The Terran Colonial Authority's Marshal John Dalton and his crew on the ship Atlantis patrol a dangerous sector of space when they discover alien artifacts. This leads to several factions, including humans and corporations, as well as the TCA and their allies, becoming involved in the hunt for these unique properties.
The first-person shooter Unreal II: The Awakening is set in the same universe as the original Unreal , but has no direct connection to it. In Unreal II , Dalton controls John Dalton through 12 missions, taking place on various planets and locations such as a jungle planet, a frozen moon, and a starship.
The game features over a dozen guns, including pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Heavier weapons like flame throwers and rocket launchers are also available, with some having multiple ammunition types. Later missions introduce alien technology-based weapons, such as energy guns and biological weapons that create living spiders.
Missions vary from run-and-gun to defense assignments where the player must hold a position or keep a character alive. The player can use tools like energy barriers and automated turrets, and AI-controlled characters can be given orders to help out. Between missions, Dalton can explore the Atlantis and chat with his crew to learn more about their backstories and the main plot.
The story is told through a mix of in-game cutscenes, radio chatter during missions, and dialogue between Dalton and his crew. The narrative often changes mission objectives, adding depth to the game's story.