There comes a time when you want to tell developers that the left and right joysticks were always good with FPS controls, they just needed to implement them correctly. It's very hard to get why people were so against it when it was introduced on the PS1 Alien game. This title would have benefitted greatly from that, because the controls are one of the biggest factors that stand out. Is this title terrible? Not by a long shot, but it is tainted with some of the worst controls for a semi-fast action shooter. The graphics are one thing that redeems it, though.
It is possible to get used to these controls, but there is always the problem with that. You get used to those controls, you go back to other controls for a while and think "boy, I sure want to try Quake 2 on the PS1 again!" Now, why you would do this is up to you, but good luck trying to get back into this game. You will need to take some shots as you learn the controls, but then you start to feel yourself reacting faster to the strangely beautiful 90's polygonal Strogg character.
As said before, the N64 port of this game is far superior. The PS1 devs could have thought about a similar tactic, if we're being honest. The graphics are worn down from the PC counterpart, but if you really find a good emulator or even the real disc of this game, that grainy graphic heaven is quire alluring. It feels like a time capsule where graphics evolving turned into a genre all its own. Parasite Eve had a similar effect, but Quake 2 did receive a nice PS1 makeover. It's not choppy or overly difficult to play, for the most part, but it does come with the pitfalls of Quake 2 itself.
Levels are obviously pretty drawn out in this game, and it still lacks in the number of enemies. This gives it less of a speed factor. Sometimes, you'll get a good few enemies here and there, but it really seems to lack the meat. To be honest, the game kind of looks better with lower graphics than the PC version. Giving it less of a sheen harkens a little more back to Quake 1, which perfected 3D graphics in its first attempt. It's fairly obvious that making Quake 2 was no easier than making Quake 1, as they lost good names from the team, like Sandy Petersen and American Mcgee.
Still, even at their worst, ID was better than a lot of garbage factories that pass as game developers now days. Quake 2 can be seen as a low point, but that still ranks it higher than a number of games that are said to be "trendy" or just manufactured. This is not a high grade Quake experience, but it certainly will give you what you came for. Give yourself a moment to get used to the controls and you'll get your Quake fix. Aside from that, there's not much more to say that hasn't already been said. If you love Quake, you'll get some enjoyment out of this port of the sequel. If Quake 2 isn't your cup of tea, this does not compare to the PC and you will not find it any more endearing. There are better ways to kill the Strogg, but kill them you must.
