The Resurrection of the Dark Fantasy Kings
For years, fans of the Boomer Shooter genre have been whispering into the void, begging for the same treatment given to DOOM and Quake to be applied to the “fantasy cousins” of the id Tech family. In 2025, Nightdive Studios and id Software finally answered the call with a surprise drop that made every retro gamer’s heart skip a beat. Heretic + Hexen isn’t just a simple port; it’s a massive, lovingly crafted bundle that brings two of the most influential dark fantasy shooters into the modern era with more polish than a Paladin’s breastplate. If you grew up in the 90s, you remember these games as the “Doom-but-with-wands” titles, but this re-release proves they were always so much more than that. They were pioneers of Atmosphere, Inventory Systems, and Non-Linear Level Design, and seeing them running flawlessly on modern hardware is nothing short of a revelation.
Heretic: The Elf Who Refused to Die
To understand why this bundle is such a big deal, you have to look back at the original Heretic, released in 1994 by Raven Software. At the time, everyone was trying to clone DOOM, but Raven was the only team that truly “got” it. You play as Corvus, a Sidhe elf whose people were branded as heretics for resisting the Serpent Riders, three interdimensional jerks who conquered the world with dark magic. While it used the DOOM engine, Heretic introduced features that were revolutionary for the time. You could finally Look Up and Down, and for the first time in a shooter, you had an Inventory System. Instead of just picking up health packs that activated instantly, you could hoard Quartz Flasks, Time Bombs of the Ancients, and the iconic Tome of Power to use exactly when you needed them.
The Tome of Power is still one of the coolest mechanics in FPS history. Activating it doesn’t just give you a damage boost; it completely transforms how your weapons behave. Your basic Elven Wand goes from a peashooter to a triple-shot machine gun, and the Dragon’s Claw starts ripping through enemies like a magical gatling gun. It turned the standard “run and gun” gameplay into something more tactical, forcing you to manage your resources while navigating hauntingly beautiful medieval cathedrals and murky swamps. The game felt faster and more vertical than DOOM, and even today, the Projectile-Based Combat feels incredibly satisfying.
Hexen: Beyond the Linear Path
If Heretic was DOOM with a fantasy skin, then Hexen: Beyond Heretic was a total genre-bender. Released in 1995, it shifted the focus from straightforward levels to a Hub-Based System. You weren’t just moving from point A to point B; you were exploring massive, interconnected worlds where pulling a switch in one map might open a door three levels away. It was confusing, dark, and notoriously difficult, but it was also incredibly ambitious. Hexen also introduced Character Classes, allowing you to choose between the Fighter, the Cleric, and the Mage. This wasn’t just a cosmetic choice; it fundamentally changed how you played. The Fighter was a melee powerhouse who excelled at punching Ettins into red mist, while the Mage relied on long-range spells that required careful mana management.
The Atmosphere in Hexen is where the game really shines. It’s grittier and more oppressive than its predecessor. You’ll find yourself wandering through crumbling castles, frozen wastes, and volcanic pits, all while being hunted by the second Serpent Rider, Korax. The game felt like a living world, with breaking glass, falling leaves, and ambient sounds that made the Cronos realm feel truly haunted. While the puzzles could be head-scratchers (sometimes literally requiring you to find a hidden wall halfway across the world), the sense of Discovery was unparalleled. It remains one of the most unique “Doom-clones” ever made because it dared to slow down the pace and force the player to actually think about the environment.
The Nightdive Treatment: Polishing the Grime
Now, let’s talk about what Nightdive Studios has actually done with this bundle. They didn’t just slap a fresh coat of paint on these games; they rebuilt them using their KEX Engine, which means you get native support for 4K Resolution and 120 FPS. The difference is night and day. The textures are crisp, the lighting is vastly improved, and the Wide Screen Support makes these classic environments feel expansive rather than claustrophobic. But the real magic is in the Quality of Life improvements. They’ve added a Weapon Carousel for quick switching, Modern Controller Support that actually feels good, and a much-needed Mini-Map system for Hexen that tracks where you’ve been and what switches you’ve flipped. For anyone who got lost in the Seven Portals back in the day, this is a literal godsend.
New Blood: Faith Renewed and Vestiges of Grandeur
One of the biggest selling points of this re-release is the inclusion of Brand New Content. Nightdive and id Software didn’t just stop at the expansions (Shadow of the Serpent Riders and Deathkings of the Dark Citadel); they actually hired some of the best mappers in the community to create two entirely new episodes. Heretic: Faith Renewed is a masterpiece of level design that pushes the engine to its absolute limits, featuring massive vertical arenas and encounter designs that feel modern while staying true to the original game’s soul. On the other side, Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur offers a fresh take on the hub system, providing a challenging and rewarding experience for veterans who have already memorized every inch of the original game. Between the two, you’re looking at dozens of hours of high-quality, professional-grade content that makes this bundle feel like a true sequel in spirit.
