Sometimes, very rarely a 3D shooter playes better on a console than it does on a PC. Well, it's not one of those times. As a matter of fact for those who have played a PC version of Quake 4, playing it on Xbox 360 will be a huge step down. Surely the HDTV graphics are there and overall the game looks similar to the PC version, but controls are again the weakest link here.
Well, since the opening was about the "bad parts" of the game, let's go ahead and get though them before we get to the "good ones".
Having played Quake 4 on PC, and deciding to be a hot shot by start the Xbox 360's verion right away on the "corporal" difficulty, I quickly realized how bad of an idea that was. Aiming is certainly something that takes a good time to get used to with a controller. But even after about 5 hours I was still no where near good at locking into enemies and strafe dodging shots as I was on a PC after only 10 minutes of play.
Surely by switching to the "private" difficulty I was able to get though the game with a relative ease but the excitement wasn't there. All underminded by the fact that 3D shooters are meant to be played with a keyboard and a mouse.
The graphics in this game while not "Half-Life 2" realism like, are certainly pretty. And if you enjoy watching people get cut in half with saws, you will certainly appreciate all the character, textures, particle effects (yes, blood) and lighting quality of this game. (On the same note, if you enjoy it TOO much, you may want to see a doctor *wink*).
The problem, however, lies in the inconsistent FPS (Frames Per Second). Many times FPS plunge into low teen numbers, making the game a slide show for a few seconds. It wouldn't have been a problem if that happend every now and then but frames don't stay consistent for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Combined with already hard to work with targeting system, it can bring pure hell in certain situations and quickly lead to death. Which then leads to perhaps the last big problem in the game long "loading" times. Loading times can last in excess of 30 seconds. And although they don't appear often if you progress though the game (about once every 30 minutes), they can become enormously irratating if you keep dieing. In situations where it takes more than simply shooting at the enemy (usually boss fights), it may lead to situations of running into a room, getting nailed with one hit and looking at "loading" screen. It can test a patience of those who are not sure what they are doing and die in seconds only to look at spinning Quake logo for half a minute, over and over.
On the good side, however, the game is a well made 3D shooter from the point of level designs, overall graphics, and a relatively deep storyline for a what most would consider "mindless shooter". The story is easy to get into: Stroggs are continuing the fight against the human race. So as one of the marines you get dropped off on their planet to show them who the boss is. The missions are the ones that tell you story from a "brotherhood" military point perspective. You know that the war is going on, but inside the game it's more about surviving together with fellow marines. Assigned to the squad, you constantly on the move to help others, and AI (CPU controlled NPCs) do a surprisingly good job helping you as well. Which certainly takes away the feeling many other shooters give you that you are actually "baby sitting" the NPCs instead of working as a team.
Through out the game you get to know quite a few peronalities and spend most of the game fighting along side of them. Never knowing who will live and who will die. It isn't until you get deeper inside enemy bases that makes you understand why this game deserves a strong "M" rating. The images of graphical torture of captured fellow marines, blood and gore are everywhere. But what can you expect from a complex called "Strogg's Medical Facility"?
The level and environemt designs are good, but at times can get a bit seamless. And the fact that many missions force you going back and forth though same rooms certainly doesn't help. But it isn't significanly de-valueing the game overall.
There is a good choice of weapons in the game that get modified through out the game for a bigger punch. And there are a number of vehicles available for the use through out the short missions (usually outside). It seems fun but certainly nothing you haven't aleady seen before in other 3D shooters.
Multiplayer is pretty good and certainly adds a good amount of fun to the game. However, Xbox 360's version suffers from the same problems mentioned above. Where things like precise controls play bigger role than they do in a campaign mode. Making a PC version truly shine and leaving 360's version in the dust.
Overall, this game is an almost perfect example of what you would expect from "big hitter" companies like Raven Software and Id Software. But I wish they had taken a slight risk and tried to add something new to the game to spice it up and make it stick out from the rest.
PC version of this game strongly deserves 4.5 our of 5 stars. Xbox 360 version, however, is proabably somewhere in between of 3.5 and 4 stars out of 5. Mostly due to problems mentioned in the beginning of this review. One thing can be guaranteed is that you will have a blast playing it if you are into linear Gory, and Bloody 3D "twitch" shooters. The only suggestion here is to get the game for a PC if you have a powerful enough computer. If you don't, you will still have a blast on Xbox 360. Just probably not as a big one.
