 Preview By: Jared Black |
Developer: | id / Raven Software |
| Publisher: | Activision | |
| Genre: | FPS | |
| ESRB: | Mature | |
| # Of Players: | 1-4 (1-8 online) | |
| Online Play: | Yes | |
| Accessories: | System Link | |
| Estimated Release: | 11/18/2005 |
Although never as successful, the Quake series has nevertheless been the rare PC series to successfully make the transition to consoles. After appearances on every console since the Nintendo 64, it was a given that it'd appear on Microsoft's Xbox 360 at some point as well. It's a fortunate coincidence for Microsoft that the fourth in the series just happens to be releasing around the time of the Xbox 360's launch.
The storyline takes place directly after Quake II. Straight from Eric Biessman, Project Lead at Raven Software, it is as follows: "The Strogg are quickly regrouping. However, with the Strogg's planetary defenses still destroyed, Earth's forces can deliver a full and final assault. This time, you're not alone. You are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad, and part of Earth's next invasion wave. An army of soldiers are fighting with you and an arsenal of weapons and vehicles are at your disposal in this heroic and epic battle between worlds."
Gameplay-wise, you can expect a fairly standard Quake experience. Since the game runs off of the DOOM 3 engine, there will be plenty of fast action in deep space environments similar to (but more open than) DOOM 3's. There are several twists however. Although you'll start out in the early missions as a standard Marine, you'll eventually be fused together with a Strogg giving you enhanced abilities. Not only that, but there are also several vehicles to fight the enemy in including tanks and mech-like walkers. Naturally there will also be multiplayer support over Xbox Live, but the exact modes and number of players has yet to be revealed at press time.
Graphically, early reports indicate that the Xbox 360 version is virtually identical to the PC version aside from a few minor quirks that should be tidied up before release. The screenshots paint a very gruesome picture, with incredibly detailed character models and high-resolution textures all over the place.
While the Xbox 360 doesn't exactly need more shooters, the presence of Quake IV at launch should help tide over everyone waiting for Halo 3 and give discerning gamers an early glimpse at how the system's power holds up against high-end PCs. We aren't expecting anything revolutionary, just more of the great gameplay fans of the series have come to expect.
Posted: 2005-10-07 08:13:48 PST