Q2 Episode 1 for Quake 4

***New***

Level name: Q2 episode 1 base

Author: Porutchik

Release date: 8 january 2010

Size: 208 873 ko

Number of maps: 3


website: None


download from filefront: here

Story

None it's a remake from the first part of Q2 converted to Quake 4

Review :

Design is quite what it should be so the conversion is a good reproduction from the original Quake2 it's fun to play through this classic FPS for all fans through a more accurate game...it only lack a little from originality, make a new intro cutscene in place of using the the Quake2 associated with the quality of 10 year ago, a 'not so close to the original' approach a better integration of original texture expecially through the fact that there is a high resolution project  available and finally the mission of good sound effect in place of this repetitive till boring music background

Gameplay is well balance and fun to play even if the enemy damage is sometime put quite high witch caused some really thaught challenge but never unbeatable, I would have hope to find back those 'secret place'and have this backward/forward travelling from map to map like it is available in Quake2 but those minor issue could perhaps be more difficult to solve.

In conclusion: the author spended  a lot of time (4 years) to try to convert Quake2 to Quake4 witch seems to have been quite difficult the result even if it suffer from minor issues is quite enjoyable and so if you have still Quake4 install and would like to have a good action fighting in a not perfect but above average environment, this experience is for you.

Playtime: 1 hour



Rating: A B C D E (68%)

Ubilitus for Quake 4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Ubilitus

Author: Victor 'EFX' Lundberg

Release date: 07 July 2006

Size: 43 952 ko

Number of maps: 2


website: here but dead?

download: at map factory


Description:
None mentioned, it's a classic mission with two main objectives: first regroup with the rest of you team and take the elevator, second shut down the power and escape through the transport bay

Review :

This is the second experience from EFX with mapping after a map made for doom3 that was quite a good suprise. Ubility is something more consistant with not simply mapping but also some coding and scripting to let the player be immersed in a well put together experience.

Design start slowly with a basic design and layout in a linear way that is quite crafted and limited in term of environment to the way you progress, after the design become more complex and fitting with more inteconnectivity, the progression make some backtracking, the bad suprise are here and there arround the corner, the internal lighting and the perfect colored touch Quake 4 can provide shine through those new areas and so the player got better and better immersed while he is progressing. The use of elevators is this map add something that was for me only well used in some Half-Life modifications, the squad experience is also something that let you progress with a better feeling. The author add here and there some extras below a ladder behind a corner like in all those old FPS where the quest for secret places add a interesting touch, some autosave and cutscenes are also present to better prepare the player for what comes next...sadly you will only see the outdoor through several view at the end but will never be able to make some outdoor battle.

Gameplay is mostly base on the shooter aspect there are no puzzle to solve here and only a few activating button that make you travel form place to place...it's mostly a battle from you (and you squad in the second map) against the evil forces. health and weapon are well placed to make it challenging but never to complicated and this until the end battle a little bit thaugh but not that difficult. The interaction with you squad is really a good point because it can support better challenge through more enemies present at the end it's perhaps a little too classic but it's still fearly enjoyable for arround an hour of intense immersion

In conclusion: For a second release of the author it was certainly a success perhaps too oriented to combat and limited only to indoor environment but regarding the playtime it was really enjoyable and well worth to play.



Playtime: 1 hour 15


Rating: A B C D E (92%)

Enmity for Quake 4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Enmity

Author: Jordan Hirsch

Release date: 11 December 2007

Size: 23 825 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page


Description:
Enmity is a single player Quake 4 Mod focusing on creating an interesting boss battle utilizing a standard Tactical Strogg and slightly modified A.I. base code

Review :

For this one the author worked for his project at the guildhall more on coding than on creating something classic, the new 'coded' enemy is well created and add a kind of chase gameplay.

Design is quite limited to a succession of 5 places to visit, in a classic way with some intersting touch like the starting scanner or the automotive ladder, for the architecture it's perhaps a little too squary and not enough 'tube and vent' if you understand what I mean lightning is correct like detail placement even if a little limited in my opinion.

Gameplay is the interesting part of this release, you will chase a guard from place to place that has a quite good acuracy and a life indicator for witch,everytime you reach the end, will make him escape to the next place, where with a different weapon, he will try to defeat you. Ammo and health are in large amount so that event if the gameplay has a more chaleeging touch it won't take you a lot of effort to defeat him. It has also to be noticed that some cool ambiant music will follow the 'boss progression' making it even more enjoyable

In conclusion: Yes I know it's too short like most of these descent release from the Guildhall... but, one more time you will have a short enjoyable moment playing you Quake 4 game .



