Quake II

Quake II

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Quake II: PSX - Visual Guide to Secrets
By erc
Screenshot assisted guide for locating all the secrets in the PSX campaign.
   
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Foreword
First Things First: As of October 2024, Quake II: PSX is not a part of the remaster package, but rather a mod. As such, it needs to be downloaded and installed separately. Get the latest release from here and check the readme file for instructions. For an even more authentic experience, also get the PS1 Pack featuring an imitation of the HUD and the reskins from the original port.
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While Quake II's 2023 remaster went the extra mile by bringing the N64 campaign to other platforms for the first time, it was sadly lacking the PSX one. Nevertheless, a team of modders led by Nightdive dev Jonathan 'Paril' Barkley was working on it behind the scenes. After more than a year's work, Quake II: PSX was released on the 5th of October, 2024. The mod faithfully recreates the console experience with a campaign consisting of 20 levels spanning over five units and 13 deathmatch maps of its own, as well as giving it an overall polish by way of various QoL improvements and even further AI tweaks.
This guide has been created to serve as a clean-cut visual aid for for getting all 38 secrets in the PSX campaign. Since this is essentially a condensed and remixed version of the id's original, most of the secrets it contains remain the same and thus, should be easy to spot for a seasoned player. You are encouraged to play at least on Hard difficulty (for maximum monster population) and discover all the secrets on your own. Better refer to the guide only to find out what you are missing instead of following it step by step.
Of the two shots provided for the secrets, the first one covers the area it is to be found in while the second one shows a particular detail, which, in most cases, is the trigger itself. Additional tips are deliberately kept short to let the shots speak for themselves, yet more details are provided this time around since the campaign in question is pretty specific in its distribution of goods.
Unlike my previous guides for Quake II, this one also features items of note that are to be found outside of secrets ('EX'). The items laying around the secrets are also left untouched for the sake of having more visual cues in the shots.
Mission 1: Base
Establish communication link to command ship.
This mission consists of 4 levels that contain a total of 10 secrets.
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STROGG OUTPOST
1/4 - Stepping out, dive under the walkway to get some extra shells and armor shards.
2/4 - Following on from the previous secret, shoot the explosive crate around the next corner to reveal the suit of armor within.
3/4 - Drop down to the lower floor and shoot the crack by the ladder for another bunch of shells.
4/4 - Following on from the previous secret, shoot the button above the door in the next room to open up the compartment in the same room that holds the first shot of adrenaline (out of four).
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OUTER BASE
1/2 - At the beginning, shoot the window with the Strogg symbol on it, follow the path beyond and look for the alcove down under to get a super shotgun and some grenades in advance.
2/2 - Check the area behind the stairs that leads to the exit elevator and shoot the cracked part of the wall to reveal the second shot of adrenaline (out of four).
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INSTALLATION
1/2 - Once upstairs, follow the path signified by the suit of armor and get the power-up found in the monster closet that opens up as you pass by.
2/2 - Follow the opening next to the tunnel entrance and shoot the cracked wall within to reveal another super shotgun hidden from sight alongside some shells.
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COMM CENTER
1/2 - Step down into the water and get the submerged power-up found right under the stairs.
2/2 - Following on from the previous secret, shoot the wall at the end of either of the two slopes to reveal a tunnel that connects them, containing additional shells and bullets.
Mission 2: Jail
Destroy the security grid protecting the industrial region.
This mission consists of 5 levels that contain a total of 7 secrets.
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DETENTION CENTER
EX - Once outside, drop down and get the power-up laying out in the open under the overpass.
1/2 - Right after taking the elevator that leads to the yellow laser controls, turn around and shoot the green-tinted part of the wall to reveal a suit of armor.
2/2 - Shoot the button found above the stairs to open up a compartment where a megahealth awaits. Get the item in question, then disable the red lasers in the vicinity by pushing the button in the corner downstairs and collect the power-up waiting in the adjacent hall.
EX - Just before exiting the level, first push the button found in the monster closet by the corner, then the one by the force field to gain access to the room behind. Go down the slope to find the last enemy of the level, as well as the only power shield of the whole campaign and some cells.
