Quake II Remastered

Quake II Remastered brings to Xbox Series X and S a restored version of id Software's classic 1997 shooter, remastered by Nightdive Studios in collaboration with the original creators, similar to their earlier remaster of the first Quake. Playing as a soldier fighting the alien Strogg race, the player shoots their way through a series of large, interconnected levels full of hidden passages, keycards, and powerful weapons from the shotgun to the railgun, with the game's pace remaining fast and action-packed, built on exploration, finding secret spots, and thoughtful level progression, very much in the spirit of nineties shooters. The remaster also adds the additional missions and expansions Ground Zero and The Reckoning, which were released separately in the original, as well as a brand-new chapter called Call of the Machine, created specifically for this release.

On Xbox Series, the game runs at high resolution with improved dynamic lighting and a smooth frame rate, which together with support for modern controls, an automap, and a clearer objective system makes the transition easier for players used to today's shooters. The distinctive industrial soundtrack, combining guitars with electronic elements, and the dark, alien atmosphere of the Strogg's metal bases and chemical plants remain unchanged and still effectively convey the feeling of a lone fight on a hostile planet.

In its day, Quake II was praised for its technical sophistication, elaborate 3D environments, and networked multiplayer, which helped shape online shooters for years to come. The remastered version makes this legacy accessible to a new generation of players, and thanks to small quality-of-life improvements and comfortable controls, it shows that the basic recipe of fast, straightforward action without unnecessary complications still works flawlessly, even at a great distance in time from the late-nineties original.

Why play it: For fans of fast, straightforward action without unnecessary complications, it's a great chance to experience a title that once helped shape online multiplayer shooters.