You can STILL kill your friends in one of the best FPS games ever

The FPS genre has come a long way since then Earthquake and classic FATEand some would argue that his development wasn't all that appealing. This is of course a bit of a radical generalization: while one may legitimately criticize current practices such as battle passes or the potential use of AI in series such as Call of Dutythere's no denying the ingenuity seen in indie FPS titles as well as the occasional AAA masterpiece like Doom Eternal and Titanfall 2.

But these cutting-edge and exciting FPS projects probably wouldn't exist if not Earthquakewhich meaningfully developed the id Software formula based with FATE in the 1990s. To this day, few shooters have the same quality as the original Earthquake the game had fortunately Earthquake it's easier than ever to gain access, thanks in large part to the efforts of Nightdive Studios. The studio helped bring the 1996 classic to modern platforms, and it runs as smooth and buttery as ever, meaning it's easy to play even 30 years later.

Why Quake is still so good, three decades later

Quake's Vibe is untouchable

For fans of modern shooters, I'll give this: the games definitely look great. Better resolution, texture quality, depth of field and animations make many recent FPS games, even the less enjoyable ones, a feast for the senses. Of course, there is something particularly compelling about seeing the virtual world through the eyes of your protagonist and engaging in a closer simulation of everyday perception. In theory and sometimes in practice, the higher fidelity of modern FPS titles reinforces this sense of immersion.

That's fair, but Earthquake is a great example of how more realism doesn't always make for a better atmosphere or a tighter artistic vision. Classic FPS channel Lovecraftian themes and imagery and combine them with sci-fi concepts a little more sensible than Fate's, ultimately resulting in a uniquely immersive game world. Then there it is Earthquake'soundtrack composed by Trent Reznor at the height of Nine Inch Nails' popularity and creativity. If you like a combination of Mick Gordon's heavy metal music and 2016 Fatehorrible art design, Earthquake definitely has you covered.

Nightdive Studios and MachineGames have made Quake even better in 2021

You can still have fun in the original versions of Windows or MS-DOS Earthquakebut you don't have to resort to the classic editions either. In 2021, Nightdive Studios, a subsidiary of Atari that previously remastered games like Turkreleased an “improved” version of the original Earthquakewith minor changes and modern conveniences to meet today's standards. Some of the most significant changes to Nightdive in the 1996 version include:

Resolution support up to 4K
Wide angle support
Antialiasing
Dynamic lighting
Better textures
Longer depth of field

None of these changes are exactly transformative, which is for the best: Earthquake it didn't need much repair. Still, the remaster includes other, more substantial upgrades, such as dedicated server support and crossplay for online multiplayer. Nightdive has also added a new Horde mode that can be played solo or with other players and is a meaningful expansion Earthquake sandpit. Naturally, this modern rendition Earthquake also includes two original DLCs, The Scourge of Armagon and Dissolving Eternityplus two special surprises from MachineGames.

Modern DLC by MachineGames for Quake

In 2016 to celebrate Earthquake20 year anniversary, Wolfenstein developer MachineGames launched Dimensions of the pastfree DLC for Earthquake. The expansion bridges the gap between Earthquake and Earthquake 2though it's mostly seen as an homage to the retro shooter rather than a significant reinterpretation or expansion of the lore of any kind. Dimensions of the past will be included in the 2021 “enhanced” release Earthquake in addition to the original two extensions.

Also included in 2021 Earthquake reissue is Machine dimensionanother new DLC from MachineGames. This expansion pits players against Chthon, the villain from the base game, and features a variety of new environments and demonic enemies. The DLC was widely praised for its comprehensive level design (perhaps foreshadowing the spectacular level design of MachineGames v Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)as well as for his new Deathmatch maps.

All this means that despite being launched nearly three decades ago, Earthquake still worth your time. If you've played the original, there's a lot more to discover and enjoy in the enhanced version, and if you've never played before Earthquakechecking it should be a defcon-level priority for you. The series is surprisingly smooth, satisfying, and relentlessly captivating, thanks to grotesque enemies, interesting levels, and a thunderous soundtrack that stands head and shoulders above those of similar games. Here's hoping id Software delivers Earthquake and Fate The 2016 treatment sometime soon, but until then the original lineup offers quite a bit to munch on.