some effects is not mutch hard to make:
in turok's video, see the pulse rifle impact effect(in 1:40), its cool for tremulous's prifle and lgun.
and the explosion effects? see in 2:20(grenade launcher), its cool to Lcannon,(i like the smoke).
in 2:37(alien weapon), this effect is good to Mdriver.
in 4:04, Lcannon in full force? its fine to me,like a BFG,rsrs
Quake 3 use similar effects,