Reviving Classic Fantasy FPS: Heretic and Hexen Reimagined
In the mid-1990s, the gaming industry witnessed the emergence of two groundbreaking first-person shooters—1994’s "Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders" and its 1995 sequel, "Hexen: Beyond Heretic." These games, developed by Raven Software and originally powered by a modified version of the Doom engine, introduced players to a dark fantasy world filled with magic and mythical creatures, setting them apart from the usual sci-fi and war-themed shooters of the time. Fast forward to today, and we are excited to announce the re-release of these legendary titles in the form of "Heretic + Hexen," thanks to a collaboration between id Software and Nightdive Studios. This enhanced version aims to bring these classic games to a new generation of players, offering them a chance to experience the magic and innovation that defined an era.
From Demonic Sci-fi to Dark Fantasy
Reflecting on the journey of these games, Brian Raffel, co-founder and co-head of Raven Software, expresses a sense of surreal nostalgia. “As one of the original developers back in the ’90s, it’s honestly kind of surreal to see Heretic and Hexen coming back like this,” Raffel shares. “We built those games on a heavily modified Doom (1993) engine and tried to push the boundaries wherever we could, adding things like character classes, inventory systems, vertical aiming…stuff that was pretty wild for the time.” The collaboration with id Software, particularly the involvement of gaming legends John Romero and John Carmack, provided the technical support and creative freedom necessary to develop something truly unique.
The games invite players into a world of monster-filled halls, trap-laden arenas, and arcane realms, blending classic FPS combat with elements inspired by fantasy tabletop role-playing games. Mike Rubits, Senior Programmer at id Software, highlights the unique niche these games carved out. “Both Heretic and Hexen hail from the kind of fantasy that was common in 80s and 90s PC gaming but had yet to be explored much in a first-person shooter,” he explains. “There were a lot of shooters with war, sci-fi, and aliens, but not a lot of maces and wands.”
One of the most innovative features introduced in "Hexen" was the inclusion of character classes. Raffel elaborates, “It was actually Romero’s idea to add character classes in Hexen—a move that really took the franchise to the next level. At the time, that kind of RPG element in an FPS was almost unheard of. Each class had its own weapons, stats, and playstyle – that blend of shooter mechanics with fantasy roleplaying was risky, but it worked. It helped set Hexen apart from everything else out there and made the world feel richer and more personal. I think that’s a big part of why people still remember it so fondly.”
Features and Enhancements in Heretic + Hexen
The newly released "Heretic + Hexen" is packed with features designed to enhance the gaming experience for modern players. It includes local split-screen and cross-platform online multiplayer modes, allowing players to enjoy the game with friends regardless of their gaming platform. The enhanced “Tome of Power” soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult offers an auditory experience that complements the dark fantasy setting. Additionally, the release includes new accessibility options and quality-of-life improvements, ensuring that players of all abilities can enjoy the game. The Raven Vault provides behind-the-scenes materials, offering insights into the development process and the creative minds behind these classics.
A significant highlight of this re-release is the inclusion of brand-new content. In addition to the previously released expansion packs, "Heretic + Hexen" introduces two new episodes. “The two new episodes in Heretic + Hexen cover both games – ‘Faith Renewed’ is a new Heretic episode while ‘Vestigues of Grandeur’ was created in Hexen,” explains Rubits. These episodes offer a fresh experience that maintains the original technology’s spirit while not being limited by the constraints of 30-year-old hardware.
The creation of this new content was a collaborative effort among talented developers at Nightdive Studios. Xaser Acheron, Senior Developer, recalls the planning phase, “During the planning phases, we figured we’d only have time to do one or the other, and it dawned on me that these are some of the fastest mappers in the West.” Samuel “Kaiser” Villarreal, Level Designer at Nightdive Studios, adds, “I already knew there was going to be additional content for Heretic + Hexen, so I started making maps in my free time for fun. By the time the whole thing was greenlit, I had nearly a whole episode’s worth of maps done already.”
The incredible talent of these developers resulted in nearly an entire episode’s worth of content from each contributor. Community legend Not Jabba also contributed a couple of gigantic maps to complete the set. Xaser reflects on the process, “The gambit paid off, but in hindsight it’s really not that much of a surprise since those folks are absolute powerhouses.”
Delve into the Fantasy FPS Classics Today
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the mythical realm of Cronos or a newcomer stepping into its shadowy halls for the first time, the combined efforts of Raven Software, id Software, and Nightdive Studios invite you to experience "Heretic + Hexen" and the enduring legacy that helped define a genre. Raffel expresses his gratitude to the fans, “To the fans—those who were there in the early days and those discovering these games for the first time now—thank you. Your enthusiasm, modding, memories, and support have kept these worlds alive far longer than we ever imagined. Seeing the community still care about this work after all these years means more than I can say.”
Released today for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, "Heretic + Hexen" is a testament to the timeless appeal of these classic games. Whether you’re revisiting old memories or creating new ones, the magic of these games continues to captivate and inspire. For more details, you can visit the original announcement on the developer’s website.
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