I like my video games fast-paced, challenging and free.

Luckily, “Quake Live” delivers all three straight from your Web browser.

“Quake Live” brings the classic “Quake 3 Arena,” by id Software, free of charge by putting ads inside the game and around the Web site. Released on Feb. 24, the game is in open beta so there are a few bugs still in the works.

When I first logged on and registered, I was placed in the site’s queue system. This system, designed to “usher” players into the Web site slowly to prevent the site from becoming unstable, made for a long two-hour wait.

The game requires that you download a plug-in for your browser.

Once installed, you have to wait in a queue again. Another hour of my life, gone.

When you finally do get in, the game’s tutorial host, Crash, greets you.

Crash plays a practice match with you to determine your skill level so the game will put you with other players of the same skill.

The tutorial was quick and nostalgic, lots of fun. However, my Firefox Web browser promptly crashed when it decided having fun was a mortal sin.

More than any other Web site, “Quake Live” will have your browsers screaming in pain.

I experienced several crashes just trying to get into a game.

Graphically, the game isn’t taxing, and most computers with a discrete graphics card will do fine.

Visual effects were aplenty and the sound is absolutely stellar.

I was amazed at how well the game performed when going full screen, absolutely no lag and decent resolution.

Servers can hold up to 18 players at the moment, which makes for some intense death matches.

If you find yourself getting eaten up by the competition, you can switch over to practice mode to duke it out with computer-controlled characters.

You can find your friends using only their e-mail address, chat with them anywhere on the site and join any game they are currently in with ease.

All of the classic game-play styles are back including capture the flag, duel, domination and free-for-all.

Those familiar with the “Quake 3” characters will be glad to know that they have returned, as well as all of the weapons and maps.

Unfortunately, there are still quite a few bugs in this beta.

Firefox crashes far too often, Internet Explorer is a sub-par browser and no other browsers are supported yet.

Mac and Linux users will have to take a backseat until they receive support some time in the near future.

All in all, the game is a fast, challenging and fun online first-person shooter that is great for anyone who can tolerate the bugs.

Anyone looking to play can do so at www.quakelive.com.