Operation Na Pali

Without question, Operation Na Pali is a classic. Working alongside partner mod Oldskool, which allows Unreal levels and weapons to be played in UT, ONP is visually stunning, well constructed, challenging and damned huge to boot. Single-player mods are something of a rarity and many that do appear let themselves slip into becoming a succession of puzzles and little more, so those that offer a truly rewarding and rounded experience are quite rare. Operation Na Pali is that rarity, ranking as one of the best mods around - for any game - and proves that even with the 2003 version snapping at UTs heels there's still plenty of life in the old girl yet.

The storyline harks back to the original Unreal, when the objective was to escape from the Skaarj on the planet Na Pali. In ONP your task is to go back there after receiving a distress call from the wreckage of the Vortex Rikers spaceship (the crash landing of which stranded you in the first place). You find the Skaarj still subjugating the peaceful Nali race, but now the Nali will help you, and the challenge to find out what happened to the other survivors begins.

Progressing through the game, you'll enjoy a variety of combat encounters, story-telling cut-scenes, helpful hints from the universal translator you carry with you (which interrupts with information when you're near key items) and even some flight sim challenges, which make for an enjoyable interlude in the game. All reflect the impressive amount of time and effort that has gone into ONP with some fantastic map environments and always something new to see, interact with and shoot. Add in the tutorial level, co-operative mode, cool music and all-round wow-factor of this mod and you'll see that this is a very professional package indeed, which any fan of Unreal or UT should relish. A must-have mod if ever there was one.