
	Platform PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Genre First Person Shooter Developer Splash Damage Publisher Activision ETA June 2007
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Enemy Territory: Quake Wars

Up to this point, the Quake series has established itself as a fast paced, run-and-gun sort of first person shooter. It was one hero versus the onslaught of Strogg out to seize the earth. The games have been visceral, with a slant toward throwing caution to the wind in the name of adventure and glory. However, id and Splash Damage are trying something a little different now, taking a more measured hand to the series. Instead of the aforementioned pedal to the metal approach to the series that we’ve seen thus far, it is about to try stepping into the world of team-based, more tactically oriented gaming with Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.

Here players will be able to align themselves with either the humans or the Strogg, and once they’ve pledged their allegiances, they will have a selection of five character types to choose from while playing. The humans will have soldiers, field ops, engineers, medics, and covert ops, whereas the Strogg will sport aggressors, oppressors, constructors, and technicians. While the Strogg class names are a tad ambiguous, their roles are very similar to that of the human classes listed previously.

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The whole point of the game is for players to work as a team, slowly gain more territory, and hold it. As this is going on, Quake Wars appears to be taking on some elements of the Battlefield series by gaining ranks, skills, and specializing over time. How well players are able to work together will be key in winning here.

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Thankfully, players won’t need to hoof it everywhere in their quest for domination, as there will be an array of vehicles available to help with the task. Humans’ gear is all based on current weapons, and vehicles, except it has all been made extremely high tech to look like it is actually something made in 2065. Meanwhile, the Strogg weapons and vehicles are decidedly alien. Of particular note in the Strogg arsenal are mech walkers, hover vehicles, and vertical takeoff / landing hoppers.

Quake Wars actually takes place 10 years prior to the rest of the series, and explains some of how this conflict between the humans and Strogg began. The main question, though, will be how open long-time fans of Quake will be to the notion of making a slightly more tactical entry into the series. We’ll be able to find that out when the game is released this June.

Jeff Nash

May 24, 2007