Quarantine: More Than Just a Taxi Ride

In the annals of video game history, certain titles emerge from the digital ether, carving out a unique niche and achieving a revered cult status. 'Quarantine,' released in 1995, is undeniably one such game. Far from your typical driving simulator, this futuristic taxi simulation game offered a brutal, unpretentious, and utterly visceral experience that predated many of its more famous successors by several years. Set in the dystopian metropolis of KEMO City, 'Quarantine' thrusts players into the driver's seat of a heavily armed hovercab, tasked with navigating treacherous streets, picking up fares, and engaging in relentless combat. It's a game that, despite its age, still resonates with players seeking raw, unfiltered action and a darkly compelling narrative.

The Genesis of Urban Mayhem

Before the likes of 'Grand Theft Auto' became household names, 'Quarantine' was already pushing the boundaries of what a driving game could be. Developed by Imagex and published by GameTek, it was one of the first titles to truly embrace irreverent violence and a sense of chaotic freedom. The core premise is deceptively simple: you are Drake Edgewater, a taxi driver in KEMO City, a sprawling urban landscape that has fallen into utter disarray. The city's economy has collapsed, crime is rampant, and the streets are patrolled by criminals in armoured hovercars. In a desperate attempt to regain control, the OmniCorp corporation erected a massive wall, effectively turning KEMO City into a giant prison. To further pacify the populace, OmniCorp released a behaviour-altering chemical, Hydergine 344, into the water supply. The unintended consequence? Widespread insanity and a city populated by crazed killers. As one of the few unaffected individuals, Drake's mission is to survive, earn money by completing missions, upgrade his iconic '52 Checker hovercab, and, most importantly, escape the city.

Gameplay: Drive-By Shooting and Visceral Fun

The primary gameplay loop of 'Quarantine' revolves around a compelling blend of taxi simulation and intense combat. Players must pick up passengers and deliver packages, all while contending with the city's dangerous inhabitants. Between missions, players can visit service stations to replenish ammunition and armour, essential for survival in this hostile environment. The game's progression is structured through missions that take players through KEMO City's various districts, with certain areas locked behind password-protected gates until specific story objectives are met. What truly set 'Quarantine' apart, however, was its groundbreaking implementation of the drive-by shooting mechanic. Long before 'Grand Theft Auto III' popularised this feature, 'Quarantine' allowed players to lean out of the side windows of their hovercab and unleash a hail of bullets from an Uzi, targeting pedestrians and enemy vehicles alike. This, coupled with the ability to upgrade the vehicle with an assortment of weaponry, provided a level of player agency and destructive capability that was revolutionary for its time. The game didn't shy away from its violent nature, with one of its original advertising slogans famously boasting, "If you've got the ram, we've got the pedestrians," a clear nod to the visceral, often shocking, interactions players could have with the game's environment.

A Look at the Ports: Hard Rock Cab and Death Throttle

'Quarantine' originally debuted on PC, but its unique gameplay and gritty aesthetic proved popular enough to warrant ports to other platforms. In Japan, the game was released exclusively on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn under different titles: 'Hard Rock Cab' for the PlayStation and 'Death Throttle' for the Sega Saturn. While these versions largely retained the core gameplay of the PC original, they offered some visual enhancements, particularly in floor and building texturing. However, these improvements came at a cost, with both console versions suffering from noticeable slowdown and pixelation. The Japanese ports also featured localised text for essential information, though much of the in-game text remained in English, and the live-action video sequences were neither dubbed nor subtitled. Notably, the PlayStation version included a censorship option, allowing players to opt for green blood, a common practice for censoring violence in games of that era.

Soundtrack: A CD of Chaos

As was common with many PC games released in the 1990s, the CD version of 'Quarantine' featured a soundtrack composed of audio tracks from various bands. These tracks, often edgy and fitting the game's dark, chaotic tone, added another layer to the immersive experience. The first track, for instance, is about someone stepping out in front of a car, a darkly humorous and fitting introduction to the game's pedestrian-dodging gameplay. While some might find the selection of tracks "inappropriate" for certain tastes, they undoubtedly contributed to the game's unique and memorable atmosphere, enhancing the feeling of driving through a city on the brink of collapse.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, 'Quarantine' garnered a dedicated following, earning it a cult classic status among action and driving game enthusiasts. Reviewers praised its innovative gameplay mechanics, its dark and engaging narrative, and its unflinching commitment to visceral action. While the graphics were considered impressive for 1995 standards, it was the freedom to ignore the main plot and simply wreak havoc that truly captured players' imaginations. Games like 'Grand Theft Auto,' released three years later, would go on to achieve mainstream success by building upon the foundations laid by 'Quarantine.' The game's ability to provide "pure, unfiltered, visceral fun" remains a testament to its design. Its legacy lies not only in its pioneering of certain gameplay elements but also in its bold, uncompromising vision of a dystopian future where survival is a daily struggle, and your taxi is your only weapon.

Key Features of Quarantine

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quarantine a real game?

Yes, 'Quarantine' is a real and influential video game released in 1995. It is a futuristic taxi simulation with significant action and combat elements.

When was Quarantine released?

'Quarantine' was first released in 1995 for PC.

Does Quarantine have a drive-by shooter mechanic?

Yes, 'Quarantine' is notable for being one of the earliest games to feature a drive-by shooting mechanic, allowing players to shoot from their vehicle's windows.

Is there a CD version of Quarantine?

Yes, like many games of its era, 'Quarantine' had a CD version that included audio tracks from various bands, contributing to its unique atmosphere.

What were the console ports of Quarantine?

The game was ported to PlayStation as 'Hard Rock Cab' and to Sega Saturn as 'Death Throttle' in Japan, featuring enhanced textures but also some performance issues.

What is the main goal in Quarantine?

The main goal is to survive the chaotic KEMO City by picking up fares, completing missions, upgrading your hovercab, and ultimately finding a way to escape the city.

In conclusion, 'Quarantine' stands as a significant title in gaming history, offering a raw and unadulterated glimpse into a world of urban decay and vehicular mayhem. Its blend of simulation and action, coupled with its pioneering mechanics, cemented its place as a beloved cult classic, inspiring future generations of open-world games.

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