Quake

Price: £9.99

  • Title: Quake
  • Developer: id Software
  • Publisher: GT Interactive
  • Year Released: 1996
  • Genre: First-Person Shooter (FPS)
  • Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, later on consoles
  • Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer (Deathmatch)
  • Engine: Quake Engine (First fully 3D engine)
  • Setting: Dark Fantasy / Sci-Fi
  • Recommended Age: 17+ (Mature)

"Quake" is a groundbreaking first-person shooter released by id Software in 1996, widely regarded as one of the most influential titles in the history of gaming. Building on the legacy of Doom, Quake introduced fully 3D environments, true real-time 3D rendering, and an atmospheric, gothic world that blended medieval fantasy with sci-fi horror.

Set in a dark, otherworldly dimension, you play as a lone soldier codenamed "Ranger," armed with an arsenal of devastating weapons—from shotguns and nailguns to the iconic rocket launcher. Your mission: battle through hordes of grotesque creatures and corrupted knights while navigating deadly traps and eerie catacombs to stop an ancient evil known only as Quake.

The game’s level design was revolutionary at the time, offering verticality, secret passages, and a haunting soundtrack composed by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor. His ambient score added a deep layer of tension that made every encounter feel claustrophobic and intense.

Quake also became a pioneer in multiplayer gaming. Its deathmatch mode laid the foundation for competitive online shooters, thanks to its fast-paced movement mechanics, precise controls, and mod-friendly engine. Many modern esports titles trace their roots back to the community that grew around QuakeWorld and countless custom mods and maps.

Beyond gameplay, Quake was a technological marvel. It was one of the first games to support hardware-accelerated graphics via OpenGL, making it a staple benchmark for early 3D cards. Developers and fans alike embraced its open architecture, leading to a vibrant modding scene that birthed iconic total conversions and custom content.

Nearly three decades later, Quake still holds up as a visceral, uncompromising shooter that rewards skill, reflexes, and exploration. Whether you’re reliving it on original hardware or experiencing the enhanced versions available today, Quake remains a must-play for fans of classic PC gaming and FPS history.