Quake has been in my bloodstream since the day I discovered Quake III Arena on the Dreamcast. No, I am mistaken, At the time I didn't know it yet but I played Quake under the Quake 64 title and it just stood out to me as that that four player game with the shotgun in the middle until I played Quake III Arena. There is just something about the straightforward brutality that comes with each round of deathmatch that accelerates your heart rate to the speed of a jackhammer. Each kill only fueling the uncontrollable anger engine inside you more and more until you start screaming into your monitor, not because you're going insane but because you feel the spirit of the game living inside you.
Quake is one of the few games from its era that made it past the test of time. The simple mechanics and the rough but fitting aesthetics still make Quake an appealing game. It doesn't matter if you're from the contemporary era of first person shooters or if it's your first time playing a game on your toaster. All it takes is a little enthusiasm to get anyone rolling around in DM1 – A Place of Two Deaths.
Assuming key bindings matter to you, WASD is always the layout to go with when it comes to any shooter on PC. The WASD layout has proven itself through time and time again that it is the most versatile configuration for human hands. Your finger tips being the most precise extensions of your conscious only second to the muscle that is your tongue, this just helps you when you need to dodge or maneuver yourself around nasty situations like incoming rockets and corridors filled with flying nails going from wall to wall. Aside from the WASD layout, you will need sharp precision to land as many shotgun shells as you can into the face of your enemy using a mouse.
The setting for Quake is very mixed. At first it feels like a base located on some hospitable mars-like planet and before you know it you're gunning down mad wampas with chainsaws and grenade launchers attached to their hands while running down castle corridors and underground caves trying to make your way to the next slipgate. It might be my nostalgia goggles being on too tightly, but I could swear that this game still looks as good as any game out there.
Multiplayer is the life and blood of Quake and all sequels. If it isn't blasting each other into gibs, you're out there running through slipgates together on your way to take down Shub-Niggurath and his merry bandits. With the seemingly infinite amount of maps made just for deathmatch, the fun doesn't stop at DM6. The intensity of duels also pumps your blood whenever you fight against someone within your skill level. The adrenaline you get from deathmatch in a 4 player match are even more fun. What happens when you take it to a competitive level? You better keep your cool or you might even pass out.
All in all, this is still one of the few games that manages to get me excited to play it. This game also serves as the perfect training grounds if you're a PC gaming noob just like everyone once was.
I think I'm going to load up Quake after I am done here. But before that, let's see how a classic game like Quake runs through the Gauntlet of Ratings.
1 – Learning Curve
There is nothing much to learn in single player except enemy positions which also includes the general map layout. In multiplayer, some weapons may not behave the way some might have initially assumed like the grenade launcher which requires a whole different aiming technique than a shotgun, learning your weapons and map control are just a couple of skill needed to know in order to become a successful Quake player. Some more slightly advanced techniques to learn would be when to use the rocket jump or how to maneuver through maps by bunny hopping. In general, just knowing how to aim and move around are enough to be able to fully enjoy this game. 8 out of 10 for being an easy game to learn.
2 – Aesthetics
With pixels only getting smaller and smaller, OpenGL is there for those who get headaches looking at old games by smoothing out the textures and displaying models more clearly. There are also engines like Darkplaces that allow you to make the game look as close to High Definition modern as possible by using advanced pixel shading techniques along with bloom and mip mapping. Did I mention 16x antialiasing levels? The game does stop looking impressive at a certain point and goes back to being fun so I give it a 7 out of 10.
3 – Mechanics
Quake was the first game of it's caliber right? I mean as in a full 3D rendered FPS. Sometimes the game does feel a little cheap but it's because of it's age and how some companies have taken the Quake engine and refined it's core for new engines like the one Call of Duty runs on formerly ID Tech 3 and now known as IW Engine by Infinity Ward. Before I forget to mention, the engine Counter-Strike runs on initially GoldSource and now the tighter Source engine by Valve. Of course this game doesn't play as tight as it used to feel but it doesn't stop being fun. With icey strafing, it gets a straight up 8 out of 10.
