Frenetic, fast - a total blast!

This is Dirty Harry’s dream come true - a killing field with no holds barred.

That would describe the sensation of playing the newest installment in the vaunted Quake series - Quake III: Arena. This is an online game that requires more than brains, it requires reflexes and intuition.

There is armor ahead - do you take a chance and try to find it? Or do you play it safe and lie low, waiting for one of your opponents to venture into your firing range? Hesitate, and it’s goodbye.

The latest version of id Software’s (in conjunction with Activision) series is a quick ride into adrenalin rush, a not-so-smooth sailing into what you can accomplish, and a great comeuppance of your warrior shortcomings.

Yes, you can play this game offline, learning the intricacies of the program against 32 computer-controlled robots (or bots) that do little more than play target practice for you in four difficulty levels. But venture online, join the more than 600 servers dedicated to this game, and you’ll find out what you are made of.

Don’t bank on interpersonal reaction. This game lacks it. It is a no-holds-barred shootfest. You are given many lives, and chances are you will need them.

The game boards range from dungeons to castle fronts and hallways.

The goal is to equip yourself with the best weaponry, find the armor and don it to protect your fragile being, and then blast anyone else who is foolish enough to venture into range of your guns. Think it sounds easy? Forget that. Quake III: Arena is populated by skilled players who relish the carnage (OK, perhaps that is not quite right), and are willing to put their skills up against any comers.

For the uninitiated, Quake was the mind-boggling shooter program that boasted solid graphics, and unstoppable action. Mission packs have added to the sensation of Q2, but something always seemed to be missing. id Software ventured where few shooter games (aside from one other game of note) have dared to tread - into the realm of impersonal online combat. Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules! You come, you fight, you die or survive. That is all there is.

The premise is this: You are put into a combat zone, with various points that will improve your armament, your armor, or your supply of ammunition. Proceed from point A to point B with a host of others all there to accomplish the same thing. Exterminate any who get in your way.

Yes, there are servers that allow you to join a team, but in the heat of the battle, it can be tough to distinguish between the good guys and the bad. At least in Sierra’s Tribes, you could tell who was on your side; but in this program, you need to rely on senses and brains.

What fun!

Game boards are wide ranging. The sound is stock and nothing to brag about. As far as role-playing games are concerned, this is the ultimate. A first-person perspective, rapid-view and touch controls combine to thrust the gamer into the heat of action.

There is one setback. If you possess older 3D cards, be prepared to spend some time online downloading the right recognition software (from GLSetup.com) and then drivers so that this program will play smoothly on your system. Once that is accomplished, you can venture into the world of Quake III: Arena.

Play offline, creating a character from one of the predesigned figures, then hone your skills in a variety of combat scenarios. Icons floating along the path will help you equip your warrior. And then when ready, jump online to test those skills.

Quake III: Arena is solid, from the settings to the action.

It is rated Mature for animated blood and gore, and animated violence.

So, do you feel lucky punk? Do you?

Installation: 3. While the initial install isn’t bad, for owners of 3D cards this system doesn’t recognize will spend between 45 minutes to an hour getting the right program and download to put the system in line with their hardware.

Gameplay: 9. Single player will do fine, but multiplayer is where the action is and this game rocks there.

Graphics: 9. Very well rendered and the gameboard is tremendous.

Sound: 6. Clicks of weapons loading and impact are standard, adding nothing to the genre.

Concept: 7. Bottom line, it’s an Internet shooter game.

Difficulty: 9. The challenge is in facing on-line opponents. You can configure single player to a win scenario, but what fun is that.

Value:7. Compared to other Internet games, this is lacking. There are more fulfilling RPGs on the market, but this is still a great deal of fun if interacting with the right group.

Overall: 7.1