While it may be missing the visual improvements that came with the RTX version of the game, the quality of life additions, amount of content, and jaw-dropping new campaign make this remaster a must-play for fans new and old.

Destructoid - Zoey Handley - 9 / 10

It’s an oppressively brown shooter, but it still carries the speedy, lightweight combat that makes older FPS games still pop today. The changes that Nightdive brought in for the remaster make it even more enjoyable and accessible.

GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 9 / 10

Quake 2 Enhanced Edition is an exceptional remaster, turning a beloved classic into one of the better old-school shooters available for what's essentially a steal.

Merlin'in Kazanı - Samet Basri Taşlı - Turkish - 90 / 100

Presenting the unforgettable game of my childhood as a complete experience, Quake II Remaster is a near-perfect package. With a price tag of 10 dollars, it is a game that anyone interested in the FPS genre should try.

Metro GameCentral - GameCentral - 8 / 10

One of the best remasters ever made, that actively improves the original game, in terms of graphics, AI, and the enormous volume of content.

Nintendo Life - PJ O'Reilly - 10 / 10

Quake II arrives on Switch in the form of one of the very best remasters we've ever had the pleasure of digging into. With enhanced graphics and audio, refined AI, all-new animations, the iD Vault, a brand new episode, and all previously released DLC in the mix - plus the N64 version - this is an exhaustive package that Quake fans are absolutely gonna eat up. Add in crossplay support, gyro controls, and lots of co-op and competitive ways to play locally and online, and you've got an absolutely outstanding release.

SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 8.5 / 10

If you like action games, you've never played Quake 2, and you don't judge games on graphics alone, you won't find a better deal on the market right now. For just a few bucks, you can get hours of shooting fun. Even if you've already played the game, it's worth coming back. You'll enjoy the new content, you'll enjoy the always-playable multiplayer, you'll enjoy the slightly improved graphics.

WayTooManyGames - Leonardo Faria - 9.5 / 10

This is possibly the best remastering effort by Nightdive I have ever seen. This isn’t just “a means to play Quake II on modern platforms”. Just like how a remaster should be, it is the ultimate way to play Quake II, the one version to rule above any other, the port that makes every single previously released iteration feel like unplayable garbage as a comparison.

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[–] echo64 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Man 10/10s for quake 2 of all things is crazy to see. We didn't even think that back in the day, and it was quickly overshadowed by just the hype for half life.

It's far from the best quake game, especially a few episodes in. But maybe it just being so old school is attracting some of these number, just from being refreshing.

But then there are so many modern boomer shooters that are quake2-era like, that are probably worth more of your time.

All that being said, I do have a lot of fond memories with the game

[–] BearCatt 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What boomer shooters would you recommend? I have recently been going through Half Life and the more modern Wolfenstein games. I started quake 1 today after finishing Blue Shift and am hungry for more in the genre.

[–] echo64 2 points 1 year ago

depends on your platform, but cross platform happy games I had a great time with Doom 64 (by the same guys as the quake 2 remaster here) and Project Warlock; which has an art style that takes a minute to get over. but it's got great level design and a really great power creep. had a lot of fun

on pc there's a lot more, there's the remasters like Blood, Shadow Warrior, you can get Duke 3D going with EDuke (or buy the fucked sound quality version on steam...), for modern there's Nightmare Reaper that brings in a rougelike quality, Dusk which is the best Quake engine game ever not made on the Quake engine, Amid Evil, Headon, Project Warlock 2

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It might not be the best Quake game but it did a few things right. The fast and furious multiplayer is signature and is what probably cemented the style of multiplayer that Quake is known for today. The weapon roster is more balanced and who could forget the iconic railgun. The mod scene was incredibly vibrant and tons of fun. Truly a granddaddy of FPS.

[–] echo64 1 points 1 year ago

Oh I don't know about that, Quake 2 Multiplayer was... played, a bit. mostly in mods. And when I think of the big mods really they found their footing when they switched over to being HL1 mods. Quake World and Quake 3 multiplayer are really what dialled in that multiplayer feel for the series.

[–] Edgelord_Of_Tomorrow 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It's so ripe for a Brutal Doom style makeover, especially now the game engine has been modernised.

The enemies and variety are great, but the AI could be more interesting to fight.

The shooting feels great but the lack of locational damage (like headshots) and ADS or alt fire modes makes it feel simplistic in terms of strategy.

Otherwise the maps are fantastic, the atmosphere and music is incredible, the Strogg are a cool enemy to fight, it could really shine with a few modern touches.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why not remaster the first quake instead?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

They have, two years ago