Line #51 VideoGame/UnrealChampionship2TheLiandriConflict


1	[[quoteright:330:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/uc2_4244.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:330:It seems like the Nakhti [[{{Stripperiffic}} dislike clothes]].]]
3
4	->''"From the wind swept barrens, from their breathtaking ocean cities, they come. Brave warriors gathering forth in Noble Tradition, battling for Ascension. The greatest among them will be crowned Emperor. Today, with the sponsorship of the Liandri corporation. this tournament enters the twenty fourth century. Welcome to a perfect combination of Ancient Tradition, and high-tech {{bloodsport}}. Welcome to the Ascension Rites."''
5
6	''Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict'' is a first-person/third-person HeroShooter, the seventh game in the ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' series[[note]]Eighth if you also count ''[[VideoGame/UnrealI Unreal Mission Pack]]: [[ExpansionPack Return to Na Pali]]''[[/note]], and the second console-exclusive game of the ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' series, also for Xbox, after the original ''[[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 Unreal Championship]]''. Released in 2005, it was developed by Creator/EpicGames, and was also the first Unreal game published by Creator/MidwayGames, otherwise known for the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' series.
7
8	The game is notorious in the series for its departure from the FirstPersonShooter formula. Its combat system has a strong emphasis on melee combat and mobility, to the point of having a wider moveset and more adrenaline abilities than those of ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'', with the player being able to alternate first-person (non-melee mode) and third-person (melee mode) views. Each melee weapon has an alternate fire which can stun the opponent, a requirement to do the [[FinishingMove Coup De Grace]]. And, unlike other instances of the Unreal franchise, each character is radically different, with weight classes (light-medium-heavy), starting meleé and ranged weapons, different adrenaline abilities and a custom Coup De Grace.
9
10	Basically, ''Unreal Championship 2'' can be described as cross between an FPS and a FightingGame. In fact, the character roster includes a GuestFighter in the form of ''Franchise/MortalKombat''[='=]s own Raiden, alongside Shao Kahn as an announcer.
11
12	The story focuses on the Nakhti empire, an Egyptian-based civilization whose Ascension Rites' Tournament decided who was [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership the one who would rule the Empire]]. It has the player taking the role of Anubis, a member of the Imperial Legion, while he tries to stop [[FemmeFatale Selket]] from becoming the Emperor. He's one of the first people to be aware that she's a puppet of the [[MegaCorp Liandri Corporation]], who wants to control the Nakhti people. So, Anubis and his friend Sobek sign up for the Tournament in order to stop her.
13
14	Check the [[Characters/UnrealChampionship2TheLiandriConflict game's character sheet]] for character specific tropes.
15
16	Followed chronologically by ''VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII''.
17
18	!Playable character roster
19	* From ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'': Malcolm, Brock, Lauren.
20	* From ''Unreal Tournament 2003'': Arclite, Gorge, Sapphire, Jackhammer (DLC), Lilith (DLC), Syzygy (DLC), Corrosion (Bot), Hyena (Bot), Memphis (Bot), Nephthys (Bot).
21	* From ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'': Kraag (DLC).
22	* [[OriginalGeneration New to this game]]: Anubis, Selket, Sobek, Szalor, Torgr, Raptor, Devastation, Apophis (DLC), Calypso (DLC), Garek (DLC), Merc Anubis (DLC), [[spoiler:Necris]] Selket (DLC), Darius (Bot), Mirage (Bot), Ra (Bot).
23	* GuestFighter from ''Franchise/MortalKombat'': [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 Raiden]].
24
25	!Gamemodes featured include
26	* '''Deathmatch''' and the team-based variant '''Team Deathmatch'''.
27	* '''CaptureTheFlag'''.
28	* '''Overdose''', a mix of [=UT200X=]'s Bombing Run and Mutant. It's a free-for-all match where all the players battle for the control of a ball, which gives its holder several Adrenaline abilities at the same time. The ballkeeper must carry the ball to the objective in order to score points while everyone else must prevent this.
