History VideoGame / QuakeIV

** The box art may seem innocent enough, showing a brain between the Quake logo. It's actually alluding to the [[spoiler: TrueFinalBoss, the Nexus Core]].

* TrueFinalBoss: [[spoiler:The Makron]] is ''not'' the final boss. After defeating both of his forms, the player has to destroy [[spoiler: The Nexus]].

* FissionMailed: This happens when Kane gets defeated by the Makron halfway through the game. It seems like the player's character got killed and the game should restart to the last checkpoint, but it turns out that Kane is [[FateWorseThanDeath ''unfortunately'' still alive]].

* MythologyGag: The runes in the Arena CTF mode work the same and are named the same as in ''Quake III: Team Arena''.

** Special mention to the soldier who [[LeeroyJenkins plays hero]], jumps into a Strogg teleporter and gets [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe bisected]] by the security measures. Were they paying attention to the briefing that only Stroggified-Kane may use the teleporter?

* DoorJam: Towards the end of the game, Matthew Kane is the only person able to go through the Strogg teleporter to face the final boss, as he has been partially "Stroggified" himself and the teleporter is fatal to humans (as one unlucky soldier discovered the hard way). His squad mates are still able to communicate with him, though.

* EliteMooks: The Tactical Stroggs (actually humans who have gone through the Strogification process), who wil actually display genuine tactics such as using cover in order to kill you. Unilke the normal Strogg guards who like [[LeeroyJenkins to charge at you screaming.]]

* BodyHorror: Stroggification subjects are put into heavy sedation and, as a result, are [[AndIMustScream 75% paralyzed]]. Through an assembly-line-like process, they ''rip open the stomach, saw off the legs, fuse new legs and armor to the skin, put a big helmet on them, insert a control chip into the victim's brain, and then activate said chip so he/she can serve the Strogg.''

* BossInMookClothing:
** Gladiators and Heavy Hovertanks in the foot-based levels. In vehicle-based levels, where wiping out Strogg is pretty easy, they become regular mooks.

* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: During the first visit to the Hannibal, you can hear this exchange when exiting for the field:
--> '''Marine''': Hannibal! I need a medic!\\

* MolotovCocktail[=/=]KillItWithFire: The multiplayer-only Napalm launcher, introduced after several patches.

* {{Nostalgia Level}}s:

* BottomlessMagazines: The [[RangedEmergencyWeapon Blaster pistol]] never runs out of ammo.

* FateWorseThanDeath: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3clVvh5gbGE The Stroggification process]]. As if being conscious through all that mutilation isn't bad enough, until the higher brain functions atrophy, the victims are forced to watch as their body is used to kill their fellow men [[AndIMustScream without being able to do anything]]. The ones who ''[[UpToEleven really]]'' have it bad, however, are failed and slimy transfers, humans for whom something went wrong during their Stroggification process and are turned into mindless, zombie-like creatures, and the mutilated and ''still living'' torsos that the Strogg use as an energy source for their installations.

* BorrowingFromTheSisterSeries: The Dark Matter Gun is a spiritual-successor of sorts to the [=BFG10K=] from ''II'', which itself drew from the original {{BFG}} in Id Software sister property, ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''. The Super Nailgun and Lightning Gun also make their first appearance in the Strogg storyline, originally introduced in ''VideoGame/QuakeI''.

* BorrowingFromTheSisterSeries: The Dark Matter Gun is a spiritual-successor of sorts to the BFG10K from ''II'', which itself drew from the original {{BFG}} in Id Software sister property, ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''.

* RightBehindMe: Some scenes have careless soldiers getting mauled at the hands of Strogg.

* TheSmurfettePrinciple: As with ''II'', the Iron Maiden is the only female Strogg in the game.

* AwesomeButImpractical: In single player, the Lightning Gun has niche uses and [[BottomlessMagazines does not require reloading]] but its lack of power-per-shot means that you typically need to get out of cover and face enemy fire to bring it to bear. This can be borderline suicidal against Tactical Strogg teams where the Railgun and explosives are preferable for their powerful rounds that allow you to take cover after firing. The Nailgun's assault-oriented niche also overlaps with the Lightning Gun thanks to its [[HomingProjectile homing]] ability. It doesn't help that you actually acquire the homing upgrade ''before'' the Lightning Gun, while Lightning Gun rounds are surprisingly rare for how situational it is.

* DecapitatedArmy: Destroying [[spoiler:the Nexus Core]] leaves the Strogg in disarray. However, while [[spoiler:Rhino Squad celebrates, Kane is informed [[CliffHanger "...you have new orders"]] and the credits roll]].

* BaldWomen: The Iron Maidens.

* GuideDangIt: When the Rocket Launcher is upgraded, you gain the ability to fire three missiles in quick succession and can press the secondary fire to enable laser-guided mode. What the game does not make clear is that the laser guide can be enabled to steer missles fired in dumbfire mode if you wish to guide them and also benefit from the increased speed of dumbfire mode.

