Quake 4 is a far better game than I was expecting. Leading up to it’s release there was some buzz, but most of it was underwelming, “Just another Doom” or “It it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.” While, those complaints aren’t completely untrue, I think they are a little unfair.

Quake 4 feels a lot like Halo and Halo 2. You are put into the middle of a war and are given a series of orders that guide you through the game. Sometimes you have squad mates, sometimes you don’t. The game, as far as that goes, is executed really well. Although the level design is very linear, your orders are always clear, and the feeling that you are in the middle of a huge battle is never lost.

The only real letdown was there really wasn’t anything new. I wish they would have went farther with the fast paced, arcade feel and gave you some new abilities. Let me kick and punch enemies up close, or jump off high platforms. Carrying two weapons would have been great, and letting me choose my own path rather than forcing me through a certain door because the others are locked would have been even better.

Another thing that dissapointed me (spoiler alert) was that once you a turned half Strogg, your character felt no different. You are half mech and have nothing to show for it. How cool would it have been to have terminator like sight, or maybe be able to jump higher, or even have faster reflexes.

Positives

• Great lighting and atmosphere
• Entertaining
• Clear objectives
• Good, simple story

Negatives

• Level design is what guides you, not the player
• Nothing new
• No special abilities after turning half Strogg

Final Thoughts

I have a feeling that if the developer Raven would have changed anything from the Quake style of gameplay there would have been just as much complaining. Quake 4 is an old school shooter with a number of memorable moments and solid gameplay.

Quake 4 gets 4/5 stars.

Download the 2005-2006 Panthers Basketball iCal file to use with Apple’s iCal or Mozilla’s Sunbird. If there are any issues with the dates or times please let me know and I will adjust the calendar.

Hospital: Google print hurts kids!

I am still amazed that a lot of people actually think that Google Print exists to pirate books, when in fact book sales should jump because of it. Even more amazing is that the hopital’s spokesperson hasn’t even seen Google Print yet, but still feels the need to speak out against it.

Another good article about Google Print
“Google is right, and the publishers have no argument. What’s their argument that this harms the value of their books? They don’t have one. Google helps you find books, and if you want to read it, you have to buy the book. How can that hurt them?”

Wooden PC Cases

Saw these on Engadget, I think they look pretty cool, but are probably pretty expensive, nor am I sure how well they would deal with heat.

Quake 4 QuickTime VR

These QTVR movies show off the game’s environments nicely. I just started playing Q4 and I am pretty surprised it hasn’t had more exciting press. It is a really fun game, a lot like Halo where you have mission objectives and a squad to work with. But here the objectives are clear, and you know what to do next. I wish they would release a demo so others could see how fun it really is.

Found at Boing Boing
Read a review of Quake 4