Editing Quake (video game) (section)

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 93% (PC)<ref name=GRPC>{{Cite web |title=Quake for PC |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/12206-quake/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011407/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/12206-quake/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref><br />76% (N64)<ref name=GRN64>{{Cite web |title=Quake for Nintendo 64 |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198375-quake/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209001132/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198375-quake/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref>
| MC = 94/100 (PC)<ref name=MCPC>{{Cite web |title=Quake for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=December 23, 2014 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br />74/100 (N64)<ref name=MCN64>{{Cite web |title=Quake for Nintendo 64 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
| EGM = 6.5/10 (SAT)<ref name=EGM103>{{Cite magazine |date=February 1998 |title=Review Crew: Quake |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=103 |page=107}}</ref><br/>8.0/10 (N64)<ref name=EGM64>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1998 |title=Review Crew: Quake 64 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=105 |page=98}}</ref>
| GameFan = 275/300 (SAT)<ref>''GameFan'', volume 5, issue 12 (December 1997), pages 24 & 106-107</ref>
| GSpot = 9.3/10 (PC)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Trent |title=Quake Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/quake-review/1900-2532549/ |access-date=May 12, 2017 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><br/>6.4/10 (SAT)<ref name=GSSa>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 1998 |title=Quake Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/quake-review/1900-2532888/ |access-date=May 20, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><br/>6.9/10 (N64)<ref name=GS64>{{Cite web |date=February 18, 1998 |title=Quake Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/quake/review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508063402/http://www.gamespot.com/quake/reviews/quake-review-2545035/ |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10 (N64)<ref name=IGN64>{{Cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=March 24, 1998 |title=Quake |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/03/25/quake |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
| NGen = 5/5 (PC)<ref name=NGen22>{{Cite magazine |date=October 1996 |title=Earth Shattering |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=22 |page=179}}</ref><br />4/5 (MAC)<ref name=NG36/><br />3/5 (SAT)<ref name=NG38/><br />3/5 (N64)<ref name=NG41/><br />3/5 (ARC)<ref name=NG46/>
| Allgame = 3.5/5 (SAT)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael L. House |title=Quake (Sega Saturn) Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1926&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115043405/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1926&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Allgame}}</ref>
}}

''Quake'' was critically acclaimed on the PC. Aggregating review websites [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]] gave the original PC version 93% and 94/100,<ref name=GRPC/><ref name=MCPC/> and the Nintendo 64 port 76% and 74/100.<ref name=GRN64/><ref name=MCN64/> A ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' critic lauded the game's realistic 3D physics and genuinely unnerving sound effects.<ref name=NGen22/> ''[[GamePro]]'' said ''Quake'' had been over-hyped but is excellent nonetheless, particularly its usage of its advanced 3D engine. The review also praised the sound effects, atmospheric music, and graphics, though it criticized that the polygons used to construct the enemies are too obvious at close range.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Major Mike |date=November 1996 |title=PC GamePro Review: Quake |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=98 |page=82}}</ref>

Less than a month after ''Quake'' was released (and a month before they actually reviewed the game), ''Next Generation'' listed it as number 9 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time", saying that it is similar to ''Doom'' but supports a maximum of eight players instead of four.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=21 |page=68}}</ref> In 1996, ''Computer Gaming World'' declared ''Quake'' the 36th-best computer game ever released,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=November 1996 |title=150 Best (and 50 Worst) Games of All Time |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=148 |pages=63–65, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 88, 90, 94, 98}}</ref> and listed "telefragged" as #1 on its list of "the 15 best ways to die in computer gaming".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 1996 |title=The 15 Best Ways To Die in Computer Gaming |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1996&pub=2&id=148 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |page=107 |access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> In 1997, the Game Developers Choice Awards gave Quake three spotlight awards for Best Sound Effects, Best Music or Soundtrack and Best On-Line/Internet Game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Game Developer Choice Online |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/spotlight_1997.html |access-date=June 28, 2017 |publisher=UBM Tech}}</ref>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the game a B+ and called it "an extended bit of subterranean mayhem that offers three major improvements over its immediate predecessor [''Doom'']." He identified these as the graphics, the audio design, and the amount of violent action.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Strauss |first=Bob |date=August 23, 1996 |title=Quake |url=https://ew.com/article/1996/08/23/quake/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>