* AwesomeButImpractical: In single player player, the Lightning Gun has niche uses and [[BottomlessMagazines does not require reloading]] but its lack of power-per-shot means that you typically need to get out of cover and face enemy fire to bring it to bear. This can be borderline suicidal against Tactical Strogg teams where the Railgun and explosives are preferable for their powerful rounds that allow you to take cover after firing. The Nailgun's assault-oriented niche also overlaps with the Lightning Gun thanks to its [[HomingProjectile homing]] ability. It doesn't help that you actually acquire the homing upgrade ''before'' the Lightning Gun, while Lightning Gun rounds are surprisingly rare for how situational it is.

* BlueOrangeContrast: A variant. The Marines are, rather than blue, olive green, while the Strogg are orange. This is reflected in their respective [=UIs=] as well as in their uniforms. It also makes [[spoiler:Matthew Kane]] stand out even more, post-Stroggification, when standing amongst the rest of Rhino Squad. Interestingly enough, this is also carried to the multiplayer mode, where, instead of red vs. blue, team matches are green vs. orange.

** At the beginning of the game, your superior informs you that [[VideoGame/QuakeII the Makron was destroyed and the planet's intergalactic defense forces are down]].

* FissionMailed: This happens when Kane gets defeated by the Makron halway through the game. It seems like the player's character got killed and the game should restart to the last checkpoint, but it turns out that Kane is [[FateWorseThanDeath ''unfortunately'' still alive]].

The game has a [[Characters/QuakeIV character sheet]], [[NeedsWikiMagicLove currently under development]].

* AwesomeButImpractical: In single player player, Lightning Gun has niche uses and [[BottomlessMagazines does not require reloading]] but its lack of power-per-shot means that you typically need to get out of cover and face enemy fire to bring it to bear. This can be borderline suicidal against Tactical Strogg teams where the Railgun and explosives are preferable for their powerful rounds that allow you to take cover after firing. The Nailgun's assault-oriented niche also overlaps with the Lightning Gun thanks to its [[HomingProjectile homing]] ability. It doesn't help that you actually acquire the homing upgrade ''before'' the Lightning Gun, while Lightning Gun rounds are surprisingly rare for how situational it is.

** The [[spoiler: Makron]] has design similarities to the Blackwidow Guardian's second form in ''Quake II: Ground Zero'', as do the Stream Protectors.
** The Processing Plant from ''VideoGame/QuakeII'' is reintroduced in this game as a Stroyent production factory. Like in the former, the Stroyent production is also performed by emulsifying flesh and you're also sent on a mission to cripple the facility. The story arc is much more lenghty with you dealing the killing blow to the facility by slaying the Storyent Processing Creature in the '''Putrification Center'''.

* EliteMooks: The Tactical Stroggs (actually humans who has gone through the Strogification process), who wil actually display genuine tactics such as using cover in order to kill you. Unilke the normal Strogg guards who like [[LeeroyJenkins to charge at you screaming.]]

* HappyEndingOverride: The Ending to the second Quake II expansion pack (Ground Zero) implies the entire Strogg race has been wiped out. Obviously, this isn't the case here.

* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Strogg Gladiators has one which they only drop in order to attack. Hope your good with timing.

* RestrainingBolt: Every soon-to-be Strogg has a neurocyte planted in their brain during Stroggification; this chip suppresses the being's free will once fully activated, making them unable to rebel against the other Strogg. [[spoiler:Fortunately for Kane, who just went through most of the Stroggification process, he's rescued by his fellow Rhino Squad members just before his is activated]].

** In the Waste Processing Facility, you encounter zombie-like Strogg, which come in two types: the Slimy Transfer, which is capable of puking noxious acid at you, and the Failed Transfer, which carries a shotgun, but whose legs can be blown off, where it's upper torso has the ability to lunge at you.

* UnwillingRoboticisation: Any Strogg with human parts has been subjected to this.

The UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} version of the game, and the PC Special Edition, come with ''Quake II'' and its expansion packs included.

The UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} version of the game comes with ''Quake II'' embedded on it.

* AwesomeButImpractical: In single player player, Lightning Gun has niche uses and [[BottomlessMagazines does not require reloading]] but its lack of power-per-shot means that you typically need to get out of cover and face enemy fire to bring it to bear. This can be borderline suicidal against Tactical Strogg teams where the Railgun and explosives are preferable for their powerful rounds that allow you to take cover after firing. The Nailgun also overlaps with the Lightning Gun thanks to its [[HomingAttack homing]] ability that you actually acquire ''before'' the Lightning Gun, while Lightning Gun rounds are surprisingly rare for how situational it is.

* GenreShift: The first third of the game is pretty standard MilitaryScienceFiction fare. Come the game's SignatureScene however, and the tone takes a heavy shift into full-on BioPunk territory.