Due to the near-impossible challenge presented by the four modes, Acclaim provided the patch 1.00 that (among other things) decreased the difficulty of the game dramatically.

[clarification needed] A Sega Saturn version of the game was announced,[13] but canceled as part of Acclaim's general withdrawal of support for the system.

[14] Due to the heavy technology focus of the game, it was often bundled with hardware to show off the graphic cards, and was used as a benchmark for many years after its initial release.

The Swarm (Dominic Glynn and Stephen Root) performed and produced the Forsaken soundtrack which features dynamic drum and bass and electronica tracks.

He highlighted "the quality and generous use of real-time colored lighting effects", "the screen blistering frame rates", explosions, the detail of enemy ships, and smoke trails of missiles.

[42] Edge gave the PlayStation version eight out of ten in its June 1998 issue, stating that, although it feels familiar to Descent, it refined and updated the formula with features such as its auto-levelling system and orientation aid.

[44] An issue later, the magazine gave Forsaken 64 eight out of ten, saying, "With luck, programming of this calibre can become an expectation for all N64 titles developed across multiple formats.

[11] He wrote that the game's best moments were those that required thinking, although did enjoy the more intense parts, such as enemies popping up behind the player and shots from guns hidden in alcoves.

[11] He enjoyed how enemy ships, when destroyed, spin out of control, fire random shots, and occasionally dive on the player, adding to the fast-paced gameplay.

"[46][d] Fatt also said that the PlayStation version's "sharp environmental detail and spectacular real-time lighting effects are just window dressing for a poorly devised game.

Probe has mixed together the best elements of Descent and Quake and added some pretty tricky enemy AI, resulting in a game that shines, although in slightly different ways, on each platform.

"[39] An issue later, the magazine called the PC version "a good game that will provide a nice distraction until players get their hands on the big guns like Sin, Half-Life, and Duke Nukem Forever.