Quake 4 Review

[Knightshade Dragon]

Over at ConsoleGold (http://www.consolegold.com) we have posted our review of the PC version of Quake 4. Here is an excerpt from the review (http://consolegold.com/Reviews/review/459.html) :

There is a compelling story to Quake 4. I found myself eagerly anticipating the end of the work day so I could see what would happen next. It has been a while since I’ve had that sort of feeling about a FPS title.
How did the rest of the game fare? Drop by and see!

[A-Team]

I'm sorry, but between the immature commentary at Digital Life 2005 and the Quake 3 vibe that the game gives off, Quake 4 will need to be in the bargain bin before I ever pick it up. As someone else mentioned (I forget where), this should have - at most - been an add-on for Doom 3 because Raven once again failed to capture the fun that was to be had in Quake 2.

[Knightshade Dragon]

I'll agree that the multiplayer feels like Quake 3.

[earthworm48]

Thats what they said they were aiming for.

[jacktion]

This less inflates my view of Quake 4 than it deflates my view of Console Gold.


p.s. Does the 200 range scale for "gameplay" help you get extra accurate review results? Genius!

[Maskatron]

I'll agree that the multiplayer feels like Quake 3.

Quake 3 multiplayer with a Doom 3 polish? That doesn't sound too bad actually. But no way in hell am I paying $50 for this.

[A-Team]

This less inflates my view of Quake 4 than it deflates my view of Console Gold.


p.s. Does the 200 range scale for "gameplay" help you get extra accurate review results? Genius!
Ouch. Burning down the whole village in one post, very good job.

[PotatoNinja]

I'll buy it in the $30 range, methinks.

[Malovech]

This less inflates my view of Quake 4 than it deflates my view of Console Gold.


p.s. Does the 200 range scale for "gameplay" help you get extra accurate review results? Genius!

You must work for IGN or something.

[Conner Dain]

I'll buy it. I've yet to be dissapointed by an game from id.

[Taco]

Why does everyone think id made this game? I thought at first it was just some confusion, but I'm seeing that mistake a lot.

[megaman]

Pros:
Storyline is engaging

ahahahahahahahahahahahahaa...

[kokyunage]

I've yet to play the game (I’ll buy it today) but I think id/raven made a big mistake in releasing the plot twist months ago. While the game itself could be plain, the plot twist if done correctly could have added a large “holy shit I didn’t see that coming” factor to the game. Could have made it worth it for gamers who dislike the game play but enjoyed that twist.

[jacktion]

You must work for IGN or something.

Nah, I'm just a jerk,

And sick of all these robo-demon games. We need some creativity up in here. Can I get an amen?

[Blade]

Alan Wake.

[zipR]

Wow -- how did you guys already finish the game?

The AI criticism is kind of depressing, but I'm still curious to see what this game is like.

Quake 2 was the first FPS that did a decent job of making you feel that you were in a real place with things going on around you.

[The Iron Weasel]

I'll pick this up later, i'm still in awe of F.E.A.R. its just so goooooood.

[total]

I'll buy it. I've yet to be dissapointed by an game from id.

I hear that. I am going to wait a bit on this one (bought Doom 3 on the first day) though, let it mature a bit. I've actually gone back to playing Doom 3 lately, mainly playing the mods with some friends on the Lan. To all those that complained of missing the co-op modes, check out http://www.d3opencoop.com/ . My friends and I have played through about 80% of the game, and it is damn good times.

[BabyJesus]

I don't know. I just want it for the multiplayer.. Q2 was genius, Q3 was really good. I just think that id's style deathmatch is more natural and organic than the Unreal games and most others. To me it just feels "more right". Heres hoping Q4 does the same.

[TheKeck]

p.s. Does the 200 range scale for "gameplay" help you get extra accurate review results? Genius!

At first I thought you made a good point, but then, looking at the final score I see that they divided the points by 600 total. By assigning 200 points to gameplay, they have weighted it to be twice as important as any other factor. Seems reasonable to me.

[Knightshade Dragon]

Bingo. I could hide the math if you'd prefer - it doesn't change that the gameplay is what is important, which is why we double rate it.

