New Unreal Worlds

As if I didn’t already have ample opportunity to get my butt shot off in Unreal Championship, now Xbox Live is offering free downloads (yes, free). The Unreal universe of flying lead, bio rifle bolts, flak cannon rounds, and (the ever-popular) high-explosive grenades is now bigger and better and than ever. Expand your horizons. Download these new and exciting worlds - and kill your friends in them!

Aqua Mortis
Size: 4-8 players

This Allerian Ice Shark is a fearsome predator, capable of devouring a man in seconds. If it could carry a weapon, there's no doubt the Overseers would’ve found a way to put him in the Tournament as well. Not surprisingly, though, it still manages to rack up a respectable number of kills. Impromptu games of water polo are highly discouraged …

Welcome to the “Sea World of Terror.”

Aqua Mortis is a really fun map, yet it’s frustrating in the way that good challenging maps are. The centerpiece is, of course, the shark pool. Lazily swimming in the tank is an enormous pale predator, the Allerian Ice Shark itself. Falling in the water is naturally deadly, but the periphery of the map is lined with tunnels with transparent walls that let you see the surround environment. You can’t attack enemies in the central area or in tunnels on the other side.

The setup reminds me of a warped horror-themed Sea World attraction. There are several good vantage points from which you can command the open central area, and they also offer easy access to cover (simply step back). Or, you can scurry back into the corridors for extra ammo and health, if needed. Of course, you’ll need to steer clear of those open areas, lest you fall prey to a sniper or misstep and end up as “shark meat.”

Inferno
Size: 4-8 Players

Paradiso. Purgatory. Inferno. Those who have fallen from grace have little more to look forward to than an eternity of torment among fire and brimstone. They - and the soulless creations of the automata - will seek to destroy you and claw their way back to glory. Your job is to send them straight to Hell.

Inferno is a map composed of narrow passages leading up, down, around, and through a rocky spire. Below is only boiling death, so don't step off the gangways. You can save a lot of time by jumping down from higher walkways to lower ones, and you can also surprise opponent in this way. (Just be careful not to miss.) Adrenaline and power pickups are strewn along the sweeping lower gangways, which makes them perfect ambush bait when you're positioned above.

Leviathan B
Size: 2-4 Players

They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer. You won't find any friends here, so grab yourself a weapon and share the love.

Leviathan B is a small map that’s almost better with two players than with four. On the other hand, with four players, there's literally no waiting, as it's hard to imagine you could take a step without finding an enemy in desperate need of killing. The environment is enclosed and centered around a long, tall room with elevated walkways along each side. Parallel side corridors hold ramps that run from the ground floor up to the elevated walkway. Power pick-ups are located in the center corridor, which makes them dangerous to go for, since you'll be exposed to fire from above. If you want non-stop action with a small number of players, Leviathan B is your map.

Otaros Run
Size 4 vs. 4 (Capture the Flag)

Unlike the will o' wisps of legend that led unlucky souls to their demise, softy luminescent Gen Mo'kai spirit lanterns guide you to your goal and back again. If you want to send any unlucky souls to their doom here, you're going to have to do it yourself.

Stick to the high ground.

Otaros is a world with jungle vegetation and rocky outcroppings. The rocks have been shaped into plateaus and makeshift catwalks that connect two strategic areas. On one plateau is the red bas and on the other is the blue base. The lower ground level can be as easily traversed to get between bases, but the path is longer, and you can be exposed to fire from above. Try your best to stay on the high path, while using grenades or other concussive weapons to knock the enemy off. A bridge near the center point holds valuable pickups, including Health, which can be a real blessing if you're being pursued on the way back to your own base and are hard up for Health.

By Shane Marshall