Fans of classic first-person shooters from the 1990s can rejoice as Bethesda Softworks has recently unveiled Heretic+Hexen, a compilation that brings together remastered editions of two iconic titles: Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders and Hexen: Beyond Heretic. This surprise release occurred during QuakeCon 2025, making it available on Xbox platforms, Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Windows and Steam.
Rediscovering Classic Adventures
Players will embark on dark and thrilling quests to thwart the malevolent Serpent Riders and their armies of darkness. Armed with an impressive arsenal of weapons and magical spells, gamers will find themselves immersed in a world reminiscent of beloved FPS games such as Duke Nukem, DOOM, and Wolfenstein 3D. However, what sets Heretic and Hexen apart are their groundbreaking mechanics that contributed to shaping the FPS genre, including inventory systems, vertical aiming, and character class systems.
The compilation offers a wealth of content, featuring:
- Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
- Hexen: Beyond Heretic
- Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel
- Two new episodes crafted in collaboration with id Software and Nightdive Studios:
- Heretic: Faith Renewed
- Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur
- A total of 117 campaign maps and 120 deathmatch maps.
In addition to the original titles, players can look forward to new campaign episodes developed by industry veterans. The Steam version will also include the original DOS editions of the games, ensuring a comprehensive experience for both newcomers and nostalgic fans alike.
Modern Enhancements for a Timeless Experience
The remastered versions of Heretic+Hexen come packed with enhancements designed to elevate gameplay:
- Online cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players.
- Local split-screen deathmatch and co-op for up to 8 players.
- Enhanced soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult, known for his work on DOOM: Eternal.
- Community mod support with an in-game mod browser.
- Improved performance with multithreaded rendering supporting up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS.
- A Vault section showcasing concept art and unused sprites from the original development.
- Accessibility options, including an updated UI and text-to-speech features.
- Modern controller support with a weapon carousel for swift weapon switching.
- Game balance toggle (original/enhanced).
- Quick Save/Load support and widescreen compatibility.
- Numerous engine fixes addressing bugs from the original versions.
- Translations into 12 languages, including French, Spanish, and Japanese.
For those eager to dive into this medieval boomer shooter action, Heretic+Hexen is now available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Windows and Steam. The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to maintain their progress across platforms. Additionally, it is included in the extensive library of Xbox Game Pass, offering subscribers the chance to download it at no extra cost. For those considering a subscription, a limited-time offer at CDKeys provides one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just .04, a significant discount from the usual price.
