Classic Horror Shooters Heretic & Hexen Return with Modern Enhancements

The annual QuakeCon celebration commenced this week with a surprising reveal: a remastered bundle of the iconic first-person shooters Heretic and Hexen. The collection, now available on Steam and GOG, comprises all three original titles – Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, and the Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel expansion – alongside two newly created episodes developed in partnership between id Software and Nightdive Studios: Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur. The package offers a substantial amount of content, encompassing 117 campaign maps and an additional 120 designed for deathmatch play.

The updated release incorporates numerous enhancements intended to modernize the gameplay experience. These include support for resolutions up to 4K, widescreen displays, frame rates reaching 120fps, controller compatibility, extensive bug fixes, and a customizable “game balance toggle” allowing players to select between authentic original mechanics or an enhanced iteration. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, developers have integrated accessibility features such as improved text legibility, adjustable contrast and visual effects, and text-to-speech functionality. A dedicated “Vault” provides access to concept art and supplementary assets from the original games, while players can also choose between a revised soundtrack or the authentic audio landscape of the initial releases.

The sudden appearance of this remastered bundle followed an earlier announcement by GOG indicating that Heretic, Hexen, and Deathkings would briefly become unavailable for purchase – a maneuver widely interpreted as a prelude to the surprise release. Priced at $15 USD (£13.49 GBP / €15 EUR), owners of any of the original three games will receive an automatic upgrade to the new collection at no additional cost, retaining access to their existing versions.