The Sword of Ares is a 1998 unlicensed total conversion for Quake.
The game adds several features not available in vanilla Quakes, such as the ability to switch to a third-person view (which may be a bit buggy) and several selectable player skins.
The Sword of Ares was made of free content but was distributed as shareware. It appears that the registered version (as a separate PAK file) was eventually made available by the author as a free download too, as it can be found on PlanetQuake mirrors alongside the shareware release. It is an unofficial commercial total conversion, whether it was licensed by id Software is unclear.
The game retailed at $9.99 on their official website.
An episode consisting of three large levels and a start map by Tronyn and PM. The maps follow an evil metal-Egyptian-flesh texture theme and include many modified and new monsters, new items, and weapons as well as other custom codes (arwop.txt). The episode also features background music inspired by The Doors (can be turned off with "impulse 17") and a hidden fifth difficulty mode. The gameplay is fast and very hard, blending in with the strong 'Doom vibe' it conveys - especially the boss battle is extremely tough.
Knee-Deep in ZDoom (also known by the abbreviation KDiZD) is a ten-level PK3 for The Ultimate Doom, designed for use with the ZDoom source port. The project was led by Daniel Gimmer (Tormentor667). It was first released on June 2, 2007, and at the 2007 ceremony it picked up a regular Cacoward as well as the Mordeth award. The final version of the mod was uploaded on June 16, 2012.
The PWAD is a reinterpretation of the original id Software's Knee-Deep in the Dead. A core concept of the mod was to expand the original levels by making full use of the power of Marisa Heit (Randi)'s ZDoom port, which adds features that are not possible under the original Doom engine. The levels have an atmosphere and design similar to Quake 2, with large tech bases and similar ambient sounds.
Five Rivers is a campaign in DOOM 3 hell-style, made by JPL for Quake in 2007. This episode has three small to medium-sized, dark, and scary maps, featuring new enemies, ambient sounds, and Doom 3 textures.
Operation: Urth Majik is an early single-player episode with five medium to large IKBase/Quake2/Egyptian-themed, professionally constructed maps, new monsters/weapons, and progs including cutscenes - by an all-star Team of mappers: FatController, Tyrann, Tronyn, and Apollo. This map pack included narration, weapon from the DOOM series, and a Quake 2/Half-Life ambiance.
Carved in Flesh is an early 2003 collection of three unique new levels as you make your way across night-lit terrain and enter an epic gothic castle.
A very fresh theme was created with Fakk2 and Quake3 textures.
A partial conversion with ten new custom monsters and three powerful new weapons. Alongside this bestiary, almost all Quake monsters have been modified, either with a new skin, improved AI, or a new arsenal.
One of Dustin "Tronyn" Geeraert's best solo works.
Two medium-sized experimental vertical maps with a unique flesh-temple theme and very uncompromising low-gravity gameplay. Tronyn shows his love for Lovecraftian tales in this map pack; Nyarlathotep exploits the abyss, cosmic horror, and abstraction, all at once in its level design.
Lone Wolves, gear up for Season 2 of Halo Infinite! Experience fresh content including new maps, modes, themed limited-time events, and an all-new Battle Pass that never expires.
A nine-map single-player episode with Daikatana E3 and Hexen II textures, and monsters from Nehahra, Scourge of Armagon, and Coven of Ebony. While this map taken from other, bigger mods ("Tronyn's" own Coven of Ebony for example), was one of the few intricate map packs of 2001 and stood the test of time many years later.
Medieval/fantasy episode consisting of five medium to large maps - the sequel to Soul of Evil. Also features new and modified monsters, weapons, and items as well as a story in the vein of SOE unfolding throughout the maps, many custom textures, sounds, and skyboxes. The gameplay is very non-linear and very hard.
Enhanced skins are also available in this edition.
This is considered to be one of Tronyn's best map packs and should last an experienced player over two hours of playtime.
Community map pack: nine medium to large levels including a start map, using modified DOOM3 textures and running on the Arcane Dimensions mod (included). Also contains a few custom skyboxes and music tracks.
A sprawling, underground castle-clad episode in Daikatana E3 textures, with interesting progression, difficult secrets, new monsters, music, and a couple of other new features. Both a sequel and an update to This Onion. Resurrecting undead Ogres and Lava Men, what a nightmare!
Mike Woodham came back in 2013 to gift us this remake of his 1997 to 2000 mapping, and a remake of "This Onion". The definitive "Mike Woodman" map, encapsulates all of his works.
Old two-episode pack from 2002.
Two episodes! "Soul Of Evil is a primarily single-player Quake game, although it also supports deathmatch, cooperative, arena mode (a new type of gameplay), as well as bot matches."
Two excellent Wizard-style SP episodes with modified and new monsters, many custom textures, and seven additional deathmatch maps.
No doubt one of Dustin "Tronyn" Geeraert's best mapping expositions, especially for 2002.
Huge and intricately detailed map set in a medieval swampy environment. Loosely based on E1M3. New monsters, new textures, a new soundtrack, another great "sock" map pack. This map pack requires Arcane Dimensions to work (included) and should last an experienced player one hour of playtime.
A huge three-map single-player campaign of epic proportions: A vast arcane demon fortress built into a mountain, complete with a canyon start map and a bloody boss arena. The levels are based on the Drake mod (included) which features a plethora of new monsters and items. Many secrets (up to 30 secrets on the main map) and hard gameplay.
This map should last an experienced player up to one hour.
One of Tronyn's best map packs.
"Quake-style mixed with Doom gameplay"
Early in 2005, possibly one of CZG's most famous map packs, an Episode with six medium-sized bases, Wizard-themed levels, and a start map.
Another Func_Msgboard release.
Underwater Jam - a community map pack featuring nine (under)water-themed levels by various authors. They use different texture styles and some custom monsters/assets.
This massive (66366 Kilobytes) map pack will last you well over 3 hours of playtime.
Probably the evilest and most hostile atmosphere a Quake release ever had. This episode is built upon Quoth code and monsters. It comes with "dark ambient" music which adds to the feeling. The levels are huge, and the number of monsters in each one is extreme. An essential release, but clearly not for everyone.
This episode is three-hour-long for experienced players to clear.
After a long wait, the Func Forum release its tenth Func Jam X - Tenth community mapping jam: 14 Insomnia-themed levels plus a start map. It comes with a couple of custom skyboxes, sounds, and music tracks. The map sources are included.
Possibly the last Func Jam.