Game Description

Quake III Revolution is designed as a multiplayer game. You and three friends can fight it out in a multiplayer Deathmatch to determine who's the fastest, quickest, and the deadliest. There are many other options available as well -- choose from Team Deathmatch, where you and a few friends can play on the same team against computer-generated opponents, Capture the Flag, Single-Weapon Deathmatch, and Possession.

In addition to the multiplayer modes, Quake III includes the Single-Player Challenge Modes found in the PC version, such as Deathmatch, Kills Vs. Time, Possession, One Flag Capture the Flag, Elimination, and Skirmish. The game also features a wide armament, including new weapons such as the Gauntlet, Machine Gun, and Railgun, as well as original Quake weapons like the Rocket Launcher and Grenade Launcher. The game includes both the Proximity Mine Launcher and Nail Gun, both of which are exclusive to this PS2 version.

Choose from a roster of 41 warriors, from aliens to soldiers, as you combat in a variety of arenas, ranging from an eight-player deathmatch arena to one-on-one arenas. As with others in the series, the game is played entirely from a first-person perspective and supports analog control, force feedback, and up to four players with the PlayStation 2 Multitap. Each saved game takes up to 77KB on the standard PlayStation 2 Memory Card. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

You'll have hours and hours of fragging fun with friends, 41 characters to choose from, a ton of arenas, and an assortment of multiplayer options. Yet those expecting a rewarding single-player experience will be disappointed. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Production Credits

Programming: Mathew Whitton, David Picon, Neil Martin, Michael Willis, Andy Carr, Iain Melvin, Nick Tuckett, Peter Crossley

Additional Graphics Programming: Martin Griffiths, Leon O'Reilly

Additional Programming: Jarl Ostensen, Chris Killpack, Angel Sastre, Oliver Castle, Tim Green, Richard Smith, Brett Paterson, Austin Ellis, Morten Pederson, Mark Huntley, Andy McDonald

Art: Mike Man, Ian Inniss, Chris Wood, Joe Groombridge, Adrian Crofts, Darren Pattended, Kevin Duffy, Ian Faicnie

Production: Stephen Murray, David Ratcliffe, Jon Taylor, Alex Peters, David Amor

Level Design: William Joseph, Lee Mercer, Dan Haigh, Tom Heaton, Alex Gingell, Sean Soucy

Audio Production: Mark Knight, Nick Laviers, Elaine Williams, Adele Kellett, Bill Lusty

Special Thanks: Simon Harris, Richard Leinfellner, John Miles, Rich Hilleman, Mark Huntly, Andrew Lacey, Erik Strickland, Jeff Litz

F1 Team Programmers: Ian Shaw Cruz Chilaka, Lisa Stokes, Daren Watson, Tom O'Connor, Mark Machin, Rajan Tande, Chris Baker

ID SOFTWARE

Programming: John Carmack, Robert A. Duffy, Jim Dosé

Art: Adrian Carmack, Kevin Cloud, Kenneth Scott, Seneca Menard, Fred Nilsson

Game Designer: Graeme Devine

Level Design: Tim Willits, Christian Antkow, Paul Jaquays, Mal Blackwell

CEO: Todd Hollenshead

Director of Business Development: Marty Stratton

Office Manager and ID Mom: Donna Jackson

Development Assistant: Eric Webb

Music: Sonic Mayhem, Front Line Assembly

Voices: Richard Ridings, Fraces White, Lewis MacLeod, Karina Fernandez, Armand Hargett

Manual & Documentation: James Lenoel, John Featherstone

FMV: Jason Lord, Digital Anvil, Inc.

