Heretic + Hexen

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Heretic + Hexen is a single player and multiplayer role playing shooter game with fantasy and violence themes. It was developed by id Software and was released on August 7, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Heretic + Hexen is a remastered version of the games Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic and Deathkings of the Dark Citadel. It includes quality of life improvements (native widescreen, engine fixes, interface tweaks...), reworked local and online multiplayer, as well as new episodes - Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,255 reviews

music64 positive mentions

grinding15 negative mentions

Excellent remaster with quality of life improvements such as updated controls, widescreen and ultrawide support, map markers for objectives, and balance adjustments that make both Heretic and Hexen more accessible and enjoyable.
Includes all original episodes and expansions plus two brand new campaigns for Heretic and Hexen, with a remixed soundtrack that respects the original atmosphere, higher frame rates, cross-platform multiplayer, and mod support.
Free upgrade for owners of the original games and runs smoothly on modern systems including Steam Deck, providing a definitive way to experience these classic fantasy-themed Doom engine shooters.

Hexen's level design remains confusing and obtuse despite improvements, requiring significant backtracking and puzzle solving that can frustrate players new to the game.
Some gameplay and level design changes, especially in Heretic's maps and weapon balance, may feel like unwanted alterations to purists and are enabled by default with the option to turn them off hidden in menus.
The KEX engine used in the remaster has notable issues such as input lag, vertical texture warping when looking up and down, and a limited save system especially problematic for multiplayer co-op progress.