''Next Generation'' reviewed the Macintosh version of the game, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Though replay value is limited by the lack of interactive environments or even the semblance of a plot, there's no doubt that ''Quake'' and its engine are something powerful and addictive."<ref name=NG36>{{Cite magazine |date=December 1997 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=36 |page=176}}</ref>

The Saturn version received mostly negative reviews, as critics generally agreed that it did not bring over the elements that make the game enjoyable. In particular, critics reviled the absence of the multiplayer mode, which they felt had eclipsed the single player campaign as the reason to play ''Quake''.<ref name=EGM103/><ref name=NG38/><ref name=SSM26/><ref name=GProSa/> Kraig Kujawa wrote in ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', "''Quake'' is not a great one-player game - it gained its notoriety on the Net as a multiplayer." and his co-reviewer Sushi-X concluded "Without multiplayer, I'd pass."<ref name=EGM103/> Most reviews also said the controls are much worse than the PC original, in particular the difficulty of aiming at enemies without the benefit of either mouse-controlled camera or a second analog stick.<ref name=EGM103/><ref name=GSSa/><ref name=GProSa/> ''[[GamePro]]'' noted that the graphics are very pixelated and blurry, to the point where people unfamiliar with ''Quake'' would not be able to discern what they're looking at. They concluded, "''Quake'' may not be the worst Saturn game available, but it certainly doesn't live up to its PC heritage."<ref name=GProSa>{{Cite magazine |last=Scary Larry |date=February 1998 |title=Saturn ProReview: Quake |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=113 |page=96}}</ref> Most critics did find the port technically impressive, particularly the added light sourcing.<ref name=EGM103/><ref name=NG38/><ref name=SSM26/> However, ''Next Generation'' pointed out that "Porting ''Quake'' to a console is nothing more than an excuse for bragging rights. It's simply a way to show that the limited architecture of a 32-bit system has the power to push the same game that those mighty Pentium PCs take for granted."<ref name=NG38>{{Cite magazine |date=February 1998 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=38 |pages=114–115}}</ref> Even Rich Leadbetter of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'', which gave the port a 92%, acknowledged that it was a proverbial [[dancing bear]], noting several conspicuous compromises the port made and stating as his concluding argument, "Look, it's ''Quake'' on the Saturn - the machine has no right to be doing this!"<ref name=SSM26>{{Cite magazine |last=Leadbetter |first=Rich |date=December 1997 |title=Review: Quake |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |issue=26 |pages=74–77}}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' opined that the game's lack of plot makes the single-player campaign feel too shallow and lacking in motivation to appeal to most gamers.<ref name=GSSa/> Most critics compared the port unfavorably to the Saturn version of ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]'' (which came out just a few months earlier), mainly in terms of gameplay.<ref name=EGM103/><ref name=NG38/><ref name=SSM26/><ref name=GProSa/>

