QUAKE 2 - Original vs Remaster (1997 vs 2023) Comparison 

Another nice thing about the Q1 and Q2 re-masters is that they added the music back in.

When I fired this up and saw how they lovingly re-rendered the intro cinematics, I knew this was a special remaster.

By god, there's so many subtle things they improved in this remaster. Something I noticed that hasn't been mentioned in a lot of videos like this is the addition of texture-based walking sounds, so you don't sound like you're walking on steel when you're on grass and dirt.

Love the remake, it looks like how I remember the original looked, but it sure didn't.

1:24 - 1:29 | That cowboy is literally every new Quake 2 player in a nut shell.

2:46 The expanded area was originally cut out of the original and kept in the game files. They put it back into the remaster.

They have done an incredible job with this remaster

I think they also changed that stupid crazy recoil the OG Quake 2 had with the machine gun

for me, Q2 was the most beautiful game at that time, I could not believe in such a level of graphics quality and everything seemed incredibly realistic

Q2 is one of my all-time favorites and the remaster is really pretty fkn awesome. I used to lug my pc to my buddies house up the road and we would LAN co-op and and dm with bots. I still love playing it.

Graphics aside, I really liked they have updated enemy behavior. Most notably, berserker is no longer a joke, but few other enemies apparently got some alterations too. "Compass" could be useful for "casuals" too (not for people who like searching for secrets ofc).

Mio dio quanti ricordi… i primi 10 secondi del primo livello mi hanno fatto venire la pelle d’oca. Comparto audio già nel 97’ era superlativo. ID software nel cuore♥️

Looks amazing! I been played for the last 20hrs the best !!

Being an OG its awesome how they did this. I played this game to death back in the day. I played well over 200 custom maps (both single player and multiplayer). This game will never die lol.

I like Remaster version

Thank you, Nightdive! Awsome remaster work! You really resurrected two sleeping giants for all the fans❤

Remastered doesn't just mean the same game with higher specs. If that is all you need, then fair enough- you're far easier to please than I am. Nightdive have nailed the formula for updating and tweaking old games to feel brand new whilst retaining the feel and look of the originals. I can't wait to see what they do next. Game preservation is important.

Wow great job Game Intros & Finales guy! This game is awesome, they even updated the N64 version in some ways. I love how they put effort and passion into the remaster, everything just looks cleaner and smoother and they also buffed those hammer hand guys that now leap at you, I think they're called the berserkers? Great game.

Free if you already owned quake 2 digitally. Wow. Also, the game doesn't have microtransactions and is complete. It is excellent too. This is how remasters need to be.

So glad there’s a compass because I know I’d just be running around in bloody circles otherwise.

The new intro looks very nice overall, I'm happy to see much better details in it. :) But I'm surprised they didn't take care of all the nice details in the original intro. I like both intros, they have pros and cons that make it hard for me to easily decide which one is better. But I'm happy the game got an overhaul and new content. I'll definitely take a look at the new section in the opening level (2:48), and hope to find other additions. :D And now the comparison... less asteroids in: - 0:20 original vs 0:35 remaster - 0:42 original vs remaster 0:52 much better engine fires (gradient) in the original, despite having less color range; the new one is just a bright light with barely any gradient 1:10 the original ships/pods look nicer with a full circle front red light, compared to less than half circle on the new ones 1:14 - surprisingly, there's less definition in the remastered texture of the bay door - the ship's position is off-center in the original, which makes it look nicer - the planet's outer glow looks better in the original (impressive for its time!), compared to the simple gradient in the remaster (check out "Earth's outer atmospheric glow from ISS" as an example) - I love the definition of the planet's surface in the remaster, but they could've added a few more clouds, like in the original - why make the "Bitterman" text red in the remaster? 1:23 again, the original did the lighting of the engine fires better, compared to the cheap "fade to bright" in the remaster 1:24 - the original showed the ships/pods on the background, compared to the shiny slights in the remaster - Bitterman enters the frame tilting and straightening before veering off to the left, making for a nicer animation - the "Bitterman" text is now white in the remaster :P 1:25 the engine plumes look way too clean in the remaster; a thicker glow might've looked nicer 1:40 I love the atmospheric glow in the remastered version :) it properly fades to black and it looks smoother reading "Bitterman" on the ship/pod - 1:55 pixelated in the original - 2:06 pixelated in the remaster :( too bad they couldn't/didn't upscale that at least a bit; I always stroggled reading that when I first played Quake II, and it's still pixelated in the remaster :P Side note, it's funny how they always got the name in the wrong position before (text on the side) and after the crash (text on the nose). :P exploding barrels - 1:53 more responsive in the original - 2:03 delayed in the remaster :-/ pretty weird ship/pod beauty shot against the planet, with less asteroids (again) in the remaster - 3:30 remaster - 3:33 original

I'm ashamed to say that I never played Quake 2 when it first released. Having now played the remaster (which I understand to be quite faithful to the original), I'm amazed by how modern it is. It's a quantum leap from Doom and Quake 1. Also, I'm told that Quake 2 is not id's best game... I think it's quite remarkable, even now.

