Slave Zero X Episode Enyo is a strange tie-in to a strange game, a free prequel Quake mod for the upcoming 2D character action game Slave Zero X, itself a 1999 PC/Dreamcast mech game called Slave Zero prequel. The context may seem esoteric, but even if it's not "Slave Zero-pilled" (sorry), the six-level Quake campaign is a solid little free FPS that is well worth your time.

Episode Enyo puts you as one of Slave Zero X's main villains, but the gun-toting assassin-type Enyo is a perfect fit for the Boomer Shooter spin-off. Poppy Works and Ironwood Software have done an excellent job of distinguishing this complete conversion from the Quake on which it is based.

They replaced Quake's unique gun collection with a more classic Doom-like lineup (pistols, machine guns, shotguns, plasma rifles, etc.), but they all look and feel good. The enemies consist of the classic Quake lineup, but reskinned with high-quality, more Slave Zero X-appropriate models: the Death Knight is now an armored cybercop with a riot shield, the Scrag is an automated drone, and the dreaded Shambler disguised in a shell of power armor that looks like it was smuggled out of the Fallout Enclave dressing room.

The spectacular cyberpunk saturation of '80s neon in gaming is dangerously close to reaching its peak.

These cityscapes are really dirty and nasty (perfect for "Quake"), with the requisite Japanese-letter neon signs in nice pop colors; "Slave Zero X" has a bio-horror element, and "Episode Enyo" has Giger-like creepy statues and skyboxes.

These are also solid boomer shooter levels that encourage exploration and secret-finding, with many vertically oriented areas, switchbacks, and even some alternate routes. sense, etc., I enjoyed them, although I don't think there is a level of recent retro FPS with the killer edge needed to really stand out.

Episode Enyo is an outstanding Quake campaign on its own, but its connection to Slave Zero X is really interesting, as Larian's forgotten RTS "Divinity" and the adventure game "Hypnagnor" - games of different genres in the same setting are more expansive: it is always a pleasure to see Larian's forgotten RTS "Divinity: Dragon Commander" or the FPS spin-off "Slayers X" of the adventure game "Hypnospace Outlaw": Terminal Aftermath": Vengance of the Slayer.

But unlike some other pretty good games, Episode Enyo is free. If you have the Nightdive remaster, you can simply download Episode Enyo from the addons section of the main menu, but the mod also works with the main source port of O.G. Quake, and the project is available for download on ModDB.

Meanwhile, Slave Zero X itself will be released on February 21; you can check out the game's wishlist and demo on Steam