Update: Full review is now posted.
I haven’t bought any games for a long while, and this evening while in my friendly neighbourhood computer game chain of corporate opression (EB), I had a choice between buying FEAR and Quake 4… I chose Quake 4 on the spur of the moment.
I’ve been playing it for about an hour, on the “Corporal” difficulty level (2/4, think it’s default). I’m thinking I probably should have gone Lieutenant, but hey, it’s too late now.
Graphics: I’m using Medium quality at 1024×768, but will be shooting for 1680×1050 when I’m not on borrowed time.
The graphics are as excellent as you’d expect, though quite dark even in the outdoor areas. Hopefully by the time Enemy Territory: Quake Wars rolls around, they’ll be in full daylight. Or at least a little bit brighter. Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory was fun because you could see, at least in part.
There’s been one vaguely “ooh” moment, which was the lift ride through the hangar… though it would have been more “ooh” if the view distance had been further.
It is heavily reminiscent of Doom 3, in a good way. If you crossed Doom 3 with Quake 2, this is exactly the game you’d get. Unfortunately, for all the hype, I didn’t really find Quake 2 was that compelling. The story felt tired then, and it feels a bit tired now. Do I really care while I’m blasting away? Not so much.
Sound: Predictably good.
AI: It’s a toss-up. The Strogg so far are your typical id Dumb Monster: they try to approach you until you’re in attack range, then open up, and do some token dancing from side to side in some cases. But: lots of monsters and humans at once this time – none of the Doom 3 two-on-one experiences.
Gameplay: Hmm. Working with a squad is new for Quake. I haven’t yet developed any rapport with any of the other characters, and none of them are particularly believable or well-realized. Plus, they seem to be holding me up more than helping.
The basic gameplay is the same as any other First Person Shooter: find your way around a map, kill stuff, find a switch to do something special, complete level. Gradually acquire new and interesting weapons, and destroy things with them.
Actually playing it is a lot more fun than the trailers led me to believe, but at the moment it’s not really challenging enough; I’m just sailing through the levels. Might have to go back and do it on the next difficulty level up, which is going to suck – I don’t think there’s much single-player replay value to be had.
Um, if I had to give it a number right now, it’d be 7/10. Not (yet) as much fun as the excellent Resurrection of Evil.
I have to tell you something……. BIG MISTAKE my Friend… big mistake. I got Both of them F.E.A.R and Quake 4 and let me tell you Quake 4 is DOOM3 with different monsters a faster weapons, nothing different.
Good Graphics but very close enviroments what is not what we are use to when we play any Quake, plus is very very lineal.
In the other hand you have the very well designed F.E.A.R where Weapons Accuracy, AI and game atmosphear are the key features of this game. The scary visions and ghost that you go throught and see during the game will make you sh@#$% your pants.
And what make this game a nice piece of entretainment is that there are different ways to achive the level objectives
I have to say so far Quake is only 6/10 probably will change my rating after playing in open spaces or with tanks and mechrobots, F.E.A.R 9/10 and I have to say…..there is no other game like this in the market.
Gonza
Dude, a new blog! (Housekeeping: Could you change the name of the link to “pinkjoint” please? Ta!)
Well… I’m going to disagree on the Quake 4 front. After being quite underwhelmed, I’m actually finding it a really fun romp. It’s not rocket science, it’s not meaningful, it’s just a fun blast.
Rating so far is 8 out of 10. And I wouldn’t expect the tanks or mech sequences to change you mind, they’re pretty much the same as the FPS, only in a slightly different scale. I’m not saying they’re not fun, mind…
I’m scared by F.E.A.R. To add to the list of FEAR possible deficiencies, it seemed a bit too NOLF for me, especially the “briefing” scene before the mission in the demo. Still, I’ll probably pick it up when I’m done with Quake 4 to see how it plays. The “wobbly flailing legs underneath me” thing was also offputting – if Starbreeze can do it right, why can’t everyone?
And weapon accuracy – were we playing the same game? It was a sprayfest!
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I like Q4 please don’t think I’m not enjoying the game, however it is not what i was expecting.
SpongBo said
[And weapon accuracy – were we playing the same game? It was a sprayfest!]
Remember this when you play the retail version of the game! 😉