The Quake series has largely been a PC driven powerhouse frequently directing the pulse of next generation graphics and gameplay alike. Since its first outing the series has witnessed several remarkable turns with each installment. Now, with a fourth installment the Quake series shifts its attention back towards its forbidden planet warfare gunning theme, once again pitting humanity against its deadliest threat, the Strogg.

Quake 4 begins roughly where its predecessor, Quake 2, left off. An interplanetary war had concluded our last confrontation, striking a fatal blow upon the Strogg's near impenetrable war machine effort. Now, with humanity making their last stand, Quake 4 positions the game's story in a final do-or-die struggle against the forces of extraterrestrial evil. It's time to stick it to the Strogg in one final mad dash and as such players assume the role of elite Rhino Squad member Matthew Kane; your characteristic gun toting, lead eating, nail spitting, jaw breaking, crop shaven, U.S. of Earth war fighting hero.

Upon, the game's introduction Kane is hurled directly into the mechanistic structures of planet Stroggos -like hell fire come roll call. Amidst an epic opening space battle your malfunctioning space pod crashes behind enemy lines as the battle rages overhead. Nothing out of the ordinary here and upon checking this was almost the same way Quake 2 began. As resident bad ass mofo it is your job to get to the source of the Strogg collective and disarticulate their cannibalistic ways with as much blood and gore as possible.

Quake 4 is your staple id horror science-fiction first person shooter. It plays very much the same as the games before it and Quake 4's similarities to it sibling Doom 3 are uncanny. However, let's not allow this to diminish the game's appeal, because Quake 4 is a highly enjoyable experience in its own right. Furthermore, it is not a mere expansion of the Doom 3 universe or anything of the sort. Yes, players will engage in an epic single player campaign, which may become exhausting at times, but fortunately (for those who were hoping for such a thing) Quake 4 isn't quite as punishing as its hell-raising partner. Collecting medical supplies, ammunition, or entering a newly discovered room, will not result in an assault from all sides nor require them to empty the recently collected clip into cheaply spawning baddies.

Quake 4's pace is somewhat more drawn out with greater tension, as apposed to the relentless hell spawn chopping at your knickers every five seconds in Doom 3. Mind you this isn't to say Quake 4 is a walk in the park, either. A clean aim complemented with nimble dexterity is a must, especially if players wish to survive this tale of dark atrocity. And while Quake 4 (like most of id's games I'm afraid) really does not stretch the minds of narrative hounds, it does offer enough high-velocity action and scripted cut-scenes to muster sufficient spectacle during the course of its 15 hour marathon.

With this said Quake 4 does offer a few twists and turns, unfortunately, thanks to the promotional efforts of the game's publishers one critical plot twist was disclosed during the game's advertisement cycle. Furthermore, the plot twist in question unashamedly adorns the back of the games packaging, too. Considering this I will freely discuss it in the following paragraph, however if you are among the very few not to have stumbled across this spoiler you may like to overt your eyes and skip ahead... Oh and don't read the box's cover the next time you go shopping.

*Publicized Spoiler*

The game developers have really tried to add a new sense of intrigue with Quake 4 and this time, rather than merely advocating the role of a chiseled military man, players are tossed over to the other side. Over the course of the game you are inadvertently captured by the enemy and assimilated into their cold slaughterhouse arms. The fact that you actually become the Strogg really adds a fascinating degree of peril yet offers a unique level of sadistic revelry at the same time. Becoming the enemy is a brutal process and suddenly being able to listen in on the Stroggs communications, and posing an elevated threat, leaves you feeling somewhat isolated with truly nowhere to turn (although you are still fighting on the side of humanity).

It is an interesting mix as you are now the enemy yet you must betray that which you have become. This should work to quite an exhilarating end unfortunately this novel twist wasn't executed as well as it should have been. Marines still treat you like an old comrade (even though you look like some repulsing creation from a Clive Barker fiction), and you can't blend in with the enemy horde while using their collective urges to your own benefit. The idea of becoming that which you fear the most is an interesting concept, however you never truly feel that sense of conflict amount to anything more than just cosmetic dressing.

*End of Publicized Spoiler*

Quake 4 also tries to mix things up a little by allowing players to go to town in a variety of vehicle scenarios: tanks, machine gun trolleys, mechwarriors, etc. Most of the time these events serve as on-rail shooters designed to break up the repetitiveness of the on-foot action. To be perfectly honest the result is quite the opposite. Firing machine-gun cannons on the back of a tank is somewhat enjoyable, but it really lacks any sense of purpose other than target practice. The process can be fun, but the on-rail automation really detracts from the sense of immersion that could have been. In short, the lack of control and interaction makes for an uninspired ride. On the positive side players will also team up with NPC squad members during their single player endeavors.

The team dynamic successfully helps to break the lonesome affair and facilitates the layering of additional colour to the games narrative. Doom 3 frequently relied on data logs to communicate game events, whereas this time Quake 4 applies the same technique, but with voiced chatter from NPCs. NPCs will stand around talking about certain events or subjects, however, most of the conversations feel more like an audible prop than a mechanism for understanding the Quake universe. Still, it is a nice touch and adds to the overall immersion.

