Quake

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,493 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Quake Game Cover
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"Quake is a dark fantasy first-person shooter, offering an updated version of the classic 1996 game. Experience the original campaign with up to 4K resolution, enhanced models, and improved lighting. Play as Ranger, battling corrupted knights and twisted creatures across four dimensions to collect magic runes."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Amiga
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Ms Dos
  • Sega Saturn
  • Zeebo
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,493 reviews
music259 positive mentions
stability24 negative mentions
  • music1,374 mentions

    The music in Quake, composed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, significantly enhancing the game's immersive experience. However, many players express disappointment that the Steam version initially lacked this iconic soundtrack, requiring additional steps to restore it through patches or mods. The recent remaster has addressed this issue by including the original soundtrack, allowing players to fully appreciate the game's eerie ambiance as intended.

    • “The game's audio is also impressive, with a memorable soundtrack and sound effects that add to the game's immersion.”
    • “The game's intense soundtrack will get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing.”
    • “The soundtrack is awesome and doesn't impede on the gameplay too much, and the aesthetic is unique and memorable.”
    • “The steam version does not have the original soundtrack, which is a huge disgrace.”
    • “The soundtrack is missing from this version of quake 1 and 2 (i haven’t tried 3 yet).”
    • “The biggest problem with all of this, is that the steam version doesn't contain the soundtrack, so you need to download a patch to add them back in, or simply put the original cd in if you have it.”
  • graphics844 mentions

    The graphics of Quake, originally released in 1996, have been both praised and critiqued in reviews. While many acknowledge that the visuals are dated by modern standards, they appreciate the remastered version's enhancements, which maintain the original art style while introducing higher resolutions, improved lighting, and new models. The game's gothic and Lovecraftian aesthetic continues to resonate, with players noting that the graphics contribute to its unique atmosphere, despite some wishing for further graphical upgrades. Overall, the remaster is seen as a successful blend of nostalgia and modern improvements, making it accessible for both new players and veterans.

    • “The graphics have been improved while still maintaining the Quake art style.”
    • “Quake is a first-person shooter released in 1996, two years after Doom II: Hell on Earth was released; it is the first truly 3D game, a feat that for better or worse other developers like 3D Realms, Epic Megagames, Raven Software, and many more were looking to capitalize on.”
    • “The remaster is a very carefully executed facelift which aims at reproducing the original graphics style while at the same time adding a few modern post-processing features like motion blur and additional texture smoothing (fully optional, of course).”
    • “The graphics are extremely dated.”
    • “The graphics did not age that well, along with the s#@% brown color palette will hurt your eyes.”
    • “The graphics are old, and brown, but the art direction shows off a lot more creativity than most games nowadays.”
  • gameplay556 mentions

    The gameplay of Quake is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that have stood the test of time since its 1996 release. Players appreciate the tight controls, engaging level design, and the adrenaline-pumping action that defines the classic first-person shooter experience. While some elements may feel dated, the core gameplay remains addictive and enjoyable, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “Its fast-paced gameplay, memorable levels, and online multiplayer capabilities make it a must-play for fans of the first-person shooter genre.”
    • “Incredibly satisfying and snappy gameplay with tight controls and an excellent arsenal of weapons.”
    • “The gameplay is pure, distilled shooting fun and the dark, gritty, pseudo-medieval Lovecraftian world is still so captivating, not to mention the eerie mechanical soundtrack provided by Trent Reznor.”
    • “The only thing that might be a bit off-putting about it is that it's a bit sparse, only having 8 weapons if you include the axe and it lacks the complex movement mechanics that have appeared in more recent FPS games.”
    • “The gameplay is a decent game, but shows its age in its gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but effective.”
  • atmosphere386 mentions

    The atmosphere of Quake is widely praised for its dark, eerie, and immersive qualities, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack composed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Players appreciate the game's unique blend of gothic, lovecraftian aesthetics and fast-paced gameplay, which together create a sense of dread and excitement. Despite some criticisms regarding level design and graphical limitations, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that continues to captivate both new and returning players.