Nonetheless, the idea is to convey the information and let you decide. Don't like Quake 3 multiplayer? Then you and I are in the same boat. Love it? Well, kick the score up a little.

[A-Team]

At first I thought you made a good point, but then, looking at the final score I see that they divided the points by 600 total. By assigning 200 points to gameplay, they have weighted it to be twice as important as any other factor. Seems reasonable to me.
It's reasonable but not really necessary. ConsoleGold reviewing a game and slapping a 524 on it vs. a 518 is in no way shape or form more helpful than a scale of 0 to 5, 0 to 10, etc. If anything, grading on such a large scale like that makes the review even less helpful because in reality, the scale is from 0 to 6, with the extra point going to gameplay of course.

To each his own though.

Bingo. I could hide the math if you'd prefer - it doesn't change that the gameplay is what is important, which is why we double rate it.
Bingo.

[Knightshade Dragon]

We went with the rating system that Gone Gold used. That won't always be the case.

[XxSATANxX]

Thanks for the review!

I'm not doing nothin tell I get a demo.

F.E.A.R. for me Q4 can wait. I like Raven. So why no demo huh??

[Furtive]

Good game or not I cant figure out whyd theyd release the same week as FEAR.

[kokyunage]

Good game or not I cant figure out whyd theyd release the same week as FEAR.

Why would they be worried about Fear? Fear has no name brand awareness. Not to mention traditionally Monolith games have sold poorly, even though there were rated highly. Ratings do not equal sales. I hope Fear sells well because it seems like an amazing game but I wouldn’t surprise me if Quake4 outsells it.

[Wyrm]

I'm going to get FEAR and Quake, although, from what I've played so far, FEAR actually has better multiplayer.

[Maskatron]

Yeah, it's quite unusual that an id and Raven FPS doesn't have a demo. I think that speaks to how they feel the game is going to be perceived. Oh well. Hey Activision, tell me again why I should buy your game instead of F.E.A.R.?

[The Iron Weasel]

Yeah, it's quite unusual that an id and Raven FPS doesn't have a demo. I think that speaks to how they feel the game is going to be perceived. Oh well. Hey Activision, tell me again why I should buy your game instead of F.E.A.R.?

The owner of activision will see this shrug and say "I dunno" and then continue to play F.E.A.R. himself. So just buy F.E.A.R. i did and its amazing. BEST SHOOTOUTS EVER!

[GodFather]

I've been playing it all day today, and cant understand the bashing about Q4. Its exactly what I expected from Raven/id. Its great if you know what your buying. If your sick of the whole Quake experience this isnt for you. I liked the deathmtach. It was very Q3 like. I wouldve liked more of a Q2 feel too it. But it will hold me over good until UT2007 comes out.

[The Iron Weasel]

I've been playing it all day today, and cant understand the bashing about Q4. Its exactly what I expected from Raven/id. Its great if you know what your buying. If your sick of the whole Quake experience this isnt for you. I liked the deathmtach. It was very Q3 like. I wouldve liked more of a Q2 feel too it. But it will hold me over good until UT2007 comes out.

Wow....wow.....wow....wow.....wow.....you bought that instead of F.E.A.R.?

[Taco]

I'm buying both. Simple enough.

[earthworm48]

I got fear yesterday morning in the post and found I'd finished it by 2 this afternoon, (GMT). I didn't even spend long on it. It was pretty "meh" I must say. Firefights were good for a while but they get a bit dull.

Worst part is the "horror" side which just plain sucks, and the plot sucks balls. This isn't really the thread for it all though.

I haven't tried Quake 4 yet. Its not out here yet either (England).

[doubtingthomas]

Alan Wake.

Man, the trailer I saw for that looked awesome, and I like both Max Payne games.

[notcivx]

Wow, you have the worst scoring system I've ever seen.

QUAKE 4 GETS A 349857498534 OUT OF 700000000000000000000009

[mpsmith]

You guys are dumbasses for knocking the score system. It's simply weighted, like they said. It's even converted to a percent for you at the bottom.

I'd like to see a decent review of FEAR, though, since I dont know which i want to get today.

[notcivx]

You guys are dumbasses for knocking the score system. It's simply weighted, like they said. It's even converted to a percent for you at the bottom.

I'd like to see a decent review of FEAR, though, since I dont know which i want to get today.