It can be stated that the game's ai is quite competent both with Marines and its enemies. NPCs will lay down cover fire, while really putting up a strong fight against the Strogg. Medics will often come to your assistance, while protecting key characters allows you to unlock certain Gamerscore rewards. However NPCs will often run into your line of sight, or block your direction. Enemies are of their usual high id caliber and make for a nice full frontal assault. Mind you the philosophy regarding ai generally tends to promote strength in numbers rather than prowling stealth.

Quake 4 wouldn't be a shooter without a full spread of high-powered hardware and players will be able to embrace its firearm heritage once more. In the traditional FPS standard players start out with a humble sidearm before advancing toward more elaborate weapons, such as the stock machine gun, shotgun, grenade launchers, nail gun, rail gun, and other universe defying goodies. Yes, it is exactly what you have come to expect from games like Quake and for this reason there is really little innovation to be found. Quake 4 comes across as a stock shooter, but with enough glam to hold your attention. And yet for all that is familiar the game's firepower proves to be an enjoyable offering. Strategy doesn't really apply to the use of each weapon and players may frequently trophy their favorite while mixing it up for good measure.

The game's visual presentation is an interesting point of conversation. First, Quake 4 on the Xbox 360 looks a treat with its high resolution graphics and lively fervor. It looks incredibly detailed and makes great use of the Doom 3 engine. Yet, it is the Doom 3 engine which casts this game as yet another clone, although I use the term loosely. The game just looks so familiar that its signature engine inadvertently diminishes some of the game's visual presence. Fortunately, the refined Doom 3 engine manages to produce lovely textures with lighting that is incredibly beautiful. Character models, especially the monsters, look fantastic and move with great fluidity and liveliness.

Any fan of id will enjoy the creations they have come up with here (some of the 'larger than life' monsters look absolutely jaw dropping) and the same can be said for the game's environments, too. Quake 4 adopts id's brand of science fiction horror, where biology and machine intertwine to create a rich, macabre tapestry of flesh and steel. The Strogg are almost parasitic in nature, as they cannibalize human limbs, suturing them together with the strength of their mechanoid offerings. The result is a world where corridors are filled with broken torsos heaving to the thump or automated arms, energy pistons, and other ghoulish machinery.

On a sour note Quake 4 does suffer from a questionable framerate and many may even find its presence downright unforgivable. I never found the issue to be a deal-breaker, but one must ask if it worth the price of admission. I have certainly played worse on the Xbox, such as Half Life 2 and Advent Rising, but you wouldn't expect a game like Quake 4 to have any issues running on the Xbox 360 -not when you can experience titles like Call of Duty 2 or Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Most likely Quake 4's framerate shortcoming is due to poor coding, which is seriously unforgivable. Mind you, I only experienced the game dramatically slowing down once or twice during the lead up to a major battle. Even though you may experience minor dips during the game, it still looks beautiful and is fun to play. However, I expect that results may vary so keep this in mind when it comes time to parting with your hard earned.

Without question Quake 4 sounds great. The ambience of the game's environment creates an unforgiving tension that you could cut with a knife. Play Quake 4 with the lights out and you'll be immersed in the creaks and moans emanating from the game's audio pallet. Likewise voice acting is of a commendable standard, which is a nice surprise, although the gruff conversations of soldiers and their commanders is what you would hope for with such a game. The screams and guttural resonance of the Strogg should also send a chill along anyone's spine. The only thing less intriguing was the game's soundtrack and very little stands out, but it provides adequate rock ‘n run when necessary. Be certain that quake 4 delivers in the audio department and will often have your heart beating heavier than an orchestral drum.

Quake 4 wouldn't be complete without a decent multiplayer component and to the games favor it comes equipped with a handful of modes suited for up to eight players (although some modes are purely one-on-one action): Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Arena CTF, and Tourney. However, gamers without Xbox Live may suffer from the absence of bots, which was a big surprise considering how well they had been implemented in Quake 3 Team Arena. Upon booting up Deathmatch I was further surprised to find that many of the maps were quite reminiscent of those found in Quake 3 Team Arena. While I imagine this was done to serve some form of historic gratification I couldn't help but feel disappointed with the outdated and very drab design of Quake 4's multiplayer content. Remember all those reds, muddy browns, and puke greens? Well, they're back!

Otherwise it plays very much like the original Quake 3. Weapons are scattered around at designated positions, which allow players to swoop in and take aim on the fly. Power-ups and heath tokens are littered about in a string of good fortune. While those handy little warp gates and gravity defying spring-boards increase the games rapid flow. Overall if you are familiar with Quake 3 Team Arena then you will know what to expect. However, if you were expecting a multiplayer revolution you will most likely not find it here.

Quake 4s also comes bundled with a few extra goodies. While some of the extras are nothing more than window dressing (i.e. the stock and standard 'Making of...' documentary), the inclusion of a full working copy of Quake 2 is a welcomed addition. The game is exactly as it was all those years ago however the bonus of high definition and widescreen support makes for a neat inclusion. If anything, playing Quake 2 on your TV makes for a nostalgic pat on the back.