    • “The game's dark and moody atmosphere, coupled with its intense combat, make for a thrilling gaming experience.”
    • “Quake has always won me over with its atmosphere - dark, thick, and eerie.”
    • “The atmosphere is oppressive and dark, and the soundtrack and gritty visuals do a good job maintaining this.”
    • “Level design feels a bit bland and samey and I never felt that organic atmosphere and cohesive world the original Doom provided.”
    • “They seem to lose the atmosphere of the original somewhat.”
    • “The missing soundtrack was ruining my experience quite a bit, but now that it's back, I can now fully experience the atmosphere of this game, and let me tell you, it is very nice.”
  • story372 mentions

    The story in Quake is minimal and largely serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, focusing on a lone soldier, known as the Ranger, who battles through various dimensions filled with Lovecraftian horrors. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and dark themes, many note that the narrative is sparse, often conveyed through brief text snippets between levels rather than a cohesive plot. Overall, the emphasis is on fast-paced action and gameplay rather than storytelling, making it a classic example of 90s first-person shooters.

    • “The story, although nothing too big, serves as a good backdrop for the player and makes you proceed further.”
    • “Quake tells its story through the settings, its grime, and its claustrophobia.”
    • “The story is light, and requires you read the manual to know what's up, so that's not awesome, but where quake really excels is atmosphere.”
    • “No cutscenes, barely touched on story, just navigating and running through a multitude of maps fighting creatures, finding keys, and hitting switches.”
    • “There is no real story and the game is action only, so if stories are your thing or variety, there is nothing on offer.”
    • “The story is light, and requires you to read the manual to know what's up, so that's not awesome, but where Quake really excels is atmosphere.”
  • optimization69 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players appreciate its ability to run smoothly on low-end hardware and commend the performance improvements in the remaster, others report significant stuttering and slowdown issues, particularly with certain expansions and on specific setups. Custom ports like Quakespasm are often recommended for better performance, indicating that the official version may not fully meet modern optimization standards.

    • “And due to its age and optimizations, it runs smoothly even on devices without a dedicated GPU (just played it on a laptop rocking a Ryzen 4000).”
    • “This new version of the game adds a ton of quality of life improvements, graphical enhancements, incredible optimization, and a new and beautiful campaign (which runs perfectly now thanks to the game's first major update).”
    • “I would recommend Quakespasm, a well-optimized and accurate version that plays like the original but with improved rendering options and quality of life additions.”
    • “The remaster is awfully unoptimized to a point you need a gaming rig to run it properly, which is laughable considering this is Quake and it should be able to run on any garbage.”
    • “Slowdown and stuttering is super common, which is weird for what should be a simple port of a game from 1996, even with the new graphical settings enabled.”
    • “Very very very limited config options, horrible multiplayer support and running under a wrapper engine that makes the input and overall performance just feel laggy, even in single player.”
  • replayability42 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting its speed running potential, engaging co-op and PvP experiences, and clever level design that encourages varied strategies. The combination of nostalgia, modern updates, and a wealth of secrets and achievements further enhances its replay value, making it a standout title that remains enjoyable even after multiple playthroughs.

    • “This game has so much replayability, it's crazy!”
    • “Combat feels perfect, and different combinations of monsters and level features call for entirely different approaches and weapons, something I feel like the level designers are good at exploiting to create a variety that makes this one of those infinitely replayable games.”
    • “Even at full price, this title is well worth a buy, offering players dozens of hours of highly replayable gameplay in both singleplayer and multiplayer.”
    • “❌ score / time attack for replay value”
    • “The game is a bit short though but has lots of replay value”
    • “Content/replayability: 4/10”
  • stability40 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting that it runs smoothly on modern PCs and offers a great gameplay experience. However, some players have encountered bugs and glitches, particularly with enhanced features and certain graphical elements, suggesting that while the core game performs well, there are still issues that may require community patches or workarounds. Despite these minor setbacks, the game remains enjoyable and is supported by an active modding community that helps address some of the stability concerns.

