Unreal Championship has been one of the most highly anticipated Xbox games since it was announced in 2000, for three very good reasons.

One, it's the latest game to emerge from the well-established and hugely popular Unreal universe.

Two, it has been created from the ground up specifically for Xbox and the Xbox Controller - this is no conversion of a PC game made to fit on a joypad. And three, it's the flagship multiplayer shooter for Microsoft's high-speed online gaming service Xbox Live, the first phase of which, Test Drive, launches on November 30 (see www.xbox.com/uk for more details). It's this third reason where this exclusive review of the game runs into a small technical problem. Xbox Live doesn't launch until November 30, and even though the option to play online is there on the opening menu, no-one is playing Unreal Championship on Xbox Live and we didn't get the chance to test it using the Test Drive service. (Basing our review on the early Beta testing phase of Xbox Live would not give the correct impression of game or service.)

What you're about to read is how the offline game fares. But don't worry, it still gives you a valuable insight into the game's features: its weapons, controls, maps and various game modes. We'll review the Xbox Live component of the game as soon as we can. Until then, offline is all you need.

Digital Extremes worked on Unreal Championship for well over two years under the careful eye of Epic Games, the company which created Unreal and Unreal Tournament for PC. As with Tournament, Championship is a dedicated multiplayer game, but one that a single player can enjoy immensely. There's no story to follow or cut-scenes to show you what's lurking around the next corner; this is a game of accuracy, timing and speed.

The opening menu presents several different options: Single Player, Play Live, Instant Action, Tutorial, Profiles and Settings. You can jump straight into a game under the Instant Action option; just pick a game style and map and off you go. Think of this like a quick race option in a driving game, only without the accelerating and braking.

If you're new to the whole thing of playing a dedicated multiplayer shooter or wanting to know more (people do take this kind of game really seriously) then hit the Tutorial option to learn the basics. Skip it and you'll be left wondering how your opponent dodged the rocket that you thought couldn't miss...

Guiding you through your introduction to the brutal bloodsport is a computerised female announcer, who also provides commentary during each game of death.

A new and very important feature of Championship is the Adrenaline system, which gives you the option of using one of four abilities when your character's Adrenaline level reaches maximum. These abilities can come in very useful during the various types of games.

Before you start shooting though, you'll have to set up your profile. Pick a name, a team of five characters from the extensive list given, choose your team colour from red or blue, then select your difficulty level from one of four levels: Novice, Skilled, Masterful and Godlike.

Novice is definitely for beginners as the bots (CPU-controlled cannon fodder) aren't too aggressive or accurate, but playing the game on Godlike difficulty setting is as hard as nails, if not harder. It almost feels as if the bots are programmed not to miss, regardless of their position on the map.

The single-player game is broken down into an order of five different types of game (all of which are playable online): Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Double Domination, Bombing Run and Survival, with the slightly odd number of seven rounds in each mode.

After you've won the first two rounds of a specific mode of play, the next one will be unlocked. When you've completed and won all seven rounds, you'll be awarded with a gold statue for your trouble.

For anyone who's played a multiplayer shooter before, the Team Deathmatch mode shouldn't present any surprises, as this is the simplest type of game to play. Two teams of five characters battle it out until one of them hits the kill limit, which varies from 10-20 depending on your position on the ladder.

Capture the Flag is another favourite of the multiplayer shooter fan and Championship's stab at it works perfectly.

Each team has a base with a flag in it, and the object of the game is to infiltrate the base, pick up the flag and return it to where your own flag is in your base to score.

Your flag needs to be on its spot in order for you to score and the first to five wins. Unlike in Halo, you can actually shoot while carrying the flag, which makes a lot of difference because in Bungie's game the standard bearer is cannon fodder for his opponents.

Double Domination is a frantically paced game that sees teams attempting to secure two separate points on a map for ten seconds to score a point - first to five emerges victorious. Points A and B are on different sides of the map and players have to run over the icons to turn them the same colour as their team. Holding the icons while the female commentator counts down from ten, and the opposition is firing its way towards you, is a rush - especially if you take them out before they make it to the icon.

Bombing Run is more of a sport with guns than any of the other modes as it 3D features a bomb as a ball. Players must

be in possession of the bomb when they pass through the opponent's goal to score. Both teams begin in their bases and the bomb spawns in the middle of the map.

Players holding the bomb can pass it to their team-mates but cannot shoot, meaning that support is crucial as you advance towards the opponent's base.

Only when the above four modes of play have been completed does Survival mode become available. This is basically team deathmatch without the team. It's a one-on-one fight to prove yourself as the ultimate champion.

The variety and style of maps in all modes is nothing short of amazing. Each has been designed to suit the particular type of game that it hosts.

Some of the deathmatch arenas feature tight maze-like corridors with several flights of stairs, ramps and lifts while Double Domination maps often feature huge indoor and outdoor areas perfect for team assaults.

Each map has also been created with an astonishing eye for detail. You'll sometimes just want to stop and admire the surroundings.

Maps range from huge ancient temples with tunnels, streams and corridors running underground to complex industrial structures with several lifts arriving at multiple vantage points perfect for sniping. In the vast outdoor jungle arenas, fireflies hover around the action.

Every map will impress you in its own right as each has its own unique feel and characteristics. Some you'll get the hang of straight away while with others it'll take some time to figure out the best routes.

Playing the game with bots isn't the same as playing with human players, but the Al of UC's bots will gladly help you pass the time until Xbox Live is launched.

We did occasionally come across the odd team-mate bot stuck on the scenery or others who just stand around as if they're waiting for Christmas. A quick rocket up the backside soon sorts that out though.

Your team of four bots will carry out the simple commands you issue to them. Pressing the Y button brings up a list of four commands: freelance, defend, attack and taunt. Once you've used them a few times it becomes second nature to quickly issue commands during a frantic firefight. Our biggest fear was that the game would be so fast and frantic that it would be impossible to improve skills. While the game does run at an incredible pace, it's still possible to aim for the all-important headshots. Practice does make perfect, as they say, and there's a deep level of accuracy and timing to get to grips with.

Digital Extremes has managed to make the controls as simple as possible while at the same time making them feel solid. Using the Chain Gun is great fun, as the whole screen shakes while the pad rumbles with a vengeance. The overall selection of weapons is also good. But you'll quickly find your own favourites and stick to them. Each one does have its own use though.

Unreal Championship played as an offline game with bots is great. But the prospect of playing in teams on Xbox Live with the Xbox Communicator is mouth-watering. All signs point to it being nothing short of stunning.

1. Fast yet easily controllable
2. Huge variety of maps to explore
3. Amazing to look at
4. Great variety of weapons

1. Long loading times
2. No system link

Power
Everything s fast, and looks beautiful and detailed. Xbox is really gaining its spurs here.

Style
The unique look of the Unreal universe has never been realised as well as it is here.

Immersion
The frantic action will have you playing for hours at a time. Lots of arenas to commit to memory.

Lifespan
Once Xbox Live comes along you won't want to put it down. Potentially limitless fun to be had.

Summary
This sets a new standard for multiplayer shooters. On Xbox Live this will blow other games of its type out of the water.