Well, if you want a game that has replay value, get Quake 4. If you want a mediocre FPS with a predictable story, get F.E.A.R.

[jacktion]

At first I thought you made a good point, but then, looking at the final score I see that they divided the points by 600 total. By assigning 200 points to gameplay, they have weighted it to be twice as important as any other factor. Seems reasonable to me.

Damn your logic! Damn it straight to hell!
But seriously, you're right. I see it now. And it's not a bad system. I just was bashing cause it was different and things that are different are bad. :mad:

[mpsmith]

Hilarious.

Also, regarding FEAR, I've heard a lot about the constant loading issues screwing up gameplay. I've had that happen before when running games I shouldnt have been (for my computer at the time) and it makes them unplayable (or at least not nearly as enjoyable). If they can't optimize that to the point of absolute transparency then it's just crap, despite the quality of the game itself. It's sad to have a great game raped by the lack of optimization.

[edit] also, does anyone know if they "redid" anything for quake 2 and its mission packs in the collectors dvd?

[TheKeck]

Damn your logic! Damn it straight to hell!
But seriously, you're right. I see it now. And it's not a bad system. I just was bashing cause it was different and things that are different are bad. :mad:

It's all good. I seriously had the same thought as you, but then discovered the reason for it.

[GodFather]

Wow....wow.....wow....wow.....wow.....you bought that instead of F.E.A.R.?


no I preordered FEAR on gogamer so I havent gotten it yet. I dont have to worry bout buying one game or the other.
My problem is finding the time to play all these games. Next week is COD2. Talk about an onslaught of games this month.

[ECM]

I don't know. I just want it for the multiplayer.. Q2 was genius, Q3 was really good. I just think that id's style deathmatch is more natural and organic than the Unreal games and most others. To me it just feels "more right". Heres hoping Q4 does the same.

Amen, brother, on all counts.

[Taco]

I think it's the engine that does it. id may have lost the graphical crown to Unreal, but they still got that solid feel other engines lack.

[MasterKwan]

Bought FEAR and Quake 4 today. I'm playing Fear now because Q4 runs like ass on my system (I haven't jerked with the settings yet). I'm enjoying Fear so far. Looks like my 6600GT's about at the end of it's life. Neither games plays really well on it (AMD64 3800+). I'm not bored with Fear yet, the skill ramp's pretty decent. I'm not a real fan of the weapons. It's all spray and pray so far. Even the "Sniper" rifle is burst fire. I do like that it's brightly lit though. The engine does have that Monolith "not quite there" feel to it but, it's far better than other monolith games I've played (other then Shogo which I thought felt about perfect).

My Son's playing Q4. He has my best video card since I switched to PCI-E. It plays much better with that video card. I watch him play through the plot secret and it made me want to crap myself. It was pretty powerful stuff. I might have to go out and get a 7800GT tomorrow.

[The Iron Weasel]

no I preordered FEAR on gogamer so I havent gotten it yet. I dont have to worry bout buying one game or the other.
My problem is finding the time to play all these games. Next week is COD2. Talk about an onslaught of games this month.

I know its like they fucking hate my wallet.

[The Iron Weasel]

Hilarious.

Also, regarding FEAR, I've heard a lot about the constant loading issues screwing up gameplay. I've had that happen before when running games I shouldnt have been (for my computer at the time) and it makes them unplayable (or at least not nearly as enjoyable). If they can't optimize that to the point of absolute transparency then it's just crap, despite the quality of the game itself. It's sad to have a great game raped by the lack of optimization.

[edit] also, does anyone know if they "redid" anything for quake 2 and its mission packs in the collectors dvd?

I have a feeling all the problems with performance on this game has to do with secuROM. Just like BiA:EiB doesn't run as well as UT:2k4 because of starfuck.

[BabyJesus]

Whatever you do STAY FAR AWAY from the DVD edition. I got a deal on it that I wish I never got. For some odd reason under XP it sets the files/folders up with no-one having permission to them. The only way it would work after installing was to take ownership of the files/folders and set it up so you have full permissions, did I mention it also sets them up as read only. Fun Fun.

Great quality control guys... At least the Q2 games that come with the DVD edition installed fine.