interquel}} set between the other two games, and [[ASpaceMarineIsYou followed a]] SpaceMarine's adventures with its crew across many different planets. The games released afterwards have [[ContinuitySnarl an unclearer place in the timeline]] due to {{retcon}}s and contradicting WordOfGod, though nowadays it's mostly set that all of these games up to ''VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII'' are set after ''Tournament''. Furthermore, with the exception of ''III'' (which instead took the WarIsHell route), all other ''Tournament'' games follow the TournamentArc. Meanwhile, the Xbox-exclusive ''Championship'' games are set in an AlternateUniverse, following the same TournamentArc as the mainline ''Tournament'' games.

Like many popular FPS series, [[GameMod modding]] potential is a large part of its appeal and success; both the single- and multiplayer parts of the series have seen many releases. Part of the dodgy reception of ''[=UT2003=]'' and ''Unreal 2'' is the fact that their modding tools were half-broken. Of particular interest is the fact that all of the original Unreal's assets and textures are available in Unreal Tournament, so with the right mod (along with transferring the music and maps from the original game to the UT folders) it is essentially possible to turn UT into one big "super-game" with a full single ''and'' multiplayer component.

The ''Unreal'' series fell into obscurity near the turn of TheNewTens due to the lack of a followup to ''Unreal Tournament 3'', helped along by a number of outside factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (having started around the same time as ''Unreal'' with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'', but really reaching its peak concurrent with ''[=UT3=]'' with the ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''World of Padman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''Alien Arena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and Creator/EpicGames's shift in focus towards the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 with the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps was quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, and with ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament4'', they eventually delivered.

Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with countless games in just about every genre released using Epic's code.

[[caption-width-right:300:Yes, they've named [[GameEngine their engines]] after this series.]]

* ''Unreal Championship'' (redirect to Unreal Tournament 2004)

The first game in the series [[TropeCodifier codified]] the SecondaryFire trope, and set the template for every other FPS released after it, including their 1998 competitors. Meanwhile, the first ''Tournament'' (alongside rival game ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'') popularized the [[OneHitKill Instagib]] gamemode (even though it started as just another game modifier, later games and even other franchises would ascend it to main gametype), AnnouncerChatter (at least for {{first person shooter}}s), and BoomHeadshot tropes.

Lore-wise the games take place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, starting with the adventures of Prisoner 849, a {{featureless|Protagonist}} prisoner stuck in an ancient planet after the prison ship that carried her crashed onto it. While at first the series appeared to be your run-of-the-mill FirstPersonShooter, what really made Unreal stuck on its time were [[SceneryPorn the ginormous, gorgeous and colorful landscapes]]. The series [[TropeCodifier codified]] the SecondaryFire trope, and set the template for every other FPS released after it, including their 1998 competitors. Afterwards, the series moved onto an AnachronicOrder after the release of ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'', which started as an ExpansionPack of ''Unreal'' and became a multiplayer-focused SpinOff of it. The third game of the franchise, second in the single-player series, ''VideoGame/UnrealIITheAwakening'', is an {{interquel}} set between the other two games, and [[ASpaceMarineIsYou followed a]] SpaceMarine's adventures with its crew across many different planets. The games released afterwards have [[ContinuitySnarl an unclearer place in the timeline]] due to {{retcon}}s and contradicting WordOfGod, though nowadays it's mostly set that all of these games up to ''VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII'' are set after ''Tournament''.

Lore-wise the games take place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, starting with the adventures of Prisoner 849, a {{featureless|Protagonist}} prisoner stuck in an ancient planet after the prison ship that carried her crashed onto it. While at first the series appeared to be your run-of-the-mill FirstPersonShooter, what really made Unreal stuck on its time were [[SceneryPorn the ginormous, gorgeous and colorful landscapes]]. The series [[TropeCodifier codified]] the SecondaryFire trope, and set the template for every other FPS released after it, including their 1998 competitors. Afterwards, the series moved onto an AnachronicOrder after the release of ''videoGame/UnrealTournament'', which started as an ExpansionPack of ''Unreal'' and became a multiplayer-focused SpinOff of it. The third game of the franchise, second in the single-player series, ''VideoGame/UnrealIITheAwakening'', is an {{interquel}} set between the other two games, and [[ASpaceMarineIsYou followed a]] SpaceMarine's adventures with its crew across many different planets. The games released afterwards have [[ContinuitySnarl an unclearer place in the timeline]] due to {{retcon}}s and contradicting WordOfGod, though nowadays it's mostly set that all of these games up to ''VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII'' are set after ''Tournament''.

One of the most iconic [[FirstPersonShooter FPS]] franchises, made by Creator/EpicGames. it started as a primarily single-player game, but its multi-player successor, ''Unreal Tournament'', saw such great success that the series has essentially split into three branches:

The ''Unreal'' series fell into obscurity near the turn of TheNewTens due to the lack of a followup to ''Unreal Tournament 3'', helped along by a number of outside factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (having started around the same time as ''Unreal'' with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'', but really reaching its peak concurrent with ''[=UT3=]'' with the ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''World of Padman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''Alien Arena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and Creator/EpicGames's shift in focus towards the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 with the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps was quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, and with the above-listed ''Unreal Tournament 4'', they eventually delivered. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with hundreds of games in just about every genre released using Epic's code (in comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie'').

