Hexen: Beyond Heretic

1995 · First-Person Shooter · PC/DOS

Overview

Hexen (1995) is Raven Software's sequel to Heretic, a fantasy shooter with three character classes and hub levels full of switch and item puzzles.

Deep Dive

The player picks the Fighter Baratus, the Cleric Parias or the Mage Daedolon, each with their own weapons and abilities. Hub levels link to side levels, and the player returns to the hubs to solve puzzles by collecting items or throwing switches.

Developer Story

Raven developed it, and id Software published it for MS-DOS in October 1995. The Deathkings of the Dark Citadel expansion followed in 1996, and the source code was released in 1999. Critics praised the non-linear levels and the class choice.

Did You Know?

Its modified Doom engine added jumping, looking up and down, and a scripting system.
The PC version sold over 250,000 copies, but the console ports were poorly received.