Shooters. Shooters. Shooters! They’re everywhere right now. We have the disappointing Haze; COD4 is still tearing up the Network with its rabid fan base, Clancy’s keeping Vegas terrorist-free in the Rainbow Six sequel and this issue’s exclusive review, of Battlefield Bad Company looks tasty. Now id Software is making its PS3 debut with the riotously addictive, objective based, multiplayer focused Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. Yes, there is a single-player campaign, but frankly, this is not where you’ll experience Quake Wars at its peak. It’s about jumping online, playing as either a member of the Earth Defense Force (EDF) or the nefarious and ugly Strogg.

Objectives need to be completed like hacking computers, constructing gun turrets and generally making your opponents life a bitch - but you can ignore all of this in the carnage of battle and just go gun crazy. Naturally, you’ll probably piss off your teammates acting the eejit with the hot lead so if an objective falls to you - get to it. Granted, if you do want to keep the battle in your front room before exploring the net, the AI in the single-player mode will give you just as good a kicking as some of your online counterparts. And that’s the reason to take on a few solo campaigns before sticking your head out there.

There are multiple classes on each side including medics, soldiers, tech guys, constructors and covert op troopers for those hacking, stealthier objectives we just mentioned. Each side plays home to a wealth of rip-roaring firepower, vehicles (including our fave, the Strogg’s jet pack). There are twelve maps on offer, each hugely impressive thanks to the wonders of John Carmack’s texture mapping ingenuity through the clever use of MegaTexture.

So has it got the chops to steal players away from COD4? Not quite, it lacks the depth and subtly of COD4’s maps and upgrades, but there’s enough here to keep you coming back for more if you fancy a break.

Jun 6, 2008