Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 89 | 8 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 92 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 90 | 3000 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.8, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 10,697 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Oct 3, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 3298 total reviews in window · weighted 189.7 up / 9.2 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (25)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 100
“The remastered Quake II is the best possible version of this game, which stands as one of the cornerstones of the modern first-person shooter genre. It’s a must-play for both newcomers, who weren’t even born when the original game was released, and gaming veterans alike. Thanks to thoughtful improvements to the audiovisual presentation and gameplay, as well as added content, they’re in for a slightly different experience.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Quake II arrives on Switch in the form of one of the very best remasters we've ever had the pleasure of digging into. With enhanced graphics and audio, refined AI, all-new animations, the iD Vault, a brand new episode, and all previously released DLC in the mix - plus the N64 version - this is an exhaustive package that Quake fans are absolutely gonna eat up. Add in crossplay support, gyro controls, and lots of co-op and competitive ways to play locally and online, and you've got an absolutely outstanding release.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Veteran or newcomer to the industrial world of the cybernetic Stroggos, and the hard-rock fuelled action that can be enjoyed on it, look no further than what is without any doubt the best version of Quake II. Improving both the look, as well as the gameplay of Id Software's classic, plus adding all expansions (and then some), Quake II Enhanced is solid proof that if you want an old-school title to get the remaster treatment, Nightdive Studios won't let you down.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It’s a stunning package, filled to the brim with content both new and old, and barring the handful of small issues, it's a brilliant way to revisit one of the most iconic shooters in video games.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Presenting the unforgettable game of my childhood as a complete experience, Quake II Remaster is a near-perfect package. With a price tag of 10 dollars, it is a game that anyone interested in the FPS genre should try.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“If you like action games, you've never played Quake 2, and you don't judge games on graphics alone, you won't find a better deal on the market right now. For just a few bucks, you can get hours of shooting fun. Even if you've already played the game, it's worth coming back. You'll enjoy the new content, you'll enjoy the always-playable multiplayer, you'll enjoy the slightly improved graphics.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“At the end of the day, it looks and plays like a game from 1997. This is still a great game, and if this is the only way you can experience it in 2023, I would recommend it, but don’t expect the same level of care that was given to the likes of Doom 64, Quake, or Doom 3. Except for Quake 64. That one still kicks so much ass it almost makes up for the mild shortcomings in the other options.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“One of the best remasters ever made, that actively improves the original game, in terms of graphics, AI, and the enormous volume of content.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Quake II brings a classic sci-fi shooter to modern consoles. In a package that was carefully crafted and filled with classic levels, as well as an all-new adventure from Machine Games. It creates a great place for new fans to jump into one of the best shooters of the late 90s. While also being a lethal dose of nostalgia for returning fans.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Whether or not Quake II‘s ties to the original are somewhat loose doesn’t really matter. It might only carry the Quake name for marketing purposes, but that could have also influenced fans’ expectations. At its core, Quake II is more aggressive, faster, and larger in scale than its predecessor. It doesn’t replace the original; instead, it confidently stands beside it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Quake 2 Enhanced Edition is an exceptional remaster, turning a beloved classic into one of the better old-school shooters available for what's essentially a steal.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“An already great game made perfect for modern systems. The enhancements, content and extras are a labor of love and deserve respect. This is definitely the definitive version of the game!”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
Push Square
Merlin'in Kazanı
SECTOR.sk
Garage Band Gamers
Metro GameCentral
Lords Of Gaming 
Niche Gamer
GamingBolt
Oyungezer Online…and 13 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Quake II is now Steam Deck Verified!Nov 20, 2025
- QUAKE II - UPDATE 1 (HOTFIX)Oct 9, 2023
- QUAKE II - UPDATE 1 RELEASE NOTESOct 3, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- QUAKE II RE-RELEASE PATCH NOTES & FAQAug 10, 2023