Quake 4

Quake IV could easily pass for a fan made Doom 3 mod. It barely has an identity of it's own,but expect Doom 3 shit-flat jumpscares and showing lighting tech instead of making interesting environments. The shooting is fine I suppose but it's all so bland and lacking any soul. There's a reason the only thing people talk about 20 years later is the getting turned into Strogg scene. Because that's the only moment of this entire game that doesn't feel generic. Where perhaps someone had a vision or an inspiration to be more than a Doom 3 Map Pack. And even that is a blunder because getting turned into Strogg doesn't actually impact gameplay in any meaningful way.

But don't. Land. Move slowly and with the worst initial weapon in any game ever. Open door, Move slowly. Kill some strog. Get a better weapon. Open door, Move slowly. Kill some strog. Get another weapon. Open door, Move slowly. Kill some strog. Find a switch. Kill some strog. I really enjoyed Quake 2, but I'm having a hard time continuing with this.

It is a very interesting game, both for the setting and for its story and gameplay, very varied and fun, very good moments and very satisfied for having completed it.

Chances are if you're an FPS fan you've played Quake 4. If, for some reason, you haven't then you definitely should. There are a few issues like the movement speed being a bit too slow but those are minor in the context of it being Quake Strogg universe game. The multiplayer is also fantastic but you won't find anyone playing which is a shame.

I mean just look at those screenshots. That's some chunky and serious looking stuff. Big bold colors, awesome creatures, some proper sci-fi right there. It just invites you to play it. How could it not be fun? I'm clicking buy! Hold up. Don't. When you actually play the game you never experience anything that resembles those screenshots. The game is way too dark, the monsters are nondescript and the combat feels poor. That's really all you need to know about a first person shooter, so what else is there to say. Don't buy Quake 4 and don't play it. Buy the Quake 2 remaster instead and after you're done with the campaign play Call of the Machine.