The main purpose of these reviews will be to see if games can stand up to the test of time.  With technology vastly expanding and improving every other month, I ask the question ‘Is it still good?’ 

Quake 2 was created by id Software, and released on November 11th, 1997.  It’s a first-person shooter, and was a pioneer of the genre at its release.  Many games today still use some of the multiplayer functions that were found in Quake 2.

Now, for me Quake 2 was the first first-person shooter that I played.  It was the first online multiplayer game that I played.  It was the first time I used the handle “KoreRat”.  The first time I downloaded extra content for a game.  Quake 2 was a lot of first for me.  So I’d be lying if I said I’m not a bit partial to it.

To start, it’s good to know there are mods for Q2 that bump up the graphics to look more in the area of Quake 3 Arena, along with many other additions.  While I have used these in the past, and they work very well, in my most recent play through I opted against them.  A little more of an old school feel, playing it in software mode with a resolution of 1024×768(windowed).

The game starts; you are part of a massive invasion force attacking the Strogg home planet, Stroggos.  After getting hit by one of your comrades, you find yourself heading in a different direction.  But luck is with you, when an unknown gun opens up on your unit and you are the only solider left in the force.  Crash landing in a base outpost, you are quickly given orders to rendezvous with other squads. 

Now the only place where the game really lacks is in its story.  The story is there, but the only videos you get in between missions are short clips showing where you are and where you’re headed.  The rest of the story is told in audio clips from your radio and by filling the gaps with your mission instructions.

Playing through Q2 again for the first time in a few years was a very reminiscent experience for me.  I found that I still remember where all the secrets were, and all the spots where the Strogg’s jump out at as you pass.  Along with remembering all the times I had played online deathmatch and capture the flag.  A lot of good memories with this game, and perhaps that is why I score Q2 so high.  It’s not just a great game on its own, but, for me at least, it brings about a lot of memories of late night gaming.

After you finish, and defeat the Strogg leader, The Makron.  You find an escape pod, and crash land on the planets moon.  You see a very classic and final clip of your hand rising up from the wreckage of the escape pod, and making a fist.

Two mission packs were made for Quake 2, The Reckoning and Ground Zero.  I played these next.  They both add some new weapons and enemies.  They both have a similar story to the main game, wherein you get separated from your squad on entry, they die, and it’s up to you.  Between the two I prefer Ground Zero more.  The Reckoning feels too rushed and almost tries to hard to be as good.  It also reuses The Makron for the final fight.  Ground Zero on the other hand switches it up on you a bit, with a new final boss, The Black Widow, and having you go in disguise for a short while.

After finishing all three games I did two things; first I successfully convinced my friend to play some co-op with me(first time he had ever played Quake 2), second I searched out and found still active deathmatch servers.

Over all, I would say that even after ten plus years Quake 2 still holds it’s own with many games out today.  If your looking for a great frag fest or a taste of where modern games started, you defently want to check out Quake 2.  You can pick it up on Steam for only $10, and both expansions for $5 each.  If your not sure grab the demo and try it out.

Quake 2 recieves a score of 3.