* ArmorMeterPoints: Most of the games display armor as an icon-number combination on the HUD. The PC version of ''UT'' and ''[=UT3=]'' not only has this combination, but also a human-shaped figure showing which pieces of armor the player is carrying. ''[=U2=]'' and the console versions of ''UT'' have a gauge for the armor.

* DiscOneFinalBoss: The Skaarj Warlord. After the first battle in the caves below the Nali Castle, you fight him a second and final time in the Skaarj Generator. The true FinalBoss is the Skaarj Queen.

* EndingTropes: Normally of the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] variant. Comes with an universe based on GreyAndGrayMorality.

* LazyArtist: In spite of the newer engines' features, there are many old stuff taken from previous games.

The ''Unreal'' series fell into obscurity near the turn of TheNewTens, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''World of Padman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''Alien Arena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and Creator/EpicGames's shift in focus towards the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 with the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps was quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, and with the above-listed ''Unreal Tournament 4'', they eventually delivered. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with hundreds of games in just about every genre released using Epic's code (in comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie'').

* MoreDakka:

The ''Unreal'' series fell into obscurity near the turn of TheNewTens, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''VideoGame/WorldOfPadman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''VideoGame/AlienArena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and Creator/EpicGames's shift in focus towards the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 with the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps was quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, and with the above-listed ''Unreal Tournament 4'', they eventually delivered. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with hundreds of games in just about every genre released using Epic's code (in comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie'').

* HitScan: While most weapons end up firing PainfullySlowProjectiles, generally each game will go for this instead for your starting gun, the Shock Rifle's primary fire, your [[MoreDakka minigun equivalent]], and the SniperRifle.

* WomanOfAThousandVoices: ''Sioux "[=UnrealGrrl=]" Blue'', who does nearly ALL of the female voices of the Unreal series. May it be a female announcer or a female player, you'll always hear her.

The Unreal series fell into obscurity near the end of the last decade, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''VideoGame/WorldOfPadman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''VideoGame/AlienArena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and Creator/EpicGames's recent focus on the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps is quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament4 eventually delivering]]. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with dozens of games, in just about every genre, released using Epic's code. (In comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie''.)

* AbnormalAmmo: Many of the weapons use such unconventional ammo.

* CrapsackWorld: Well... let's just say that, across the series, the Unreal universe's setting it's the Earth extremely DarkerAndEdgier, and that's being generous.

* ExcusePlot

* HitScan: At least one weapon per game falls into this.

* MoreDakka: At least many weapons per game fall into this.

* RocketJump: Possible across the series; in most cases you can do it with a weapon you spawn with.
* SceneryPorn: Even the older games have such breathtaking scenery in today's era.
* SecondaryFire: A staple of the series, with each weapon having it's own use depending on the situation.

* UpdatedRerelease: Sans some games.

The Unreal series fell into obscurity near the end of the last decade, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the rise of free arcadelike shooters (''VideoGame/WorldOfPadman'', ''VideoGame/{{Nexuiz}}'', ''VideoGame/AlienArena'', ''VideoGame/OpenArena''...) taking the place of commercial ones, the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and EpicGames's recent focus on the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps is quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival, [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament4 eventually delivering]]. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with dozens of games, in just about every genre, released using Epic's code. (In comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie''.)

One of the most iconic [[FirstPersonShooter FPS]] franchises, made by EpicGames. it started as a primarily single-player game, but its multi-player successor, ''Unreal Tournament'', saw such great success that the series has essentially split into three branches:

The Unreal series fell into obscurity near the end of the last decade, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/CounterStrike'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and EpicGames's recent focus on the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps is quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with dozens of games, in just about every genre, released using Epic's code. (In comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie''.)

* GameMod: THE series for mods outside of ''VideoGame/{{Half-Life}}''. Both the Singleplayer and multiplayer side of the franchise have seen a large quantity of high-quality releases, due largely to the fact that it was the first game that didn't require knowledge of C programming to make a mod. Unreal 1 featured [=UnrealScript=], which was simpler and less complex than C, and the main game itself was written in [=UnrealScript=], which gave people a strong example to look at. In short, there will be at least one person using a custom model on your map.\\

The Unreal series fell into obscurity near the end of the last decade, helped along by a number of factors: the rise of team-based / "tactical" shooters (starting with ''VideoGame/{{Counter-Strike}}'' and ending with the current ''VideoGame/{{Call of|Duty}} VideoGame/{{Modern|Warfare}} VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' glut), the overwhelming popularity of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' (which combined the strategic elements of the former with Unreal's action-packed and over-the-top vibe), and EpicGames's recent focus on the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' franchise. However, Epic president Mike Capps is quoted as saying that the franchise is due for a revival. Furthermore, the Unreal {{Game Engine}}s, one for each Tournament, have seen extremely widespread use throughout the gaming industry, with dozens of games, in just about every genre, released using Epic's code. (In comparison, only one game ''ever'' has used the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' engine besides ''Halo'' itself and its [[VideoGameRemake Anniversary remake]]--the obscure ''VideoGame/StubbsTheZombie''.)

* [[WomanOfAThousandVoices]]: ''Sioux "[=UnrealGrrl=]" Blue'', who does nearly ALL of the female voices of the Unreal series. May it be a female announcer or a female player, you'll always hear her.

* TheWikiRule: The [[http://liandri.beyondunreal.com Liandri Archives]].