1994’s Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders and its 1995 sequel, Hexen: Past Heretic solid new frontiers in first-person shooter video games. Expertise these pivotal video games today with Heretic + Hexen, a collaboration between id Software program and Nightdive Studios bringing an enhanced re-release of Raven Software program’s legendary video games to a brand new era of gamers.
From demonic sci-fi to darkish fantasy
“As certainly one of the unique builders again in the ’90s, it’s truthfully sort of surreal to see Heretic and Hexen coming again like this,” says Brian Raffel, studio co-founder and co-head of Raven Software program. “We constructed these video games on a closely modified Doom (1993) engine and tried to push the boundaries wherever we might, including issues like character courses, stock programs, vertical aiming…stuff that was fairly wild for the time.
“We had been additionally fortunate to be working with our pals at id Software program, particularly John Romero and John Carmack. Their help and engine tech gave us the probability to construct one thing completely different. There’s one thing cool about understanding these worlds nonetheless imply one thing to individuals in spite of everything these years.”
Gamers embark on a journey by monster-filled halls, trap-laden arenas and arcane realms in a novel mix of classic FPS fight with dungeon delving impressed by fantasy tabletop role-playing video games.
“Each Heretic and Hexen hail from the sort of fantasy that was frequent in 80s and 90s PC gaming however had but to be explored a lot in a first-person shooter,” shares Mike Rubits, Senior Programmer at id Software program. “There have been numerous shooters with conflict, sci-fi, and aliens, however not numerous maces and wands.”
“It was really Romero’s concept so as to add character courses in Hexen—a transfer that actually took the franchise to the subsequent degree,” says Raffel. “At the time, that sort of RPG factor in an FPS was virtually exceptional. Every class had its personal weapons, stats, and playstyle – that mix of shooter mechanics with fantasy roleplaying was dangerous, however it labored. It helped set Hexen other than the whole lot else out there and made the world really feel richer and extra private. I believe that’s an enormous a part of why individuals nonetheless keep in mind it so fondly.”
Heretic + Hexen options embrace native split-screen and cross-platform on-line multiplayer modes, the choice to toggle the enhanced “Tome of Energy” soundtrack from Andrew Hulshult, all-new accessibility choices and quality-of-life enhancements, behind-the-scenes supplies in the Raven Vault and extra. That’s not all: along with beforehand launched growth packs for the unique launch, Heretic + Hexen additionally options brand-new content material!
New content material for Heretic + Hexen
“The 2 new episodes in Heretic + Hexen cowl each video games – ‘Religion Renewed’ is a brand new Heretic episode whereas ‘Vestigues of Grandeur’ was created in Hexen,” Rubits explains. “They adopted in the spirit of the new episodes in our earlier re-releases: an entire new expertise that makes use of the unique expertise, however will not be certain by having to run on 30-year-old computer systems with a really small quantity of reminiscence.”
“Throughout the planning phases, we figured we’d solely have time to do one or the different,” says Xaser Acheron, Senior Developer at Nightdive Studios, “and it dawned on me that these are a few of the quickest mappers in the West.”
“I already knew there was going to be extra content material for Heretic + Hexen, so I began making maps in my free time for enjoyable,” provides Samuel “Kaiser” Villarreal, Stage Designer at Nightdive Studios. “By the time the complete factor was greenlit, I had practically an entire episode’s value of maps accomplished already.”
“Certain sufficient, every mapper produced practically a whole episode’s value of content material on their very own, with neighborhood legend Not Jabba contributing a few gigantic maps to spherical out the set. I additionally obtained to sneak in certainly one of my very own,” says Xaser. “The gambit paid off, however in hindsight it’s actually not that a lot of a shock since these of us are absolute powerhouses.”
Delve into the fantasy FPS classics today
Whether or not you’re returning to the mystical realm of Cronos or setting foot in its shadowy halls for the first time, the mixed groups at Raven Software program, id Software program and Nightdive Studios invite you to expertise Heretic + Hexen and the legacy that helped outline a style.
“To the followers—those that had been there in the early days and people discovering these video games for the first time now—thanks,” says Raffel. “Your enthusiasm, modding, reminiscences and help have stored these worlds alive far longer than we ever imagined. Seeing the neighborhood nonetheless care about this work in spite of everything these years means greater than I can say.”
Heretic + Hexen is on the market now for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.