Playtime: 15 min


Rating: A B C D E (72%)

Blaster Master for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Blaster Master

Author: Robert Gee

Release date: 19 May 2008

Size: 9 900 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page


Description:
In this map which takes place in the Quake 4 universe, the player takes on the role of a space marine who has been separated from his squad and lost most of his equipment. My goal for this level was to create engaging and satisfying gameplay while only allowing the player to use the blaster gun, which is the first and weakest weapon that they player receives while playing through the campaign. In order to accomplish this, I added the gameplay element of environmental destruction, which the player can trigger by shooting certain objects in the level within a certain time limit. This allows the player to have a feeling of power when he creates large chain reaction explosions to solve puzzles and destroy his enemies, without actually giving him a more powerful gun.

Review :

This is defenetly a new approch in Quake4 FPS more base on interaction with the environment than with simple fighting, you will need to solve small puzzle to be able to join you squad. Don't forget that most of the action that take places is indirectly performed and if you don't know what to do next there is a short video of the level viewable at Robert Gee's page.
Regarding this release it perfectly mix design with (inter)action and even if like for most of guildhall students releses it's too short... it's another must play experience.

Design is well done with a good attention to color and environment in a enjoyable way to progress. There is certainly too much pipes out here but regarding the fact that it's mostly needed to progress it doesn't really bother.

Gameplay is special, it's less oriented to fightings and more oiented in small interaction with environment to make progress to your squad. The environment is also active with robots working, sounds and voice to make you really get into this short experience. alll text objective really explain what you need, as a next step to do.

In conclusion: everything is present in this small release fight, thinking, objective, ambiance and gameplay what more do we need except more gaming time.



Playtime: 10 min (depend if you can easily understand/solve the puzzles)


Rating: A B C D E (87%)

Cold Steel for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Cold Steel

Author: eLuSiVe

Release date: 28 Janaury 2006

Size: 25 108 ko

Number of maps: 2


website: none

download: At Doomwadstation



Story:

None

Review :

This was the first descent release for Quake4 back in 2006 from an author that had been mapping for sevral month for Doom3 on a huge project after making a map called prowler.

According this release it's starts like in the original Quake2 release with a crashed cuscenes well scripted after you will neede to progress through the place the destroy the master of this place.
Design is perfectly manage in a cool dark and spoucky ambiance more related with Doom3, attention has been put on details that surrounds your progression, events that occurs and ambush that are happening add the fear to this experience, all part are well linked together in a non linear way adding despites a cohesive storyline some cutscenens that put perfectly the player into the Quake 4 theme

Gameplay is correctly balance with some thaught part where you will see you health dicrease fast (perhaps too fast) the progression is a mix beween suprise (from thinks falling to mad ambushes) and activating switch (you don't always know wher to go next...). The Challnege really increase till the end arena where the nightmare seems to never stop...but when it's over it's in an abrupt way that just throw the end generic at you face.

In conclusion: back when it came out this one was considered as a must have. Regarding the small amount of release for this game it still is but since then other maps have shine to the community and provide something more releated with what Quake4 offers (pilotable vehicles, squad progression, on screen objectives,...) . This one is enjoyable well put together with a good time enjoyement but for me wont let any memorable souvenirs...simply because the originality that comes with the intro scenes just fely appart after that with it's weak storyline.

Playtime: 50 min

Rating: A B C D E (82%)

use destruction for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Use destruction

Author: Sebastian 'Tombery' Peters

Release date: 6 October 2008

Size: 79 966 ko

Number of maps: 6


website: here

download: At MODDB



Story:

A short one in german traduce with babelfhish...

An attack on the outguard Nexus is approaching. We may not leave the Stroggs too close at us ran and one may not give you the possibility to a counterstroke draw back, navy said the core. After to long negotiations the resolution was set to the attack into force and the employment is approaching. To survive the will and hope on a victory must be steadfast. Much luck.

Review :

The author is not on it's first attempt and release 2 good mods for Doom3 before, this time he create an entire experience with cutsenes challenge, impressive design so be prepared for a great experience...

