Quake

iD software has practically defined the explore and slaughter game. Their Wolfenstein 3D seemed remarkably ahead of its time, and Doom turned PC gaming on its head with an approach that many were to copy. It was almost inevitable that following on from Doom 2, iD would produce a sort of "Doom, the next generation".

Like most wimps, I find the theory of these shoot everything that moves games awful - but the practice sadly satisfying. But despite all their ability to build tension, I find the graphics of Quake's predecessors splodgy compared with the crisp beauty of something like Zork Nemesis. Quake hasn't made it all the way, but a new graphics engine does make considerable improvements in the look and feel of interaction, and sound support has been enhanced to accompany it.

When it comes down to gameplay, though, Quake doesn't really deliver anywhere near the leap forward that Doom made over Wolfenstein. The same old formula is still engaging, but there isn't anything in Quake to make it more than an enhanced clone of the old master. I did like some of the extra touches, though. Swimming through the water was neat, as was ability to cope with much greater 3D manoeuvring. As before, multi-player is well supported. There's a price to pay for the new graphics engine - Quake needs a Pentium, and ideally more than 8Mb of memory. Not one to avoid by any means (unless you can't cope with flying flesh and limbs), but not a milestone game either.

Overall - A Doom clone from the makers of the original. Smooth, atmospheric slaughter, but not enough is different.. Shareware: UK pricing of full game not announced. Produced by iD.