10 Twisted Secret Levels In Video Games

10. Quake - Ziggurat Vertigo

Quake might not have had the personality of its predecessor DOOM, or its rival-at-the-time Duke Nukem 3D, though it still deservingly goes down as one of the finest, fast-paced shooters out there.

The game’s first chapter hosts a very unique secret level, especially when compared to the others.

When you spawn inside, you realize Ziggurat Vertigo is a tall level with a temple nearby. As you go for a jump you--whoa-whoa-WHOA, what’s happened to the gravity?

The hint’s in the name: the level has one-eighth less gravity, meaning a simple jump can send you quite literally flying. You’ll fall like a feather. Preferably not into a pool of lava.

It adds a tricky twist to the situation. You can make extravagant leaps of faith to reach higher parts of the level, and can leap over obstacles while pumping out a few dozen nails, or carpet bombing the Ogres.

On the flip-side, you’ll be a sitting duck to the flying monsters, as well as the big, bad, lightning-blasting Shamblers up top. You can’t fall any faster, so deciding where and when to jump is crucial.

Zero-gravity gunfights in Ziggurat Vertigo is a one-of-a-kind experience. Prepare to die a lot. Most deaths will likely be caused by delicately falling into the lava pools below.