29	* '''Nali Slaughter''', the game's version of [=UT200X=]'s "Invasion" gametype. The differences are that the game is free-for-all (meaning players can frag other players for points), [[MultiMookMelee melee-only]] and that instead of monsters players must destroy Nali.
30	* '''Survival''' is the same as in the first ''Championship'': players battle in 1on1 matches in a "winner stays, loser goes spectator" fashion. Each match won scores a point to the winner, and the objective is to reach the point limit.
31	----
32	!!This game shows examples of:
33
34	* ActionGirl: All of them.
35	* ADayInTheLimelight: 14 of the characters have their own ladders. These expand their backstories, and the backstory of the series a bit, though they tend to contradict with each other every now and then.
36	* AnnouncerChatter: Par for the course for the series. Even [[Franchise/MortalKombat Shao Kahn]] joins as one.
37	* AnotherSideAnotherStory: The game has the individual ladders, half of which are unlocked by beating either the game's main story mode (the Ascension Rites), the Challenges or other character's ladder, the only exception being Malcolm[[note]]Unlocked by completing one match of each gametype against human opponents[[/note]]:
38	** Anubis: Beating the Ascension Rites. His ladder takes place after the Rites.
39	** Brock: Beating Lauren's ladder. His ladder takes place after the Rites.
40	** Devastation: Beating her in Ascension Rites rung 14. Her ladder takes place at the same time than the Rites.
41	** Gorge: Beating Malcolm's ladder. It's unknown at which part of the Rites his ladder takes place.
42	** [[Franchise/MortalKombat Raiden]]: Beating the Challenges. Non-canon.
43	** Selket: Beating the Ascension Rites. Takes place at the same time than the Rites [[spoiler:right to the final rung]].
44	** Torgr: Beating Szalor's ladder. Takes place at the same time as both the Rites and Szalor's ladder; their final rung is even the same match.
45	* AppliedPhlebotinum: The Necrification process, which uses Nanoblack as its technology.
46	* AscendedExtra: Due to the way the fighting system works, several characters from both ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'' and ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'' get the ascension to playable characters. Also, some of them have (although slight) relevance to the history of the game and/or the entire series.
47	** Malcolm's, Brock's and Lauren's case follows the evolution from simple selectable skins in ''UT'' to full-fledged characters in ''2003/2004'' to main story characters in ''[=UC2=]''.
48	** Sapphire, Gorge and Arclite were just selectable skins with something of a backstory in ''[=200X=]''. In ''[=UC2=]'', they're ascended to full-fledged characters, with their own ladders, and their significance to the story.
49	** Regarding DLC, there're also Kraagesh, Syzygy and Lilith, who were ascended from just selectable skins with a barebones backstory ''2004'' to full-fledged characters as DLC, with a short name change in Kraag's case, in ''[=UC2=]''. Jackhammer's case goes even further than that, as he was just an AI bot, using Cannonball's bio and model.
50	* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: The Nahkti ascension rites, where the winner is crowned emperor.
51	* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: [[spoiler:Anubis]] in his ladder proceeds to dish out enormous damage to enemies and rival teams. There's a reason, after all of why [[spoiler:he was offered a spot in Thunder Crash by way of Malcolm himself]].
52	* BadassFamily: Judging by Malcolm's words, Anubis's family has a history with the Rites. This is true as well for any family in the Nakhti Empire, which may be the reason why Liandri is sponsoring the Rites.
53	--> '''Malcolm:''' ''This competition may be small, but it won't leave you disappointed. Ancient traditions, a final match to the death, and all the carnage you expect from a sanctioned Liandri tournament. Heh... I can't wait.''\
54	\
55	'''Robot commentator:''' ''Malcolm, are you surprised to see Anubis in [[spoiler:the semi-finals]]?''\
56	'''Malcolm:''' ''Nah! He has fighting in his blood - from his grandmother, the late Empress Seshafi.''
57	* BittersweetEnding: In the aftermath of the Rites' finals, [[spoiler:Anubis]] is in mourning after [[spoiler:killing Selket]]. Then, a Liandri Officer approaches, and gives him the choice of bringing [[spoiler:her]] back to life [[spoiler:as a Necris]], betraying everything he held dear, or leave [[spoiler:her]] dead. Needless to say, he chooses the first option.
