I have Quake 1-4 but don't know where to start at 1 or not

[SickFox]

what is the best order to play or just play in release order? Maybe just play one quake game and forget the rest? Help! >.<

[Electric Cupcake]

They're each standalone, except for 4 being a continuation of 2, supposedly.

But each one is an important milestone in gaming history. If you're into that, play them in order and drink in each of the innovations and advances that shaped the course of gaming.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_of_Doom

[Sub_Human]

yep dont matter where you start

[Jellopie]

One, is in my opinion, the best. It's more based on medieval, Lovecraftian horror. They had a huge plan for it, but not enough time or money to fully realize it, so they just made a great FPS with a great theme. It's just a fantastic game, even though it has flaws. There's clearly love put into the development. You'll probably need a source port to run it, I would recommend Quakespasm for an experience as close to the original, or the Darksources port if you want bells and whistles. But I think most of the things it adds to the game detract too much from the original feel.

Quake 2 and 4 are set in the same universe; with you fighting the futuristic Strogg. Basically think of the Borg, they assimilate other races. They have absolutely nothing to do with Quake 1.They more remind me of what a Doom 3 would be like without the demons. They're competent, Quake 2 specifically is well made. Quake 4 was made by Raven, but I have nothing bad to say about them as a developer; however I never actually finished Quake 4. The Doom 3 engine just left a bad taste in my mouth, and the basic issues with the engine kept creeping up in Quake 4.

Quake 3 is multiplayer or single player botmatch; there's no connection to Quake 1, 2, or 4. The only thing I can really say about it, is that it provided a solid engine for quite a few good single player games. But it is no way connected to the other games, and I have no idea if there's still a large community still playing it. There probably is, but I've just never been that much into multiplayer.

[Electric Cupcake]

Originally posted by Jellopie:

Quake 3 is multiplayer or single player botmatch; there's no connection to Quake 1, 2, or 4.

Quake 3 features characters from Doom and Quake and Quake 2 who were pulled out of their dimension. It might be loose canon, but you can't say there's no connection.

Also, crates with the Strogg insignia are found throughout Quake 1, so Shub Niggurath has had dealings with the Strogg.

[ULTRA]

Honestly at this point I wouldn't even bother trying to play Quake 3 or 4. Just playing Quake 1 straight through Quake 2 will probably take you no longer than 15-20 hours, too, so just go ahead.

[Retrado the Barbarian]

Quake 4 is a direct sequel to 2 but other than that they are all very, very different games. It's a bit like Final Fantasy, where each new game belongs to the same 'genre' and shares some references and imagery, but plays differently, has a different setting, different art direction and so on.

If I had to give you an advice, then it'd be the first one for SP and user made content, and the third for MP. If you end up liking the first, be prepared for the second one being a far cry from it and potentially disappointing.