The 2021 remaster of Quake has gotten a new, 19-level campaign co-developed by MachineGames in honor of the FPS’ 30th anniversary.
At QuakeCon, id Software and MachineGames announced a free new campaign for the 2021 version of Quake. The new campaign is titled Dawn of the Machine and is available for Quake owners right now at no extra cost. Ranger is stuck in a time loop and must solve puzzles and fight new foes using new weapons (including an axe!) to survive. It includes a new soundtrack, new deathmatch maps, and achievements.
id Software and MachineGames have also ensured there will be a high degree of replayability with these levels, noting that the narrative presentation of the time loop allows for players to tackle them to their hearts’ content and make new discoveries. If you load up a level again, new paths will unlock, new secrets will be made available, and there will be new upgrades for you to grow stronger. Ultimately, it sounds like a lot of really exciting content made available to all players through a free update.
MachineGames wears its Quake influences on its sleeve with its games, as the studio is widely regarded as one of the best FPS developers in the industry right now. They made a name for themselves on the recent Wolfenstein games, and it’s expected that they will complete their Wolfenstein trilogy in the future, but nothing has been formally announced on that particular front.
The team also cut its teeth on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, an immersive first-person adventure game that shies away from over-the-top gunplay. Their experience with both franchises makes them a great fit for this new Quake campaign, as they’ve proven their mettle at both FPS combat and making thoughtful and fun puzzles.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.