Quake Video Game Series
Video Games Encyclopedia by Gamepressure.com
Quake Champions
Action 18 August 2022
Another installment of the legendary series of first-person shooters developed by id Software. The series became very popular mostly thanks to its great and well-balanced multiplayer modes. Quake Champions concentrates on that aspect of the gameplay and lacks a classic campaign mode. Instead, it features dynamic gameplay for many players. The matches are played in a few varied PvP modes. One of the biggest and most controversial new features is allowing the players to control one of many completely different characters with unique special abilities. This lets the players choose a character whose fighting style fits their preferences. The developers made sure that abilities of some characters won’t give anyone unfair advantage during the matches and that the outcome of rounds – similarly as in previous installments of the series – depends only on skills of the players.
Quake Arena Arcade
Action 15 December 2010
A re-edition of the popular PC first-person shooter Quake III: Arena (with the expansion pack Team Arena) developed by Pi Studios for Xbox 360. The general gameplay premise remained unchanged in comparison to the original game and the title concentrates mostly on dynamical multiplayer skirmishes played on one of more than 40 available arenas, most of which were taken from the third installment of the series. The battles can be played in a few standard game modes and the arsenal of available weapons consists mostly of equipment that is well known to the fans of the series created by id Software. The main difference in comparison to the original game is the adaptation of gameplay mechanics to the consoles, for example by adding various facilitations.
Quake Live
Action 24 February 2009
A free-to-play installment of the popular series of first-person shooters developed by id Software. The title is a modified version of the third installment and the Team Arena expansion. The title focuses mostly on multiplayer competitions played in one of the standard game modes on maps that are well known to the fans of the series. Quake Live was developed for players of various skills and the basic aspect that makes it different from the third installment of the series is the increased focus on social aspects. This can be noticed on the dedicated website through the option to create friend lists, advanced online statistics and various tournaments with valuable rewards. The game is distributed for free, but the users are forced to watch commercials implemented into the game by IGA Worldwide.
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
Action 28 September 2007
An online first-person shooter that combines the universe of the cult Quake series with the gameplay mechanics of the free modification to Return to Castle Wolfenstein entitled enemy Territory. It was developed by Splash Damage in cooperation with if Software. The action takes place in 2065 after the merciless Strogg land on Earth with the aim of obliterating its inhabitants. An elite commando unit called Global Defense Force takes up arms to defend the planet, while the players can side with either faction. Despite the fact that Enemy Territory: Quake Wars concentrates solely on multiplayer, it features over a dozen missions in which players complete predetermined goals that involve defense of key strategic points or frontal assaults on enemy bases, among other things. The gameplay is focused on cooperation within a team. Each participant represents one of five different character classes and has a unique role to play.
Quake 4
Action 18 October 2005
The fourth major installment in the cult FPS series developed by Raven Software under strict supervision of id Software. Contrary to its predecessor, Quake 4 features an extensive single player mode, the action of which takes place right after the events of Quake II. The defeat of the Strogg leader, Macron, did not seal the fate of the hostile alien race, for it managed to regroup and bring a new, even more dangerous leader to life. Faced with the threat, a special commando group was sent to deal with the enemy once and for all. Mechanics-wise, the title offers a typical dose of action, although there are some simple story quests to be performed as well. Enemy character models and weapon arsenal were not drastically changed. What is new is that the protagonist, as a result of medical experiments, came into possession of special implants that let him wreak even greater havoc.
Ultimate Quake
Action 10 November 2001
A special set of the first three installments in the cult series of first-person shooters, Quake, that were developed by id Software. The collection was published by Activision and it contains Quake and Quake II, games that were released in years 1996-1997 and which codified the standards of their genre, both when it comes to graphics and to very advanced multiplayer modes. The collection is supplemented by Quake III: Arena from 1999, which, in contrast to its two predecessors, concentrates only on multiplayer mode (it has a very limited single player mode based on bot matches).
Quake III: Revolution
Action 26 March 2001
The first console installment of the very popular FPS series. The title combines the traits of the basic edition of Quake III: Arena with the novelties implemented in the Team Arena expansion. Similarly as its PC archetype, Quake III: Revolution concentrates mostly on its six multiplayer modes, which allow up to four players to play simultaneously on a split screen. Thirty partially original maps and twelve weapons are available in the game. Similarly as in case of the PC original, the game contains a single player campaign which enables the player to face bots controlled by the artificial intelligence. In this mode the player can train their character and polish their skills – completing challenges increases the character's abilities and makes it stronger in confrontation with more powerful enemies.
Quake III: Arena
Action 03 December 1999
The third installment of a bestselling series by id Software, and one of the most important titles when it comes to multiplayer FPP shooters. The greatest novelty introduced by Quake III: Arena is the fact that after two previous installments of the series, intended to be played both in multi-, and single player modes, the developers decided to focus exclusively on the multiplayer aspect of the game. Thus, the basic form of gameplay here are skirmishes between two teams, governed by a set of clearly-defined rules. Although Quake III: Arena contains a single player mode, it is based only on skirmishes with AI-controlled bots, and can be treated as training before the actual multiplayer gameplay.
Quake II (1997)
Action 07 December 1997
The sequel to the groundbreaking first-person shooter by id Software that, just like its predecessor released the year before, set new visual standards thanks to the enhanced idTech 2 engine. The action of Quake II takes place in the distant future where humanity established contact with a biomechanical race of the technologically advanced Stroggs. When it turned out that the alien secretly plan to conquer Earth, a special space marine unit was sent into action. They were completely crushed, though, and the player assumes the role of the sole survivor on whom the further fate of the humanity depends. Compared to the original, Quake II is characterized by a significantly richer plot and modified weapon arsenal. The levels were also greatly expanded, following different stylistics than in the previous game. Multiplayer remains the title’s strength. In Quake II, up to 16 players can play in several varied game modes.
Quake (1996)
Action 22 June 1996
A first-person shooter developed by id Software, which established new standards in the genre while being a breakthrough in terms of 3D computer graphics. The action of Quake takes place in an undefined future where government experiments with teleportation has made contact with inhabitants of other dimensions, bringing about an infestation of hellish beasts. During the gameplay, we assume the role of a nameless hero who, as humanity’s last hope, travels between the dimensions trying to deal with the danger. During the game, we explore various, climatic locations, wreaking havoc using eight weapons types. Our task is to gather the runes that unlock access to the last dimension, home to the final boss - Shub-Niggurath. One of the biggest highlights of the game is an expanded multiplayer mode offering the ability to play in several different modes, designed for up to 16 players.