You can still slaughter your friends in one of the best FPS games ever

The FPS genre has come a long way since the early days Quake and classic DOWNFALLand some would argue that its evolution has not been all that appealing. Of course, that's a bit of a radical generalization: even if someone rightly criticizes contemporary practices like batting passes or potential AI use in series like Call of Dutyit's impossible to deny the ingenuity seen in indie FPS titles, as well as occasional AAA masterpieces like Doom Eternal and Titanfall 2.

But these industry-leading, exciting FPS projects likely wouldn't have existed otherwise Quakewhich meaningfully developed the formula id Software established with DOWNFALL in the 1990s. Even today, there are few shooters that have the same feel-good quality as the original Quake the game had. thankfully, Quake is easier than ever to access, thanks in large part to the efforts of Nightdive Studios. The studio helped bring the 1996 classic to modern platforms, running as seamlessly and buttery as ever, meaning it's still easy to play 30 years later.

Why Quake is still so good, three decades later

Quake's Vibe is untouchable

I'll give modern shooters this: the games really look good. Better resolutions, texture quality, depth of field and animations make many new FPS games, even less fun ones, a feast for the senses. Of course, there is something particularly compelling about seeing a virtual world through the eyes of your protagonist and participating in a closer simulation of everyday perception. In theory, and sometimes in practice, the higher fidelity of modern FPS titles reinforces this sense of immersion.

This is fair, though Quake is a good example that more realism does not always lead to better atmosphere or a firmer artistic vision. The classic FPS channels Lovecraftian themes and visuals and combines them with science-fiction concepts that are slightly more cerebral than Downfalls, ultimately leading to a uniquely compelling game world. Then there is Quake's soundtrack, composed by Trent Reznor at the height of Nine Inch Nails' popularity and creativity. If you love the combination of Mick Gordon's heavy metal music and 2016 Downfalls horrible art design, Quake will definitely have you covered.

Nightdive Studios and MachineGames made Quake even better in 2021

You can still have fun in the original Windows or MS-DOS versions of the Quakebut you don't have to resort to those classic editions either. In 2021, Nightdive Studios, an Atari subsidiary that had previously remastered games such as Turokreleased an “improved” version of the original Quakewith small changes and modern amenities to bring it up to modern standards. Some of Nightdive's most significant changes to the 1996 version include:

Support for up to 4K resolution
Widescreen support
Edge smoothing
Dynamic lighting
Better textures
Longer depth of field

None of these changes are exactly transformative, which is for the best: Quake didn't need much fixing. Still, the remaster has other, more substantial upgrades, such as dedicated server support and crossplay for online multiplayer. Nightdive has also added a new Horde mode, which can be played solo or with other players, and is a meaningful expansion of Quake sandbox. Of course this modern interpretation of Quake also includes its two original DLCs, Scourge of Armagon and Dissolution of Eternityexcept for two special surprises from MachineGames.

MachineGames modern DLC for Quake

Year 2016, to celebrate Quake20th anniversary, Wolfenstein developer MachineGames launches Dimension of the pasta free DLC for Quake. The expansion bridges the gap between Quake and Quake 2though it's mostly considered a tribute to the retro shooter rather than a significant reinterpretation or expansion of any sort of lore. Dimension of the past would continue to be included in the 2021 “enhanced” edition of Quake alongside the two original expansions.

Also included in 2021 Quake reissue is Machine dimensionanother new DLC from MachineGames. This expansion pits the player against Chthon, a villain from the base game, and features a host of new environments and demonic enemies. The DLC was highly praised for its complex level design (perhaps foreshadowing MachineGames spectacular level design in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)as well as for its new Deathmatch maps.

All of this is to say that despite launching almost three decades ago, Quake is still very much worth your time. If you played the original, there's a lot more to discover and enjoy in the enhanced version, and if you've never played Quakethen checking it out should be a defcon-level priority. The series is surprisingly fluid, satisfying and relentlessly compelling thanks to grotesque enemies, interesting levels and a head-banging soundtrack that stands head and shoulders above those of similar games. Here's hoping id Software delivers Quake the Downfall Treatment 2016 sometime soon, but until then the original set offers quite a cache to bid on.