Design starts directly with a marvellous intro scene, i like those small think witch ask for a lot of work but direct put the player into the experience. So you crashed onthe nexus base and will meet with some squad to progress and find out what's next. Everything is well handle according architecture it's a classic combats/activate button/ progress experience but well handle through the choice of textures and the general layout not only straight forward but also with alternatives routes. The author didn' negligate the use of vehicules, some small cutscenes and the travelling through the complex with a mix between outdoor and indoor. for me it's huge well crafted and not at any moment boring.
The gameplay flows with the rest and is a good mix between single and teamplay experience, the experience will increase in difficulty with progression and will also provide some side experience like jumping plateform, crushing doors and robot vehicle combat. The atmosphere is always holding you into the gameplay and will surprise you when you don't think of it, combats are taught but just what is needed not to be frustrated (note that the end combat experience may look unbeatable and frustrating if you don't now what to do...) weapons and health are perhaps sometime put without any logic but provide when it's needed.

In conclusion: Sebastian did some good work for Doom 3 and now even beter for Quake 4, his skill did increase and provide so a chalenging experience but for me just missed a strong storyline that could be a wire to this mission with voice acting and a real aim like saving somebody... But i won't be to exigeant regarding the work that was made cause the experience was impressive and provides finally something strong for this great game. Highly recommanded


Playtime: 2 hours 30

Rating: A B C D E (93%)

Enlightenment for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Enlightenment

Author: Jane Chung

Release date: 1 may 2008

Size: 4 326 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page

Story:
Kane must find and rescue Lieutenant Reynolds of the Raven Squad, who has been captured by the Strogg. Reynolds is being held in the research wing of the Strogg Medical Facilities. This is a side mission, taking place when Kane enters the USS Hannibal (before the briefing to “Operation: Advantage”). Kane has not (yet) experienced Stroggification for himself and this mission will be the player’s first impressions of the Strogg’s treatment of P.O.W.’s.

Review :

Another Short but interesting release from a Student at the SMU Guildhall (people are dedicated to a year cursus classified on SMU as Cohord, the author is part of the last one).

Design is atmospheric and well put together for what is intended as kane to be you first mission. You will get down with an elevator activate switdches to progress and after get out by another elevator...the author use ambiance sound and ligthning perfectly in the middle of this short release to get you 'trapped' into this release. Original voice acting is also something that add the necessary filling to add to your ego by some encouragement when you succeed objectives.

Gameplay is well balance between puzzles and battles even if those seems a bit weak in challenge it offer some surprise...

In conclusion: this was a midd term work done in a small period but even if it's short it contains everything to make it really enjoyable its neat in scritping and design and well worth the download

Playtime: 15 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (77%)

A devils await you for Quake 4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Devil's Waiting

Author: Bartlomiej 'Lunkin' Garbiak

Release date: 15 May 2007

Size: 6 562 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page

Story:

The war spreads itself over the entire Universe. You and your team are deployed on a Pogon - cold planet half way between Stroggos and Earth. Your task is to find a way into the enemy's base and locate and kill one of the Stroggos Generals.

Review :

Design of this one is really well balance from outdoor to indoor with a good non repetitive layout that fits the mission. Architecture is also well enhance and even without the use of the updating patch everything runs fine. the background story make me a little think to the last chapter of Starship trooper's novel from Robert A Heinlein...mission start directly with a immersing cutscene where you and you squad are drop on the cold Ice planet and there the battle begins. Progression is straight forward but with alternative routes and full of suprise that really make game like Doom3 and Quake4 must have. A minor lack for me was the sound ambiance that didn't add the right stress at the right moment.

Gameplay is from the same bottle as the design: good enemies placement, ambushes, challenging places well triggered. All items are also well placed and enhance the entire mission that isn't that easy to complete. Progression is obvious with addition of several activating button...there is no bad surprise, but clever surpise awaits you... it just flows from start to end.

In conclusion: A short enjoyable release with good design, realisation and atmosphere. It's sadly a little to short but well worth the try.

Playtime: 30 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (81%)

Strogg Hunt for Quake 4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Strogg Hunt

Author: Ben McArdle

Release date: 20 June 2007

Size: 847 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page

Story:

None but the main inspriration came from Duck Hunt

Review :

A quite Short but interesting release from a Student at the SMU Guildhall for this short release the author create a sort of arena where cannon are trowing zombies that need to be hit to get points. 10 points are necessary to succeed the objective.

General design and Layout is really fitting the Q4 theme and create a beautifull hangar surrounded by hallways and floor access. It's simply but perfect.

Ambiance and gameplay are specially made through this kind of zombie hunt but certainly is worth to be tested and not that easy. Some sound and triggers could have been add to enhance the atmosphere but for a week of work it's defenetly a good surpsise

In conclusion: A short special release that won't be easy for a lot of player .

Playtime: 10 to 20 minutes

Rating:A B C D E (72%)