Quake III: Team Arena

Review

by Matthew House

Because of the user and team-made modifications available for Quake III Arena, Quake III: Team Arena is a somewhat pointless expansion pack -- it adds four games (three of which are new), a few new weapons, maps and power-ups. The problem is that user-made modifications have been available on the Internet since Arena's inception; for those new to first-person shooters, modifications are deathmatch or team-based variations that feature an assortment of user-made maps and enhanced gameplay elements.

With the exception of Harvester and One Flag CTF, id Software's expansion pack brings little to the table. Harvester is a game of capturing the skulls: once someone is fragged, a skull of that team's color appears in the central spawn point. The mission is to capture the enemy skull and return it to their base while defending your own. Although I've never been keen on Capture the Flag, One Flag CTF is an adrenaline-pumping exception. Instead of each team having a flag to capture, there is a single flag located in the central portion of the map. Because each team is vying for the flag, matches turn into all-out frag wars!

On the other hand, the original Capture the Flag has been included -- a game already found in Quake III Arena. An expansion pack is supposed to breathe new life into the original, not reuse modifications that have already been created. Overlord's premise is to raze the opposing team's skull obelisk while protecting your own. The obelisk has a certain amount of hit points, and because the hit points regenerate, you have to keep shooting the skull.

In addition to the mods, id Software has incorporated new character models with redesigned weapons from previous Quake incarnations. Among the included character models is the reanimated female test pilot Pi and Fritzkrieg, a festering German soldier. While the aforementioned characters look decent, the rest are uninspired soldiers and humans.

Additionally, the weapons feature little distinguishing features: you've got a reworked Nail Gun, a Prox Launcher and the Chain Gun; the latter is a somewhat improved version of the Machine Gun that goes through ammunition much too quickly. While the mine-throwing Prox Launcher is useful in narrow corridors and hectic areas, it is also helpful when you run out of ammunition for other weapons. The Nail Gun takes a step backward from previous games in the series -- instead of launching a stream of multiple nails at your opponent, it fires a few nails at once in the general direction of your target.

While the weapons seem like an afterthought, the power-ups are quite useful. Among the included items are ammunition regenerators, an armor guard, invulnerability and a scout that speeds up movement and firepower. The Kamikaze item unleashes a massive bomb that incinerates opponents within a certain radius; this is very useful when your base is under heavy attack.

Because id Software created Quake III: Team Arena, one would expect fabulous map designs with improved textures. While improved textures have been implemented, the maps are either too big or horrendously designed. Whereas the outdoor maps are far too expansive and resemble Sierra's Tribes, the base levels feel cramped. There are a few decent maps here and there, but Internet mod-makers have been churning out amazing maps for years.

With Rocket Arena 3, Team Reaction's Jailbreak and Prisoners of War modifications already available, there isn't much point in Quake III: Team Arena. While the power-ups are well done and Harvester and One Flag CTF are a lot of fun, this expansion pack will more than likely collect dust instead of frags.