14 DAY TRIAL // Quake is one those games that are still relevant to older people, but it might be entirely alien to the younger generation. id Software is trying to revive the entire franchise with Quake Champions, and they are doing a fantastic job.
Back in the day (boy, that feels weird to say), there were some very clear options when people had to choose a multiplayer game. Basically, there was Quake, in its various incarnations, and everyone else that was trying to do something similar. The best contender was Unreal Tournament, and funny enough, it still is.
The idea was simple, kill the other guys and get the most frags. Maybe join a team or maybe steal a flag. Things have gotten a lot more complicated since then, but these particular gameplay elements are still present, in one way or another.
Another important aspect was that, with such a limited number of multiplayer games, there was more time to become good at them. It meant that you could find many more gamers who would be a challenge for you.
The last Quake game was all the way back in 2005, and nothing has been heard about it since then. Sure, we had that bizarre Quake Live stuff, but it was a surrogate for the most part. It was just a small part of the entire Quake experience.
The new Quake Champions is worthy of the name
Now, id Software is planning on releasing a new Quake game called Champions. It looks and feels like Quake 3 Arena, but with a modern twist that some of the older players might not appreciate all that much.
It’s important to know that the game is still in closed Beta, so it’s not complete. For now, the devs are making server tests and pushing massive updates all the time. But beyond that, it’s a beautiful and fast-paced game, with hectic action, great weapons, and excellent maps, albeit only three for now.
It might surprise some people to know that it’s not using the same engine as the latest Doom, but a hybrid that combines technologies from id Software and Saber Interactive. It looks good, but the looks have never been an issue with Quake anyway.
Quake is the same, but it’s also new
id Software didn’t just update the looks on their old Quake concept. They also made some changes to the gameplay. Depending on your age and ability to try new things, you might agree or disagree with the new Quake. Here’s how it is.
First of all, not all of the characters are similar, with the same speed or characteristics. You still have that feeling of moving with great speed across the map, but the speed varies depending on some factors. If you have a large, bulky character, it will move more slowly. The advantage is that characters will most likely have a bigger base health, compensating.
Also, all of the characters have two skills, one passive and one active. No two characters are alike, and now we’re getting to the part that some people might not enjoy so much.
Free-to-play, but new characters are for sale
id Software explained a while back that Quake Champions would be free-to-play, meaning that anyone would be able to download and play it for free. This version will have only a single character unlocked, but there is a paid version that unlocks all of the characters.
Every time a player finishes a map, they win favor, which is the in-game currency. It can be used to unlock new characters for a limited amount of time. The developers don’t want to call it “rent,” but that’s pretty much it.
Fast, beautiful, and fun
If you’re willing to get past all of the new things I’ve just mentioned, you can embrace the new Quake Champions. It’s incredibly fun. The first time I played, I got my ass kicked, just like it used to happen in the old days. But then you get better, and you suck less and less, which, in turn, makes the game better and better.
I should probably mention that Quake Champions is a PC-exclusive title and there is little chance that it will also land on consoles anytime soon.
What a time to be alive! Soon we’ll start to argue again which is better, Quake Champions or the new Unreal Tournament.
