quake 2 remaster whips ass. i had Opinions about what they did with quake 1, but this is basically everything i would want. they ported the n64 levels! there’s a model viewer! concept art! they made like 30 new levels! i can play the multiplayer maps from the n64 version in grapplehook instagib, and i can do it above 60 ping because they have actual lag compensation now! (quake 2 had a community antilag mod, but for some reason people didn’t take to it like with quake 1’s, so i’ve still been needing to do stupid delayed flick leading stuff with the railgun this whole time (no i did not stop playing quake 2 deathmatch)). solid contender for best way to play the game - though it helps that i didnt need to pay any money for it lol 1
like, my one “gripe” is that they fixed the thing where you got sucked toward 0,0,0 every frame, which makes it so you dont slide around diagonally at high framerates, but also fixes the variable jump height depending on where you are in 3d space, which makes some common jumps on Exactly Two maps impossible. i am tempted to scream about Tangible Changes to Competitive Gameplay, but it’s way better than the quake 1 remaster not letting you run backwards at launch, and something i’m willing to give up for casual play if it means i get antilag
the graphical enhancements are actually nice, too? the “enhanced” models look the way you picture the game in your head, instead of the ue4 fan remake looking stuff in q2rtx. animated models don’t wiggle anymore. the lighting is better. i even like the motion blur; it’s the sort you would “tastefully” add to a fragmovie, not the xbox 360 smear kind. genuinely think i’m gonna leave them on.
idk. i am Happy? about a Product on a kind of uncomfortable level. either i really like quake 2 or have just forgotten what it’s like to not be disappointed by a “new” multiplayer shooter rofl. fingers crossed they do the same with quake 4 so people can admit it had the best multiplayer.
1 - it’s free if you already had quake 2 on steam, which i bought exactly 10 quakecons ago!
oh, also, might & magic 4 is really good. i should’ve played it like five years ago. give it a shot sometime.