Hexen: Beyond Heretic

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a dark fantasy first-person shooter released in 1995 by Raven Software for MS-DOS. Serving as the spiritual successor to Heretic, it expands upon its predecessor’s fast-paced action with a grimmer atmosphere, richer lore, and a deeper focus on exploration. Built on a modified Doom engine, the game takes players to a cursed world filled with nightmarish creatures, crumbling temples, and deadly traps.

The player chooses one of three distinct characters — the Warrior, the Cleric, or the Mage — each with unique weapons, strengths, and play styles. Unlike traditional corridor shooters of the time, Hexen introduced hub-based level design, where players revisit areas, solve intricate puzzles, and unlock pathways by manipulating the environment. This gave the gameplay a more adventurous and methodical pace, while still delivering intense combat.

With its moody soundtrack, atmospheric visuals, and a blend of action and puzzle-solving, Hexen: Beyond Heretic stood out as one of the most distinctive shooters of the 90s. Its combination of medieval fantasy, dark magic, and brutal combat helped cement its cult status among fans of classic PC games, and it remains a memorable entry in Raven Software’s early legacy.