"Heretic" was like "Doom" but with a D&D esthetic. "Hexen: Beyond Heretic" is something vastly different. For the first time, the Doom engine has been modified to be truly dynamic and genuinely atmospheric. For an old game with old graphics, it looks amazing. It also does not have the same map-by-map structure of "Heretic" or "Doom." It is an open world structure that let's you go from place to place with an emphasis on exploration. Sometimes you need to even go back to older maps, although there are points where you do get cut off permanently as the game progresses.
Usually there is a hug map, and you have to travel around outside of it, always returning to open up new doors. It is a very satisfying mapping structure. I always enjoyed exploring in this game. It also helped that the diverse locations and atmospheres were really good.
You can play three different characters in this game: a fighter, a cleric, and a mage. I have only tried the fighter so far, and it was really cool using melee weapons in a game like this. I enjoyed it a lot. You can, by the way, switch characters whenever you like... I just never did.
Once more, you can use items which will help you along the way, but there is also magic you have to pick up to keep your magic weapons charged. There are two types of magics too, which was weird.
I really enjoyed this game, and I am kind of sad I waited so long to play it. The thing that boggles my mind is that it still looks like "Doom" but like if Doom was a bit more advanced. It feels like it is somewhere between "Doom" and "Quake." Either way, I do recommend playing "Hexen: Beyond Heretic."
The best way to play it these days is through the excellent "Heretic + Hexen" remaster released by NightDive Studios. Enjoy!
This blog was written on October 24, 2025.
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