4 – Features
Remember, this game is from the 90's. The only thing that stands out for this game is the level hub that many adventure games had during this time. Yes, I consider Quake an adventure game because of the exploring you do to find colored keys to open up different areas within the map. The hub that I am referring to is essentially an interactive level select for the whole game. Even though in the shareware version only had the first episode, it retained it's MP content if I remember correctly. The full game let you pick which episode you started from which was cool and pretty much compensated for the fact that probably not a lot of people new about the F2 and F3 hotkeys for saving and loading saving you time and continuing from the episode that you last left off at. With 4 full episodes open from the start, Quake pulls in a solid 8 ourt of 10
5 – Auido
The sounds in this game can be creepy depending how you interpret them. It might be your first time playing and you hear someone grunting in the background, not knowing if it's a scary monster or not can get on the edge before the encounter. I've seen a friend play and doubt that it was a soldier and not some scary deformed creature. The music in Quake is for the most part atmospheric ambient sounds with the exception of the first minutes of the intro song. The downside is that to listen to the music you need to either have a disc with the music in it or using the QuakeSpasm or DirectQ and downloading large music files for the best quality. For that it gets a 6 out of 10.
6 – Ease of Accessibility
What you call demos now were practically the same as the Shareware versions of games offered during the DOS era of gaming. Quake came both as a full game and a shareware containing only the first episode for you to get a lick of. These days, since the source of Quake is under a GPL you can find full versions of this game floating all over the web. ID Software still ask that you pay for the legal license through Steam and their website. Still, I give it a 8 out of 10.
7 – Multiplayer Interactions
From the start, you are given two methods of connecting to your pal for some good old fragging. IPN and TCP over IP. I never used IPN before but TCP/IP let's you connect directly using the IP of the host. Engines such as Pro Quake and Darkplaces offer a master server list letting you see all of the connectable games. In the Nintendo 64 version, you are only offered 4 player splitscreen which has always been a sufficient player count for me in arena FPS games. Quake gets 9 out of 10 here.
8 – Multiplayer Content
Only offering 6 initial DM maps, Sourge of Armagon offers one more CTF map that you can play with you friends competitively. Good thing they let you play through the entire single player campaing with your friends using cooperative settings disabling friendly fire to further imply cooperation. Games like Quake though don't just rely on the initial content. The community has been creating maps after maps and later becoming popular enough that they get remade in future shooting games. In this regard, quake gets a 10 out of 10.
9 – E-Rating
I believe there is another arena FPS that deserves a competitive spotlight more than Quake. The days of Quake as an E-sport are over. But it did really great and made professional gamers out of it's serious set of players earning them immortality withing the competitive community. As a legendary e-sports game that has long since been retired, It gets a 5 out of 10 just because it won't be recommissioned again.
10 – Extra Scores
As old as the game is, just read the review again, I never get tired of installing this game even though the span from which I take a break of this game to when I get back to playing it are getting longer and longer, Quake has that permanent spot in my heart. 10 extra points from me personally.
In total, Quake made it out of the gauntlet with a final score of 7.9!
Quake is one of the few games from its era that made it past the test of time. The simple mechanics and the rough but fitting aesthetics still make Quake an appealing game. It doesn't matter if you're from the contemporary era of first person shooters or if it's your first time playing a game on your toaster. All it takes is a little enthusiasm to get anyone rolling around in DM1 – A Place of Two Deaths.
Assuming key bindings matter to you, WASD is always the layout to go with when it comes to any shooter on PC. The WASD layout has proven itself through time and time again that it is the most versatile configuration for human hands. Your finger tips being the most precise extensions of your conscious only second to the muscle that is your tongue, this just helps you when you need to dodge or maneuver yourself around nasty situations like incoming rockets and corridors filled with flying nails going from wall to wall. Aside from the WASD layout, you will need sharp precision to land as many shotgun shells as you can into the face of your enemy using a mouse.
The setting for Quake is very mixed. At first it feels like a base located on some hospitable mars-like planet and before you know it you're gunning down mad wampas with chainsaws and grenade launchers attached to their hands while running down castle corridors and underground caves trying to make your way to the next slipgate. It might be my nostalgia goggles being on too tightly, but I could swear that this game still looks as good as any game out there.
Multiplayer is the life and blood of Quake and all sequels. If it isn't blasting each other into gibs, you're out there running through slipgates together on your way to take down Shub-Niggurath and his merry bandits. With the seemingly infinite amount of maps made just for deathmatch, the fun doesn't stop at DM6. The intensity of duels also pumps your blood whenever you fight against someone within your skill level. The adrenaline you get from deathmatch in a 4 player match are even more fun. What happens when you take it to a competitive level? You better keep your cool or you might even pass out.
All in all, this is still one of the few games that manages to get me excited to play it. This game also serves as the perfect training grounds if you're a PC gaming noob just like everyone once was.
I think I'm going to load up Quake after I am done here. But before that, let's see how a classic game like Quake runs through the Gauntlet of Ratings.
