Quake
Quake is a first-person shooter video game, developed by id Software and published by GT Interactive in 1996 and featured music composed by Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails. It is the first game in the popular Quake series. In the game, players must find their way through various maze-like, medieval environments while battling a variety of monsters using a wide array of weapons.
What it feels like
Fast-paced combat, responsive gunplay, and frantic action sequences deliver kinetic thrills and momentum during intense firefights. An active, present threat from demonic enemies and an oppressive dark world creates a menacing tone throughout play. The game maintains a harsh, unflinching darkness in its visual design and the brutality of combat against hellish creatures.
What it's about
The game features gothic, medieval-inspired environments filled with hellish monsters and dark atmosphere, creating a grimdark fantasy aesthetic. Horror elements permeate the design through demonic enemies, grotesque creatures, and an oppressive atmosphere meant to unsettle the player.
How it plays
A core pillar of the experience is aiming and firing a diverse arsenal of weapons at enemies with tactile feedback. Quake featured robust modding tools and a map editor, enabling players to create and share custom content, which became central to its legacy. Dropped weapons, ammo, health packs, and power-ups are scattered throughout levels as randomized pickups.
How it looks and sounds
The game is fundamentally defined as a first-person shooter where the player sees through the protagonist's eyes. Characteristic of mid-90s id Software, the 3D rendering employs chunky textures, limited polygon counts, and the visual signature of early quake-engine graphics. Medieval castle ruins, cathedrals, and decay define the visual world with ornate gothic architecture throughout the environments.
How it's structured
A bounded, authored single-player story arc progresses through connected medieval nightmare environments with a definite conclusion. Multiplayer deathmatch and arena-style PvP against other players is a major advertised mode and legacy feature. A substantial single-player campaign through maze-like medieval levels is a core experience alongside multiplayer.
Kindred games
Shares Gunplay, Retro 3D, First-Person, Menacing.
Both lean into Gunplay, Retro 3D, First-Person, Menacing.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Dark Fantasy, Exhilarating.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Single-Player, Dark Fantasy.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Retro 3D, Exhilarating.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Single-Player, Retro 3D.
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, First-Person, Retro 3D, Exhilarating. 96% positive across 4,402 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Gunplay, First-Person, Retro 3D, Single-Player.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Horror, Retro 3D. 96% positive across 4,352 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Single-Player, Horror.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Linear Levels, Melee Combat. 91% positive across 4,914 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Campaign, Single-Player.