Quake II: Quake II: PSX – Visual Guide to Secrets

First Things First: As of October 2024, Quake II: PSX is not a part of the rerelease package, but rather a mod. As such, it needs to be downloaded and installed separately. Get the latest release from here and be sure to follow the installation instructions if you are unfamiliar with idTech file system. Checking out the readme file before delving in is also highly recommended.

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Quake II had two console ports back in 1999: one for PSX (HammerHead) and another for N64 (Raster). While the former tried to stay close to the source material (though still added in two new enemies), the latter went its own way via a mostly original campaign coupled with a dark ambient soundtrack.

While the 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 led by ND 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 PSX experience with a campaign consisting of 20 levels spanning over five units and 13 DM 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 campaign is mostly a condensed version of the id’s original, most of the secrets it contains remain the same and are easy to spot. 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.

Unlike my other guides for Quake II, this one features tips for additional weapons and inventory items 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.

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 find supplies in advance.

2/4 – Following on from the previous secret, shoot the explosive crate around the next corner.

3/4 – Drop down to the lower floor and shoot the crack by the ladder to get extra 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.

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OUTER BASE

1/2 – At the beginning, shoot the window with the Strogg symbol on it, follow the alternate path beyond and look for a hidden alcove in the underhalls.

2/2 – Check the area behind the stairs and shoot the cracked part of the wall to reveal an item.

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INSTALLATION

1/2 – Once upstairs, follow the path signified by the suit of armor and get the item 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.

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COMM CENTER

1/2 – Dive into the water and get the submerged item 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.

This mission consists of 5 levels that contain a total of 7 secrets.

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DETENTION CENTER

EX – Drop down into the water and get the item laying out in the open by 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 nearby. Back on the lower floor, disable the red lasers by pushing the button in the corner and collect the other item.

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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 hidden weapon.

Either the Torture Chambers or the Guard House can be visited at this point. Since the filenames suggest so, the guide opts for the former.

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TORTURE CHAMBERS

EX – Step outside before taking the elevator down to find an advance weapon out in the open.

1/1 – Disable the force field that bars the empty cell by the corner of the first block and shoot the cracked wall behind to reveal a hidden weapon.

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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 item in sight. An advance weapon as well as a suit of armor can be found on the way back to the upper floor. Upon reaching the following area, shoot the explosive crate found by the stack to reveal yet another item.

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SECURITY COMPLEX (Continued)

EX – Take the upper path that becomes available after returning from the Guard House and follow it to its very end to find a bandolier.

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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 get the weapon laying out in the open.

This mission consists of 6 levels that contain a total of 15 secrets.

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POWERPLANT

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 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 an advance weapon.

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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 supplies.

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, activate the item in question and reach the slime below via the nearby ledge. Follow its 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 and shoot the damaged pipe. Jump in 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 that holds the ultimate weapon.

3/3 – Utilize the trio of consoles in the pump room to jump onto the ladder found across. 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 next to the green key door to open up a hidden compartment.

2/4 – Dropping down to the lower floor, shoot the indented panel to find a hidden item.

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 a shot of adrenaline 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.

EX – Still in the same room, hop across the slime to reach the opening behind the pipes. Follow the tunnel to get the suit of armor by the third secret. Make your way back to the slime pool, activate the environment suit and dive in to grab the visible item.

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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 in the next area. Activate it and swim through the slime to reach a side room. Shoot the button found here to open up the weapon compartment in sight. Note that the only way out of this room is via the same slime pool, so be mindful of the seconds left in your suit.

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 broken grate then the button behind it as you pass the maintenance bridge to open up the observation cell by the previous corner.

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

This level has no secrets.

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DEFENSE COMMAND (Continued)

EX – Before going through the red key door, drop down to the Hornet’s nest to get the back pack and the extra ammo on offer.

1/1 – Dive into the pool in the final room to find an item, then shoot the cracked glass panel in the exit hall to reach the submerged cache on the other side.

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 game, MPs 1/2, CotM and N64 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: