Wolfenstein 3D and Doom were two of the most important games in the first-person shooter genre, but it was the game Quake that would change things forever. While Doom and Wolfenstein used 2D sprites and visuals to depict an FPS environment, Quake was a fully 3D game within a 3D polygonal world. The first Quake has not been ported as often as Doom; and Wolfenstein, but now Bethesda and MachineGames have teamed with NightDive Studios to bring it back, better than ever.
Quake is a fast-paced game steeped in the Cthulhu mythos, chock-full of horror elements and tense action. There is no regenerative health here, and while there are some powerups to find, this is a classic fps in most ways. Quake is a game that demands exploration, with enemies and secrets hidden all over, and finding the secrets is just as involved, if not more, than in Doom.
Nightdive used the KEX engine to make this port and it shows how well the game runs. Visually, the game is stunning, and the Switch version of the game has Gyro controls enabled as well. These controls can help and hinder depending on how the Switch is held but becomes a major boon when used right to take out enemies.
Included with the remaster are the two previous expansions from the ’90s, the expansion made by MachineGames and something new as well. MachineGames has made a second new expansion for this release, and it will delight fans with its intensity. The new expansions reflect changes in game design since Quake was first released, but they still manage to fit with the game.
Quake takes a cue from the Doom remasters and includes add-ons that can be downloaded with a Bethesda.net account. Currently available is the well-regarded port of Quake 64 in its entirety, with its unique soundtrack, changed levels and a CRT filter. Hopefully, the Saturn version can be added in the future, as there were many unique aspects to that version as well.
To go into more detail about the presentation there are multiple graphical options included in this version. These options include antialiasing, ambient occlusion, depth of field and motion blurring, but model interpolation can be turned off as well to get the full effect of classic animations. The audio is great here, with every sound and effect feeling just right, and yes, the Trent Reznor soundtrack is included in this release as well.
This release also includes all of the multiplayer modes, such as playing the entire campaign suite with four players, either locally or online. In fact, when playing online, the game can be played with a four-player split-screen or even with eight players. Everything, including the deathmatches, is cross-play enabled as well, so playing on Switch against Xbox or PC players is an option, but be prepared to die a lot
Quake Remastered is an excellent port of the classic game, with the previous content and even a port included. The addition of add-on content should have fans very excited for what may come next, and the inclusion of all of the online modes makes this a very complete game. It is highly recommended to check this out, both for fans of classic gaming and for those who love first-person shooters in general.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
Images were taken from Nintendo.com