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The latest in the Quake series is just short of perfect. Quake 4 follows the story from Quake II (which is included in the DVD edition of the game), and, like Quake II, is completely unrelated to Quake I and Quake III.
The story itself is fairly well done, better than most shooters (hard to be worse than nothing, lol). A couple small things here and there are unexplained (like the multiple Makrons...), but they are definitely not story stoppers. Moves pretty well.
Top notch graphics, based off the Doom 3 engine. A little intense for most computers, but once you set it to what your box can handle, it still looks wonderful. I had mine set to near-lowest settings (since my hardware is nearly three years old), and it still looked and moved fluidly.
The gameplay is fantastic, with nearly non-stop action. There's a lot of unit-based action, with the player spending quite a bit of time with other soldiers and even developing a bit of a bond with his own unit, Rhino squad. Enemies are always coming from everywhere, though a cleared area usually stays clear (thank you id). There are a couple pathetic attempts to include puzzles later in the game, though they are easy enough.
There are a few vehicle levels (riding in a troop carrier, driving a tank, driving a mech, and riding in a tram) which are very well done, proving difficult but not impossible. I would've liked to see more tank or mech time, but the game is already pretty long.
The sound is pretty sad. I had to pull some tricks out of nowhere to get it to work, and even then it all sounds really tinny. It gets the point across, though, so it's not a total failure. Honestly, I'm not even sure if there is music in the game. I want to say that there is, but I can't remember any for the life of me. So I suppose the soundtrack, if there is one, is completely forgettable.
Scores:
Gameplay 9/10
Sound 6/10
Graphics 9/10
Story 8/10
Overall 9/10
Well done and very much worth picking up when they support more hardware (or if you have the extra cash and an itchy trigger finger).
*Note: the above scores are my opinion, and are not based on any system. Also, I run Quake 4 on a AMD Athlon XP 2600+ with 512MB DDR400 and a GeForce FX5600 with 256MB vram, which is running SuSE Linux 10.0.
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Whoa! Some folks are comparing this to DOOM! No way! Firstly, the AI is much improved. You aren't stuck in constant corridors where the AI doesn't have to have a brain. It just has to 'be' right in front of you, and come at you.
Not so here. I have actually watched the enemy AI step away and hide behind a pole until i passed the pole and shoot me in the back! You gotta keep your eyes on this one.
Of course, it can be a system hog. I have a P4 3200 + 1 GIG DDR RAM + 256 MB DDR PCI EXPRESS ATI VIDEO + SOUND BLASTER AUDIO. With those specs, i got a REALLY sweet framerate that hardly dropped under 75 fpm. That with a 1024X768 screen setting and *MOST* features cranked. I was glad they alowed key binding to be changeable, and that they included the save anytime feature also. NO FREAKIN' CHECKPOINTS! I see minor comparisons to HALO and DOOM and even F.E.A.R. But, not so much that the game feels derivative. I thought the graphics were sweet at the settings i chose. And, the weapons sound incredible. You can almost smell the gunpowder. This is worth every penny.
Honest reviews on Quake 4: Special DVD Edition
Once again, you, the player, return as a battle hardened marine fighting the forces of an alien enemy on the planet Stroggos. Your enemy, the clever and malevolent half machine half human Strogg have been invading earth for years, stripping the planet of its natural resources and using the body parts of the deceased for gory experiments. Now, in a last attempt to stop the invasion, you are sent to Stroggos to destroy your enemy before they destroy your world. However, the planned invasion on Stroggos goes awry, many of your comrades are killed and your ship is wrecked. Now, with the help of a few remaining fellow soldiers, you must battle your way through this bizarre and malevolent alien world. However, your worst fears are soon realized when it becomes apparent that to defeat your enemy, you must become one of them! The battle for earth begins . . .
