Dark Chronicles: Heretic & Hexen
Heretic + Hexen taught us that sudden releases can be a surprise, but when studios launch them during a convention, it’s a special event. Doing it for five consecutive years, however, is legendary. This is the latest feat of Nightdive Studios, which, with the assistance of Bethesda Softworks, has remastered five special titles since 2020: DOOM 64, Quake, Quake II, Doom + Doom II, and the most recent release, Heretic + Hexen.
But first, a bit of history: Heretic and Hexen, developed by Raven Software in 1994 and 1995 respectively, were revolutionary titles that expanded the FPS genre. Produced by the legendary John Romero, these games served as an introduction to the dark medieval fantasy genre for an entire generation. They stood out with innovative mechanics like inventory systems, classes, and non-linear level design. Raven Software’s work solidified its legacy and inspired countless developers to explore new frontiers in the genre. Heretic and Hexen are classics in video game history.
RENEWED CLASSICS
This package isn’t just any re-release; it’s crafted by Nightdive Studios. This means it’s a project done by people who know the source material thoroughly and are genuinely enthusiastic—practically professional fans at this point. A clear example of this is one of the developers of the new content, Samuel Villarreal, known as Kaiser, who has been a vital part of the Doom community for over 25 years and is recognized for his major contributions to this corner of FPS history. Recently, he was part of the winning team to re-release the id Software classics. Truly, this recreation is a labor of love.
In short (because the full list of updates is extensive), Heretic + Hexen combines classic Raven Software games and prepares them to be enjoyed on modern platforms: Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo (as well as PC). The package includes the original games plus two new episodes, cross-platform multiplayer, cooperative mode, support for community mods, enhanced soundtracks composed by Andrew Hulshult (now royalty in the Boomer Shooter and FPS genres), translations in 12 languages, and accessibility features.
TRACES OF GREATNESS
An outstanding feature of this re-release is its focus on making the classics accessible. For instance, the game features modern functions like widescreen support with redesigned sprites filling the entire screen (previously cropped), options to make on-screen text readable, adding crosshairs, and more. Moreover, the maze-like heritage of both games is countered with interest point markers on maps and slight graphical redesigns to clarify Hexen’s puzzles, making the classic experience coherent without losing its intrinsic challenge.
Additionally, combat flow has improved thanks to the ability to assign quick keys to inventory items. Notably, the “Enhanced Weapons” option was added, making Heretic’s combat less tedious. In summary, these releases are the definitive way to play these classics. They retain an old-school feel while being accessible to new players by reducing the archaic friction typical of games from that era. Updates are especially transformative for Hexen, as its brilliant yet opaque design becomes more accessible, cementing its status as an underrated gem.
The package features two completely new experiences worth highlighting. The first is New Faith, the new Heretic campaign that leaves a lasting impression. It offers nine remarkable levels that blend old-school with modern design. It’s impressive how the game maintains a retro feel while appearing contemporary, thanks to advances in the graphics engine, showing detailed scenarios without falling into the uncanny valley effect that makes something seem off. The campaign maintains a good pace, with no colossal levels taking over an hour to complete; on average, levels take between 20 to 40 minutes. Each level’s design follows a pattern where progress requires flipping switches, making them everything but mazes. This is positive, as the designer’s intentions are evident throughout each level.
What truly changes the campaign’s rhythm is the secret level. It’s wild! Designed by NotJabba, an award-winning mapper, it presents a disorienting cathedral filled with enemies on screen. While the other levels are more traditional, the secret level is a window into the madness often seen in the Doom community.
On the other hand, the new Hexen campaign, Vestiges of Grandeur, is the crown jewel of the package. It’s an expansive campaign at a grand scale that takes you through forgotten realms, challenging puzzles, and the task of gathering all special items within the classic campaigns. It’s an environment where you can lose yourself for hours. Similarly to New Faith, it channels retro vibes without clashing with its modern design. One detail to note: at one point, progress feels confusing, but a persistent player will become familiar with the environment, overcoming this hurdle and navigating numerous portals like second nature.
The secret level in Hexen follows suit with New Faith. Once again courtesy of NotJabba, we encounter a level of madness that genuinely makes us question the Doom community mappers’ mental state. No words suffice to describe this map that completely overturns the retro feeling to deliver a unique, frenzied scenario. We may not be the biggest fans of the secret level, but we recognize and applaud the ingenuity poured into designing each of its challenges.
Heretic + Hexen is an outstanding example of how to modernize classics without losing the essence that made them unique. Nightdive Studios once again achieves a perfect balance between preserving the original experience and making it accessible to new generations while adding significant content in the form of new campaigns. Improvements in gameplay, cross-platform support, and accessibility features make this undoubtedly the best way to experience these legendary titles, both for veterans and newcomers to the genre. We wholeheartedly recommend these titles.
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