id Software unveiled the Quake II remaster at QuakeCon 2023, as “an authentic, improved and complete version of the original” first-person shooters that delighted fans of the genre at the end of the 20th century.

Quake II remaster follows the strategy of the original Quake that was remastered a few years ago. As with all remastered games, Graphic Design They were the main focus, and the version restored with modern technologies modeling, enemy animation, shadows, blood section, AI behavior, cinematography, lighting and other visual effects.

The game now supports widescreen displays with up to 4K resolution to some of the supported platforms. In addition to the visual aspects, id Software added some content not used in the original version, also restored for the launch, as well as the original Sonic Mayhem soundtrack for the audio section.

Players can complete all campaigns in solo or co-op action, but new mechanics have been added including save files, a respawn system, a signaling system for communication, and an optional lives system for greater challenges.

The remaster also adds facilitation function, including high contrast, alternative font, ability to read text chat aloud, voice chat transcription, customize message display, alternative control settings and more. An optional compass can help players navigate the campaign levels.

New content in Quake II remaster

The classic mission packs Showdown and Ground Zero are also included and reworked, adding over 30 single player maps and over 20 in multiplayer deathmatch matches. Wolfenstein studio MachineGames has contributed a new standalone expansion for fans called Call of the Machine, with the added bonus of nintendo 64 port Ported by Midway from the original Quake II, it features a 28-level campaign and a bonus multiplayer deathmatch map.

talk about multiplayerthe study improved matches to the death or deathmatch with custom rooms and bots. You can also crush enemies with team deathmatches or play Capture the flag locally or with up to 15 other players online. Of course, local split screen playback It remains a supported feature with current support for 8 players on the PC and Xbox Series X|S versions. Let’s say all platforms support cross-play between them.

Quake II remaster is available now for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch for $9.99. It must be said that some players will be able to access the game completely for free. Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers, on the one hand, and Steam customers who already had the original, on the other, will get the Quake II remaster for free via an update.

A great opportunity for those of us “old-timers” who had the chance to play it back in the day to relive the experience and for new players to enjoy a unique FPS, without the impact of others like DOOM from the same studio (id Software which continues to works very well indeed, as we saw in Doom Eternal), but extremely fun and with a gameplay that few current games achieve.