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SECURITY COMPLEX
1/1 - At the beginning, take the path to the left and shoot the slightly indented part of the wall next to the security lasers to reveal a compartment housing another chaingun.
After disabling the security lasers, either the Torture Chambers (via the bridge over lava) or the Guard House (via the tunnel by the secret) can be visited. Considering the filenames suggest so and it being the optimal path, the guide opts for the former.
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TORTURE CHAMBERS
EX - Step outside before taking the elevator down to get a hyperblaster in advance.
1/1 - Disable the force field that bars the empty cell by the corner of the first block and shoot the cracked wall to the back to find a second hyperblaster alongside some medkits.
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GUARD HOUSE
1/1 - Follow the path of grenades laying on the ledge and shoot the uniquely textured wall at the end to open up a compartment holding extra cells.
EX - Once outside, jump down into the water to get the power-up in sight. A grenade launcher in advance as well as a suit of armor can be found on the way back to the upper floor. Stepping into the next area, shoot the explosive crate found by the stack to reveal the megahealth within.
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SECURITY COMPLEX (Continued)
EX - Once the orders for both the Torture Chambers and the Guard House are accomplished, the lift to the upper path by the entrance to the Guard House becomes available. Follow the path in question to find the only bandolier of the whole campaign at the very end.
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GRID CONTROL
1/2 - Shoot the uniquely textured duo of panels on the left side of the second floor.
2/2 - Likewise, shoot the uniquely textured duo of panels on the right side of the same floor.
EX - Before moving on to the next unit, utilize the ladder found to the back of the exit button to reach the rocket launcher that can be seen residing on the ledge.
Mission 3: Reactor
Destroy the Strogg Power Facility.
This mission consists of 6 levels that contain a total of 15 secrets.
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POWERPLANT
Be sure to get the red key by taking the ladder next to the console that controls the red lasers.
1/3 - Once in the plant proper, shoot the indented duo of panels by the stairs to the left.
2/3 - Likewise, shoot the indented duo of panels by the stairs to the right.
3/3 - Following on from the previous secret, get downstairs and shoot the cracked part of the wall to reach an overlook where a suit of armor awaits. Note that you need the red key found in the lowest floor of the initial area to open the second door barring the way.
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THE REACTOR
1/1 - Stepping onto the lower floor, take the door to the left and shoot the darkened panel found between the light fixtures to reach a hidden suit of armor and a railgun in advance.
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TOXIC WASTE DUMP
1/2 - Right after the initial area, shoot the first grate you come across around the corner to reveal a monster closet that also holds extra rockets and a medkit.
2/2 - After taking the lift up, turn around and jump on top of the pipes to get the environment suit in sight. Clear out the following overpass, then drop down next to the slime below by way of the nearby ledge. Activate the suit and follow the path to find a suit of armor around the corner.
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PUMPING STATION 1
1/3 - After going up the slope, get on top of the crates where a megahealth resides and shoot the damaged pipe. Jump in through the opening and follow the path to reach a side area.
2/3 - Once outside by way of the previous secret, shoot the button in sight to open up the nearby compartment and get the only BFG10K of the whole campaign.
3/3 - Utilize the trio of consoles in the pump room to jump onto the ladder found on the side of the gate. Climb up and squeeze in to reach to the suit of armor awaiting in the adjacent room.
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PUMPING STATION 2
1/4 - Shoot the Strogg symbol found next to the green key door to reveal a suit of armor.
2/4 - Dropping down to the lower floor, shoot the indented panel and get in to find a power-up.
3/4 - Following on from the previous secret, clean out the area down the path and go through the crawlway. Take the ladder, turn left and follow the ledge around the corner to find the third shot of adrenaline (out of four) as well as an environment suit needed to get back unscatched.
4/4 - Take the right path before the slime pool by the exit to come across another environment suit. Picking it up opens up a monster closet. Deal with it, then turn around and shoot the button way above to reveal a ladder leading to the closet in question holding extra rockets and a medkit.
