Quake II

Quake II is a science fiction first-person shooter by id Software, in which a human soldier fights the biomechanical Strogg. The invasion of their home planet leads through industrial facilities and military fortresses. Unlike the first Quake, this part tells a standalone story about an interplanetary war.

Quake II originally came out on PC in 1997. The revised version was released on Aug 10, 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. On Steam, GOG and the Microsoft Store, existing owners received the improvements for free. On PC, the original version is still accessible.

Quake II is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. The remaster was released on the five console systems on the same day. Its visuals vary by hardware, while campaigns and basic game modes stay the same.

The Marine fights enemy troops, explores branching facilities and opens new paths with switches, keys and completed mission objectives. Ammo, health and armor must be collected along the way. The remaster improves hit feedback and enemy behavior and offers a toggleable compass for orientation.

The modern version includes the original campaign, The Reckoning and Ground Zero. Added to these are Quake II 64 and the new MachineGames episode Call of the Machine. All five campaigns can be played alone or together. No separate additional purchases are required for this content.

The revised PC version requires Windows 10 64-bit, 8 GB RAM and about 2 GB of free storage. Minimum processors are Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X. Bethesda lists GeForce GTX 650 Ti or Radeon HD 7750 as graphics cards. For 4K at up to 120 Hz, the manufacturer recommends GeForce GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56.

The Strogg combine alien technology with organic bodies and turn defeated humans into their own warriors. On Stroggos, missions lead through factories, military bases and laboratories. The grim science fiction setting clearly sets Quake II apart from its predecessor's world.

Shotguns, rocket launchers and the railgun set the pace of firefights. Different Strogg types require different responses, especially when ammo runs low. In the remaster, enemies dodge shots, use additional attacks and move more reliably through the levels.

Four players can play through the campaigns cooperatively. Multiplayer offers Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag online with up to 16 people. Local split screen works on all current platforms, and on PC and Xbox Series X|S even with up to eight players. For crossplay, the PC version supports controller players, according to Bethesda.

The remaster offers new lighting, dynamic shadows, improved models and higher frame rates. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S support up to 4K at 120 frames per second with a suitable display. On Nintendo Switch, up to 1080p at 60 frames per second is possible in TV mode. Mouse and keyboard as well as controllers can be used on all platforms.

Settings for higher-contrast menus, alternative fonts and screen effect intensity make it easier to adapt the game to individual needs. In multiplayer, voice and text messages can be converted. Menus and subtitles are available in German, while the voice-over is in English.