music
181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The remastered soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult is widely praised for its quality, modern clarity, and faithful yet enhanced take on the original compositions, often described as a standout feature that breathes new life and atmosphere into the game. Players appreciate the option to switch between the original MIDI, remixed, and orchestral versions, catering to different preferences, though a few find the new music less fitting or annoying. Overall, the music significantly enhances the immersive experience and is considered a major highlight of the remaster.
- “Outstanding sound effects and remastered music throughout bring the world to life; this possessed, rotten, haunted world.”
- “The remastered OST is particularly excellent and contains some tracks I will return to outside of playing.”
- “The new soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult really stands out and honestly fits the games a lot better than the original soundtracks.”
- “Also, I think the new music is pretty bad.”
- “Finally, the remixed music is god awful!”
- “Unbearable to listen to the new music!”
gameplay
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
75%
2%
The remaster of Heretic and Hexen introduces modernized, rebalanced gameplay with quality-of-life improvements, enhanced weapon mechanics, and optional modifiers that allow players to toggle between classic and updated experiences. While Heretic closely follows the Doom formula with improved pacing and inventory management, Hexen offers more complex, puzzle-oriented exploration alongside unique class-based combat and new mechanics like parrying and class switching. Despite some purist criticism over gameplay alterations and occasional obtuse level design, the overall consensus is that these changes revitalize the classics, providing a challenging, fun, and fresh take on the original games.
- “Hexen also had at the core of its gameplay an innovative level design that was absolutely bonkers for its time.”
- “Gameplay enhancements mostly come from some weapons being improved - mostly, in Heretic, the Hellstaff now seeks out enemies, while in Hexen, the Cleric's mace also comes with a shield that can be used to parry attacks, both melee and ranged, with parried melee attacks leaving enemies open to a one-hit kill, which makes the weapon incredibly more useful.”
- “The layout of the levels are amazing, the puzzles are often rewarding, the music is cool, and gameplay across classes is consistently a blast (I prefer the mage :).”
- “Hexen at least feels like its own game with different mechanics and gameplay situations compared to other classic FPS titles like Doom, but the gameplay is 90% hunting for switches and the other 10% circle-strafing or kiting very dumb monsters.”
- “Heretic is a Doom reskin with slower, clunkier gameplay, more annoying and less interesting enemies, and a really uninspiring weapon roster.”
- “Everything else is just trash: no texture filtering, no redrawn graphics, no graphics effects and colored lighting, no 3D perspective correction, no fonts/GUI remade... but there are changes in level design (so the game is a little more casual now), there are questionable mechanics changed (ettins have longer melee range and can hit you through a door, mage is made into an overpowered killing machine like he's not already) too many to write.”
graphics
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The graphics in the Heretic + Hexen remaster blend classic 90s pixel art with modern enhancements like higher resolutions, widescreen support, and smoother performance, preserving the original dark, medieval-fantasy aesthetic while improving visuals for certain levels. Fans appreciate the balance between nostalgic visuals and updated effects, though some note limited customization, occasional dated or clashing elements, and a desire for more modern 3D graphical options. Overall, the remaster respects the original style while offering a visually polished, fluid experience suited for both retro enthusiasts and new players.
- “Similarly to what was done with the original Doom games, Heretic + Hexen is a re-release of these two games, with modern controls, improved graphics, gameplay enhancements, and two new episodes for both Heretic and Hexen.”
- “Cleaned up graphics, new options, soundtracks, and overall a big improvement over the originals in every way.”
- “• Gorgeous 4k visuals, smooth 120 fps, widescreen, and modern mouse/controller.”
- “The overall aesthetic is dark, muddy, and reminds me too much of so many bargain bin doom clones that were released in the 90s by bandwagon jumping studios that failed to capture id's magic.”
- “Graphics look jaggy/low-quality: apparently this version uses a software renderer for the games (not related to the main d3d11/vk renderer) which looks dated (everything is crisp/blended/smooth no problem doomsday).”
- “The graphics is from the doom era.”
story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The story is largely conveyed through minimal intermissions and environmental storytelling, featuring a dark, corrupt world with a backstory centered on an elf survivor fighting against powerful foes. While narrative depth is limited and can be confusing without quest markers, recent updates add improved lore, RPG elements, and clearer objectives that enhance immersion in interconnected, exploration-focused levels. Overall, the story complements the gameplay’s classic monster-hunting and puzzle-solving appeal without aiming for cinematic complexity.
- “Howls and screams of nearby enemies keep the player on edge, while light puzzle elements provide a welcome break from incessant mindless slaying, allowing the player to contemplate the backstory behind this horribly corrupt world, while enjoying the excellent music remaster.”
- “Pardon the cliché, but it feels souls-like / metroid-esque, with interconnected shortcuts, sensible reuse of areas, and plenty of environmental storytelling.”
- “The story follows an elf survivor of the massacre orchestrated by an evil trio of serpent riders, powerful mage-like entities that slaughtered your friends, family, and entire race.”
- “The plot is filler as in most FPS games from this era and is told only in intermissions between episodes.”
- “Honestly, this story is kind of hard to follow in-game as it is basically different varieties of intriguing levels jam-packed with monsters, fiends, traps, and secrets.”
- “They can be a bit confusing for modern players, as there are no quest logs or markers telling you what to do, or even anything telling you what door opened where when you press a button or switch.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its unique, gothic, and oppressive tone, enhanced by haunting, atmospheric music and detailed environmental sounds that deepen immersion. The remastered visuals and audio polish maintain the original mood while offering a fluid experience, though some fans prefer the classic MIDI soundtrack over newer remixes. Overall, the game excels at creating a strong, immersive atmosphere that balances tension, exploration, and power fantasy, though some new content and audio changes are seen as weaker by purists.
- “Combined with the spooky atmosphere, this game felt like something you survived.”