58	* BlatantItemPlacement: Not so much this time, as the players get to choose their arsenal before the game begins. The ammo packs, health items and powerups are still there, though.
59	* BloodSport: And in ancient rite form, no less.
60	* BondOneLiner: The victory taunts.
61	* TheCameo:
62	** [[Franchise/MortalKombat Shao Kahn]] as an announcer.
63	** Malcolm has no playable appearances in the Ascension Rites while almost every other character (sans Gorge, Brock and Raiden) does.
64	** BossTease: The game has Apophis and Selket appearing throughout the entirety of the Ascension Rites (though only in cutscenes), only to be fought at the semifinals and finals respectively.
65	* CaptainObvious: While some of the individual ladder challenges have creative names, others are limited to "<gametype> In <map name>", for example "Deathmatch In [=AcidRain=]". The most unfortunate case is "Overdose In [[TheDiseaseThatShallNotBeNamed Cancer]]" for every Overdose match played in the map [=OD-Cancer=]. Another example is "Vampiric Overdose" (an Overdose match played with the Vampire mutator) in Raiden's ladder.
66	* CharacterRosterGlobalWarming: Out of a grand total of 32 characters, counting bots and DLC characters, only 7 of them are classified as Heavyweights: Arclite, Gorge, Raptor, Szalor (main roster), Jackhammer, Syzygy (DLC) and Corrosion (bot).
67	* CompositeCharacter:
68	** Necris [[spoiler:Selket]]'s moveset is a mix of [[spoiler:her Nakhti self]] (a light character which uses [[spoiler:Flash]]) with Necris movements ([[spoiler:her]] race-specific abilities).
69	** [[Franchise/MortalKombat Raiden]] brings his own moves (Stun Trap and Teleport) to the Nakhti moveset (Heal and Warrior Spirit).
70	* ContinuityNod:
71	** Gorge was the winner of the [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 2302 tournament (UT2003)]].
72	** Lilith's biography is the same, but with a tiny change, than the one of her namesake from ''200X''. The differences are that 2004!Lilith is a "Nightmare" character and had her memory deleted by the Purgatory, while [=UC2=]!Lilith is a Necris character and had her memory deleted by the Phayder corporation, the one which created the Necris.
73	** After a brief absence, the [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament Phayder corporation]] is back and revived many of the dead warriors, including Brock, Lauren, Calypso, Lilith and [[spoiler:Selket]].
74	** CTF-Emperor wasn't the only sacred building taken by the Liandri. There was also [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament DM-Peak]].
75	** Szalor's ladder has a match referencing the [[VideoGame/UnrealI Skaarj Queen]].
76	** Brock's new, full-Necris team, is called The [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament Black Legion]], and it's also backed by the Phayder Corporation.
77	** Korig and Kraag are mentioned as part of the [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 Iron Skull]] team.
78	** Devastation's ladder mentions that she's the first Liandri-built competitor since [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament Xan Kriegor]]. Furthermore, the Liandri robots borrow [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament Xan Kriegor]]'s "Witness my perfection" and "I am the alpha and omega" taunts.
79	** Once again, Thunder Crash is [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament a team composed of the best warriors of the Tournament]].
80	* ContinuitySnarl: The game is unclear about which events take place in 2304 (after the events of ''2004'' and/or the then-to-be-developed ''III'') and which of them take place in 2315 (the Ascension Rites).
81	* CursedWithAwesome: Holding the ball in Overdose makes you glow brightly, making you an obvious target. Survive with it long enough, however, and upon delivering it to the enemy base you will sufficiently rewarded.
82	* DeathIsNotPermanent: The Respawner technology, mentioned in the final match, where it's deactivated.
83	* DefeatMeansPlayable: Several playable and AI characters, unlocked in each of the three Single-Player modes.
84	* DemotedToExtra: Corrosion, Hyena, and Memphis went from selectable characters in ''2004'' to AI bots in this game.
