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Quake II RTX

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2019

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Quick resume

Quake II RTX is a cutting-edge, ray-traced reimagining of id software’s old school classic, by NVIDIA’s Lightspeed Studios. Global lighting effects, including realistic reflections, refraction, shadows, ambient occlusion and global illumination are a result of the path-traced simulation of light.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Free To Play, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free upgrade for original quake 2 owners
    • Stunning ray tracing and lighting effects
    • Faithful to original gameplay
    • Customizable graphics settings
    • Runs on a range of hardware with scaling options

    Cons

    • High gpu demand with rtx enabled
    • Some areas too dark without sufficient lighting
    • Lack of music included by default
    • Limited new content beyond visuals
    • Multiplayer suffers from cheating issues

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Expression, Value.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players can choose to play with RTX on or off, customize lighting and rendering settings, and select different renderers, allowing control over visual experience."

    • Competence
      2

      "The game involves classic FPS skill challenges and fast-paced combat, but the core gameplay is largely unchanged from the original and not highly complex."

    • Competition
      1

      "Multiplayer is supported and active, but reviews focus more on single-player experience; some mention multiplayer cheating issues."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Players report replaying the game multiple times and enjoying the updated visuals, though some see it more as a tech demo than a full playthrough experience."

    • Cooperation
      -3

      "The game is primarily a single-player experience; multiplayer exists but cooperative play is not emphasized in reviews."

    • Creativity
      1

      "Some customization of graphics settings and lighting is possible, but gameplay and level design remain faithful to the original with minimal creative modification."

    • Domination
      -4

      "No strong evidence of domination behavior; multiplayer is mentioned but no reports of power imposition or trash talk."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Many players use the game as a nostalgic escape and to enjoy immersive ray-traced environments, providing distraction and stress relief."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest, nostalgia, or hardware testing, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "The game serves as a tech demo for ray tracing, encouraging players to experiment with graphics settings and rendering options."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore classic levels with new lighting effects, though the environments are familiar from the original game."

    • Expression
      1

      "Limited character or environment customization; some visual setting adjustments allow mild self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "The game features sci-fi and alien settings typical of Quake 2, providing an imaginative fictional experience."

    • Fellowship
      -3

      "Community aspects are minimal; multiplayer exists but social connection is not a major focus."

    • Growth
      1

      "Players can improve FPS skills and learn to optimize graphics settings, but core gameplay offers limited new learning."

    • Health
      -5

      "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay typical of FPS games."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during gameplay; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No evidence of close social relationships forming; interactions are limited and superficial."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles indicated."

    • Progression
      2

      "Classic FPS progression through levels and weapon acquisition, but no modern RPG-style upgrades or item collection."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Some players find the game fun and nostalgic, but the fast-paced action and dark areas create tension rather than pure relaxation."

    • Sensation
      4

      "Ray tracing and updated visuals provide strong sensory stimulation and visual excitement."

    • Status
      -3

      "No strong social recognition or status seeking reported."

    • Story
      1

      "The game retains the original Quake 2 narrative, but story is minimal and secondary to gameplay."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Some tactical combat and level navigation required, but overall gameplay is straightforward and action-focused."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Fast-paced combat and dark, tense environments create moments of suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      5

      "The game is free for owners of the original Quake 2, providing high perceived value as a tech demo and visual upgrade."

    • Violence
      4

      "Classic FPS combat with shooting and destruction is central to gameplay."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must avoid enemy attacks and manage resources like ammo, typical of survival elements in FPS games."

    Last update: 29/04/2026