Quake 4 Review

Bonus Disk

A nice bonus when you buy Quake 4 is that it comes with an extra disk that has gameplay trailers and other goodies about the game’s development. More importantly, the disc also features a full version of Quake II complete with multiplayer. You can’t take it online, but you can play splitscreen and system link with up to 16 players. The game is silky smooth on the Xbox 360 and plays like a dream with the 360 controller. It is a good game all on its own and it is nice to see just how far technology has come in the years between Quake II and Quake 4. What I like best about the bonus disk, though, is that it has some of the best bonus content I have seen so far but you don’t have to pay a premium price for it. Thanks Activision.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Quake 4 are very sharp and detailed. It all looks a bit too much like Doom 3 for my tastes, though. We explore the same dark industrial interiors and rust colored exteriors as in Doom 3 and it is hard to shake the feeling of déjà vu. It is a lot sharper and nicer looking overall, but we have been here before. Like I mentioned earlier, the framerate is also a rather serious issue in the game and while it doesn’t make it unplayable, it is pretty darn annoying.

The sound is also very good but also carries a lot of Doom 3 with it. Yeah, I know, the Doom 3 engine was used to create this game, but that doesn’t mean it has to look and sound exactly like it. Sound effects for the various weapons are a high point as well as the excellent voice acting. The music isn’t terribly memorable, but it fits the on screen action just fine.

Bottom Line

Overall, Quake 4 is a pretty solid package. You get a fun and varied 10-15 hour single player campaign along with a fast paced and addictive multiplayer that will have you hooked for even longer. Even better, you get a full version of Quake II (with its own set of achievements to add to your gamerscore, by the way) which is a great bonus. You get a lot of gameplay for your $60 with Quake 4, and even though it isn’t perfect it is still worth at least a rental and likely a purchase.