Hexen: Beyond Heretic
Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a 1995 first-person shooter developed by Raven Software. The sequel to Heretic and the second entry in the Serpent Riders saga, it is set in a dark fantasy world besieged by the Serpent Rider Korax and lets players choose among three distinct character classes, the Fighter, Cleric, and Mage, each with unique weapons, movement speed, and abilities.
Built on an enhanced version of the Doom engine, the game introduced hub-based level design, in which players moved back and forth between interconnected areas, activating switches or removing obstacles in one zone to open paths in another, giving progression a puzzle-like quality unusual for shooters of the time. It also added scripting, jumping, and environmental effects like earthquakes. This structure and its class variety gave it more depth than many of its contemporaries.
Hexen remains available through digital storefronts, and modern source ports keep its fantasy action and interconnected levels accessible on current systems.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Hexen: Beyond Heretic, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amid Evil Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| WRATH: Aeon of Ruin Indie | € 24,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Heretic + Hexen | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Hedon Bloodrite Indie | € 16,49 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, Linux |
Amid Evil Indie
€ 19,99A fantasy boomer shooter with magical weapons and surreal worlds.
Amid Evil runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
WRATH: Aeon of Ruin Indie
€ 24,99A dark-fantasy shooter built on the Quake engine by 3D Realms and Slipgate.
WRATH: Aeon of Ruin runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Heretic + Hexen
€ 14,99Nightdive's official re-release of both games with new episodes, online co-op and modern controls.
Heretic + Hexen runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Hedon Bloodrite Indie
€ 16,49A hand-built retro shooter with keys, hubs and genuine exploration, closer to Hexen than most.
Hedon Bloodrite runs on PC, Linux. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
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