On the occasion of its 25th birthday, the first Quake is being significantly spruced up and modernized. Part of the revision are new features for the online mode. The game, which marks the birth of the modern first-person shooter, will also be brought to other platforms. The update is usually free of charge on the PC.
The new Enhanced Edition supports 4K and widescreen resolutions on “compatible platforms”, ie the PC and high-performance consoles. She also brings prettier models, dynamic lighting, depth of field, ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows and anti-aliasing, among other things. However, ray tracing, which was included in the RTX version of Quake 2, is missing from the feature list.
The system requirements make clear that these numerous improvements also cost something. Even if some of the hardware mentioned is due to the hunger of modern operating systems and high resolutions and frame rates, they are considerably above the level of old DOS games.
1080p, 60 FPS Recommended
2160p, 120 FPS Processor AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
Intel Core i5-3570 AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Intel Core i5-6600K RAM 8 GB RAM Graphics card AMD Radeon HD 7750
Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti AMD Radeon Vega 56
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Storage space 2 GB HDD Software Microsoft Windows 10
These “standard optimizations” for remasters are accompanied by a modernized multiplayer mode. The entire campaign as well as the original expansions also included can be played locally or online with up to four players. This also applies to two new “campaign add-ons” that Machine Games (Wolfenstein) has created. In addition, additional, free add-ons can be obtained from within the game. This includes the launch Quake 64, the Nintendo 64 edition of the shooter. Existing mods for the classic are still supported with a few exceptions.
Deathmatch and Co are available for up to eight players. You can access custom matches, dedicated servers in conjunction with online matchmaking. Missing players have recently been replaced by an AI. Thanks to cross-play support, games can also be played across platforms.
Free not for everyone
Quake Enhanced Edition is now available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 as well as downward compatibility for their next-gen successors. You can also play on the Nintendo Switch and PC. Owners of the original receive the Enhanced Edition free of charge on the PC, which then appears next to the classic in the library. However, there is small print: Currently only the versions on Steam and Bethesda.net qualify for the upgrade, GOG customers get nothing, because the platform is not mentioned at all.
The update doesn't come entirely out of thin air; it is accompanied by rumors of a continuation of the series that is currently being worked on. The revision of classics indirectly confirms this. Remasters and updates after a long time have been proven marketing tools for years that generate interest in sequels and brands.