The modernized Quake FPS game
Quake Champions is a free action game from ID software and Bethesda Softworks, originally released in 2017. Serving as the fifth main entry in the long-running Quake series, this is a multiplayer first-person shooting experience. With over a dozen playable characters, each having a unique set of skills for different gameplay experiences.
Despite being released several years ago, Quake Champions maintains a solid, although limited, player base, and has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts after a 2024 update. If you feel like going for a retro take on games like Valorant or Apex Legends, this is a good option.
Fight with everyone else, Quake-style
Quake Champions draws inspiration from games like Quake III Arena and Quake Live, focusing on multiplayer mayhem set on one of its numerous maps. As such, it doesn’t have a single-player story campaign unlike other main entries. The only single-player gameplay option here is you against a number of bots. Either way, the exaggerated movements and fast-paced action is here, with slightly better graphics.
One draw of this game is its variety of Quake characters. There are 16 of them available, mostly original to the franchise. You have cool characters like Athena, the Death Knight, and even the original Quake Guy. You also have permanent characters from other franchises such as B.J. Blazkowicz of the Wolfenstein series and the titular Doom Guy of the Doom franchise.
Also, it’s worth noting that its AI bots are well-scripted, guaranteeing an enjoyable action experience. However, it has suffered from a diminishing player count. To make things worse for new players, most of the steady fans are hardcore gamers who have perfected the game, making its online matchmaking a nightmare. This also highlights another issue, the lack of balancing among characters and maps.
A resurgence in player count
Reports say that the player count for Quake Champions has dropped to below 150 concurrent players. However, its 2024 Mid-Winter Update comes with a couple of new content and extra changes that have led to some players returning. For example, the fan-favorite Midair map will be back, with improved knockback mechanics. There are also limited Valentine’s Day materials, with a railgun skin and a vanity item added.
More importantly, it has begun addressing minor glitches and game balance issues. Certain weapons saw their falloff distances, spread behavior, and ammo count changed for the better. Similarly, the characters also receive a couple of interface and content updates. Even the game economy has been rebalanced to make them more accessible, such as the Champion platinum price dropping from 400 to only 250.
A classic online shooter
In conclusion, Quake Champions continues to offer intense multiplayer battles across diverse maps. With 16 unique characters, including franchise favorites and crossovers, the game's fast-paced action and polished AI provide an engaging experience. However, diminishing player numbers and a lack of balance in characters and maps posed challenges, particularly for newcomers. Despite these drawbacks, Quake Champions remains a thrilling arena shooter for those seeking frenetic multiplayer mayhem.
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