Quake Live

About

Quake Live is a fast-paced and competitive arena FPS with over 100 arenas, developed by id Software and the community. The game offers various game modes, including Free-for-All, Duel, and Capture the Flag, and allows players to track their career stats and match history. Compete with friends and players worldwide for an exhilarating multiplayer experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,674 reviews

gameplay88 positive mentions

story6 negative mentions

gameplay
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
Quake Live is praised for its fast-paced, skill-based gameplay that remains true to the classic Quake formula, offering a rewarding experience for both newcomers and veterans. The game emphasizes mechanical skill and map control without the distractions of modern FPS mechanics, although it suffers from a limited player base and server issues. Overall, it is celebrated for its smooth movement mechanics and depth, making it a standout in the arena shooter genre despite its outdated graphics and challenges in finding matches.
- “Quake live's gameplay is simple to understand for a dummy like me, but difficult to master, and very rewarding.”
- “The simplicity and accessibility of the gameplay mechanics make it easy for newcomers to pick up and enjoy, while also providing depth for veterans to explore.”
- “Quake 3's gameplay is legendary for being fast-paced and kinetic, requiring genuine skill but also being satisfying even if you're not particularly fantastic at this sort of game.”
- “Gameplay-wise or game-mechanic-wise, the game is probably rather superior to any FPS games out there, though (but again, there's no point to play even if it has good mechanics since all the servers ban you for high ping. You just can't play the game for being kicked and banned for unequal and irrational reasons).”
- “I really wouldn't recommend this game to new players who are used to the modern FPS mechanics or someone who is looking to jump in quickly to a match. That being said, this multiplayer is truly one of its kind. It is by no means a bad game and it does what it sets out to do, but it is incredibly difficult to get into if you're new unless you're willing to get fragged constantly and learn the map. Even then, you still have to learn the weapons and when to correctly apply them to the situation.”
- “Because the 2014 updates ruined the competitive and skilled core of the gameplay.”
graphics
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The graphics of "Quake Live" are generally considered outdated, reflecting its origins from the late 1990s, with many players noting that they lack the polish and detail of modern titles. While the game maintains a classic art style that supports its fast-paced gameplay, it does not offer eye-catching visuals, and some users have expressed a desire for a graphical overhaul. Despite these shortcomings, the game's aesthetic and modding community can enhance the visual experience for those who seek it.
- “Graphically, 'Quake Live' maintains the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping visuals that defined the original 'Quake III Arena.' While it doesn't boast modern graphics, its timeless art style and straightforward presentation contribute to the game's intense and immersive atmosphere.”
- “Though old, the graphics and maps are very stunning and iconic.”
- “You should buy the game for the aesthetics alone; 'Quake Live' has some very cool looking and well-organized maps.”
- “Otherwise, compatibility, visuals, art direction, net-code are remarkably poor even by 2010 standards.”
- “The game remains enjoyable for its classic gameplay, but its outdated graphics, controversial updates, and overall lack of polish make it a less desirable option than Quake Champions, which offers a more polished and satisfying experience.”
- “Graphics are absolutely awful.”
story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
75%
17%
The reviews consistently highlight that "Quake Live" lacks a traditional story mode, focusing instead on competitive multiplayer gameplay. While some players appreciate the absence of a narrative, viewing the game's essence as rooted in player rivalries and intense matches, others express disappointment over the lack of a single-player campaign, which was present in earlier installments. Overall, the game's storytelling is deemed secondary to its competitive experience.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Storytelling is not a primary focus in 'Quake Live.' Instead, the game immerses players in the intense, competitive world of fragging, where the narrative is written through the chaos of multiplayer matches and the rivalries that develop among players.”
- “In my opinion, the whole story was only on hand because the name of 'Quake Live' is much more sonorous and symbolizes the revival of the great series.”
- “If you're in it for the single player, there is no story either, so it will be just wasting your money.”
- “The third installment of the Quake series, Arena differs from previous games by excluding a story-based single-player mode and focusing primarily on multiplayer gameplay.”
- “- No story mode (Quake III did have a campaign, not a story, but Quake Live drops this completely).”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
11%
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky player models, amusing in-game interactions, and lighthearted banter among players. Many users find the comedic elements, such as funny screams and playful dialogue, to enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable even for those who may not be deeply engaged in competitive play. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor that resonates with a wide audience, contributing to its fun atmosphere.
- “The player models are funny, but there are a couple of good ones.”
- “Type 'wilson' and a man does a funny scream.”
- “Even if you're not into that, you also have bot support if you just want to gun down some bots and chat with them for some humor, and some of the stock Quake 3 maps still hold up well to this day.”
- “You're not funny!”
- “You're not funny!”
- “You're not funny!”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
79%
11%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while many players praise its polished performance and compatibility with modern hardware, some express dissatisfaction with lingering performance issues that have not been addressed. Overall, it is regarded as a well-optimized experience for competitive play, particularly for fans of classic arena shooters, with improved visuals and low system demands allowing for optimal performance across various settings.
- “If you enjoy stretching out for fun against bots, this is the blazingly fast, well-optimized, as tough as you set it yourself experience.”
- “Pick this up during a sale and experience one of the most balanced, playable, masterful first-person shooters in history, newly optimized for modern hardware.”
