Okay, let’s dive headfirst into this nostalgic rabbit hole — Heretic and Hexen, ringing any bells? If you were around in ’94 and ’95, you probably remember these bad boys making a splash in the FPS scene. Now, thanks to id Software and Nightdive Studios, these legends are back with a polished makeover. Like, imagine your old sneakers looking brand new — that’s what this re-release feels like. Anyway, let’s roll the tale.
Oh, and there’s this video (because everyone loves a good teaser, right?) that captures the essence of this comeback. Trust me, it’s worth a watch.
Let’s do this: sidetrack to the mind blow from back then — Raven Software’s co-founder Brian Raffel, one of the OGs, is feeling all sorts of ways about Heretic and Hexen hitting the scene again. I’ve heard this guy can go on about those modified Doom engines like it’s yesterday. Crazy tech, vertical aiming, character classes — stuff that was off the charts for its time. And those collaborations with id Software — Romero and Carmack slinging engine magic like it was nobody’s business.
Jump into this monster-slaying quest and you’ll get where I’m coming from — it’s kind of like mixing D&D with your favorite fps. Monsters, magic, dungeons. Who wouldn’t love it? Mike Rubits from id Software spilled the tea about taking fantasy out of its comfort zone and into shooter land. Maces and wands? Yes, please.
Then there’s that genius move by Romero — making Hexen a class act, literally. When the RPG elements slid in, boom, it was like someone added sriracha to your plain old soup. That shooter-fantasy mix was bold, but it was perfect.
Fancy some modern flair? The re-release isn’t just a polished mirror, it’s more like a new paint job with extras — split-screen, cross-platform, enhanced soundtracks, behind-the-scenes goodies, and even fresh content. Andrew Hulshult’s tunes, anyone? It’s like your fave mixtape got remastered.
And this wild ride doesn’t stop there — “Faith Renewed” for Heretic and “Vestigues of Grandeur” for Hexen. Ain’t that a treat? Nightdive’s Xaser Acheron mentioned these mappers at warp speed, churning out episodes like it was pie. But then again, when you’ve got folks like Samuel Villarreal and community legend Not Jabba pitching in, you know something epic’s coming your way.
So here we are, this reimagined legendary classic awaits. Whether you’re reliving those wild days or stepping into this loony world for the first time, it promises to be a nostalgic burst. Raffel nods to all fans, whether you’re an OG or a newbie — their spirits still keep this world alive.
And guess what? Heretic + Hexen drops today for PS5 and PS4. Dive in, folks! Let the chaos begin.
