Retro followers rejoice! Raven Software program’s legendary (or on the very least, fondly remembered) fantasy FPS twosome Heretic and Hexen have risen from the grave and obtained the remaster remedy on Xbox, PlayStation, Change, and PC, courtesy of retro specialists Nightdive.
Heretic, for these too younger to recollect, initially launched in 1994 whereas its sequel, Hexen: Past Heretic, launched one yr later, with Raven Software program – as of late greatest recognized for its work on Name of Obligation – creating each utilizing a modified model of the Doom Engine. However whereas the titles had a lot in widespread with id Software program’s seminal shooter, they managed to convey one thing new to the still-fledgling style with their medieval fantasy setting; beefy weapons and demonic hordes making method for swords, spell-casting, character courses, and the likes of monstrous spiders, golems, gargoyles, and the undead.
Each video games have garnered loads of followers over time, and have gone on to encourage the likes of developer Indefatigable’s very good 2018 retro-shooter throwback Amid Evil, however the originals are actually set to take pleasure in a brand new lease of life due to Nightdive Studios.
Nightdive – the crew liable for many an acclaimed remaster, together with the latest upgrades for System Shock 2 and Star Wars: Darkish Forces – introduced its new Heretic + Hexen launch forward of this yr’s QuakeCon. Each video games have now been finessed for contemporary machines and rereleased, alongside a complete bunch of extras, in a single moderately priced bundle.
Extra particularly, Heretic + Hexen gathers collectively Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders (combining each the unique 1994 recreation and its growth), Hexen: Past Heretic, and Hexen’s Deathkings of the Darkish Citadel growth. That is alongside two new episodes, Heretic: Religion Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur.
Multiplayer followers have quite a lot of choices too. There’s split-screen native multiplayer for as much as 4 gamers on all platforms (that is elevated to eight gamers on Xbox Sequence X/S and PC), in addition to cross-platform on-line assist for co-op and deathmatch – the latter accommodating as much as 16 gamers. There’s additionally group mod assist, the choice to toggle between the unique midi/FM soundtracks and a brand new model by composer Andrew Hulshult, new accessibility options, plus a “vault” containing a group of behind-the-scenes growth supplies.
Change helps as much as 720p/60fps in handheld mode or 1080p/60ps when docked (there isn’t any native Change 2 assist, sadly), whereas 1080p/60fps is obtainable on PS4 and Xbox One. PS4 Professional and Xbox One X shunt that as much as native 4K/60fps, and you’ll count on native 4k/120fps on PS5 and Xbox Sequence X/S. PC decision and framerates are, clearly, depending on {hardware}.
Heretic + Hexen is obtainable now on Change, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, and PC (by way of Steam, GOG, and the Home windows Retailer), and prices £13.49/$14.99. It is also out there as a part of Xbox Sport Go Final. Anybody contemplating buying it ought to try the accompanying FAQ, as gamers who personal sure earlier editions are eligible for a free improve.