85	* DoubleJump
86	* DownloadableContent: The game had a Bonus Pack in the form of 4 maps, 13 new playable characters, and the ability to play Overdose in Deathmatch maps.
87	* EliteMooks: The level "A Moment's Reprieve" features Liandri V2 Robots. Not only are they stronger and faster than the V1 models, but they have the ''exact same'' appearance and weapons as the character Raptor.
88	* TheEmpire: The Nakhti.
89	* FantasyCounterpartCulture: The Nakhti towards the Egyptians.
90	* FinishingMove: The "Coup De Grace" moves.
91	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
92	** Anubis's second match in the Tournament is against Sapphire and Hyena. Before the match, Sapphire tells Hyena that "[Liandri doesn't accept cheating] unless it's their idea." [[spoiler:Later in the game, Liandri fixes the semifinals match so Anubis is paired with Apophis, Selket's boyfriend]].
93	** Malcolm mentions before the Overdose match that the Liandri corporation paid "a king's ransom" to the Phayder Corporation in order to bring Lauren BackFromTheDead. [[spoiler:A Liandri officer ends up offering Anubis the chance to restore Selket if he surrenders everything he held dear to Liandri]].
94	** After the three-rounded match against a Skaarj, Anubis meets Malcolm in the Imperial Halls, where he's offered the chance to be part of Thunder Crash. Anubis rejects the offer, claiming that, once the Rites end, every one of his ties to the Tournament will be finished as well. If his Ladder (which takes place after the Ascension Rites' events) is anything to go by, [[spoiler:he ends up accepting the offer]].
95	** After the quarterfinals.
96	---> '''Robot commentator:''' ''What an incredible match. Fine performances by all, but three competitors will go back home empty-handed. Malcolm, are you surprised to see Anubis in the semi-finals?''\
97	'''Malcolm:''' ''Nah. He has fighting in his blood, from his grandmother, the late Empress Seshati.''\
98	'''Robot commentator:''' ''But he turned his back on his family's fighting tradition, not to mention his arranged marriage with Selket, eight years ago.''\
99	'''Malcolm:''' ''Skipping the tourney was one thing, but passing off a chick like Selket was suicidal.'' [[spoiler:I bet she's dying to meet him on the Arena]].
100	%%ZCE%% * TheGoodKingdom: The Nakhti.
101	* GreenRocks: Tarydium is used for all the energy weapons.
102	* GrimyWater: Some stages have pools with different water colors.
103	* HaveANiceDeath: Par for the course for Unreal games, the death messages are pretty... creative, to say the least.
104	* HeroShooter: The game is an early example which features both Deathmatch and Team-based gametypes. Each character has an unique melee weapon and a weak ranged weapon, plus two unique Adrenaline abilities. Characters are also divided by race (Humans-Necris-Robots-Nakhti-"Special") and weight (Light-Medium-Heavy), with each of these divisions also granting different Adrenaline abilities to the characters. Finally, characters can choose an energy weapon and a projectile weapon, as weaponry has no spawn points in the game.
105	* IdiosyncraticComboLevels:
106	-->''"Double kill!"''\
107	''"Multi kill!"''\
108	''"MEGA KILL!"''\
109	''"MMMONSTER KILL!"''\
110	'''"ULTRA KILL!"'''\
111	'''"UNHOLY!"'''\
112	'''''"IMPOSSIBLE!"'''''\
113	'''''"UNPOSSIBLE!"'''''
114	* ImplausibleFencingPowers: Every character can deflect bullets with their melee weapon. Killing a character with a bounced shot even grants an award.
115	* InterfaceSpoiler: One of the DLC characters is [[spoiler:Necris Selket]], which is a huge spoiler for those who haven't finished the Ascension Rites before even heading to the DLC section.
116	* JustifiedTutorial: Sobek guides Anubis through the first rungs of the Ascension Rites (fittingly named "Movement Training" and "Combat Training") separated by an assasination sequence where Anubis has to deal with some robots, and ending with a proper 1-on-1 march against Sobek.
