To put it succinctly, Quake II's first victim is the original Quake. This first-person shooter is more graphically hip and audibly slick than its predecessor; the creators even found it within their furry brains to provide for a more cohesive story line. But, with all the toothy weapons, power-ups and nasty surprises, it's not always the BFD-equipped grunt that wins the day. Weapons, armor, and power-ups are essential, but sometimes it's the odd or unexpected combination of gear and guns that's going to make the difference. This is also true, significantly, for the death match, where any number of variables now make for a more intense and even multiplayer melee.
Single players have cause for rejoicing as well. A more logical and integrated mission-driven option actually manages to string together a crude story line. It's enough to infuse some genuine chills as the mission progresses deep within the bowels of the blasted-out complex. --Tamara Hladik
