Quake (Nintendo Switch) Review

It is easy to see why Quake is so adored and survives to this day as a game continuously returned to (not least because of countless mods fans create on PC). In many ways, Quake feels like a natural evolution of Doom, which makes sense given both series are made by id Software. It plays as fluid, if not faster, with a full camera to aim freely in all directions using the right stick, allowing for more intricate level design, enemy placements and puzzle solving.

In contrast to id's other Hell-themed FPS, though, Quake is more brooding in its atmosphere, where its medieval and gothic concepts lean more to the duller, browner variety. It isn't an overly negative point, as there are some changes of style here and there in later episodes and expansions, but when so many levels stick to the same interior designs, it does give way to a depressing feeling - which might just be the whole point. Some sections can be way too dark to see, though, so some fine-tuning of the brightness setting might be necessary, although a few areas just stay pitch black regardless.

Music goes a long way to setting the mood for any game, and that is especially the case here. Quake's lack of soundtrack for most of its levels is highly apparent and is particularly odd when greeted with the blasting main theme at the title screen, then being presented with whisper quiet atmospheric ambient noises upon starting the game proper. There seems to be some issue with the audio volume here because you must crank the "music" to the max and dial back on the sound effects to even make out the background noise. Admittedly, the ambience does a good job of adding to the creepy vibes, but there is some confliction there, since rocking music and blowing enemies to bits often go hand in hand.

Quake is a great time blasting through the campaign, encompassing dozens of levels that can be tackled cooperatively either locally or online. All previous official expansions have been included, as well as a brand-new one crafted by current Wolfenstein developer MachineGames. As a sign of things to come, too, Quake 64 is offered as a free add-on download, which hardcore fans will know featured multiple changes over the original PC version, including different coloured lighting (which sort of rectifies the gloominess), and even retains its blurry CRT-like Nintendo 64 visuals. Not the best way to experience Quake, especially since the load times between levels are much longer, but its inclusion is most welcome.

With more mods on the way, it is difficult to explain the amount of value crammed into this standalone release. The level of story content is crazy, then there are local and online deathmatches featuring crossplay with other systems, free mods to come periodically, and a plethora of options to alter graphics presentation all for an amazing price of £7.99/$9.99. A few other big companies with incredible back catalogues of classic video games could learn a thing or two from Bethesda here, with Nightdive Studios deserving praise for porting this so successfully to Switch. A shame local multiplayer doesn't allow for wireless play, however, instead meaning a TV is required for splitscreen.