Three decades after their original release, Heretic and Hexen return in a package that’s part nostalgia trip, part preservation effort, and part fresh content drop. Raven Software’s original dark-fantasy shooters helped shape the genre with their blend of DOOM-like intensity and magical, gothic atmosphere, and Nightdive Studios’ enhanced restoration makes them surprisingly accessible on modern hardware. While their age inevitably shows, the PS5 version makes a strong case for why these games deserve another round in the spotlight.
The pairing still feels distinct even now. Heretic leans closer to traditional shooter design – fast-paced, straightforward, and packed with enemies that encourage constant movement. It’s here where you can see how some considered this a fantasy take on DOOM back in the day. The newly included Faith Renewed episode builds on that legacy with smartly tuned level design and a sharper sense of pacing, showing that there’s still creative mileage left in its formula. Hexen, on the other hand, is more ambitious and divisive, with its hub-based progression, heavier emphasis on exploration, and class system that significantly alters how you approach combat. Vestiges of Grandeur, the brand-new episode for Hexen, follows suit with sprawling, intricate maps that will thrill fans who enjoy piecing together cryptic layouts – but can frustrate those who prefer their shooters more direct.
Nightdive’s work on the technical side is impressive. The visuals retain their chunky, pixelated charm, but widescreen support, higher frame rates, and cleaner rendering make them more comfortable to play than ever. The controls translate well to a gamepad, with weapon wheels, quick-save support, and modern aiming smoothing over many of the rough edges you’d expect from mid-90s FPS design. At the same time, these enhancements don’t fundamentally change the fact that both games were built in an era before objective markers, forgiving checkpoints, or much hand-holding – an aspect that will feel refreshingly old-school to some and opaque to others.
The audio fares just as well. The original MIDI soundtracks are here in all their moody glory, but the option to toggle Andrew Hulshult’s remastered Tome of Power soundtrack is a welcome addition, giving the games a richer, heavier atmosphere without losing their identity. Sound effects, from the snap of a crossbow shot to the hiss of a spell, still carry that punchy, slightly abrasive edge that works well in the chaos of combat.
There’s also a surprising amount of content beyond the core campaigns. Between the three original releases (Heretic, Hexen, and Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel), the two new episodes, and a mountain of multiplayer maps – playable both locally and online with cross-platform support – this is a generous package. The inclusion of mod support, even on console, opens the door to community creations, though it does require extra steps to get running.
Still, this is very much a collection that caters first to fans of classic shooters. Newcomers willing to adapt to 90s-era design will find inventive level layouts, a unique dark fantasy tone, and a surprisingly large amount of game for the price. Those expecting the smooth onboarding of modern FPS campaigns might bounce off the more labyrinthine stages or the sometimes unforgiving combat difficulty. But as a preservation effort, Heretic + Hexen is handled with care – respectful of its legacy, but unafraid to add quality-of-life features that make these games easier to appreciate in 2025.
Score: 8.1/10
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