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Heretic + Hexen similar games & best alternatives

Heretic + Hexen

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2025

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Quick resume

Step into the definitive re-release of two dark spell-casting shooters that shaped the genre. This enhanced restoration makes Heretic™ + Hexen™ available to new audiences and long-time fans with expanded accessibility across more platforms and languages than ever before.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free upgrade for original owners
    • Modernized gameplay with quality of life improvements
    • New episodes and expansions
    • Seamless multiplayer and coop support
    • Remastered soundtrack and graphics

    Cons

    • Some players find hexen confusing despite improvements
    • Minor bugs reported in new maps
    • Some changes to original level design are controversial
    • Auto-aim and ui options can be intrusive
    • Save system and some controls could be improved

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status, Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose among multiple classes, switch classes mid-game in Hexen, and toggle enhancements on/off, reflecting high player control and decision-making."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game offers challenging combat, skillful parrying mechanics, and rebalanced weapons that reward player skill and mastery."

    • Competition
      2

      "Includes 16-player online deathmatch and multiplayer modes, encouraging player comparison, but also supports solo and coop play."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Players report long playtimes, multiple episodes, expansions, and habitual replaying, indicating strong desire to continue playing."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Supports seamless online multiplayer coop, split-screen co-op for up to eight players, and cross-platform play, encouraging teamwork."

    • Creativity
      3

      "In-game mod support with browser, new episodes, and map redesigns allow players to experience and create varied content."

    • Domination
      -2

      "While multiplayer exists, reviews emphasize balanced interactions and cooperative play rather than dominance or trash talk."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game for nostalgia, stress relief, and immersion in a fantasy world, escaping real-life concerns."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal desire, nostalgia, and intrinsic interest, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore new mechanics like class switching, toggling enhancements, and new episodes, reflecting experimentation."

    • Exploration
      4

      "The game features large maps, hub systems, new episodes, and quest markers to encourage discovery and navigation."

    • Expression
      2

      "Class selection and character switching provide some self-expression, though customization is limited to predefined classes."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy setting with magic weapons, mythical creatures, and dark fantasy themes central to the experience."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Community aspects include multiplayer, shared nostalgia, and cooperative achievements fostering group identity."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills through challenging combat, learn new mechanics, and improve navigation with quality of life features."

    • Health
      -5

      "No indication of physical activity; gameplay is sedentary and focused on screen-based interaction."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Social interactions occur mainly through multiplayer and cooperative play, but no evidence of deep emotional connections."

    • Leadership
      -1

      "No strong evidence of leadership roles; multiplayer appears balanced with shared participation."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate items, weapons, and upgrades; new episodes add progression content and achievements."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Some players find the game cathartic and nostalgic, but the challenging combat and puzzles maintain tension."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enhanced graphics, remastered soundtrack, and atmospheric sound design provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status
      1

      "Achievements and multiplayer leaderboards offer some recognition, but social status is not a major focus."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative elements exist but are subtle; new episodes expand lore and story, though gameplay is largely action-focused."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players engage in problem solving, navigation, and tactical combat decisions, especially with class switching and puzzles."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Fast-paced combat, challenging enemies, and suspenseful exploration provide excitement and tension relief."

    • Value
      5

      "Highly praised for free upgrade to original owners, extensive content, and quality improvements, offering excellent value."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat against monsters with magic weapons and melee is central, involving destruction and combat enjoyment."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players manage resources, avoid damage, and overcome threats in challenging environments requiring strategic defense."

    Where to buy

    Last update: 29/04/2026