Reviews for the Nintendo 64 version praised its lighting effects<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=GP64/> and smooth [[frame rate]] in single-player mode.<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NG41/> ''[[IGN]]'' added the caveats that the environments are simplified from the PC version and the pre-rendered light sourcing is less impressive than the real-time light sourcing of the Saturn version, but judged the visuals overall to be superior to those of the unaccelerated PC version.<ref name=IGN64/> ''GamePro'' went so far as to say the graphics are as clean as those of GLQuake,<ref name=GP64>{{Cite magazine |last=Scary Larry |date=April 1998 |title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Quake |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=115 |page=68}}</ref> while ''Next Generation'' was more moderate, concluding that "As a whole, ''Quake 64'' doesn't live up to the experience offered by the high-end, 3D-accelerated PC version; it is, however, an entertaining gaming experience that is worthy of a close look and a nice addition to the blossoming number of first-person shooters for Nintendo 64."<ref name=NG41>{{Cite magazine |date=May 1998 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=41 |page=108}}</ref> Most reviews found fault with the multiplayer, stating that the frame rate takes a hit in this mode,<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=GP64/> some of the levels are too large with only two players present,<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=GS64/> and the game should have supported four players, as previous Nintendo 64 shooters ''[[Hexen: Beyond Heretic]]'' and ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'' did.<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=IGN64/> However, ''Next Generation'' pointed out that on the Nintendo 64, ''Quake'' with four players would inevitably have meant a severely compromised frame rate and small view screen.<ref name=NG41/> ''GameSpot'' also felt the multiplayer was fun despite its limitations, and noted that setting up a deathmatch was quicker and easier on the Nintendo 64 than on PC.<ref name=GS64/> Reviewers sharply differed over the controls, with ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', ''IGN'', and ''GamePro'' all describing them as precise, responsive, and intuitive,<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=GP64/> while ''GameSpot'' and ''Next Generation'' complained that finding the right control required fiddling with the settings and even at best felt lacking compared to a keyboard-and-mouse setup.<ref name=GS64/><ref name=NG41/> Reviews generally concluded that while the Nintendo 64 version would not appeal to ''Quake'' veterans due to its multiplayer shortcomings and lack of exclusive content, it was a strong enough conversion for non-PC gamers to enjoy the ''Quake'' experience.<ref name=EGM64/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NG41/><ref name=GP64/>

''Next Generation'' reviewed the arcade version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "For those who don't have LAN or internet capabilities, check out arcade ''Quake''. It's a blast."<ref name=NG46>{{Cite magazine |date=October 1998 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=46 |page=134}}</ref>

In 1998, ''[[PC Gamer]]'' declared it the 28th-best computer game ever released, and the editors called it "one of the most addictive, adaptable, and pulse-pounding 3D shooters ever created".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=October 1998 |title=The 50 Best Games Ever |journal=[[PC Gamer US]] |volume=5 |pages=86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 125, 126, 129, 130 |number=10}}</ref> In 2003, ''Quake'' was inducted into [[GameSpot]]'s list of the greatest games of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''Quake'' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-22.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008001400/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-22.html |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

===Enhanced version===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 81/100 (PC)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quake Remastered for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref><br/>85/100 (XSXS)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quake Remastered for Xbox Series X Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |access-date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref><br/>87/100 (PS4)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quake Remastered for PlayStation 4 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref><br/>87/100 (NS)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quake Remastered for Switch Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quake-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref>
| title = Enhanced version
| Destruct = 9/10 (PC, NS)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=August 27, 2021 |title=Review: Quake (2021 Remaster) |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-quake-2021-remaster/ |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=[[Destructoid]] |language=en-CA}}</ref>
| NLife = 10/10 (NS)<ref name=NLiferev>{{Cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=PJ |date=August 23, 2021 |title=Review: Quake - The Definitive Version Of An Iconic, Flawless FPS |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/quake |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
| PSQ = 8/10 (PS4)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banas |first=Graham |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Review: Quake (PS4) - New Coat of Paint for Legendary FPS |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/quake |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=[[Push Square]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
}}

''[[Nintendo Life]]'' gave the Switch version a rave review, saying it "wisely avoids tinkering with the magic formula that made the game so great in the first place, instead keeping the look and feel of the original intact whilst carefully adding all manner of modern bells and whistles in a feature-packed port that's an absolute dream to spend time with." They particularly praised the level designs, puzzle elements, atmospheric game world, and numerous configuration options for the graphical upgrades and multiplayer sessions. They argued that the smooth performance in both docked and handheld mode and ability to play the game as portable makes the Switch version the definitive version of the game.<ref name=NLiferev/>