EX - Still in the same room, hop across the slime to reach the opening behind the pipes. Follow the tunnel to get the otherwise unreachable suit of armor by the third secret. Make your way back to the slime pool, activate the environment suit and dive in to get the power-up in sight.
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WASTE DISPOSAL AREA
1/2 - After clearing out the initial area, drop down to the lower floor and step on the plate to open up a nearby path that leads to the megahealth residing above.
2/2 - Following on from the previous secret, get the environment suit by the button around the corner. Activate it and swim through the slime to reach a side room. Shoot the button in sight, get the railgun residing in the compartment and swim back before the suit runs out of power.
Mission 4: Command
Destroy the Gravity Booster.
This mission consists of 3 levels that contain a total of 4 secrets.
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DEFENSE COMMAND
Destroy the laser grid control computers then make your way to the Research Lab.
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RESEARCH LAB
1/3 - At the beginning, shoot the cracked window to the left, then jump over and crawl through the opening to find a suit of armor and some grenades.
2/3 - Shoot the button seen behind the damaged grate as you pass the maintenance bridge to open up the observation cell by the previous corner that holds a power-up.
3/3 - Following on from the previous secret, shoot the end of the horizontal tube in the next room to get ahold of the belongings of the dead marine laying inside.
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DEFENSE COMMAND (Continued)
Unlock the path using the commander's head and fight your way to the Gravity Booster.
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GRAVITY BOOSTER
EX - After completing the primary objective, the last shot of adrenaline (out of four) and a suit of armor becomes available in the entry chamber. Get them before returning to Defense Command.
Other than these two items of importance, this level has no secrets.
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DEFENSE COMMAND (Continued)
EX - After defeating the welcoming Hornet, drop down to his nest to get the only ammo pack of the whole campaign, as well as loads of bullets and shells.
1/1 - Deal with the enemies in the final room, then dive into the pool to get a power-up (EX). Shoot the cracked glass panel in the exit hall to reach the submerged cache on the other side.
Mission 5: Boss
Locate and destroy Strogg leader.
This mission consists of 2 levels that contain a total of 2 secrets.
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INNER CHAMBER
This level has no secrets.
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FINAL SHOWDOWN
1/2 - After defeating Makron, return to the shuttle corridor and approach the one in the middle. Push the console found within to open up the entrance to the developer gallery.
2/2 - Shoot the Strogg icon found at the end of the said gallery to reveal an additional area.
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Guides for the original, MPs 1/2, CotM, N64 and Zaero following the same format seen here are also available to accompany this one. Check them out if you are in for a completionist's run:
4 Comments
erc  [author] 11 Oct, 2024 @ 5:43am 
Turbo, you are right about that. Secrets wise, while the first two units remain the same, the following has a few extras. In the mod, Unit 3 has 15 (instead of 12 - Pumping Station 1 +2, Waste Disposal Area +1), Unit 4 has 4 (instead of 3 - the extra being the third secret of Research Lab you mentioned) and Unit 5 has 2 secrets (instead of 0 - obviously, the dev galleries in Final Showdown).
TurboLaser 11 Oct, 2024 @ 4:51am 
The third secret in Research Lab was not actually present in the original PSX version, am I right? I have an old handwritten guide, which I have written for myself couple of years ago and there are only two secrets (I still have my copy of Quake II for PSX). Obviously two secrets in the final level are also added.
erc  [author] 6 Oct, 2024 @ 5:02am 
Will, thanks for both the appreciation and the clarification. I have re-worded the relevant hint accordingly. Thanks! Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed it, the effort that has gone into the mod to make it special is pretty evident in all respects. It is surely going to be a part of my replay sessions from now on. :isitcoffee:
FixbotWill 6 Oct, 2024 @ 12:18am 
Thank you for making this so quickly! I hope you enjoyed the campaign.

Just a note about the Bandolier area in Security Complex - the lift becomes accessible once the player has completed both Torture Chambers and Guard House, so if the player goes for Guard House first then it won't be operative on their return, not yet.