Quake
Main Game
RELEASED
8.3
Jun 22, 1996
Sega SaturnDOS+6byid Software•Sega
Overview:|
As a foundational Main Game first-person shooter released in 1996, Quake tasks players as Ranger with stopping an interdimensional entity by traversing dark, medieval-inspired, maze-like environments. The core loop involves fast-paced combat against monsters using an array of weapons while navigating complex, fully 3D polygonal levels. Its distinctive features include groundbreaking true 3D technology for its era and an intense atmosphere amplified by music from Trent Reznor. The experience is supplemented by multiple expansions and a modern remaster.
This is a foundational first-person shooter, originally released in 1996, that defined a generation of action games. Players step into the boots of the protagonist known only as Ranger, who is tasked with a critical mission: stopping an interdimensional threat designated "Quake." This enemy exploited experimental government teleportation technology, known as the "Slipgate," to launch assaults on the human dimension. The core experience involves navigating complex, often maze-like environments steeped in dark, medieval-inspired aesthetics while engaging in intense combat against a variety of grotesque monsters.
Core Gameplay and Setting
The gameplay loop centers on exploration, resource management, and fast-paced combat. Players must traverse intricate levels, often requiring the discovery of keycards or switches to progress. Success relies on mastering movement mechanics and utilizing a diverse arsenal of weaponry, ranging from traditional firearms to powerful, esoteric armaments capable of dealing massive damage. The game is fundamentally a main title focused on single-player progression through hostile environments.
The atmosphere is characterized by its dark, gritty presentation, enhanced by a distinctive soundtrack composed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, which contributes significantly to the game's intense mood.
Platform Availability and Content
This main title has seen wide distribution across various systems since its debut. Initial platforms included DOS and Linux, with subsequent releases on PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Saturn, Amiga, Zeebo, and Mac. Legacy mobile device ports also exist.
Beyond the core campaign, the game features substantial additional content:
- Expansions Count: 6
- DLCs Count: 3
Additionally, a remastered version of the game is currently available, offering updated fidelity for modern systems.
What makes this game unique in the shooter genre?
What set this title apart upon release was its groundbreaking use of true 3D environments and advanced engine technology for the time. Unlike previous shooters that relied on 2.5D level design, this game offered fully polygonal environments, allowing for complex architecture and verticality in level design. This technical leap, combined with its focus on high-speed, aggressive combat against supernatural and technological foes, established a new benchmark for the genre.
Premise of the Conflict
The narrative thrust involves the Ranger being sent through a compromised Slipgate to confront the entity responsible for the dimensional incursions. The objective is to neutralize the threat posed by the enemy's death squads and secure the integrity of human reality against this otherworldly invasion.
How is the current version of this classic shooter maintained?
Yes, while the original release is from 1996, the game has received a remaster, ensuring its continued accessibility on contemporary hardware. Furthermore, the original experience is supplemented by six official expansions and three downloadable content packages, significantly increasing the amount of available content for players.
Game Details
Primary Name: Quake
Alternative Names:
Q1 (Other)
雷神之锤 (Chinese title - simplified)
Quake 64 (Nintendo 64 title)
Quake Mobile (Mobile title)
Quake: The Doomed Dimension (Shareware title)
Q1 (Other Alias)
Type: Main Game
Series: Quake
Developer: id Software
Publisher: Sega, MacSoft Games, GT Interactive Software, Pulse Interactive, PXL computers, id Software, clickBOOM
Engine: id Tech 2
Release Information
Release Date: Jun 22, 1996
Genres & Themes
Genres: Shooter
Themes: Action, Science fiction, Horror
Platforms
Sega SaturnDOSLinuxPC (Microsoft Windows)ZeeboAmigaLegacy Mobile DeviceMac
Game Modes
Perspective: First person
Player Modes: Online Co-op, Campaign Co-op, Split Screen, Multiplayer
Game Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Age Ratings
ESRB:T (Teen)
CLASS_IND:18+ (Adults Only)
ACB:MA15+ (Mature 15+)
High level violence
Soren