Amazing online game (Quake 3 Arena (DC))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Quake 3 Arena (DC)
Date:	03/09/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb multiplayer

Disadvantages: Not great if your DC isn't online

One of my all time favourite FPS games is without a doubt Quake 3 Arena, and whilst I played it largely on the PC, for the sake of ease of use, I did also buy it for the Dreamcast, and it was a huge console revolution for the ability to play the game online. The game's success then opened the floodgates for later consoles such as the PS2 to provide online gaming abilities.

Unlike the previous games, the focus here is on multiplayer, and particularly, the online aspect. Miraculously, there are reports of some small communities still playing the game online, an astounding testament to the quality of the porting from the PC, an achievement that today is still only rarely achieved particularly well.

The game still looks good today - I recall being astounded by the graphics when it first came out, thanks to the sharp texture detail, grimy, gritty map design, and vibrant colours. In fact, the presentation as a whole package is very robust, from the menus, to the ominous deep voice that calls the start of each game, and the grunts as you get wounded, and huge explosions as an enemy eats your rocket.

As far as online FPS games go, this remains one of the best, with countless gaming modes, from a normal Free for All, to Team Deathmatch, to Capture the Flag. It also has some of the most memorable maps of any FPS - they are incredibly well designed, and ensure that there are rarely moments where you're spending time looking for someone to kill.

If you can't get this working online on the Dreamcast, there isn't that much reason to buy it - the single player is decent enough, but the multiplayer is the unqualified reason to get the game, for the sheer spectacle and unrelenting intensity. Even with all of the Counterstrikes, Call of Duty's and SOCOM'S, this still stands as one of the best engineered and simply stunningly executed online games of all time.

Summary: Superb, in a word