Review: Hexen: Beyond Heretic
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:How your game is saved depends on the source port you're using. Some of them will automatically save your progress when you travel between areas, while others might not. You can usually save manually whenever you need to. The same goes for pausing - you can usually pause the action by bringing up the source port's menus (typically by pressing ESC). Time needed per session:Plan on playing for at least twenty minutes - this game features huge, elaborate levels that can easily disorient new players.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | Yes Most of the characters in this game make frequent use of magic to aid them in their battles, but the large amount of blood and gore is easily the bigger issue here. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/hexen_beyond_heretic_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/hexen_beyond_heretic_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/hexen_beyond_heretic_2.jpg)
Game Overview
When Ravensoft created Heretic, they were attempting to bring a high fantasy story into then-modern world of first person shooters. They definitely succeeded, but there was still room for improvement. Instead of creating another fantasy themed FPS like they did before, they built upon what they'd learned and produced Hexen, the second game in the Serpent Riders trilogy.
Like their previous game, Hexen is a high fantasy game that uses FPS style gameplay mechanics. However, there have been a number of changes that distance it from other first person shooters of the era. One major difference is that players can now choose to play as one of three character classes. Each class has their own set of four weapons, abilities, and playstyle. The game can even change which maps are used to reflect which character the player is using.
Speaking of the level design, that's one thing that's wildly different in Hexen. Most FPS games made around this time had a linear set of levels, each of which were stored on a single map. Players would advance from one level to another, always progressing closer to the end of the game with each map change. In Hexen, a single level is made up of several maps linked together via a "hub" level. This creates gigantic levels where players move from area to area and back again as they try to find keys, items, or switches that will allow them to progress to the next "hub".
By connecting multiple maps together like this, the developers made a large, open world for players to explore. And chances are, you'll find yourself wandering around a lot - it's easy to lose track of what you've already done or where you need to go. The developers apparently anticipated this, as they made sure the player wouldn't be alone for long. Normally, older FPS games like Doom or Wolfenstein had a fixed number of enemies on each level. Once they were defeated, you could explore freely without worrying about being attacked. This is not the case here, as new enemies are automatically spawned every so often, preventing you from every being truly safe. Another interesting change is that the level itself can be affected by scripted events. Once triggered, these scripts can restructure entire sections of the map, permanently reshaping the area. This can be especially dangerous, as it's possible for players to get trapped in the collapsing debris and either fall to their doom or get crushed by the what used to be the ceiling.
Along those same lines, there are a ton of things in the levels can be broken by you or monsters - stained glass windows are clearly the designer's favorite, as they're frequently placed where they can get smashed and dramatically send broken glass flying everywhere. Pots and trees can also be destroyed during fights or just to clear space. Just be a tad careful - some pots have small monsters in them.
On a different note, when I reviewed Heretic I mentioned that the game's inventory system was just begging to be abused by careful players. The developers attempted to prevent this by having the game empty your inventory between levels. This limitation was not implemented in Hexen, so you're free to hoard as many health potions and other goodies as you want. Since some source ports also let you automatically use items when your health drops low enough, a player can become laughably overpowered.
Unfortunately, this great game does have a downside - there's a lot of blood and gore, even compared to games like Doom. On top of this, dungeons and graveyards often contain large numbers of dead prisoners, and there's no shortage of hanging bodies or dangling body parts - many of which can be smashed to bits, just like a pot or tree. Lastly, most of your enemies also die in an elaborate and graphic manner.
But... if you're not too bothered by stuff like this, then you should consider giving Hexen a try.
Like their previous game, Hexen is a high fantasy game that uses FPS style gameplay mechanics. However, there have been a number of changes that distance it from other first person shooters of the era. One major difference is that players can now choose to play as one of three character classes. Each class has their own set of four weapons, abilities, and playstyle. The game can even change which maps are used to reflect which character the player is using.
Speaking of the level design, that's one thing that's wildly different in Hexen. Most FPS games made around this time had a linear set of levels, each of which were stored on a single map. Players would advance from one level to another, always progressing closer to the end of the game with each map change. In Hexen, a single level is made up of several maps linked together via a "hub" level. This creates gigantic levels where players move from area to area and back again as they try to find keys, items, or switches that will allow them to progress to the next "hub".
By connecting multiple maps together like this, the developers made a large, open world for players to explore. And chances are, you'll find yourself wandering around a lot - it's easy to lose track of what you've already done or where you need to go. The developers apparently anticipated this, as they made sure the player wouldn't be alone for long. Normally, older FPS games like Doom or Wolfenstein had a fixed number of enemies on each level. Once they were defeated, you could explore freely without worrying about being attacked. This is not the case here, as new enemies are automatically spawned every so often, preventing you from every being truly safe. Another interesting change is that the level itself can be affected by scripted events. Once triggered, these scripts can restructure entire sections of the map, permanently reshaping the area. This can be especially dangerous, as it's possible for players to get trapped in the collapsing debris and either fall to their doom or get crushed by the what used to be the ceiling.