===Sales===
According to [[David Kushner (writer)|David Kushner]] in ''[[Masters of Doom]]'', id Software released a retail [[shareware]] version of ''Quake'' before the game's full retail distribution by [[GT Interactive]]. These shareware copies could be converted into complete versions through passwords purchased via phone. However, Kushner wrote that "gamers wasted no time hacking the shareware to unlock the full version of the game for free." This problem, combined with the scale of the operation, led id Software to cancel the plan. As a result, the company was left with 150,000 unsold shareware copies in storage. The venture damaged ''Quake''{{'}}s initial sales and caused its retail push by GT Interactive to miss the holiday shopping season. Following the game's full release, Kushner remarked that its early "sales were good — with 250,000 units shipped — but not a phenomenon like ''Doom II''."<ref name="mastersdoom">{{Cite book |last=Kushner |first=David |title=Masters of Doom: how two guys created an empire and transformed pop culture |title-link=Masters of Doom |publisher=Random House |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-375-50524-9 |location=New York |at=[https://archive.org/details/mastersdoomhowtw00kush/page/n225 226]}}</ref>

In the United States, ''Quake'' placed sixth on [[PC Data]]'s monthly computer game sales charts for November and December 1996.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=April 1997 |title=PC Data Best-Sellers |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=153 |pages=32}}</ref> Its shareware edition was the sixth-best-selling computer game of 1996 overall, while its retail [[Stock keeping unit|SKU]] claimed 20th place.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bauman, Steve |date=November 2000 |title=A Decade of Gaming; Top Sellers of 1996 |journal=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |issue=120 |pages=70}}</ref> The shareware version sold 393,575 copies<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=51nvAAAAMAAJ |title=Screen Digest |date=1997 |publisher=[[Screen Digest]] |page=132}}</ref> and grossed $3,005,519 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3005519|start_year=1996}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in the United States during 1996.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 11, 1997 |title=Top Selling CD-ROMs Ranked by Unit Sales, in 1996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b42ktZ4_UAgC |journal=[[The Wall Street Journal|The Wall Street Journal Almanac 1998]] |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]] |page=486 |isbn=9780345405210}}</ref> It remained in PC Data's monthly top 10 from January to April 1997,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=May 1997 |title=READ.ME; PC Data Best-Sellers |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=154 |page=34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=June 1997 |title=READ.ME; PC Data Best-Sellers |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=155 |page=36}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee, Helen |date=May 1, 1997 |title=PC Data Releases Monthly Numbers |url=http://headline.gamespot.com:80/news/97_05/01_pcdatamar/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000306101157/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/01_pcdatamar/index.html |archive-date=March 6, 2000 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feldman, Curt |date=June 3, 1997 |title=''Diablo''...Stayin' Alive |url=http://headline.gamespot.com:80/news/97_06/03_pcdata/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226082500/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_06/03_pcdata/index.html |archive-date=February 26, 2000 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> but was absent by May.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=September 1997 |title=READ.ME; PC Data Best-Sellers |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=158 |page=31}}</ref> During its first 12 months, ''Quake'' sold 373,000 retail copies and earned $18 million in the United States, according to PC Data.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Takahashi, Dean |last2=Ramstad, Evan |date=December 9, 1997 |title=New Sequel to ''Quake'' Beefs Up Blood, Guts to Spur Bigger Sales |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB881621121317442500 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180520041705/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB881621121317442500 |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> Its final retail sales for 1997 were 273,936 copies, which made it the country's 16th-highest computer game seller for the year.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Staff |date=April 1998 |title=The Best-Selling Games of 1997 |journal=[[PC Gamer US]] |volume=5 |issue=4 |page=44}}</ref>

In 1997, id estimated that there may be as many as 5 million copies of Quake circulating.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=January 6, 1997 |title=Violent Quake Is Shaking Up The World of Internet Games |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB852503963674205500 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}{{closed access}}{{subscription required|s}}</ref> The game sold over 1.4 million copies by December 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Kenneth |date=December 14, 1997 |title=Net gamers in league |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86824402/daily-news/ |access-date=October 10, 2021 |page=204 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York}}</ref> Sales of ''Quake'' reached 550,000 units in the United States alone by December 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajami, Amer |date=December 13, 1999 |title=''Quake III'' Sales Through the Roof |url=http://headline.gamespot.com:80/news/99_12/13_pc_quake/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000304053210/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_12/13_pc_quake/index.html |archive-date=March 4, 2000 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>