When a game’s legacy spans 25 years and people still hold it in high regard, you know the developers struck gold. Quake captured the imagination of its audience with its blocky and dark imagery and hard-hitting audio. Roll on to 2021 and would this much-loved title still have the same impact today as it did in 1996? Quake Remastered has been released to answer that question! So, will it survive the test of time and still be adored, or should it have been left well enough alone?
Developed by id Software and Nightdive Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, this is a classic first-person shooter (FPS). I remember much about the core game but didn’t explore the many episodes that were added. I was excited to get my hands on a copy as I wanted to see how it would hold up on a modern console, and I was desperate to experience the additional content.
Quake Remastered retains its charms while adding a shed load of content.
Quake was admired by the gaming industry for being one of the first true 3D games. I remember playing it and being amazed by the engrossing gameplay, and the brutality that ensues. The dark world and tough action kept me busy for hours, so I was glad when I heard Quake Remastered had retained much of its charm and core concepts.
The game asks you to explore a labyrinthine world filled with monsters and ridiculous weapons. The story, or what little that’s explained, asks you to jump through a portal to find an enemy code-named “Quake”. That’s about the extent of the information at hand, and with this minuscule nugget, you begin your journey of bloody violence. You venture through the maze-like dungeons, hunting down your foes while searching for a rune, and this ultimately leads to the final boss Shub-Niggurath (try saying that when drunk!)
So, Quake Remastered is a simple title that doesn’t venture far from its roots. You’ll enjoy the easy to navigate stages that hide multiple secrets, and many resources. There are traps to avoid or destroy, lifts to activate, doors to open, and many monsters to annihilate. It was fantastic reliving my youth on a modern console. However, you may think that this doesn’t offer much for modern players! Worry not, as there is plenty for you to get your teeth into.
Plenty of improvements to the performance and gameplay.
I adored how the developers added additional elements to the game without ruining the core concept. New players and old will appreciate the extra layers that have been added and the availability of the original expansion pack. What was instantly noticeable were the enhanced graphics that make the action run seamlessly. You still get to enjoy the blocky and low detailed imagery, but the edges have been nicely polished to make it pleasing to the eye.
Alongside this, Cross-play has been added to spice up the multiplayer action as well as split-screen, co-op and deathmatch modes. These work fantastically on the remastered version and I loved how the genre-defining mode has been carefully supported for this latest instalment of the franchise.
You’ll experience four different difficulty settings, from easy to nightmare in this tantalising FPS. You must consider the weapon you are wielding and the enemies you face as different guns affect each monster you encounter. Whether you blast them down with a shotgun, mow them down with a machine gun, stun them with your lightning gun, or hack them with your axe, you must understand the best way to annihilate your foes.
Quake Remastered has been done justice for a modern audience.
In the future, it’ll run native 4k play and 120FPS and will play incredibly well on the Series X! Currently, you’ll experience 1080p at a smooth 60FPS. I loved its modern finish and its ability to retain its classic look. The creepy and horrific enemies still lack details and the surrounding world is blocky and dank, and this is great. The simplicity of the imagery defined Quake and the remaster has captured this perfectly.
An aggressive game would be nothing without a heavy soundtrack to listen to, and Quake Remastered has this in abundance. The hostile and angry tones generate high energy and demand you sprint and shoot to your heart’s content. I loved scouring the levels while enjoying everything Nine Inch Nails offers. What’s also fantastic is how great the weapons sound. The deafening blasts from your arsenal of weapons were excellent to experience, and it adds to the brutality of the horrific gameplay.
Innovative controls that define the genre.
Quake’s innovative control system has defined the FPS genre. The ability to strafe, leap, and dodge your enemy’s attacks sent shock waves through the industry, and the results are still seen in modern titles. The control setup has shifted to the gamepad extremely well and is accurate and responsive to play on console. Fans of the original will note the addition of a radial menu to select your weapons. This new method adds little to the gameplay and was designed with console gamers in mind.
During the 90s, gamers were addicted to the gory violence and the excellent mechanics, and I can’t see anything changing! With the addition of Cross-play, the original episodes, and modern polish, this will ensure it’s as addictive as ever. The moderate achievement list will test your resolve and add to the high replay value.
Quake Remastered proves its still relevant for a modern audience.
Remastered games are two a penny and some are great while others are not. Quake Remastered, however, is fantastic and proves that minor adjustments and a considered approach can breathe life into a much-loved game. I adored it and recommend you to buy it here! It’s also free as part of the Gamepass subscription, so you have nothing to lose. Can you find the secrets, kill the monsters, and complete your mission? Grab a gun and see for yourself!
