Heretic + Hexen

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgia Factor: Many players appreciate the remaster for bringing back fond memories of playing these classic games in the 90s.
• Enhanced Graphics and Sound: The remaster includes significant graphical improvements, such as support for 4K resolution, improved textures, and a remastered soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult, which many users praised.
• Multiplayer Features: The addition of online multiplayer (up to 16 players) and crossplay functionality has been well-received, allowing for both cooperative and competitive gameplay.
• New Content: The inclusion of new episodes and expansions, such as "Faith Renewed" for Heretic and "Vestiges of Grandeur" for Hexen, adds fresh experiences for returning players.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Features like map markers for objectives, customizable gameplay settings, and improved controls have made the games more accessible and enjoyable.
• Free Upgrade for Existing Owners: Players who previously owned the original games received the remaster for free, which was a nice gesture from the developers.

The main cons of the game

• Level Design Issues: Many players criticized the level design, particularly in Hexen, describing it as overly complex, confusing, and sometimes frustrating. Some levels require extensive backtracking and can lead to players getting lost.
• Bugs and Technical Issues: Users reported various bugs, including crashes and issues with enemy respawns, indicating that the game still needs some polishing.
• Weapon Changes: Some players expressed dissatisfaction with changes to weapon mechanics, particularly the crossbow and gauntlets, which they felt were negatively impacted in the remaster.
• Difficulty and Accessibility: Hexen, in particular, was noted to be excessively difficult and labyrinthine, which could deter new players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Independent Save Systems: Players noted the lack of independent save/load systems for each game, which could be inconvenient.
• More Aggressive Auto-Saves: Some users desired more frequent auto-saves or checkpoints to ease the difficulty of progression.
• Manuals or Guides: There was a suggestion for including digital manuals or guides, which could help new players navigate the complex gameplay.
• Multiplayer Progress Saving: Users expressed a wish for multiplayer campaign saves, as the current system requires starting over upon disconnecting, which can be frustrating during longer sessions.
• Legacy Options: Some players wanted the option to revert certain gameplay changes to maintain the original experience, particularly regarding weapon mechanics and level design.

Summary

• Overall, the remaster of Heretic + Hexen has been well-received, especially for its nostalgic value and enhancements, but it also has notable drawbacks that could impact the experience for new players and veterans alike.

Summary generated on: October 9, 2025