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.
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
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.
Heretic + Hexen is aimed squarely at those nostalgic for the originals. Without that, most won’t stay hooked, though these classics still stand as genre-defining works now showing their age.
This is an absolute treasure of video game preservation that not only shows great respect for the originals, but also presents ways to play these titles that make them even better than they already were.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Hexen and Heretic are a harder sell when compared to Doom and Quake, but they are still fun games worth checking out. They are different enough to feel novel even after 30 years, being less linear, medieval-themed, and even melee-focused, depending on the character you choose to play as. Thanks to Nightdive’s utterly masterful remastering efforts, both titles look, run and play better than ever before.
For modern retrogaming fans, Nightdive Studios has become a hallmark of quality. Their recent release of Heretic + Hexen confirms their talent in reviving classic gems. This bundle offers optimized versions of two foundational FPS titles, enhanced with smart improvements that smooth out their original rough edges. Despite their age, Raven Software’s classics remain fun thanks to solid, timeless gameplay—further enriched by two brand-new additions. Given the affordable price, there’s little reason to skip Heretic + Hexen. And if you still don’t like them… maybe the problem isn’t the games.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Heretic + Hexen do a good job of paying tribute to the originals while also making important changes to the quality of life and the gameplay. The new maps and guns make the game more exciting without taking away from the classic ’90s FPS feel. The new Faith Renewed episode for Heretic is a well-made add-on that works well with the main game.
Heretic + Hexen is more than just a trip down memory lane; it's a careful preservation of two cult classics that helped shape the fantasy FPS subgenre. The changes Nightdive made keep the original's spirit while making it easier for people today to understand. The class-switching in Hexen, the options for making puzzles easier, the ability to play with people on different platforms, and the weapon rebalance all seem like things that the 90s versions needed.