Summary
- Release Year: 1998
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Rogue Entertainment
- Publishers: id Software
Quake II Mission Pack: Ground Zero (1998)
Quake II Mission Pack: Ground Zero is an expansion pack for the first-person shooter video game Quake II, developed by Rogue Entertainment and published by Activision. It was released on March 31, 1998, for Microsoft Windows and on April 2, 1999, for Linux.
Ground Zero adds 14 new single-player levels and 10 new deathmatch levels to the base game. It also introduces several new enemies, weapons, and power-ups.
Story
The story of Ground Zero takes place after the events of Quake II. The player character, Bitterman, is one of a few marines who have survived the Strogg invasion of Earth. Bitterman and his fellow marines are tasked with destroying the Gravity Well, a powerful weapon that the Strogg are using to enslave humanity.
Gameplay
Ground Zero’s gameplay is similar to that of Quake II. The player character must fight their way through hordes of Strogg enemies using a variety of weapons and power-ups. The game features a variety of levels, including indoor and outdoor environments, as well as underwater and zero-gravity sections.
Ground Zero introduces several new enemies to the Quake II universe, including the Stalker, Turrets, Daedalus, Medic Commander, Carrier, and the Black Widow. Each enemy has its own unique abilities and weaknesses, and players must adapt their strategies to defeat them.
Ground Zero also introduces several new weapons to the game, including the Chainsaw, ETF Rifle, and Plasma Beam. The Chainsaw is a powerful melee weapon that can quickly dispatch enemies, while the ETF Rifle is a long-range weapon that can fire through walls. The Plasma Beam is a powerful energy weapon that can deal massive damage to enemies.
In addition to the new enemies and weapons, Ground Zero also introduces several new power-ups. The Vengeance Sphere makes the player character temporarily invincible, while the Hunter Sphere allows the player character to see enemies through walls. The Anti-matter bomb is a powerful explosive that can be used to clear out large groups of enemies.
Reception
Ground Zero received generally positive reviews from critics. IGN praised the game’s new enemies, weapons, and levels, and said that it was “a must-play for fans of Quake II.” GameSpot also praised the game’s new content, but criticized its short length.
Ground Zero was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year from PC Gamer and Computer Gaming World.
Legacy
Ground Zero is considered to be one of the best expansion packs ever made. It added a significant amount of new content to Quake II, and its new enemies, weapons, and power-ups helped to keep the game fresh. Ground Zero is still played by many fans today, and it is considered to be a classic of the first-person shooter genre.
Conclusion
Quake II Mission Pack: Ground Zero is an excellent expansion pack that adds a significant amount of new content to the base game. It is a must-play for fans of Quake II, and it is still played by many fans today.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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