117	* KickTheDog: The Nali Slaughter gametype. Brought by the Skaarj, this melee gametype consists of [[ShootTheDog killing poor Nali]] (and, of course, your rivals) with your own hands. In the story mode, you have to fight in this stage against a Skaarj.
118	--> '''Malcolm:''' ''Some would say it's unwise to meet a Skaarj warrior in a game they invented.''\
119	'''Szalor:''' ''It is always unwise to fight a Skaarj warrior.''
120	* LikeCannotCutLike:
121	** The Necris ability [[PrimalFear Fear]] doesn't work on Necris characters.
122	** The Skaarj ability [[DeadlyGas Poison Cloud]] [[AcquiredPoisonImmunity doesn't work on the Skaarj]].
123	* MegaCorp: Liandri. Axon and Izanagi are also mentioned in several map descriptions.
124	* MovesetClone: Each of the playable and unplayable characters have a set of six abilities: Nimble, [[SuperSpeed Speed]], three race-specific abilities, and one personal ability. Some characters, however, have shared personal abilities:
125	** Anubis (both forms) and Mirage share Energy Burst.
126	** Sobek and Apophis share EMP.
127	** Hyena and Memphis share Discharge.
128	** Darius and Nepthys share [[BarrierWarrior Energy Shield]].
129	** Selket and Ra share Flash.
130	** Brock and Calypso share [[PrimalFear Fear]].
131	** Lauren and Lilith share [[VampiricDraining Siphon]]. This is lampshaded in one of Lauren's individual ladder rungs.
132	** Raptor and Syzygy share [[TakingYouWithMe Self-Destruct]].
133	** Garek and Korig share [[DeadlyGas Poison Cloud]].
134	** Szalor and Kraag share Blade Burst.
135	* NanoMachines: The nanoblack used to create Necris.
136	* OddlyNamedSequel2ElectricBoogaloo: '''The Liandri Conflict'''.
137	* OneHitKill: The Instagib Rifle, as usual, deals an instant frag upon activation. Some abilities, such as the Juggernauts' "Unstoppable", counter it, though.
138	* ParryingBullets: You can deflect and even reflect projectiles with melee weapons. However, it's based on player input, not automatic--among other things, this makes it ineffective against high-rate-of-fire weapons.
139	* PlayableEpilogue: Once the Ascension Rites, the main story mode, is completed, the player unlocks [[TheProtagonist Anubis]] as a playable character, and his own ladder. The ladder is set after the Rites themselves and includes [[spoiler:Anubis joining Thunder Crash, which he rejected during the Ascension Rites themselves]]. The ladder concludes with that year's Tournament finals, [[spoiler:a three-way between him and previous champions Gorge and Brock]].
140	* QuadDamage: The [=UDamage=], as usual, increases the damage of the weapons.
141	* RagdollPhysics: Courtesy of the Unreal Engine 2X.
142	* RemixedLevel:
143	** The main game came with Deathmatch and Overdose versions of Azure and Sovereign.
144	** CTF-Gauntlet][ is the game's take of ''UT'' map CTF-Gauntlet.
145	** [=DM-AcidRain=] is the game's take on the ''UT'' console map [=DM-BlockParty=] (also known as the "Block Party" arena of the ''Rocket Arena: UT'' map RA-Inoxx).
146	** DM-Fury is a remixed version of the ''UT'' Dreamcast map [=DM-Sector9=] (also known as the "Sector 9" arena of the ''Rocket Arena: UT'' map RA-Akuma).
147	** DM-Legacy is a remixed version of ''UT''[='=]s DM-Pyramid.
148	** [=DM-Morbias3=] is the game's take on the recurring Morbias map.
149	** DM-Tempest is the game's take of the ''UT'' map of the same name.
150	** The Bonus Pack came with an Overdose version of original map Ascension.
151	* ReviveKillsZombie: Inverted with the Necris abilities [[LifeDrain Siphon and Vampire Cloud]], which drain the life of any character who isn't from the Necris race. But with the Necris race itself? It heals them, regardless if they're teammates or enemies.
