Heretic + Hexen Reviews
Heretic + Hexen is yet another slam dunk for Nightdive Studios. This new release revamps both titles with modern controls, bonus content, and thoughtful changes to the core design that make each game a delight to play. Granted, these are still FPS titles from the mid-'90s, so your mileage will definitely vary, but for returning fans and those with a particular fondness for old-school 'boomer shooters', you really can't go wrong. Now let's get a native Switch 2 port with 120fps please, Nightdive.
Thanks to Nightdive Studios, that ultra reliable bastion of remastering excellence, Heretic and Hexen have never, ever looked this good or played this well on console. Certainly then, Heretic + Hexen might just be Nightdive's best remastering gig yet and that really is saying something when you consider the heady calibre of their output to date. They don't make em' like they used to - luckily, we have Nightdive Studios to make sure that they do.
But if you have any nostalgic love for the original games, then please pick this collection up for yourself, and for the sake of future Nightdive remaster projects.
Despite all of its new bells and whistles, Heretic + Hexen is unapologetically itself — which is to say, a fairly rudimentary, sometimes monotonous, oftentimes unfair blast from the past — and although it certainly won’t be every modern player’s cup of tea, those who have an existing or budding appreciation for its retro, “you had to look up cheat codes for this game in a magazine back in the day” appeal will find themselves beyond sated.
Heretic + Hexen marks the grand return of two first-person fantasy classics, brought back to life by Nightdive Studios with impeccable and meticulous restoration work. Technical improvements, new campaigns and revised balancing enrich the experience without betraying the original spirit, offering the best of both eras: the freshness and usability of modernity and the rough charm of the 90s. Whether you're a veteran ready to dust off old glories or a new adventurer curious to explore these milestones, you'll find yourself with a solid, rich and engaging package that will keep you entertained for dozens of hours.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The double remaster is now included in the Game Pass catalog, so if you have an active subscription to the service, I highly recommend giving it a try. This is the best way to explore both games if you missed out back in the day, or to replay them with all the modern features if you were a fan of the series when they came out.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Heretic + Hexen brings back a revival of 30+ year old marvels that progressed the first-person shooter genre in the 90s and set the path for future FPS games. The additions of new online modes, direct access to mods, and new content make this even sweeter. But the games do look like they’re from the 90s, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Heretic + Hexen is a must-have package for fans of old-school FPS games. A small piece of history, respectfully restored and partially expanded in content to bring the right shine to ID Software's two brands. Old and new challenges await fans of boomer shooters, and despite the passing of time, one can't help but appreciate the work done by Nightdive Studios.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you have fond memories of either, Heretic + Hexen is another must buy collection from Nightdive Studios.
Heretic + Hexen has a good long run time, and with the DLC added in, there is a lot of content that will keep you playing for a while.
Overall, Heretic + Hexen is a highly valuable collection for a couple of types of players. First, those who experienced the original releases back in the day can now revisit these classics in a complete package on modern systems or consoles and enjoy a wave of nostalgia. Second, fans of classic shooters like Doom who never had the chance to try Heretic and Hexen when they first came out. For these players too, thanks to the exciting combat, well-designed levels, and excellent music, the games still offer hours of pure fun. So, if you fall into either of these groups, Heretic + Hexen—with its fair price and high content value—is one of the best gaming experiences you can pick up right now, and one I strongly recommend not missing.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Nightdive Studios once again strikes a perfect balance between preserving the original experience while making it accessible for new generations. Heretic + Hexen is an outstanding modernization that adds significant content with new campaigns, improved gameplay, cross-platform support, and accessibility features. It's definitively the best way to experience these legendary titles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Heretic + Hexen is Another great remaster from Nightdive studio. Both titles feature QOL improvements and even new features like multiplayer or mod support, all of which help to make these experiences even better. These titles enjoy from improved controls, support for higher resolutions and frame rates, the introduction of two completely new episodes, and a remastered soundtrack thay have helped modernizing these games.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Now, if we can just get Nightdive to give us a remaster of the original Aliens Vs. Predator from 1999, I really will be set. Yes, I know that there is the Aliens Vs. Predator Classic 2000, but I want Nightdive, specifically, to be on all these kinds of projects.
Heretic + Hexen by Nightdive Studios is an easy recommendation for collectors or newcomers to these super old and once popular titles. Ideal for someone who loves old school Doom “clones,” or simply players who want to relive the beginning of the Serpent Riders saga once more, as well as the new campaigns that were created for this re-release.
There are shortcomings. Some date back as far as 30 years. Nevertheless, I believe this is a collection that should not be missing from the library of any fan of the genre. Many people got it for free from the library anyway. Two once-popular fantasy action games have been revived in a modernised version with a huge amount of content, lots of improvements, and new features that make them even better games.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Enhanced for modern consoles and PC, Heretic + Hexen bundles together two first-person shooters that still manage to feel somewhat unique three decades after their original release. These truly are the definitive versions of these games, with Nightdive Studios even taking steps to alleviate Hexen's hub level woes.
While it may seem like just another rehashed product meant to cash in on nostalgia, Heretic + Hexen is the definitive way to fully appreciate two of the genre's most important games. Welcomed accessibility and quality-of-life updates, which add value to what was already incredible, make this package an indispensable library addition for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even a CRT filter would do wonders for translating the visuals at a higher definition. But given that the previous best way to play this on a home console was to dig out a Nintendo 64 or put up with compromised versions on Playstation or Saturn, this is still certainly an improvement overall. Hopefully down the road we can get the rest of the Heretic/Hexen series as well.
"A legendary revival of a classic" Heretic + Hexen isn't just a remaster, but a thoughtful return that respects the original and adds improvements that make the experience suitable for a new generation of gamers. While it may not be without some technical flaws and outdated features, it remains a rich experience that combines action, puzzles, and a unique gothic atmosphere. It's a must-have for fans of classic shooters and those looking to revisit the genre's history.
Review in Arabic | Read full review