It has been 25 years since the release of the original Quake, which no doubt helped shape first-person shooters as they're known today. Despite its release many years ago, the influence of the Quake franchise is still felt today, and in a surprising turn of events, a remaster of the game was recently released to give players an updated version of the FPS classic.
At QuakeCon 2021, Bethesda announced the remastered version of Quake, which offers tons of improvements that will surely satisfy both veteran players and those who have never touched the original. Now, for players wondering what the new version entails, this is everything new in the Quake remaster.
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Everything New in Quake Remaster
One of the biggest changes that players will immediately notice in the remastered version of Quake is its upgraded visuals. According to Bethesda, the new version of the game supports 4K resolution alongside other graphical improvements, such as improved lighting and models. The game will also bring back the original soundtrack with other audio improvements. Additionally, the remastered version of Quake will include its expansions, such as The Scourge of Armagon, Dissolution of Eternity, and Dimension of the Past. As a bonus, Wolfenstein developer MachineGames created a new expansion for Quake called Dimensions of the Machine, offering veteran players a new campaign.
Quake's story campaigns can be played via four-player co-op locally and online. Its versus mode also supports local and online multiplayer for four-to-eight players with dedicated servers. Moreover, given that the Quake remaster is available on various platforms, the game will support crossplay between PC and consoles, allowing more players to experience the iconic shooter. Lastly, the remaster will also support mods and a curated list of add-ons from the Quake community, and developers also includes all the old missions from Quake 64.
Quake Remaster: Release Date and Platforms
Luckily for fans who can't wait to get their hands on the remastered version of Quake, the improved version is already available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One. According to the developers, there are plans to bring the Quake remaster to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at a later date via a free next-gen update. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass just released the Quake remaster for its subscribers on console and PC. However, those who do not own the game can purchase the Quake remaster on their platform of choice for only $9.99, which isn't a bad deal given all the improvements and additional content.
At the moment, it remains unclear whether other Quake games will also be given the remaster treatment. Given the growing demand for traditional arena shooters, as proven by the ongoing success of Splitgate, it wouldn't be surprising if other entries in the Quake franchise will also come back around. However, it is worth remembering that rumors are swirling about a Quake reboot with a female protagonist in development at iD Software and MachineGames. Unfortunately, both studios haven't officially announced anything, so players should take that rumor with a grain of salt.
In the end, while fans of the Quake franchise still don't know what's in store, at least they have an improved version of the original to keep them busy. Given the release of the Quake remaster may revive the popularity of the iconic FPS series, it wouldn't be surprising if its success could lead to the announcement of more remasters, remakes, and maybe even a new game altogether.
Quake is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions also in development.
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