Quake 4 premise glimpsed

Scant.

Details and sightings of Quake 4 are so rare that we almost forgot the game was even in development before Activision sent along a few scant but tantalising details on the new project. Being developed by Raven Software, who have collaborated on id Software projects before, Quake 4 will use Carmack's luscious Doom 3 technology to perhaps its most dramatic effect yet. As with Quake 2, the last story driven bought of 'Quaking', the player will once again be squaring-up to the monstrous Stroggs. Here's the premise, straight from the publisher:

Earth is under siege by an alien race. The Strogg are cybernetic warriors--a mechanical frame and decaying body parts stabilized by flesh consumed in a systematic annihilation of other species and civilizations. In a desperate attempt to survive a Strogg attack on Earth, an armada of Earth's finest warriors is sent to take the battle to the Strogg home planet. Earth's initial assault force is nearly annihilated immediately, but one marine manages to infiltrate the base, bring down their planetary defence systems, and kill the Strogg's collective brain and leader--the Makron. Earth assumed the destruction of the Makron would end it all, but it didn't.

That's where Quake II leaves off and Quake 4 begins.

The Strogg are quickly regrouping. However, with the Strogg's planetary defences still destroyed, Earth's forces can deliver a full and final assault. This time, you're not alone. You are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad, and part of Earth's next invasion wave. An army of soldiers are fighting with you and an arsenal of weapons and vehicles are at your disposal in this heroic and epic battle between worlds.

So there we have it, its certainly a mouth-watering prospect, if Raven can muster the necessary inspiration to deliver something unique. No news on a release date yet, but we're hoping for more on this at E3. E3. It. Is.

By Luke Guttridge