For the most part they've done a good job, but the intro cutscene's dropship moment seems to have lost some sense of depth. Maybe it was mostly due to compression artifacts of the original, but the dropships just look to clean as they leave the carrier ship, no atmospheric diffusion or anything like that (I know it's in space, but they're also in quite low orbit inside a ring system, so there are probably a lot of particles anyway). I also think the new hit marker (i.e. the red X around the crosshairs when you hit an enemy) stay on screen just for a moment too long. I think it should either disappear quicker or expand and dissipate to enhance that specific moment of impact.

The Remaster has Dynamic Lighting. That makes a hughe difference in visual quality. Same in Quake 1 Re. €dit Q1/2 already had Dynamic Lighing in the Original (my mistake). But the much higher level of Global Illumination, therefore much more refined details and better Dynamic Lighting, makes that difference in visual quality.

I've played Quake 2 a million times since 1997, but this time it's perfect. Creatures jumping from high places and coming towards you, etc. There is no escape

I love when a remaster stays true to the original

This is a very good remaster. I’m honestly curious if they’ll remaster Quake 4 next. I doubt it, but I would still like to see it.

in my memory, the Big Gun was always firing off into space during the intro. Maybe iv got it mixed up with Starship troopers.

Note for future, you could of recorded an ingame demo and transferred it over to the remaster and ran it for a very fair, balanced comparison.

idk i think i prefer the original cutscene from 0:09 the new one is just too clean, but im glad it gives me an option to play classic mode too

Honestly, I prefer the original's intro intro video, it looks so much more gritty than the squeaky clean 3D models of the remastered version.

This is quite possibly my favorite remaster ever made. They even remade the cut scenes!!!! Game was ahead of its time.

You made a Condemned 2 wrap-up video about a year ago, great content, could you perhaps do one for Prey 2017 or is it not a suitable format for prey ?

On my 13th birthday, we got our first pc. The same day I got the PCGamer magazine that had the Quake 2 demo. Core memory.

Didn't realise this was such a good remaster, I'll have to play it now.

no breaking pace cutcenes, no crappy weapon managment, no slowdowns. pure fun mayhem.

Remaster looks great, but I think its too clear and has more fps that lose ironically "realism" - I talk about intro 😊Need more dirt and fog, in game looks gereraly better, maybe some little details like enemies faces look "different"

remastered is awwesome although i kinda like some of the original sounds more

love how all the textures are higher quality, but not hd.

They put more work in than I expected

I'm getting goose bumps from watching this

For some reason in the original quake 2 game, the guns were made if jello or something. The idle animations had them jiggling like double D melons.

just finished base game it was new and familiar at the same time. the enemy ai is hilariously hard but its funny seeing it jump in bad spots since some levels were not designed with that in mind.

yeah -- Quake 2 is a fun game in mid 2023. wasn't expecting that for sure

I have become addicted to Quake 2 all over again this new version is incredible

I would say this is the perfect remaster, i prefer it above the original, same goes for quake 1 remaster.

So I love the remake, but one thing I'm not hugely fond of, but don't see people mention a lot, is the addted fuse time to barrels exploding, it kinda breaks some setups in levels for big kills

The remaster looks a lot better in almost every way. That said while the opening cutscene is more visually impressive, I really enjoy how dirty the OG cutscene looks, there is just a nostalgia that doesnt transfer.

maybe its a nitpick from my part, but I noticed that they added soundtrack on the first level and even tho the soundtrack of this game is amazing, I think the ambient sounds with the occasional radio chat and computer logs at the background makes the whole thing much more immersive..

This is what all remasters should be. I wish Warcraft 3 was given such treatment. Instead Blizzard ruined it. Same kind of mess happened to 3d era GTA games with "Definitive Trilogy"...

Damn, I forgot how good this was

Nightdive is really good at what they do. They are like the historians of gaming.

I wrote a story based on Quake 2 in the 8th grade. No on had any idea I basically copied the plot of this game but everyone knew I was super into sci fi because of it.

