 |
|
|
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
Towards the end of Quake hangs a demon on the wall, flesh appearing as if its skin were turned inside out, its hands and feet nailed firmly into the shadowy concrete, body spread out in a position of crucifixion. Even more disturbing are the intermittent sounds of aberrant screams and grinding screeches crawling through the darkness of the labyrinthine level. Quake is palpable darkness, a devilish escort through a storm of unmitigated, brooding atmosphere. Underscored by eerie red and blue lighting that seems to cast an inescapable shadow of disquietude in every corner of the winding corridors, Quake doesn't look like a game; it looks like a massive dungeon trapped beneath the surface of some barren distant planet.
|
|
But wait, this is a game, because those disgusting mutants never could have burst from their mothers womb with such jagged features without doing irreversible damage. Yes, the gigantic pukes that live in this evil lair could definitely use some beefing up and they move with an awkward stiffness, but no matter -- they're so fast you have little time to admire their features anyway. Seemingly defying the laws of physics, some of the enemies pounce with horrific quickness, successfully eviscerating you more times than you would like.
|
|
Too often. Despite being armed with rockets and nail guns, (Why would a planet made entirely of rock and steel have an ample supply of nails?) sometimes there is not a whole lot you can do but wantonly shoot and flee. The difficulty is artificial at times, given the cheap hits and exasperating enemy maneuvering. I'm not a fan of blobs that seemingly teleport across the screen and explode in my face for instant death. At least you'll never be unarmed -- ammunition is everywhere, just as it should be. There is no fun in having to worry about having your weapon fully armed when a freak with giant claws is jumping the length of the screen in hopes of eviscerating you.
|
|
Quake is intense, yet it's been said that it falls short as a one player game. It doesn't stand up to the brilliance of Doom, but nothing does. There's nothing wrong with being runner-up.
|
-- Brady Fiechter
|
|
|
|
Gaming Age Online is Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
