Malice: 23rd Century Ultraconversion for Quake

The Good
Malice is a total conversion for the original Quake, meaning that you must own Quake already in order to play it. Now, you're probably saying "Oh, so it's just a glorified fan mod?"

Well, let me tell you, buster, this "fan mod" is more sophisticated, more fun, and better designed than Quake II could ever hope to be. You play a tough guy mercenary trying to make a buck in a dystopian future run by powerful corporate crime lords. The bigshot you did the last job for hasn't paid you yet, so our hero decides to pay him a visit.

The ensuing adventure actually has a plotline, unlike Quake, and as you traverse the spectacular levels consisting of cityscapes, underground bunkers, seedy clubs, and other places, you'll find quite an impressive arsenal. The weapons here are better than in most commercial shooters. There's rocket launchers, UZI's, flamethrowers, auto-shotguns, and other things. The weapons here are perfect, far better than in any of the Quakes. The UZI is the best implementation of that weapon I've seen in a game. Malice was also one of the first games to implement a reload key, and it certainly adds an enjoyable element of strategy.

You can also use various cool gadgets, like a parachute (Yes, a parachute), a jetboard (Who needs rocket jumps?), submarines, diving gear, and remote-controlled camera bots. This ain't your grandaddy's Quake.

The music is excellent, fits the game quite very well, and is worth listening to in it's own right. Sounds are great, the voice acting is also shockingly world class.

The game's about medium length, but quite tough, however, though not because of enemy spamming. The level design is very good, and quite varied, some of the best you'll see for Quake.

The Bad
The plot is a little obvious, and since this is a Quake mod, the graphics, while excellent and a welcome relief from Quake's relentless brown, are still 1996-era. Doesn't bother me, might bother you Xbox types.

The Bottom Line
This "mod" replaces every aspect of Quake down to the tiniest texture. It plays very, very differently from Quake, and is a much more fun and sophisticated game than Quake II. Probably the best mod ever, certainly the best commercial add-on, and definitely worth picking up if you own Quake.