- “This remastered collection brings together Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic, both originally created by Raven Software using the id Tech engine that powered Doom, and reimagines them with contemporary polish while maintaining their distinctive gothic charm and arcane atmosphere.”
- “The refined aiming system, buttery-smooth frame rates, and crisp widescreen presentation create an experience that feels remarkably fluid, all while preserving the oppressive atmosphere that defines Heretic.”
- “The only weak point is the new DLC, which doesn’t match the quality or atmosphere of the original episodes.”
- “1) Graphics managed to capture the old dark atmosphere, whereas I feel like ZDoom/gDoom are too polished and shiny.”
- “They need to add an option to remove the warping geometry when looking up and down. They fixed this in the Blood 1 re-release. Also, when you play, set the brightness to 5% to match the original game's atmosphere.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
Hexen significantly enhances replayability through its inclusion of three distinct classes, each offering unique playstyles and weapon options, which adds variety and fresh experiences to each playthrough. While not as endlessly replayable as classics like Doom or Quake, the game's modernized controls, additional mechanics, and strong mod support contribute to its lasting appeal and replay value.
- “Featuring a couple additional tweaks to the Doom engine, such as the ability to jump (this was a big deal), Hexen also allowed the player to pick one of three classes (fighter, mage, cleric), which enabled players to gravitate towards certain playstyles while also enhancing replayability.”
- “Having the option of playing as three different classes also gives Hexen a large amount of replay value. While some combat scenarios feel like a slog depending on what class you use, this means things are generally well balanced and there isn't one 'super class' that can steamroll through the game.”
- “Mod support with an in-game browser brings endless replay value and creativity.”
- “They are not as eternally replayable as the original Doom or Quake, but still classics nonetheless.”
- “While some combat scenarios feel like a slog depending on what class you use, this indicates generally well-balanced gameplay and no single 'super class' that can steamroll through the game, but it does affect replayability.”
- “Replayability is increased by having different classes and weapons, but some players may find certain combinations less engaging, making the experience uneven.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
Grinding in these games is often described as tedious and repetitive, especially in Hexen's platforming and backtracking sections, though updates have introduced quality-of-life improvements like objective markers, weapon buffs, and class changes to reduce monotony. While Heretic's grind has been somewhat eased through weapon and enemy rebalancing, challenges and pacing issues remain, making progression less frustrating but still requiring patience. Overall, the latest enhancements and optional tweaks strive to mitigate the grind, though some players still find parts of the experience slow and repetitive.
- “The normal playthrough is as grindy as ever.”
- “I really wish I could give a neutral thumb here, Heretic is fun, Hexen can really become tedious and Deathkings of the Dark Citadel makes you want to ragequit all fifteen minutes; that is how bad it is.”
- “The level design is very claustrophobic and not visually interesting (with only a few exceptions like the very first level for example) and it requires you to go back and forth between levels which is very tedious.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
58%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users experiencing smooth performance and modern control support, especially on Linux, while others report frequent bugs such as visual and sound glitches. Despite these issues, the port is generally playable and offers new content and customization options, though it may not fully match the stability of the original executables.
- “This version runs great for me, and being able to play it with a modern WASD + mouse setup is just what was needed.”
- “Runs great on Linux-based potatoes.”
- “No need for ZDoom anymore, all runs great straight out of the box, with support for mods and all!”
- “Unfortunately, this port is horrible and extremely buggy.”
- “There are some visual glitches, noticeably in the first hub in Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel where textures in the big doors don't render properly.”
- “Very weird glitches with enemy sounds, the sound of their immediate attack plays even when they're far away from the player.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The optimization of this remaster is generally praised for running smoothly on modern systems with great performance and accuracy, even on older computers. However, some users still experience stuttering and frame rate issues in certain ports, requiring adjustments like disabling G-Sync to achieve stable gameplay. Overall, it's a well-optimized release that respects the classic material while offering improved options and performance.
- “Not to mention that now you don't need to look for a source port, since it's optimized for modern systems.”
- “Incredible optimization and a great many options.”
- “Unlike the previous Doom + Doom II remaster which suffered massive performance issues (to be fair, I have an old computer, but then, these are also old games), this remaster runs smoothly.”
- “There shouldn't be performance dips in this port when gzdoom runs flawlessly.”
- “To make matters worse, KEX's weird stuttering issue returns too, to the point where the only way to achieve a non-wobbly, non-hitchy framerate was to disable G-Sync and play at the monitor's refresh rate with V-Sync on.”
- “Unlike the previous Doom + Doom II remaster which suffered massive performance issues (I have an old computer, but these are also old games), this remaster runs smoothly.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the games is generally wholesome and heartfelt, evoking genuine feelings and even tears for some players. However, there are moments of frustration, such as getting stuck in game elements, which can dampen the overall experience.
- “Two truly wholesome video games for children of all ages.”
- “Thank you, this made me cry a bit.”
- “No touching what's important, adding only onto it to make it even more epic, and gives mouse support.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for retaining an appropriately '90s vibe, particularly in the redone cutscenes, though some users express frustration and find the humor tone-deaf or unsettling due to underlying corporate cynicism. Overall, humor is seen as nostalgic but mixed with negative impressions from the community.
- “It's even more funny because this was announced on "anything-but-quake" con.”
- “I know I'm in my 30's, I know some of you are laughing and don't get why a simple remaster that doesn't bog me down with corporate nonsense is a cause for such celebration - and that's okay.”
- “The ugly: redone cutscenes aren't hilariously jank like the originals, but still look appropriately 90's.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Nightdive's monetization approach is well-received, as they focus on thoughtfully remastering classic games with modern enhancements rather than producing quick cash grabs, ensuring genuine value for players.