The vials look absolutely fine and I have no problem with the notion of replacements where they're needed. My issue with them is that for me, a big part of Quake's theme/atmosphere is the mixture of tech, medieval and gothic. If you start differentiating completely between the three prevalent Quake themes then you lose the feeling of a vast multiverse that's been slowly bleeding together to become one inexplicable Lovecraftian nightmare. 

I get what you mean now - it's under discussion. 

Heh, my love-hate relationship with the fuckers reached a whole new level after the 'Pain Maze' in warpc ;)

About the health powerups - I think having tech powerups in a medieval setting absolutely does break the cohesion, it's just that we're somewhat desensitized to it after 13 years. Text_fish's explanation for the stylistic blend is interesting - I'd always semi-unconsciously assumed that the stuff had been teleported there by your Marine superiors back on Earth - a leap of logic which doesn't make a lot of sense either.

I don't think it would damage the integrity of the Quake Universe to differentiate worldtypes with different powerup styles. If anything, I'd say go all the way and do it for ammo too, if possible. Given that the ogres carry grenades and sometimes nails, it's logical for them to be there. And come to think of it, what human would invent a fucking nail gun? That's obviously something the quake marine found on his otherworldly travels. And spinning floating guns? Yes, very realistic. Don't think about this stuff too hard folks, there's no point except fun. 

i thought the soundtrack was the best thing about Q2.

stalker was great. stalker - call of pripyat was how the original should have been... had the publishers not had the upper hand.

i did enjoy quake 2 , but if you are going to remake it in Q4, then for christ's sakes add the atmosphere that it was lacking in the original. 

first ziffon, now iart, next we will see elek return. 

Humans did invent nail guns, albeit not as weapons. Perhaps Earths forces were so depleted by inter-dimensional warfare that they resort to modifying domestic items for use as weapons. How likely is it that humans would equip modern day soldiers with huge axes, afterall?

Though to be honest, I came to the conclusion some time ago that most of the story of Quakes invasion of humankind played out long before we set foot in the slip-gate complex. The human forces have been scattered and defeated and any that remain will simply spend the rest of their lives jumping from one dismal realm to another, surviving merely for the sake of survival. Occasionally they may find themselves back in what was once human territory, but that is now as hostile to them as anywhere else so they just keep moving. There's no beginning, middle or end to this story and that's what I find so beguiling about it. 

and perhaps that's the problem with modern games - there's nothing left to the imagination. 

Again, there's that misnomer. Modern games don't have a "problem". Modern games are fucking awesome! 

Tezt_Fish

That's kind of how I think of Quake. Like you're being dropped into an existing universe after most of the larger fighting has already subsided. Levels that you download are pockets within that universe - independent of the whole, but still tied in through common monsters and items. 

How likely is it that humans would equip modern day soldiers with huge axes, afterall?

Very likely.

Modern-day Tomahawks designed by the late Peter LaGana included wood handles, a hatchet-like bit and a leather sheath and were used by select U.S. forces during the Vietnam war and are referred to as "Vietnam Tomahawks".

American Tomahawk Company's "VTAC" ("Vietnam Tactical Tomahawk") is in use by the US Army Stryker Brigade in Afghanistan, the 172nd SBCT Team based at Fort Wainwright, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, a Recon Platoon in the 2-183d CAV (116th IBCT)(OIF 2007-2008) and numerous other soldiers.[6][9] The VTAC was issued a National Stock Number(4210-01-518-7244) and classified as a �Class 9 rescue kit� as a result of a program called the Rapid Fielding Initiative; it is also included within every Stryker vehicle as the �Modular Entry Tool set�.[6][9] This design is enjoying something of a renaissance with US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan as a tool and in use in hand-to-hand combat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_%28axe%29

US forces were equipped with axes during world war II. I would guess the same goes for other nations' troops.

Why not? Multipurpose tool, can be used in hand to hand combat (countless historical examples), put one in every car.

My pioneer unit was having similar stuff in their vehicles. When you're unexpectedly up against zombified humans and other monstrosities, a soldier might just grab one of those.

I find that pretty understandable.

Quake's axe has a full metal handle and looks pretty tactical to me. It's not a tomahawk, and even if it isn't standard issue to every space marine, there are any number of scenarios in which Qguy could have acquired it, similar to Freeman's crowbar. That's how I see it. Perhaps he just grabbed half of the standard rescue kit before he left. Whatever.

Even crossbows have modern versions that are employed tactically.

You guys can be so tight-assed sometimes. Chainsaws are OK, yes? 

Chainsaws are alright in theory, but I often find the noise a bit annoying and it's difficult to get the feeling of 'contact' correct. 

I like this game so far. Playing as corporal and in the 3rd level,open the elevator door and you're going to be busy. These guys worked 4 years on this and it's free. Lets give some thanks. Thanks.
Ron post #9 I agree with you on the older games and I'm tired of having to upgrade everytime a new wave of games come out too. Lets ad rtcw and undying to that list. My thoughts are if they still made games like quake,half life,unreal etc and sold them for around $30 everyone would be rich. And please give us another Rune. Yes I'm on the list.
Willem can you give me the names of some of the tons of games you can play on a 3.0 GHz processor Nvidia Geforce 5700 128 mb memory and with a with a gig of pc memory or anyone else?
Shambler glad to see you pipe up once in a while. I remember your Quake reviews although you said you quit because you couldn't stand anymore quake. That hurt.
Lets face it not many shooters have themes. Half life and Unreal are a couple exceptions.
I think the Quake 2 music is annoying too but you can turn it off. 

"Willem can you give me the names of some of the tons of games you can play on a 3.0 GHz processor Nvidia Geforce 5700 128 mb memory and with a with a gig of pc memory or anyone else? "

Dude, please. If you're rocking an outdated PC, there's nothing I can do for you. Play old games. 

BTW, I was referring to consoles when I said there are tons of great games out there days. I don't game that much on my PC. 

Dude, please. If you're rocking an outdated PC, there's nothing I can do for you. Play old games.
Dude. We were talking about older games. Remember? This is a PC forum Dude 

I stand corrected on turning off the music. Probably can take the file out with a pk ripper. 

"Dude. We were talking about older games. Remember? This is a PC forum Dude"

No, we were talking about modern shooter disease, weren't we? Modern would imply new games. 

Comparing PC gaming to console hints at a huge part of the problem actually. 

That the problem is based on an elitism surrounding PC gamers being unable to accept that a mass produced console can be a platform for beautiful, involving and highly enjoyable (both through gameplay and interesting challenge) games? 

The problem is that all who prefer playing on console are going to hell. 

not all of us are rich enough or inclined to spend money upgrading our comp every 6 mths to play each new game.

Having said that, on my now 5+ yr old rig with 1.5 yr 9800gtx, I can play most things except GTAIV which ran like a dog. 

we're not seriously arguing whether there's a huge difference between console and pc games, are we?

And I agree, console shooters took a large part in spreading modern shooter disease. 

There is no problem with console gaming per se. The problem are the drooling fuckwits telling everybody how playing FPS with a controller instead of a keyboard and mouse is supposedly not a handicap at all and that its actually better. You have a mental and/or physical disability, I get it, but not everybody does. 

It's not a handicap in the console environment where everyone is doing it - what's the difference? It's an even playing field and it works fine.

Sure, you can't compete against someone with a mouse/keyboard combination but since that isn't going to happen anytime soon - why the rage? 

wasn't there a shitstorm a little while back about that? some fps game was playable on both PC and xbox and console gamers were bitching because PC gamers had an edge.