Maybe the enemies were already damaged, I just noticed that in UT, if I got a direct hit, it more often than not, got them one hit, same in UT3. Thinking about it, in 2k3 and 2k4, where I tended to play with more good people and less bots (good not being annoyingly way out of my league like on '99), it usually took two, but then again, those people usually take the time to get health power ups. I didn't play much of the original unreal, I was bored by it.
I find the USP good for headshots. I usually save it for zombes, since they move slowly. Can't stand the alternate fire, I can never get it to work. I use the MP7 on most combine, I find that firing at their head takes them out pretty quickly, even at longer range. I do wish that the pulse rifle could carry more ammo, it was very nice in EP1 shooting at combine on top of buildings. I have no problem with magnum accuracy, I use it with the built-in zoom to snipe when I am not using the crossbow. Of course, ammo for that is so rare I forget to use it most of the time, I end up only using it after I noticed that I am full and there is more. I like the grenades more than CS's, probably largely due to the bit where they aren't party favors. There is a reason why nade level takes forever to beat on gungame.
Minerva is indeed awesome. I was really amazed by how small the area you are in is, when you look at it in noclip, because it uses it so well, it feels huge. I wonder if they are going to have him working on EP3, he could really bring a lot to the borealis.