Game Play
When I first started playing Quake 4 I was immensely impressed. The graphics were marvelous, the plot absorbing, and the general aura of palpable tension enthralling. However, as the game progressed I became less enamored. I freely admit that I have no gaming skill whatsoever, and am a frequent user of cheat codes, however, I was able to play Doom 3 through without a great deal of reliance on cheat codes. Buoyed by my success, I assured myself that at last I had acquired some amount of skill and would be able to enjoy Quake 4 . Alas, but it was not to be! As the game wore on, I instantly tired of getting killed every few seconds, getting stuck, lost, confused, and just generally enraged. I gave in and searched the internet for my trusty old cheat codes. So much for that self fabricated palaver about having acquired some gaming skill. Still, I was certain that once I typed in my cheat codes (the ones that gave me all the weapons and made me invincible) I would be able to finish the game. After all, how pathetic would it be to have the invincibility cheat code on and still loose! Surely even I wasn't that bad. Well, I was. Actually, I'd prefer to blame that on the game. Okay, so I'm not that skilled a gamer but even so, a game really shouldn't be that hard. So, why was this game so impossible? Let me count the ways:
Complexity of the Missions:
As can be assumed by this sections title, the mini-missions that were present during each level were particularly complex. Within the first few levels, the player is inundated by seemingly impossible missions to acquire objects that can't be found, save other soldiers who seem to throw themselves into harms way, open doors that just won't open (even when I cunningly gave myself the cheat code for a rocket launcher in hopes that I could just blow up the door), etcetera. As the game wore on, the fun dissipated and each mission became like a chore. After finally completing a task, I was rewarded with yet another extraordinarily difficult mission until finally I became so stuck and so dispirited that I gave up and refused to finish the game. Even with every cheat code known to man, I simply couldn't get past that impossible level. I was only four levels in when I became irreversibly stuck. This then, was why I choose to write this review. For a highly experienced gamer this game will probably not seem quite as unfeasible, however, the extreme level of complexity will still prove annoying despite the gamers skill and tenacity. For a fairly new gamer like myself, avoid this product at all costs! Quake 4 is for experienced, skilled, and infinitely patience gamers only!!!
Ineffectual Cheat Codes
This then brings me to my second qualm, the ineffectual cheat codes. Although not everyone is so reliant on these odious codes, I found that sadly I was. So, imagine my surprise when I donned the invincibility cheat code and still got killed! How is that even possible you ask? Well, the design of the game is such that in each level the player will be presented with a mission that, if failed, is often fatal. Therefore when the player doesn't finish the mission in time the game automatically stops and the player is obliterated forcing them to start the same level all over again. Therefore, the cheat codes are completely ineffectual, useless, futile, inadequate, ad infinitum.
Along these same lines is the critical timing of the missions. Often I was killed because I did not perform the feats with enough speed. Being a new gamer, I found it extremely tiresome that such great skill and unwavering attention was expected of the player. I much preferred the method that the Doom series employed where the player was allowed to choose their own level of difficulty. This enabled new players to start the game and become accustomed to the gaming world whereas older players were allowed more challenges. Had this method also been presented in Quake 4 I feel that many of my complaints would have been rendered void. Sadly, this was not to be.
Character Provided Information
Compiled with the level of sheer complexity, is the character provided information. Unlike the Doom games, each level is so complex and the missions so minutely detailed, that it became essential for the game creators and programmers to use other characters, such as army commanders and other soldiers, to deliver important mission oriented messages. Through their explanations, the player learns of the current circumstances, ongoing storyline, and the various minutias regarding an impending mission. Because of this, it is essential to have the computer sound blaring. As I soon discovered, this is any easy way to irritate your family members especially when you feel like indulging in a game while they try to watch television. Also, because all essential information is conveyed through dialogue, it is essential to listen carefully to everything the characters' say. This level of concentration soon becomes yet another irritating aspect inherent in Quake 4.
Weapons
As if the game was not already difficult enough, the weapons provided made actually hitting a target nearly impossible. Only the machine gun was actually useful in striking the aforementioned targets. The other weapons, including the advanced weapons only to be acquired later in the game, were completely powerless and therefore made actually hitting a target nearly impossible. The targets themselves were always provided with better weapons, were able to move faster, hide more efficiently, etcetera, therefore culminating to make them nearly indestructible.
Enemies
The Strogg themselves prove to be rather undeveloped villains. Unlike the Doom villains, we are never truly allowed to see our adversaries. They are often two far away to see and for the player's own safety, especially without the benefit of cheat codes, it is imperative to shoot at them from a distance. Therefore, the villains are never truly seen thus diminishing the level of terror expected from a horror/action videogame.
Also, the programmers made use of the same villains in several levels resulting in the gamer being subjected to a re-run of identical carnage sequences. This repetitive feeling of déjà vu was yet another flaw in the ever crumbling façade of Quake 4
Besides all these qualms, the concept of the villains themselves, half machine, half human, simply didn't evoke as much imaginativeness as could have been expected. Perhaps I have been spoiled by years of Doom but the concept behind Quake 4 simply wasn't as imaginative or terrifying as it could have been. Still, the rich storyline and character details more than made up for this small fault.
