The recent Quake 2 remaster by Nightdive Studios is arguably the best way to experience the classic 1997 shooter. But could it be better? That’s what one modder thinks, who’s currently working on a path tracing mod.
14.08.2023 - 20:19 / destructoid.com / John Romero / Bethesda Softworks
I’ve never really gotten elbow-deep into the Quake series. Before the 2021 Quake remaster by Nightdive Studios, I was actually most familiar with Quake 4, and I really don’t remember that much about it. In 1996, I was into Duke Nukem 3D. And then after that, it was Goldeneye 007. I at least played Quake 2… The N64 version.
But after the first Quake was remastered and introduced me to the series, I held off on any more series exploration, anticipating the second one would eventually get the same treatment. My patience paid off, and the Quake II remaster has arrived. Once again, it’s a terrific introduction.
Quake 2 (PC [Reviewed], PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) Developer: id Software, NightDive Studios, MachineGames Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Released: August 10, 2023 MSRP: $9.99
After the development of the first game in the Quake series was beset by creative differences, many members of id Software departed, including Sandy Peterson and John Romero. This is considered by many to be the end of classic id Software, as it seemed like the heart had left the brain with an empty bed.
You can sort of feel that in Quake II. There was something of an anarchic directionlessness in Quake that is replaced but a lot more cohesive. Quake still felt like a first-generation shooter like Doom. Quake 2 is a lot closer to Half-Life.
You can see this clearly in the narrative. Earth has been under attack by the Strogg and hasn’t been faring well. So, the meaty humans launch a counter-attack, taking the fight to the meat substitute Strogg’s homeworld of Stroggos. Quake II and all the expansions are set around this counter-attack as you take control of different space marines attempting to hinder the enemy’s ability to wage war on humanity.
The first Quake really didn’t have much of a narrative, and this is definitely not a continuation. This comes with its pros and cons. The biggest positive is that a more defined narrative gives you purpose that helps drive you through the game. The downside is that the Strogg don’t care much for interior design, and there’s little visual diversity throughout the campaigns.
Nightdive’s remaster is similar to their approaches to the original Quake and the recent Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition. They have gathered all the expansions into one package, added a newly created campaign, and transported everything to their more modern KEX Engine, bringing with it a number of extra visual and gameplay options. And then, after already doing more than most would expect, they continue on to polish up the graphics and gameplay without tampering with the overall feeling and aesthetic of the title.
It’s extensive. They even upscaled the cinematics. Then, somehow, they ported
The recent Quake 2 remaster by Nightdive Studios is arguably the best way to experience the classic 1997 shooter. But could it be better? That’s what one modder thinks, who’s currently working on a path tracing mod.
Friends, I have a confession to make. You might have seen one or two stories on our website about Baldur's Gate 3, an overall pretty solid RPG that practically everyone on staff here has been pouring hours and days of their lives into. But not me. I've been distracted by another venerable series, a contemporary of the original Baldur's Gate games and the first game I ever remember laying my hands on. I've been playing Quake 2.
Quake 2 Remastered has successfully launched on just about every modern console known to man – even stretching back to the last generation. With oodles of content to battle through, it’s a good time to be a fan of classic FPS. But is it worth picking up ID Softwares legendary classic on the ageing Switch?
Quake 2 Remastered brought Quake 2 to households everywhere for the first time in over 20 years. As a game, it has held up remarkably. As a monolithic entity that shows the industry how remasters should be done (looking at your, Rockstar), it stands alone. Nightdive are masters of their craft, and they have provided what could be their magnum opus.
One of the biggest changes between Quake 1 and Quake 2 is the introduction of an inventory system. Whilst its implementation was quite clunky during its original release, Quake 2 Remastered gave us an inventory wheel, and suddenly, the system has far more ‘on the fly’ use.
Quake 2 Remastered is one of the best games to release in 2023 and stands tall as a shining beacon of video game preservation. Not only does it come packed with the legendary Quake 2, but it also includes both official expansion packs that were released in the nineties, a full remaster of Quake 2 64, and even a whole new expansion courtesy of Machine Games.
Quake 2 Remastered has a wide and varied selection of monsters and mutants to battle through. These guys (and gals) are universally deadly, although some are far more dangerous than others. Heck, some aren’t even that dangerous, they just lean towards the frustrating end of the scale.
Following the rumors from early August (and the South Korean board rating from late June), Bethesda announced and released the Quake II remaster at QuakeCon 2023.
ID Software spent most of the 90s inventing and perfecting the FPS genre, with Quake 2 being one of their shining achievements both in terms of legacy and technical prowess. Due to their decade of experience, Quake 2 has a shockingly potent array of weapons, but not all of them are created equally.
After plenty of rumours, the Quake II remaster has been announced and released during QuakeCon 2023, with a sweeping set of visual enhancements to the classic 90s FPS, and even a brand new campaign by Wolfenstein developer MachineGames.
After some speculation, Bethesda and Nightdive Studios has released a Quake 2 remaster. Now everyone can play the gory sci-fi first-person shooter classic all over again with some fancy new features and graphics.
After plenty of rumours, the Quake II remaster has been announced and released during QuakeCon 2023, with a sweeping set of visual enhancements to the classic 90s FPS, and even a brand new campaign by Wolfenstein developer MachineGames.