    • “The game runs great, plays, still has the original awesome ambient soundtrack and just generally does a good job of scaling up to modern hardware and resolutions.”
    • “Runs great, looks great, plays great, is loaded with all of the features and content you could possibly want: add-on campaigns, newly developed campaigns, new horde mode, local multiplayer split screen, controller support, split-screen local multiplayer, and crossplay!”
    • “It is still great that you can run this on modern rigs on any OS flawlessly, which blew my mind. This game runs great, with no FPS drops, and the fan patches make the game a lot more enjoyable.”
    • “But it freezes from time to time.”
    • “The new version doesn't show water textures no matter what settings I change, and there are a lot of graphical glitches, but when I pick the original, it just crashes immediately.”
    • “Game is still great, the new additions with the dimension of the machine seem to be buggy in co-op with the enemies and items disappearing every now and then -- solo is fine.”
  • humor27 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and nostalgia, with players finding amusement in its simplicity and chaotic gameplay, such as enemies accidentally harming each other. While some reviews note a lack of overt humor, others highlight moments of hilarity, particularly in the game's mechanics and interactions, creating a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the intense action. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its quirky charm and the joy it brings to the gameplay experience.

    • “What's funny is how it challenges you by making everything so simple that you can forget it.”
    • “If I should end with any positive note, it is that it is funny and I like how the enemies start to fight each other if they accidentally hit one another.”
    • “Laughing with tears in my eyes when a shambler bursts into bits after my quad damage shotgun shot his babyface apart with lead.”
    • “The humor in this game feels forced and often falls flat, relying on outdated memes that just don't land.”
    • “I expected some clever jokes, but instead, I was met with cringe-worthy attempts at humor that made me roll my eyes.”
    • “The comedic elements are so overdone that they detract from the overall experience, making it hard to take the game seriously.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. Many reviews highlight that while the initial gameplay can be engaging, it devolves into a monotonous slog, particularly in later levels, leading to frustration and boredom. Despite some appreciation for the map design and combat mechanics, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Until you pass the first episode, then it becomes the most annoying, tedious, and dumbest slog I have ever played in my life.”
    • “I am really glad that I experienced it, even if the end was mostly a test of patience and I got so bored by the tedious gameplay it (and in a way I myself) created that I was watching YouTube videos on the side.”
    • “The later levels become super tedious and boring; which are mostly Sandy's levels.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players feeling nostalgic and rejuvenated by the modernized graphics and gameplay, reminiscent of their youth. However, others found the experience overwhelming and disorienting, leading to feelings of emotional drain. While the narrative lacks depth, the intense gameplay and encounters evoke strong feelings of excitement and adrenaline.

    • “It made me feel like I was 13 again.”
    • “Started out nice enough but soon turned into a maze-like fever dream which left us emotionally drained.”
    • “Made me feel young again.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively, with users appreciating the absence of ads and microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with modern gaming trends. Many reviewers express relief that the remaster is free and not a cash grab, highlighting a nostalgic return to gameplay-focused experiences rather than monetization through cosmetics or additional purchases. However, some criticisms arise regarding the remaster's technical issues and perceived lack of value compared to alternative options.

    • “No ads, always a plus.”
    • “It brings back memories to a time where first-person shooters were about fragging, not microtransactions and cosmetic items.”
    • “No silly cosmetics or microtransactions.”
    • “The 'remaster' doesn't support Windows 7 and multiplayer is unplayable, which makes this port pretty much worthless. Just play a source port instead of buying the cheap cash grab from players who just discovered 'boomer shooters'.”
    • “When I saw the trailer, I was about to complain about yet another nostalgia-based cash grab, but wait... it is free!”
    • “They already did it for a 30-year-old game; if they're willing to go that far back for a cash grab, then no game in their inventory is safe.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

93% average critic score

Buy Quake

Play time

14hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
5hMain story
13hCompletionist
3-26hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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