Hexen: Beyond Heretic

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a 1995 dark fantasy first-person shooter developed by Raven Software and published by id Software (distributed by GT Interactive). Released on October 30, 1995, for PC (MS-DOS), it is the direct sequel to 1994’s Heretic. Built on a heavily modified version of the Doom engine, Hexen pushed the aging tech to its absolute limits, introducing a full class-based RPG system, complex puzzle-solving, and a revolutionary hub-based level design that completely changed the pacing of the 90s boomer shooter.

Core Story

Following the defeat of the first Serpent Rider (D’Sparil) in Heretic, the narrative shifts to the realm of Chronos. The second, far more powerful Serpent Rider, Korax, has successfully conquered this new world, corrupting its leaders and unleashing an army of horrific beasts, undead warriors, and centaurs. You play as one of three legendary heroes—the remnants of Chronos’s resistance—who step through a mystical portal to hunt down Korax, shatter his dark magical hold on the realm, and avenge their fallen brethren.

Gameplay and Features

Hexen radically departed from the linear, “run-and-gun” formula of Doom, demanding that players use their brains just as much as their trigger fingers:

• Three Distinct Classes: At the start, you choose your champion. Baratus the Fighter is incredibly fast and relies on devastating close-range melee weapons. Parias the Cleric is a balanced mid-range fighter who uses maces and magical fire. Daedolon the Mage is slow and fragile but wields incredibly powerful long-range spells.
• The Hub System: This was Hexen’s most defining and controversial feature. Instead of completing a level and moving to the next, players explore a central “Hub” map that connects to several smaller sub-levels. You must constantly backtrack between these levels, pulling a lever in a swamp to open a door in a castle, to solve massive, realm-wide puzzles.
• Complex Geometry (PolyObjects): Raven Software upgraded the Doom engine to support “PolyObjects.” For the first time, doors could realistically swing open on hinges instead of just sliding up into the ceiling, and levels featured rotating pillars, moving walls, and environmental traps.
• The Inventory System: Expanding on Heretic, players collect and manage an inventory of magical artifacts. These include the Flechette (which acts differently depending on your class, functioning as a grenade or poison gas cloud), the Chaos Device (for emergency teleportation), and the Porkelator (which literally turns enemies into harmless pigs).
• Destructible Environments: Hexen added a satisfying layer of interactivity, allowing players to shatter stained glass windows, chop down dead trees, and smash pottery for hidden items.

PC Version

The original MS-DOS release remains a legendary staple of 90s PC gaming. Today, the PC is undeniably the best place to experience the game. It is readily available on Steam and GOG. However, standard DOSBox emulation can feel incredibly clunky by today’s standards. Modern players highly recommend using the phenomenal GZDoom source port, which transforms the game with native high-resolution widescreen support, dynamic lighting, modernized mouselook, and flawless controller support, while preserving the gorgeous, dark fantasy pixel art.

Console Versions

Due to its massive popularity, Hexen received official ports to the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 in 1997. The PlayStation and Saturn versions struggled heavily with the game’s complex hub system, suffering from notoriously long load times, pixelated visuals, and choppy framerates. However, the Nintendo 64 version (Hexen 64) was surprisingly excellent. It featured smoother framerates, smoothed textures, and a fantastic, console-exclusive 4-player split-screen deathmatch and co-op mode.

Quick Note

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a wildly ambitious, highly atmospheric shooter that blends brutal magical combat with dungeon-crawling logic puzzles. Its intricate hub worlds can be frustratingly confusing without a guide, but the payoff is immense.

In short: If you are tired of standard sci-fi shotguns and want to freeze a two-headed dog with magic before shattering it into a million pieces with a spiked gauntlet, Hexen is a dark fantasy masterpiece that demands to be played.