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All of these flaws, laboriously explained above, proved fatal to the Quake 4 experience. Although they were several nice elements to the game, these elements were simply not enough to overcome the great complexity of the plot, the endless mind numbing missions, and the countless conundrums presented in each tiresome level. However, for the benefit of the reader, I have provided a brief segment below that detail the more pleasant elements of the Quake 4 experience.
Graphics
After having just recently finished Doom 3 , I was instantly able to recognize the graphics employed in Quake and was not overtly surprised to learn that Quake 4 relied on the Doom 3 engine. As in Doom 3 the virtual world of the Stroggs was fully brought to life with fluid graphics, realistic companions, and (unlike Doom) excellent lighting. The graphics were almost perfect and certainly the best that I have seen to date.
Storyline
Although the storyline of Quake 4 was not as unique as the Doom saga, it was more highly developed. The aura of tension and mystery was sustained throughout the few levels I managed to master and the greatest regret that I have about discontinuing my excursion in the Quake world was that I would be unable to witness the ending of the finely crafted storyline. Indeed, at times the game acquired and almost cinematic feel that left the gamer hungry for more. Sadly the sheer complexity and hopelessness of the mission made it impossible for me to continue further in the Quake world and therefore, I remain ignorant as to the story's conclusion. However, judging by the beginning portions of the tale, I can only assume that the story continued onward at an exciting and intriguing pace. Would that I could have finished it.
Characters/Dialogue
Unlike the Doom 3 saga, Quake 4 boasts superior characters. Instead of pursuing the same Doomesque aura, the programmers allowed for greater variety of characters in Quake 4rendering them far more important to the continuation of the tale. Indeed, the marine is rarely ever left alone and is either accompanied by a squadron of his soldier comrades or his commanders. Each character is essential to the story and thus a more realistic aura is created. This was one of the most enjoyable aspects of Quake and effectively helped to construct a distinctly personal and relevant aura.
As for the character's dialogue, this aspect is far less believable. The dialogue is generally corny and over done but still helps to keep the gamer's interest and proves to be an entertaining if unrealistic addition to the Quake 4 atmosphere.
Special Edition
I purchased the Special Edition CD-ROM. Included in this edition are the following features:
* Concept and Production Art Gallery
* Quake II plus expansion packs Reckoning and Ground Zero
* The Making of Quake 4: Behind the Scenes
* Interviews with id Software and Raven Software
Conclusion
Although Quake 4 boasted several nice features most notably the cinematic story telling and the inclusion of more than one character, the devastating flaws that surrounded the game proved fatal to the gamer's enjoyment. The complex missions, impossible time limits of each adventure, the poor weapon design, and the ineffective cheat codes all conspired to take a game with great potential and render it un-enjoyable and irritating. Recommend only for those with extreme patience and great gaming skill.
Ravenova
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Well this is my first real taste of Quake. I played the original shareware Quake 1 back in the day and I also owned Quake 3 Arena for Dreamcast. Now I know Quake 3 was insanely popular but since I didn't own the keyboard attachment, the game was frustrating as heck. Now with Quake 4 here, I have come to realize why everybody loves the Quake series so much.
For starters, the game's graphics are fantastic. Truley some of the best out there and they are improved over Doom 3's as well. The sounds are great too although the machine gun's sound will really start to irritate you especially in multiplayer. As for the singleplayer campaign, its pretty decent. Basically its an old school style of gameplay where you blast the living heck out of anything that walks. My complaint with the single player is that its over way to quickly. The vehicle levels are over before you know it and the story isn't the best either. But the shooting is well done and since thats what you're doing most of the time its fun to play.
Now the multiplayer portion of the game isn't really my favorite style for online FPS games. Its basically a combination of Quake 2 and 3's maps with much improved graphics. Most of the people online are seasoned vets and since I am a noob when it comes to this games multiplayer, I usually end up dead more often than alive. So if you loved the other Quake games online, then you will surely enjoy this one too. If your like me and enjoy games like Day of Defeat, Call of Duty, Ghost Recon, or the Battlefield games, then you won't probably care too much for Quake 4's online aspects unless you put in a great amount of practice.
Normally I wouldn't have spent more money on the special edition version of the game just to have it on dvd as opposed to multiple cds, but I had a giftcard and since I never played Quake 2, I bought it. Although I have only played a few levels of Quake 2, it is a very fun game and I'm sure the included expansion packs are fun too. Well, if you're looking for a new FPS and you are either a long time Quake fan or are new to the series, then you will most likely have some good old fashioned fun with Quake 4.