- “Polished, customizable, optimized, quick competitive play, this game has it all.”
- “Part of the reason I play this is because champions won't run for me due to some performance issue that has been around for years and hasn't been patched.”
- “Not satisfied with the performance.”
- “Preventing this game from being affected by CPU mitigations will also increase performance a lot.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring compositions by notable artists like Sonic Mayhem and Bill Leeb, which enhances the overall experience and enjoyment, even during solo play. However, some users find the audio experience lacking due to repetitive sound effects and insufficient atmospheric music, suggesting a desire for a more cohesive soundtrack. Overall, the music receives a strong rating, with many players appreciating its contribution to the game's ambiance.
- “It features music composed by Sonic Mayhem and Front Line Assembly founder Bill Leeb.”
- “Even playing against bots while listening to music is extremely fun.”
- “Appropriate to these hazardous worlds, various sound beats and musical tunes may be heard playing in the background.”
- “The audio is also underwhelming, with repetitive sound effects and a lack of atmospheric music.”
- “As an alternative, Quake Champions is free and has a matchmaker (I played it for about 30 hours) but that is a more complicated game (menus, game mechanics, lots of visual clutter in the design, bad music, higher graphics requirements).”
- “I would like, of course, a more rigid soundtrack.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including bugs related to texturing, visual settings, and server connectivity, making it difficult for players to join matches. Additionally, players experience frustrating gameplay interruptions, such as freezing after death, which further detracts from the overall experience. While some praise the game's engine and fast-paced gameplay, the persistent bugs hinder its enjoyment.
- “Legendary engine, bug free, fast FPS that will blow your mind!”
- “Edit: I tried getting back into this, it's basically impossible to get into a game. There are a few active servers that require a bunch of confusing and buggy steps to join. You have to link your Steam account and do a bunch of other garbage just to get into a server with hardly any players.”
- “After death, the player freezes (cannot move or shoot) and stays in this state until the end of the round, or until his team members unfreeze him (for this, you just need to stand for a few seconds).”
- “The game is rather buggy (especially in terms of texturing and visual settings), but if you want Quake 3 Arena remastered edition, this is it!”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The atmosphere of "Quake Live" is a mixed bag; while it retains the fast-paced visuals and core elements of the original "Quake III Arena," it lacks the dark and edgy tone that fans expect, partly due to the removal of gore and underwhelming audio. Although the game's art style and straightforward presentation contribute to an immersive experience, many feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, particularly in terms of atmospheric depth and sound design. Overall, while it excels in gameplay, the atmosphere does not fully capture the essence of a true "Quake" game.
- “Graphically, 'Quake Live' maintains the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping visuals that defined the original 'Quake III Arena.' While it doesn't boast modern graphics, its timeless art style and straightforward presentation contribute to the game's intense and immersive atmosphere.”
- “It is the best 'remastered' alternative of Quake III; it has the original atmosphere and physics.”
- “Balanced controls, physics, guns, maps, high-quality content, atmosphere, and fixed multiplayer.”
- “A true Quake game needs to have a dark and edgy atmosphere, and this game just does not.”
- “Sadly they removed the messy gore that existed in Quake 3, but the game focuses more on the competitive aspect, so it's not that bad. However, it has an impact on the atmosphere if you can't gib people with your rocket launchers, railguns, or double-barreled shotguns.”
- “While Quake 3 Arena's presentation and atmosphere are better, Quake Live has the best gameplay of the entire Quake franchise.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization strategy of the game relies heavily on in-game advertising, leading to mixed reactions from players who feel that recent updates have compromised gameplay balance in favor of microtransactions. While some appreciate the absence of direct in-game purchases, others criticize the limited customization and the reliance on ads, questioning the overall fairness and integrity of the free-to-play model.
- “Other updates have nerfed certain classes and weapons, leading to accusations of favoring microtransactions over gameplay balance.”
- “Kind of odd, if you ask me, since I would have thought that a free model would come on Steam as free to play, without the microtransactions.”
- “Carmack reported that revenues will only come from in-game advertising.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
40%
40%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, suggesting it requires an excessive time commitment that can be off-putting for newcomers. Many feel that the competitive environment is dominated by seasoned players with extensive hours logged, making it difficult for casual players to enjoy the experience. There are calls for the game to be made free to attract a larger player base and alleviate some of the grinding pressure.
- “No mask glitches, no grinding guns, it's a pure game like chess or checkers at this point, but now with voice comms. :D”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I say make the game free; it's what it needs to have a chance at regrowing an actual player base, since nowadays lobbies are full of people with thousands of hours essentially farming stats on players that want to try the game (like me), and are forced to play 2-3 competitive game modes out of the 20 that they have.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, enhanced by the Steam Workshop, which offers a wealth of unique content that keeps the experience fresh and engaging. Many feel that the value provided by the gameplay and replayability justifies the small fee.
- “Combine that with the Steam Workshop and my goodness, even more unique layers of content are available to have a game of infinite replayability.”
- “This being said, it is well worth the small fee for the gameplay and replayability.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that players of Quake Live often experience heightened emotions during gameplay, suggesting that the competitive nature of the game can lead to intense feelings. However, there is a call for discussions to remain rational and avoid personal insults, highlighting the emotional investment players have in the game.