New version is insane, been playing it for days straight

The pod bay and start of the pod descent sequence are better in the original, I think. Better view/feel from the bay, and a much better cinematic, more visceral feel and sense of speed in the descent. Also the new Machine content seems to lack an intro? Other than that I am blown away by it all. My first and enduring favorite FPS has been done justice to. ❤️

Quake 2 was my first game on pc. I will enjoy to play it again :D

В восторге от игры, играю с 1999 года, полный отвал бошки, срочно нужно купить ремастер. Строги злые ❤

its funny that i even still like the original gfx... it wasnt that bad for those days but i will play that game once again 26years later...

They did a great job upgrading the cinematics for this game. They look fantastic!

Ya lo etstoy rejugando de nuevo xD, y pensar que hace siglos que lo juge tratando de sacar todos los secretos y ahora no recuerdo de la mayoria de ellos xD

It's nice that they released a modern platform version of this classic game, but slightly better textures aren't enough to make me play it again.

Nightdive studios does Amazing remasters

Ремастер, конечно, более причесан и выглядит как надо! Квач тоже можно не раз перепроходить.

Awesome remaster. Q2 is so good I still have the original box.

Great feeling of immersive 3D that Quake games have. Must be the crude, simple geometry and textures. Quake 3 arena as well.

The joke is: The remastered how i remember the quake 2 looked like LOL...

This is the best game I have ever played number 1😂

j'ai trop adoré ce jeu, ça me rappelle ma jeunesse.

*Cool Remastered*

It would be neat if they added an easy way to install mods like steam workshop or have it built in the game to find community mods. It would of also been cool but not necessary to add ray tracing with DLSS and FSR. This remaster is great though I love it cuz its my fav Quake game with Quake 4 being my second fav.

I will say I like the darker atmosphere of the original. But that's about it.

Blaster... a weapon that gets immediately forgotten after Level 1 😅

bro WOW, this almost looks like a remake, especially those cut-scenes, i think they put more effort into this game than Turok 1 back in 2015, hopefully Turok 3 (which is one the way) looks like this, damn

I wish we could get a new Doom and Wolfenstein with these simple maps and gameplay with today's visuals,the recent Dooms ect. Are too much imo there is so much going on that they feel more like a Cod experience rather then the originals.

This was a solid outing I don't mind giving it a replay. I remember choosing this over Half Life 1

original music didn't need any remakes, music will last forever.

There is simply no remaster or remake that will improve anything in Quake 2, the feel and atmosphere is just absolutely perfect and nailed down in the original.

This remaster is remarkable yet a whole remake would've given justice to quake 2

Damn, the shotgun feels incredible, this game is so fucking old, but you can feel the power of each shots.

I have played the original one back in 2000 on the PC. I will try the remaster version on Xbox One.

They have perfected upgrading these old games while still remaining faithful to the original content. Its amazing how well these older low poly games hold up.

Q2 always in my heart ❤

Quake 2 Remaster is my introduction to the quake series, and I'm liking it so far. I feel like I owe this game, considering my love for Half-Life.

Papito jugó al Quake también ! 😁

My most favorite Quake this and 4!!

I’ve been playing the shit out of it since I got it a week ago. Been doing couch co op on it too. Still creepy in spots.

•• Does anyone remember multiplayer having a grappling hook? I remember there being power ups like ‘Haste’

I kind of prefer the original open cinematic. Sure its pixelated, but the pixelated look almost gave it an illusion of better detail to me. The new one just looks more barren to me. Its nice seeing slightly more detailed textures, but honestly it does not hold a candle to just opening quake 2 in a source port with updated texture packs and lighting effects.

Dont worry Hitmarkers can bee toggled off

Местами Оригинал выглядит круче , но в основном Ресмастер более проработанный в деталях , а так все равно это моя любимая игра 2001 года !!!

If using the old Quake II Evolve exe, it makes the explosions and smoke effects more reallistic. While the "Remaster" still looking the same and the effects that i've been said, still looking like the original old game, but with more Resolutions and more FPS at the screen. While inside the Old Quake II Evolve exe, the game looked like if it were created for the PS2 console and even added with more shader renders effects around. A modern version of a classical, doesn't mean that it is better than the original.

It plays like a dream! 😍

They could have added some film grain or something to the intro so that it feels more like the old crummy fmv.

Has the Chaingun frame rate been fixed?

Loved it when it came out back then. Not sure if I would still like it today.

Quake 2 remaster is extremely hard, even on normal difficulty.

People are already working on an RTX version that's looking very promising. All the benefits of this new remaster but with incredible lighting FX too.

Remastered is far better than original. Good job, Nightdive studios!

In this remaster, the changes are visible immediately and with the naked eye, unlike the red dead redemption, right rockstar?

i like remastered version of game cause i like graphics and new item compress show me walkthrough