Quake (1996)

The newly released remaster of is good. Really good. Especially if considered the state they released the latest ports of Doom in.

I've played it most on Switch now and the gyro work so damn well once you get adjusted to it. There's tons of content, the actual NIN soundtrack, online multiplayer, split-screen, achievements. Even bots for multiplayer or training purposes.

It has some very slight dips in framerate on Switch when there's a lot going on but even those might be because I have a lot of the added graphical bells and whistles on. Othen than that, it's a blast.

Oh, and the online multiplayer is BRUTAL on consoles if you don't choose only-controllers matches. And having tried the multiplayer on PC as well... it's also a humbling experience. The skill base of other players is just damn de-motivatingly high. So gather some friends for the multiplayer or play only controller matches, I guess?

So, Quake has been remastered and is out on Game Pass today. Didn't expect that, but apparently that means I haven't been paying attention, lol!

Experience an updated and visually enhanced version of Quake. Now with 4K, widescreen support, enhanced models, dynamic & colored lighting, anti-aliasing, depth of field, 120 FPS, achievements and more content.

Coming to Xbox Game Pass today.

Xbox Store: https://t.co/adzlU9XGFj

— Klobrille (@klobrille) August 19, 2021

Quake: Operation Urth Majick (Mod)

somewhat short (3-4 hrs) and mediocre. Nice sinister setting and tone. Fairly narrative heavy and has lots of text messages and cutscene depictions of level entry and exit. Ultimately this is just okay and there have been better mods since this one's release. (I picked it up and gave it a go having read it was a classic)

★★★☆☆

+Classic Quake themed maps and style
+Doesn't overstay it's welcome
+Riot Controller (awesome double barrel replacement)

-Feels dated (this is a oldie!)
-Weird ending and final level
-No custom soundtrack

Quake - Alkaline (Mod)

9 quality single player maps by different mappers/authors accessible from a central hub in any order. Explores settings of different FPS but fixates around industrial theme (Most maps feels reminiscent of Quake 2, a few Doom and one map very much Unreal/Unreal Tournament,). Some maps are longer than others. Nice custom soundtrack. Had a pretty good time. Would recommend.

★★★★☆

This holds up well, probably the best 90's shooter I have played. (I am more of a Halo / CoD generation kid than Doom or Goldeneye.)

All the weapons are fun and easy to use, and in general the game is very approachable, fast-paced, and exciting. The visual design of the enemies and levels feels really unique and cool. I enjoy the level design, which offers different ways to take out powerful enemies, lots of secrets, and a good, quick pace of progression to match the gameplay while still being open-ended. I still think it's so annoying that these old games make you restart the entire level if you die, but levels are short and the game is fun anyway in this case, so whatever.

The only real negative is that this is not my week for motion sickness, 2nd game I've played in the last few days that just wiped me out -- needed a break every few minutes to finish the final couple missions in Episode 2... I've had the same issue before in other first-person games that don't have a large reticle/crosshair. Hopefully won't be a big deterrent to play the second half of the game another day and I'll see if I can mod one in or something.

The original true 3D first person shooter and one of the most important games ever released. The ability to render 3-dimensional games existed before Quake, but Quake's approach was so efficient that making 3D games was now practical in addition to possible. It was also the first esport, and its ability to capture demos the same way Doom could contributed to the establishment of speedrunning, even if it would be a long time before that hobby went mainstream.

While I agree with the assessment that the actual game is just "Doom but 3D," I ended up enjoying this more than the original Doom games. The level design is less confusing to navigate and the movement is very satisfying. I do think that the traps are sometimes unfair, and the enemy design could have been improved in places (the Vores are fine. The Spawns are not).