152	* TheRunnerUpTakesItAll: In the quarterfinals match you're required to end in the top-3 in order to advance to the finals. Depending on your luck, Apophis is one of the bots that will take one of the top-3, if not end at 1st. place. [[ForegoneConclusion Then you fight against him]] [[YouCantFightFate in the semifinals.]]
153	* ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: The Liandri can intentionally overlook the progress of a fight if it's part of a plan of theirs, as explained by Sapphire in the Ascension Rites.
154	* SinglePlayerGauntlet: [[AnotherSideAnotherStory Each of the main playable characters have their own Gauntlet]], there's a 16-rung Challenges Gauntlet, and the story-driven Ascension Rites. All of these, however, follow the same format: a 10-rung Gauntlet, with varying enemies, rules and gamemodes.
155	* SlashedThroat: The Ripjack works best when the sawblades hit the target's neck.
156	* StandardFPSGuns: As an Unreal game, every weapon has it's secondary mode fire, so, many weapons will usually fit two of these classes. That said:
157	** Knives: Anubis's Nakhti Staff, Sobek's Legion Sword, Selket's [[DualWielding Dual]] Nakhti Swords, Apophis's Nakhti Axe, Calypso, Lauren and Lilith's Necris Swords, Devastation's Molten Kama, Sapphire's Cryo Swords, and the [[WolverineClaws Skaarj Blades]].
158	** Pistols: [[GunsAkimbo Nakhti Scorpions]], and the Enforcers.
159	** Shotgun: Flak Cannon's primary mode.
160	** Auto-weapons: Liandri Rivet Guns and the Stinger.
161	** Explosive: The Grenade Launcher's alternative fire. (Mines)
162	** Marksman Gun: The Shock Rifle.
163	** Sniper Rifle
164	** Rocket Launcher
165	** Grenade Launchers: The Grenade Launcher and Flak Cannon's and Rocket Launcher's alternate fire mode.
166	** Energy Guns: Several, including Skaarj Bolts and Raiden's Lightning Bolt.
167	** Gimmicky Weapon: The Bio Rifle and Ripjack.
168	* StatOverflow:
169	** The game features a rare, usually well-hidden item which gives the player 100 hitpoints called Super Health that surpasses the standard {{cap}} of 100. The player, however, won't be able to pick up other healing items until their life meter drops below 100.
170	** Health Vials can overheal at a rate of 5HP.
171	* SuperMode: Some of the Adrenaline combos.
172	* TeethClenchedTeamwork:
173	** The "Skaarj vs. Nakhti" challenge has a double case with [[AHeroToHisHometown Anubis]] and [[TheMentor Sobek]] siding with [[TheBaroness Selket]], against the Skaarj [[GiveMeLibertyOrGiveMeDeath Szalor]] and [[TheSlaver Torgr]].
174	** Szalor's and Torgr's ladders has them collaborating with other "inferior races" such as humans and Necris in order to get better at team games, supposedly the main reason why no Skaarj was champion of the Liandri Grand Tournament.
175	** The Ascension Rites has both Anubis and Sobek being in a team with a Liandri robot.
176	* TennisBoss: You can reflect any weapons fire with your melee weapon, assuming you get the timing right. Rockets are fairly easy, unless you're too close, but sniper rounds are...difficult. If you get a kill by reflected shot, the announcer will say "Rejected", to make sure you know how badass you are.
177	* TournamentArc: The Ascension Rites, an ages-old deathmatch tournament, are now treated as a qualifier to the main Unreal Tournament.
178	* UnlockableContent: Plenty of characters, mutators, bots, wait to be unlocked by playing each single-player mode, be it the Ascension Rites, the Individual Ladders or the Challenges.
179	** Unlockable characters: Brock, Devastation, Gorge, Raiden, Torgr.
180	** Unlockable bots: Calypso, Corrosion, Darrius, Hyena, Jackhammer, Judas, Korig, Kraag, Memphis, Mirage, Nepthys, Syzygy.
181	* WallJump: Continuing the trend from ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004''.

Context VideoGame / UnrealChampionship2TheLiandriConflict