1 – Learning Curve
There is nothing much to learn in single player except enemy positions which also includes the general map layout. In multiplayer, some weapons may not behave the way some might have initially assumed like the grenade launcher which requires a whole different aiming technique than a shotgun, learning your weapons and map control are just a couple of skill needed to know in order to become a successful Quake player. Some more slightly advanced techniques to learn would be when to use the rocket jump or how to maneuver through maps by bunny hopping. In general, just knowing how to aim and move around are enough to be able to fully enjoy this game. 8 out of 10 for being an easy game to learn.
2 – Aesthetics
With pixels only getting smaller and smaller, OpenGL is there for those who get headaches looking at old games by smoothing out the textures and displaying models more clearly. There are also engines like Darkplaces that allow you to make the game look as close to High Definition modern as possible by using advanced pixel shading techniques along with bloom and mip mapping. Did I mention 16x antialiasing levels? The game does stop looking impressive at a certain point and goes back to being fun so I give it a 7 out of 10.
3 – Mechanics
Quake was the first game of it's caliber right? I mean as in a full 3D rendered FPS. Sometimes the game does feel a little cheap but it's because of it's age and how some companies have taken the Quake engine and refined it's core for new engines like the one Call of Duty runs on formerly ID Tech 3 and now known as IW Engine by Infinity Ward. Before I forget to mention, the engine Counter-Strike runs on initially GoldSource and now the tighter Source engine by Valve. Of course this game doesn't play as tight as it used to feel but it doesn't stop being fun. With icey strafing, it gets a straight up 8 out of 10.
4 – Features
Remember, this game is from the 90's. The only thing that stands out for this game is the level hub that many adventure games had during this time. Yes, I consider Quake an adventure game because of the exploring you do to find colored keys to open up different areas within the map. The hub that I am referring to is essentially an interactive level select for the whole game. Even though in the shareware version only had the first episode, it retained it's MP content if I remember correctly. The full game let you pick which episode you started from which was cool and pretty much compensated for the fact that probably not a lot of people new about the F2 and F3 hotkeys for saving and loading saving you time and continuing from the episode that you last left off at. With 4 full episodes open from the start, Quake pulls in a solid 8 ourt of 10
5 – Auido
The sounds in this game can be creepy depending how you interpret them. It might be your first time playing and you hear someone grunting in the background, not knowing if it's a scary monster or not can get on the edge before the encounter. I've seen a friend play and doubt that it was a soldier and not some scary deformed creature. The music in Quake is for the most part atmospheric ambient sounds with the exception of the first minutes of the intro song. The downside is that to listen to the music you need to either have a disc with the music in it or using the QuakeSpasm or DirectQ and downloading large music files for the best quality. For that it gets a 6 out of 10.
6 – Ease of Accessibility
What you call demos now were practically the same as the Shareware versions of games offered during the DOS era of gaming. Quake came both as a full game and a shareware containing only the first episode for you to get a lick of. These days, since the source of Quake is under a GPL you can find full versions of this game floating all over the web. ID Software still ask that you pay for the legal license through Steam and their website. Still, I give it a 8 out of 10.
7 – Multiplayer Interactions
From the start, you are given two methods of connecting to your pal for some good old fragging. IPN and TCP over IP. I never used IPN before but TCP/IP let's you connect directly using the IP of the host. Engines such as Pro Quake and Darkplaces offer a master server list letting you see all of the connectable games. In the Nintendo 64 version, you are only offered 4 player splitscreen which has always been a sufficient player count for me in arena FPS games. Quake gets 9 out of 10 here.
8 – Multiplayer Content
Only offering 6 initial DM maps, Sourge of Armagon offers one more CTF map that you can play with you friends competitively. Good thing they let you play through the entire single player campaing with your friends using cooperative settings disabling friendly fire to further imply cooperation. Games like Quake though don't just rely on the initial content. The community has been creating maps after maps and later becoming popular enough that they get remade in future shooting games. In this regard, quake gets a 10 out of 10.
9 – E-Rating
I believe there is another arena FPS that deserves a competitive spotlight more than Quake. The days of Quake as an E-sport are over. But it did really great and made professional gamers out of it's serious set of players earning them immortality withing the competitive community. As a legendary e-sports game that has long since been retired, It gets a 5 out of 10 just because it won't be recommissioned again.
10 – Extra Scores
As old as the game is, just read the review again, I never get tired of installing this game even though the span from which I take a break of this game to when I get back to playing it are getting longer and longer, Quake has that permanent spot in my heart. 10 extra points from me personally.
In total, Quake made it out of the gauntlet with a final score of 7.9!