In 1991, "Dragon" gave the game 5 out of 5 stars. In 1992, they gave the Macintosh version of the game 5 out of 5 stars as well. "Computer Gaming World"s Charles Ardai stated in 1993 that "the CD-ROM version is even more filling than the original. It accentuates and improves all of the game's strong points", with Owens and others providing much better voice acting than in "King's Quest V". While noting that the CD-ROM did not change the brevity of the gameplay, Ardai added that "there are better adventure games than "Space Quest IV" there are few games that are more entertaining. Fewer still are improved so much in the transition to CD-ROM". He concluded that ""Space Quest IV" is the perfect multimedia game: it looks and sounds great and it offers an experience one could not get from a floppy-based game". In April 1994 the magazine said that the CD version's voices "bring Roger Wilco's campy world to life ... one of his finest and funniest adventures".