QA: Pete Samuels, Pat Russell, Andy Miller, Stuart Pratt, Daniel Simcock, John Brunton, Matt Price, Andy Hall, Jay Huckstep, Allan Speed, Jonti Pitt, Toby Bushnell, Giro Maioriello, Nick Barrett, Joe Nunn, Greg Stephen, Tariq Bell, Ramon Gamma, Ian Fuoco, Rupert Moss, Bruce Glazier, Dan Tilbrook, Nick Sewell, Sam Roberts, Dermot Rawson, Chris McBride, Matt Whayman, Jordan Nigrelli, Emmanuel Delva

Marketing & Public Relations: Susann Oelschlegel, Felicity Knights, Lidia Stojanovic

Pack Design & Layout: The Red Cloud Team, Jenny Whittle, Candice Westman

EARS

Product Manager: Steve Perkins

Package Project Management: Vyn Arnold

Package Illustration/Photography: Kevin Marburg

Manual Localization: Anthony Lynch

Test: Ludon Lee, Jason Morales, Erin Lambaunas, Edmund Huey, Sean Naberhuis, Jose Gonzales ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Quake III Revolution was one of the most highly anticipated first-person shooters for the PC, and when it was finally released, many rejoiced as the lightning quick pace of the original Quake had returned with amazing graphics and sound. While the PlayStation 2 version lacks many of the options available in its PC and even Dreamcast counterparts, the same adrenaline-filled action can be found.

Quake III Revolution is designed to be a multiplayer game. Those expecting a strong single-player adventure element should look elsewhere to titles such as Red Faction. The thin plot revolves around an alien race called the Vadrigar, who have assembled the most ruthless fighters and warriors in the universe to compete in an all-out battle to the death. Added to the standard PC single-player missions is a campaign mode in which your character can gain levels by defeating opponents. The single-player modes are essentially training exercises for the multiplayer game.

The game runs at a steady 60 frames per second, so the action moves at a fluid pace. Your character roster consists of everything from aliens to insane clowns, and the levels include classic arenas available for Quake III on PC as well as a few additional ones for good measure. The arenas vary in size with some optimized for four-player action and others for purely one-on-one battles. All of the weapons are back, including the classic Quake nail gun and the proximity mine launcher.

When directly compared to the PC version, however, Quake III Revolution falls short on many aspects. Control options are limited. While there are several preset configurations available, you cannot customize it by assigning certain actions to specific buttons. While this may be disconcerting at first, it is relatively easy to find a preset configuration that suits your needs.

The online multiplayer found in both the PC and Dreamcast versions is what makes Quake III such an enjoyable experience, and this is definitely missed on the PlayStation 2. While you can load up arenas with computer-controlled bots, it isn't the same as playing against human beings. The control, while fast, is also not as responsive as a keyboard combined with the precision of the mouse aim/turn. It is also much more difficult to perform the famed rocket jump.

The rocket jump was originally an unintentional side effect in the original Quake; players discovered that if they wanted to reach a higher platform in an area, they could quickly fire a rocket at the ground while jumping, propelling them into the air while sacrificing a bit of health. Many Quake players used this technique for a variety of actions, including reaching hard-to-reach items and as a quick escape route while being pursued. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to perform the rocket jump in Quake III on the PlayStation 2, but it can be done almost effortlessly on the PC and Mac versions.

PlayStation 2 users are also losing out on customized skins and arenas created by devout fans of the Quake series. Some of the skins in particular are well crafted and professional looking, and include just about every cartoon, animé, comic book, or movie character you can think of. The eventual hard drive peripheral combined with the Internet connection kit will help in this area considerably, but until then, you're stuck with what's available.

Quake III is still an entertaining game for the PS2, and one of the best multiplayer experiences available on the console to date. Yet there are two conditions that must be satisfied if you are planning to purchase this game. First, only pick this game up if you are planning to spend the majority of the time playing it with friends (up to four can play at a time, via the Multitap). Second, only choose this game if you do not have access to a computer with a high-end video card. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

The graphics are beautiful. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

The announcer is creepy, the sound effects and vocal taunts are right on the mark, and the music is eerie. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

The game is best played with a group of friends. As a multiplayer game, there are tons of options, arenas, and characters. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

The well-written manual gives the basic breakdown of the game modes, weapons, and features. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide