Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is first and foremost a multiplayer game. While there is a single-player mode, it isn't much more than the multiplayer aspects with A.I.-controlled bots rather than real people. There isn't even much of an attempt to build some sort of story around the single-player content aside from a brief intro movie that sets up humanity's first encounter with the Strogg and the following war. From here, the game dumps you into a menu where you can jump into one of the two game types.
Regardless of which mode you choose, you're doing the same thing. Playing as either the Global Defense Force (GDF) or Strogg, you join a team of eight people and take part in objective-based battles over twelve maps. The mission structure that makes up each map is the game's strongest suit, so it is a shame that it wasn't built up a little more. Each map features three tasks that must be completed before time runs out. Some maps place the GDF as the aggressor while others give the honor to the Strogg. Tasks rarely get more complicated that "Build that bridge" or "Hack this mainframe" and, truthfully, they sound more exciting than they really are (most just require you to run to a spot and hit a button), but at least they give you something more to do and build up some sort of co-op camaraderie.
In fact, little emphasis is placed on personal achievement; the after-action reports highlight special commendations, though things like kill counts are absent. Quake Wars does, however, feature a ranking system and leaderboards, so players can still brag about how awesome they are. There's also an in-game ranking system that awards players with experience for completing tasks. As you hit certain experience goals, you'll earn new abilities and weapons for your current class. Unfortunately, any perks you earn are only good until the end of the match, which is a major downer since it is rare that you'll be able to use some of the higher-ranked skills in a normal match anyway.
