Unreal II: The Awakening
World Press Preview Event: November 7, 2002
Chantilly, Virginia, USAWeaponsSpeaking of the weapons, here's a rundown of what you can expect in U2:TA:
- Shotgun - primary file is a traditional, but powerful, shotgun blast. Alt-fire is explosive rounds, which you can use to set people on fire as well as damage them. When NPCs are on fire, they are effectively disabled, allowing you to finish them off more efficiently.
- Flamethrower - primary fire is, well, fire! Alt-fire lays down a napalm-like substance that you can use to set a trap. Lay it out, go hide and set it on fire, engulfing your opponent and effectively disabling him for the inevitable kill. This weapon effect was one of the most impressive.
- Rocket Launcher - primary fire is standard rockets (4). Alt-fire is basically 'drunken missiles', you fire, they swarm about and eventually hit the target. After Isaac upgrades this weapon, you can also 'paint' targets, then shoot a salvo up in the air. The rockets will hit the targets you painted. Very cool, my favorite overall weapon in the game.
- Pistol - primary fire, single shot. Alt-fire, three shots. Damage is more significant than you might imagine.
- Assault Rifle - primary fire is a machine gun. Alt-fire shoots a bolt that explodes on contact and bounces around, causing damage when the shards hit. This is the weapon you'll want to use most in the early missions (except when fighting Skaarj, who can block the primary fire with their blades/talons. You can use the alt-fire against them, but there are better weapons for this task.).
- Drakk Laser - primary fire is similar to a rail gun, very powerful, uses the essence of the Drakk as it's power source (the Drakk is one of the NPCs). Alt-fire lays out a flowing stream of deadly plasma. Very powerful weapon, you'll only get it late in the game.
- Laser Lance - primary fire is a bolt of electrical energy. Alt-fire envelops your opponent in an EMP damage. Very effective in taking out electrical obstacles to your success.
- Grenade Launcher - six types of grenades: basic, smoke, concussion, incendiary, toxic and EMP. You also can 'time' the grenades by holding the primary fire down for a bit before releasing.
- Sniper Rifle - adjustable zoom using your mouse wheel, remembers your zoom level if you use the alt-fire. Very effective.
- Spider Gun - Isaac makes this one too, shoots spiders with primary fire that cling to your opponent. Alt-fire shoots a spider 'pod' with a tap. If someone comes near the pod, the spiders will emerge and fight for you. If you hold down alt-fire, then release, you'll release a spider who will immediately fight for you. My second-favorite weapon.
- Dispersion Pistol - primary fire is a low-energy blast, alt-fire is similar to Unreal 1 in nature. You probably won't use this weapon much, unless you run out of ammo for the others.
- Takkra - primary fire sends out a globe that will fly to your opponent and smack him upside the head with electrical discharges. Alt-fire will release globes that will float above you and help protect you from enemy fire. They actually can knock bolts out of the air! This weapon is a good example of the imagination that has gone into the U2:TA weapons.
- Auto Turrets and Rocket Turrets - you need to build these (mid-to later missions). Auto Turrets are basically twin CARs that whittle opponents down to meat. Rocket Turrets do 'kick ass' as Glen Dahlgren put it. Turrets cover about a 45 degree area directly in front of them. They are integral to your success in a couple of the missions.
- Field Generator - not really a weapon at all, but a defensive measure that's crucial in several missions. Like turrets, you assemble field generators, which lay out a high-intensity electrical fence. You can connect as many field generators as you can lay your hands on, establishing a jail, perimeter, etc. to suit the environment you need to build to succeed in your mission.