Quake 4

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Reviewed by: trog 03:32pm 26/10/05 3 member comments Genre: First Person Shooter Developer: Raven Software Publisher: Activision Classification: MA15+ Release Date: 19th Oct 2005 Platforms: PC	8 0 MEMBER RATING: Average of 43 Ratings Login to submit your review score
The Good bits Action-packed single player experience. Excellent visuals and audio. Includes classic Quake multiplayer action.	The Bad stuff Single player is fairly linear. Augh, load times. Multiplayer doesn't break any new ground

The first person shooter is a genre that has been defined in terms of the games made by id Software - games like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom set the scene for the modern day FPS, but it was Quake that really kicked everything into overdrive. In 1996, Quake was released, following many months of wild promises from the id team (or more accurately, John Romero) about how Quake was going to change the world.

It was the first FPS game to pack a true 3D engine, featuring virtual worlds the likes of which gamers had never seen. It boasted the Quake C scripting language, allowing fans to create modifications with an incredible amount of flexibility, and it spawned mods like Capture the Flag and Team Fortress, which went on to redefine multiplayer gaming in their own unique ways.

Quake went on to become a huge success - especially in the multiplayer world. On LAN it offered unsurpassed action, and when it evolved into QuakeWorld it really kicked it into high gear online. Better handling for Internet-style network conditions increased the number of people that could play, and as more maps and mods were released it just continued to grow.

Shortly afterwards, id announced they were working on Quake 2 - a perfectly logical move, considering how solid a brand they had created with the original title. However, there was a bit of a switch - instead of continuing with the "story" from the original game, Quake 2 was going to be set in entirely new environments, pitting the player against a ruthless cyborg alien race known as the Strogg. The multiplayer was almost tacked on as an afterthought, but went on to become popular in its own right (at least, after several patches).

Then the Quake brand took another directional change with Quake 3: Arena, which was going to be essentially a multiplayer-only game. Quake 3 boasted a hot new graphical engine (curved surfaces!) and its focus on multiplayer combined with the classic ease of modding that is now an id trademark quickly made it a favourite online.

And here we are today in 2005. Quake 4 has just hit shelves, developed by veteran games company Raven and produced by id Software. There has been another shift in direction and this time you're back against the Strogg, playing the part of Matthew Kane, a member of the elite Rhino Squad and part of the next invasion against the Strogg homeland.

The story of Quake 4 kicks off just after a heroic lone marine has managed to battle the Strogg army to destroy the Big Gun and kill their leader, the Makron (if you played Quake 2, that might sound familiar - that was YOU!). In a scene startlingly reminiscent of Starship Troopers, you're thrust into the heart of the battle when your lander crashes down on the surface of the Strogg homeworld.

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Comments

7.0

Game Comment by maddog

The gane is very linear with little oppotunity to travel off the beaten path. Scaling of figures doesnt feel right in some scenes. Im a lttle disapointed with the graphics engine I feel its outdated against BF2 and Far cry for visuals

9.0

Game Comment by pozerske

Quake 4 didn’t get the best reviews cause the majority of people seem to think that the only reason to play FPS these days is for online multiplayer.
If they over look the old school multiplayer then they will see that this is a fantastic game and nothing like the failure that was doom 3, which runs on the same engine.
With a gruesome and disturbing story line Quake 4 takes Mature games to a new level witch leaves you wondering why on earth they would sell this to a 15 year old.

7.0

Game Comment by eskimo

If youve played Doom 3, chances are you'll already know if you are going to like Quake 4. Youre a marine, inserted somewhere to kill something. Overall, this game feels outdated and linear, with repetitive gameplay and an uninspired story. Id seem to think that graphics alone can make a game.

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