A Symphony of Slaughter: The Soundtrack
Music has always been a core part of the Heretic and Hexen identity, and this remaster handles it perfectly. You have the option to stick with the Classic MIDI or FM Synth tracks composed by Kevin Schilder, which are still iconic and spooky. However, Nightdive also brought in the legendary Andrew Hulshult to create an Enhanced Soundtrack. Hulshult is basically the king of modern retro-FPS music, and his “Tome of Power” remixes for these games are absolutely incredible. They take the original themes and turn them into heavy, atmospheric, orchestral-metal hybrids that perfectly match the intensity of the combat. If you want to feel like a god-slaying wizard, turning up the volume on the Hulshult tracks is the only way to play.
The Raven Vault and Community Power
Beyond the gameplay, the developers included a massive digital museum called the Raven Vault. This is a treasure trove for anyone interested in Game Development History. It features high-resolution scans of original Concept Art, unused enemy sprites, and developer notes that have never been seen by the public before. It’s a wonderful tribute to the team at Raven Software who created these worlds. Furthermore, the inclusion of an In-Game Mod Browser is a game-changer. Both Heretic and Hexen have massive modding communities that have been active for thirty years, and now console players and casual PC fans can easily download and play Community-Made Campaigns with just a few clicks. It ensures that the game will continue to have a life long after you finish the main episodes.
The Ultimate Dark Fantasy Package
In an era where remasters can sometimes feel like lazy cash-grabs, Heretic + Hexen stands as a gold standard for how to treat Gaming Heritage. It respects the original vision of Raven Software while giving modern players every tool they need to enjoy these classics without the frustration of 90s-era technical hurdles. Whether you are a fan of the “classic” feel or you want the full Enhanced Experience with 4K visuals and a roaring soundtrack, this bundle provides it all. It’s a massive amount of content for a very fair price, and it finally gives these games the spotlight they deserve. Corvus and the three heroes of Cronos have never looked or played better.
Community-made Mods Extravaganza
Since the in-game mod browser is one of the best additions to this remaster, you have decades of community history right at your fingertips. Here are the heavy hitters you should download immediately to keep the magic flowing.
Curse of D’Sparil
If you finished the main Heretic campaign and felt like you needed a true “Episode 6,” this is the one. Curse of D’Sparil is legendary in the community for a reason. It is an Episode Replacement that captures the exact vibe of the original game but kicks the Difficulty and Map Geometry up several notches. The levels feel more interconnected and grander than anything in the base game, often feeling like a “Heretic 1.5.” It’s widely considered the gold standard for Heretic Modding, and having it officially available via the browser with full compatibility is a dream come true.
Shadows of Chronos
For the Hexen fans who didn’t get enough of the hub-based madness, Shadows of Chronos is a must-play. Interestingly, this was created by Samuel “Kaiser” Villarreal, who actually worked on this very remaster at Nightdive. Because it was made by someone who knows the engine inside and out, the Level Flow is incredibly tight. It’s a massive Hub-Based Campaign that feels like a natural extension of the original game, featuring some of the most atmospheric and clever Puzzle Design seen in a Hexen mod. It’s challenging but fair, and it perfectly utilizes the different classes to ensure you’re always using your Class Abilities to their fullest potential.
The Wayfarer
If you want to see what modern design can do with the old engine, look for The Wayfarer by Jimmy. This is a high-speed, high-intensity Nine-Map Episode for Heretic that introduces new enemies and even a brand new Weapon to play with. The visuals are stunning, using Lighting and Color in ways the original 1994 maps never dreamed of. It’s fast-paced, colorful, and features a banging Custom Soundtrack that fits the action perfectly. It’s the kind of mod that makes you realize just how much life is still left in this old engine when it’s in the hands of a master mapper.
The Faithless Trilogy
If you have a lot of time on your hands and want a truly epic journey, search for The Faithless Trilogy. This is a gargantuan project that spans multiple episodes and completely overhauls the Visual Identity of Heretic. It’s a Total Conversion style experience that takes you through haunting forests, derelict ruins, and cosmic realms. The Detail Work on the maps is insane, and the sense of Scale is unlike anything else on the browser. It’s a masterclass in World Building that proves you don’t need a million polygons to create a sense of wonder and dread.
HYMN
Finally, if you want something that leans more into the “creepy” side of dark fantasy, you need to grab HYMN. This is a Community Project that focused specifically on Gothic Atmosphere and music. The maps are dripping with detail—lots of stained glass, ornate cathedrals, and eerie graveyards. It’s a bit slower and more focused on Exploration, making it a perfect change of pace if you’ve spent the last three hours frantically blasting gargoyles in Faith Renewed. It’s a beautiful, somber experience that reminds you why these games are still the kings of the Dark Fantasy aesthetic.
