Quake II Review (Goose UK)
Quake II Remastered is an undisputed masterpiece of a remaster, and it stands as a testament to Nightdive Studios' unmatched dedication to preserving and enhancing classic games. With a portfolio that includes flawless remasters of Doom 64, System Shock, and Turok, Nightdive has once again proven that they are the undisputed kings of authentic game remasters. Their work on Quake II is nothing short of spectacular, delivering an experience that not only captures the nostalgia of the original but elevates it to new heights. This may be their crowning glory.
A Masterclass in Remastering:
When Quake II originally launched in 1997, it set a new standard for first-person shooters. Its fast-paced gameplay, iconic weapons, and colourful yet grim and atmospheric world captivated gamers, leaving an almost unmatched legacy. However, as someone who remembers the shuddering excitement getting my hands on the game back then, after hours of Quake and Doom, I also recall the frustration of trying to run it on my old PC. The game came with a software renderer, but this stripped the game back, and meant the beautiful, colourful screenshots I’d seen in magazines were out of my reach. The then quite demanding requirements when trying to enable OpenGL (namely a GPU if I remember correctly), were a challenge for my 10-year-old self. Now, with Nightdive’s remaster, those technical hurdles are a thing of the past, and the game runs flawlessly on modern hardware, all the way down to what may be referred to as a potato.
Stunning Visuals and Performance:
The performance of this remaster is lightning-fast and buttery smooth. Whether you’re playing on a high-end gaming rig or on the Steam Deck, Quake II Remastered looks and feels incredible. The graphical improvements are particularly noteworthy. The game now features enhanced textures, improved lighting, and new visual effects that make the world of Stroggos more immersive than ever. In fact, it looks so good that it rivals, and in some ways surpasses, the RTX version of Quake II. Nightdive has managed to give the game a fresh coat of paint that respects the original’s aesthetic while making it shine in ways that ray tracing alone could not achieve. The result is a game that feels both modern and faithful to its roots. It is the perfect amalgamation of modern tech, and the original vision being allowed to breathe.
On the Steam Deck, the experience is nothing short of phenomenal. The OLED screen at 90fps makes the colours pop with vibrant intensity, and the smoothness of the gameplay is a joy to behold. It’s hard to believe that the same game I could not run in 1997 can look and perform this well on a handheld device, but Nightdive has made it possible.
The Weaponry and Gameplay:
One of the defining features of Quake II has always been its arsenal of weapons. From the satisfying punch of the super shotgun to the devastating power of the BFG, each weapon feels distinct and impactful. The Super Shotgun, in particular, remains one of the most satisfying weapons in FPS history, delivering a meaty tactile blast that’s hard to beat. The BFG, with its massive destructive ability, is as iconic as ever, eviscerating rooms of Strogg with a single shot. Nightdive’s remaster keeps the feel of these weapons intact, while the improved sound design and visuals make them even more satisfying to use. Nightdive even restored/added(?) the muzzle flashes to the weapons, however I appreciated the toggle to turn these off. I was always fascinated by the flash-less shooting of the original, especially the machine gun. Whilst I never understood why they did this; I enjoyed the aesthetic of it.
Extensive Content and New Campaigns:
The remaster doesn’t just stop at polishing the original game. It includes all the original content, expansions (including the N64 version), and even introduces new campaigns that push the Quake II engine to its limits. These new campaigns are a brilliant addition, offering fresh challenges and showcasing just how far the engine can be pushed. They’re not just throwaway additions; they’re fully fleshed-out experiences that feel like they belong right alongside the original content.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Excellence:
For those of us who remember the original launch of Quake II, this remaster is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern excellence. It takes everything that was great about the original game and amplifies it, creating an experience that is as thrilling now as it was back in the day without any technical limitations. And whilst it has been a simple game to run for so long now, performance wise, and even got the RTX treatment, nothing has come close to this as a whole package. Nightdive has managed to make Quake II feel both like a time capsule and a brand-new release, something that very few remasters achieve.
Verdict:
In every sense, Quake II Remastered is the definitive way to experience one of the best first-person shooters ever made. Nightdive Studios has delivered a remaster that not only does justice to the original but elevates it to new heights, making it look, sound, and play better than ever. Whether you’re revisiting Stroggos for the umpteenth time or diving in for the first, this is the best Quake II has ever been—and likely ever will be.
Rating: 10/10