Along those same lines, there are a ton of things in the levels can be broken by you or monsters - stained glass windows are clearly the designer's favorite, as they're frequently placed where they can get smashed and dramatically send broken glass flying everywhere. Pots and trees can also be destroyed during fights or just to clear space. Just be a tad careful - some pots have small monsters in them.
On a different note, when I reviewed Heretic I mentioned that the game's inventory system was just begging to be abused by careful players. The developers attempted to prevent this by having the game empty your inventory between levels. This limitation was not implemented in Hexen, so you're free to hoard as many health potions and other goodies as you want. Since some source ports also let you automatically use items when your health drops low enough, a player can become laughably overpowered.
Unfortunately, this great game does have a downside - there's a lot of blood and gore, even compared to games like Doom. On top of this, dungeons and graveyards often contain large numbers of dead prisoners, and there's no shortage of hanging bodies or dangling body parts - many of which can be smashed to bits, just like a pot or tree. Lastly, most of your enemies also die in an elaborate and graphic manner.
But... if you're not too bothered by stuff like this, then you should consider giving Hexen a try.
Points of Interest
Three ways to play
Each class is based around a different playstyle. The fighter is primarily a melee combatant, and to make up for their limited range, they can also take more punishment than anyone else. On the other hand, the mage is entirely about ranged combat - and to encourage the player to stay away from enemies, they are also the most vulnerable of the three classes.
Clerics are more balanced, able to fight in close combat or at a distance. In fact, their second weapon, the Serpent Rod, is able to steal health from enemies at melee range - an incredibly useful trick if you need to recover after a large battle.
Clerics are more balanced, able to fight in close combat or at a distance. In fact, their second weapon, the Serpent Rod, is able to steal health from enemies at melee range - an incredibly useful trick if you need to recover after a large battle.
Five huge worlds
Not counting the prologue, epilogue, or secret levels, there are a total of five realms to explore. Each of these worlds are connected to at least four other large areas, and together they form giant puzzles for the player to solve. As you progress, your journey will take you through dozens of unique locations, including temples, castles, woodlands, and wastelands. Expect to get lost from time to time.
Progress tracking
Today, many games provide the player with an itemized task list that they can use to tract their progress within a stage. Hexen came out long before these were popularized, but it does offer something similar. Some of the more complicated hubs have a series of plaques that light up as the player solves each piece of the puzzle. These plaques are clearly marked, allowing you to easily track your progress. Even if you don't know exactly where the switches are, you will be able to tell which section they are hidden in!
Usefulness of weapons can be debatable
Each class has four unique weapons available - one you always have, two you can find in levels, and a fourth weapon you can assemble from various parts. In my opinion, only the cleric's fourth weapon is worth your time - the others are nice, but not very effective. Likewise, the mage's default weapon and Arc of Death spell trumps the rest of their arsenal.
Don't bother with the default engine
Steam's copy of Hexen is the original DOS version loaded into a pre-configured copy of DOSBox. While this does give you the files you need to play the game, this set up is basically unplayable as is. Save yourself a lot of trouble by installing Hexen off Steam, then using a source port like Zandronium
to actually play the game.
to actually play the game.
Concerns and Issues
Lots of blood and gore
Many of the places you'll visit in this game are littered with human remains, which is a little bit odd as the only humans in this game are the player characters. Most of the corpses are the remains of shackled and bound prisoners, though there are a few that are still hanging from the gallows or bits suspended from meat hooks. These bodies, like the pots and other decorations, can often be destroyed or climbed over.
Gore is also commonly seen when you defeat enemies, as their death animations often show them being ripped apart or spurting blood.
Gore is also commonly seen when you defeat enemies, as their death animations often show them being ripped apart or spurting blood.
Magic and monsters
This is intended to be a high fantasy game, so the world is populated by all sorts of fantasy creatures. The enemy roster is full of examples, with the ogre-like ettins, evil "slaughtaurs", and several types of dragons. Ghosts also make an appearance, as they serve as enemies in the later portions of the game. Clerics can also use their fourth weapon to summon a horde of angry spirits to tear their foes apart.
Aside from this, everyone in this game uses magic or magical artifacts to further their respective causes. The Serpent Riders are probably more notable for this, as the symbols and trappings of their evil cult are found throughout the land. But, none of this is based on real occult practices or symbols.
Aside from this, everyone in this game uses magic or magical artifacts to further their respective causes. The Serpent Riders are probably more notable for this, as the symbols and trappings of their evil cult are found throughout the land. But, none of this is based on real occult practices or symbols.
Minor language
There are a few cutscenes in Hexen, such as the story pages between hubs and the ending. One of them includes the word "damn", which is the closest thing to swearing you'll find in this game.