So far, we've learned that Quake 4 is a really great yet shitty game, not worth the paltry $50. FEAR is a derivative masterpiece also not worth a mere $50. HL2's facial animations are still woefully terrific. Celestial Toad is framing his id software shareholder's certificate. Riley Pitz is still looking to find a fellow contrarian worthy of his forensic skills. Derek Smart has submitted an application.
Goofiness aside, I'm currently halfway through FEAR and I think it's pretty well done. The immersion and creepiness reminds me of System Shock 2, however, it has some pretty big clipping issues; enemies behind me can often see through the wall I have my back against. But that's really the only flaw so far and it's not a showstopper. I'm very much enjoying saving my game before firefights, then going back to replay them and the devs are right...it never is the same. Kinda like FarCry, which rocks like a cockfight.
Since I didn't really care for Doom 3 (and I didn't think too highly of Quake 2), I've passed on Quake 4 for now. Perhaps later.
Wishing I could sign off like Ray Marden,
Horace Pankin