Heretic + Hexen

About

About the Game Step into the definitive re-release of two dark spell-casting shooters that shaped the genre. Forged by Raven Software on a modified DOOM engine, Heretic and Hexen were released in 1994 and 1995, pushing first person shooters into bold new territory.

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8
Based on
1325 reviews
Country Compatibility:
Languages:
Developer:
Raven Software
Publisher:
Bethesda Softworks
Engine:
KEX
Release date:
07 August 2025
Recent Steam reviews:
Not specified
All Steam reviews:
Very Positive (1325)

Game features

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Description

About the Game

Step into the definitive re-release of two dark spell-casting shooters that shaped the genre.

Forged by Raven Software on a modified DOOM engine, Heretic and Hexen were released in 1994 and 1995, pushing first person shooters into bold new territory. These innovative cult classics introduced groundbreaking features like inventory systems, vertical aiming, and distinct character classes, reshaping first person action games for generations to come. This enhanced restoration makes Heretic + Hexen available to new audiences and long-time fans with expanded accessibility across more platforms and languages than ever before. Whether you're returning to these shadowy realms or discovering them for the first time, an epic legacy awaits.

Owners Receive

  • Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders¹

  • Hexen: Beyond Heretic¹

  • Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel¹

  • Two all-new episodes created in collaboration between individuals at id Software + Nightdive Studios:

    • Heretic: Faith Renewed

    • Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur

There are a total of 117 campaign maps and 120 deathmatch maps in Heretic + Hexen.

New Enhancements

  • Online cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players²

  • Local split-screen deathmatch and co-op for up to 8 players

  • Toggleable, enhanced Tome of Power soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult

  • Community-published mod support with an in-game mod browser² ³

  • Improved performance with multithreaded rendering supporting up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS⁵

  • A Vault section containing concept art and unused sprites from the development of the original games

  • Accessibility options, such as updated UI, improved legibility, contrast and screen FX adjustments, and text-to-speech features.

  • Modern controller support

    • Weapon carousel for faster weapon switching

  • Game balance toggle (original/enhanced)

  • Quick Save/Load support

  • Widescreen support

  • Many engine fixes for bugs present in original versions

  • Translated into 12 new languages: French, Italian, German, Spanish, LATAM Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese

¹Original DOS versions of Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic and Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel are included in the Steam version.

² account required.

³Mods need to be installed separately; installation requires additional system storage.

⁵Compatible display required.

About the Included Games

Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders

Three brothers, known as the Serpent Riders, used their powerful magic to possess and corrupt the seven kings of the realm, plunging it into war and chaos. But a race of elves known as the Sidhe resisted and were branded heretics. On the brink of losing the war, the Sidhe elders sacrificed themselves and the elven capital city to destroy the seven kings and their armies. As one of the few surviving elves, you embark on a quest for vengeance against those who slaughtered your friends, family, and entire race.

Heretic: Faith Renewed [NEW]

Years after the planes were cleansed of D'Sparil's wretched influence, a wandering warrior in search of home arrives at a foreign land to discover the blighted stains of that old time religion seeping through the cracks of society once more. In the fortified city, zealous acolytes stand high atop a decadent cathedral and listen to the lamentations echoing from the streets as non-believers are dragged away for 'correction.' The shadow of D'Sparil lingers after death, his absence attributed to apotheosis. Once revered, now worshipped, deserving of neither. An all-too-familiar scene, and one you simply cannot stomach. Taking up the mantle of Heretic once more, you stride into the city, staff in hand, to silence the echoes of your arch-nemesis.

Hexen: Beyond Heretic

While the Sidhe elf Corvus battled the evil forces of D'Sparil, the remaining two Serpent Riders were busy sowing the seeds of destruction in other dimensions. As a Warrior, Mage, or Cleric, you must fight the undead and brave elemental dungeons and decaying wilderness to defend your realm of Cronos from Korax, the second Serpent Rider.

Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel

After defeating the evil Korax, the second Serpent Rider, and discovering the Chaos Sphere, you have been transported to the Realm of the Dead. Now your only way home is blocked by hordes of undead and the Dark Citadel. Where Hexen ends, the true nightmare begins.

Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur [NEW]

Korax lingers between life and death, his shredded corpse left behind with no semblance of life while he clings to a fresh, if fragile, rebirth. His grip on Cronos is once more released, yet the cycle continues, proving another force is at work: an invisible hand puppeteering both Korax and you, weaving a star-crossed destiny that will never die. And if that hand tugs the threads of fate again, what surprises are yet in store for you?

Recommended system requirements

minimum*

Requirement 1:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS:
Windows 10 64-bit
Processor:
Intel Core i5-3570 @3.4GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 @3.5GHz
Memory:
8 GB RAM
Graphics:
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 650 TI (2GB) or AMD HD 7750 (1GB)
DirectX:
Version 11
Storage:
2 GB available space
Additional Notes:
High speed broadband connection required for online play

recommended*

Requirement 1:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS:
Windows 10 64-bit
Processor:
Intel Core i5-6600k @3.5GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 @3.2GHz
Memory:
8 GB RAM
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 TI (8GB) or AMD RX Vega 56 (8GB) or Intel Arc A 380
DirectX:
Version 11
Storage:
2 GB available space
Additional Notes:
High speed broadband connection required for online play

User reviews

Fitz
Recommended | 15 Jun 2026
25.2h played

Another Nightdive home run. Feature rich remaster, and plenty of meat on the bone. Heretic is a fantasy reskin of Doom. If that sounds appealing, you have good taste. Hexen is Heretic but more interesting level design

Helpful: 22
dotWDR
Not recommended | 07 Jun 2026
15.0h played

Giving it a negative review because Pocket Plane killed off all of my interest in finishing the Heretic part of the package. "Oh, a cool new weapon to spice up your arsenal", well it is only available in the secret

Helpful: 6
Luna 🌙✨
Recommended | 26 Jun 2026
223h played

microsoft please release raven software from the COD mines so they can work on actual games again

Helpful: 56
Tadeash
Recommended | 26 May 2026
18.0h played

The modern controls, remixed soundtrack and quicksave feature make playing these classic games delightful. However the quality of these games is highly questionable, or unballanced. Heretic is quite fun, the door

Helpful: 3
[ATP]Cocktail
Recommended | 28 Jun 2026
1.7h played

Crazy good remaster/rerelease of both games. Was expecting a another DOS emu dump like most of the retro favorites that hit steam, this is anything but. Achievements, controller support, even ultrawide support. The devs

Helpful: 6
Purpleetea
Recommended | 16 Jul 2026
7.3h played

Open the dark vault of Heretic world. Very important treasure was uncovered once more and that is Heretic. This is one of the most important games brought back from old era and done with a justice. From one of the

Helpful: 4