This influx of re-imagined Atari games has been really great to see. There are obvious contenders for porting and documentary work – to give people more insight into the process of the game – but I have been very much charmed by this smaller, lesser-known game Quantum.
Quantum: Recharged is a slick one. The original was built on the same hardware as the original Tempest machines and controlled with a trackball. This version has a splash of Geometry Wars paint – neon colours and clear, distinct lines and the control system has been well adapted to the controller.
The premise itself is simple – played in a single arena, the ship controlled by the played cannot shoot but instead must draw shapes in enemies’ paths to destroy them. The trick is that the shape must be completed within a certain time limit – there is an option to go faster, and a dash to facilitate this – but that puts the ship at risk from colliding with other enemies. Keeping a kill count going maintains a multiplier that allows for higher scores. Getting hit loses a life and knocks down the multiplier, losing three lives ends the game. There are power ups to pick up too, they range from ones that give infinite dash for a short time, to much needed extra lives.
There are two modes: an infinite mode that is about chasing scores with a supported Leaderboard to compare with friends, and a mission mode with a series of challenges that stretch the player’s skills.
The game is responsive, the enemy patterns and challenge feel fair and are easy to read. When I died, I knew it was my fault. At the same time, it was great to get into ‘the zone’ and see myself flying through a previous highscore. Quantum: Recharged is addictive, the challenges won’t take long to get through, but pushing the infinite mode on harder difficulties will be a satisfying weekend for those with the motor skills. There is even more to dig into in co-op.
It is a tight little package, priced correctly, but there is a part of me that wanted to know more about Quantum’s origins. Having never previously heard of it, I looked through some archives and found this wonderful article on the game’s architect Betty Ryan. It gives more insight into how hard it was to make the original game as well as what Ryan went onto do (the World of Warcraft connection is a surprise).
Quantum: Recharged didn’t need these stories to stand on its own two feet, but it would have been a nice touch to have had a video interview or two, especially after what Atari has been doing elsewhere.
Overall, the missed opportunity should not deter anyone from picking the game up.
Conclusion
An excellent update to a relatively unknown arcade game. Quantum: Recharged is small in size and scope but the price is right for a cracking good time.
This game was reviewed based on Xbox S|X review code, using an Xbox S|X console. All of the opinions and insights here are subject to that version. Game provided by publisher.
