Id Software’s Quake
series has been a staple in PC gaming for nearly a decade. Each entry to the
series has been an innovation in terms of gameplay as well as PC technology.
Quake IV looks to be no different. Featuring an enhanced version of id’s own
Doom III engine, Quake IV serves as a continuation of the storyline last visited
in the second installment of the franchise. I was shown Quake IV in action as a
developer played through a few areas, and the results were quite awesome. Quake
IV is shaping up to be a nice entry to the series.
The storyline in Quake IV
follows right on the trail of the events set forth in Quake II. Your character
is a space marine sent to the Strogg planet to deliver the final blow against
them, after the lone hero from the second game killed their leader. However, not
all turns out so simple, as you are captured by the Strogg and “converted” into
one of them, through a grizzly and torturous procedure. However, before you can
be completely brainwashed and changed into one of them mentally, a group of your
fellow marines liberates you, and you take on the Strogg as one of them, with
their traits and abilities. But how long can you subdue the evil that lurks
beneath your skin?
The graphics in Quake IV
are quite amazing, as is the ambience in the environments. The look is much
brighter than Doom III, and the Strogg planet is well represented. The hideous
enemies look fantastic as well, a mix of creature and machine, similar to the
enemies in Doom III, and do realistic things like tear through walls and pipes
to get to you. The game makes amazing use of the engine, looking as realistic
and frightening as any game.
You function much less as
a lone fighter in this game, as you must work with other soldiers in order to
neutralize enemies. They act realistically, taking cover and utilizing military
tactics to defeat the Strogg threat. You can also pilot vehicles like mechs to
take out your enemies.
While details were still
a bit scant on Quake IV, you can bet that it will be a worthy successor to the
franchise when it’s released.
