Heretic + Hexen similar games & best alternatives

Heretic + Hexen

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

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • 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
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

  • Vellum

  • Dead Effect 2 VR

  • Ember Knights

  • Mass Effect™: Andromeda Deluxe Edition

  • Victor Vran ARPG

  • Diablo II: Resurrected – Infernal Edition

  • Guild Wars® Reforged

  • Trickster VR: Co-op Dungeon Crawler
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Perennial Order

  • Memoness

  • SKIBIDI GYATROOMS
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
  • Value

    Rec Room
  • Autonomy

    Dragonkin: The Banished

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

Heretic + Hexen: 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.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom in skill customization via the unique hex grid system and can freely respec skills and stats; city building and character progression offer personal control."

    Capsule for Dragonkin: The Banished Dragonkin: The Banished

    "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

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging combat, skill-based parrying, resource management, and progression through upgrades, rewarding player skill and mastery."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 4 Resident Evil 4

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Includes multiplayer co-op and competitive modes with up to 16 players, encouraging player comparison and skill display."

    Capsule for Serious Sam II Serious Sam II

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long playtimes, multiple endings, and replayability, indicating strong desire to keep playing."

    Capsule for Catherine Classic Catherine Classic

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Supports seamless online co-op play from start to finish; cooperative gameplay is a highlighted feature."

    Capsule for The Last Hero of Nostalgaia The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Strong modding support and map editor allow players to create and customize content extensively."

    Capsule for Call to Arms Call to Arms

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Multiplayer is competitive but community feedback suggests balanced and respectful interactions rather than dominance or trash talk."

    Capsule for Battlezone: Combat Commander Battlezone: Combat Commander

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game for relaxation, nostalgia, and immersion in fantasy worlds, escaping real life stresses."

    Capsule for Battle for Wesnoth Battle for Wesnoth

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different characters, combos, and strategies, and the game introduces new mechanics and modes."

    Capsule for Punishing: Gray Raven Punishing: Gray Raven

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game features large maps, secret areas, side quests, and encourages discovery of hidden content."

    Capsule for Dungeon Siege II Dungeon Siege II

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character selection and modding allow some degree of self-expression, though customization is limited."

    Capsule for Sonic Mania Sonic Mania

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy theme with magical weapons, mythical creatures, and a dark fantasy setting."

    Capsule for Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Community and multiplayer aspects foster group identity and shared achievements."

    Capsule for Ember Knights Ember Knights

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills to master combat, level navigation, and use of unique mechanics."

    Capsule for Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Wildermyth Wildermyth

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Social interactions occur mainly through cooperative gameplay and friendly competition, but no deep emotional connections described."

    Capsule for Final Exam Final Exam

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -1

    "No strong evidence of leadership roles; mostly peer-based multiplayer with shared decision making."

    Capsule for MicroWorks MicroWorks

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate points, collectibles, achievements, and unlock new episodes, reflecting clear progression and growth."

    Capsule for Crystal Caves HD Crystal Caves HD

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find the game relaxing and nostalgic, but combat and challenges create occasional tension."

    Capsule for GUN™ GUN™

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enhanced visuals, remastered audio, and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Leaderboards and multiplayer provide some recognition but social status is not a major focus."

    Capsule for Nimbatus - The Space Drone Constructor Nimbatus - The Space Drone Constructor

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Lore and narrative elements exist and are appreciated, though gameplay is more action-focused."

    Capsule for PERISH PERISH

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and tactical combat requiring planning and problem solving."

    Capsule for Studio System : Guardian Angel Studio System : Guardian Angel

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Fast-paced combat and challenging encounters provide excitement and suspense."

    Capsule for Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for being free with frequent updates and extensive content, offering great value."

    Capsule for Rec Room Rec Room

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat against monsters and enemies is a core gameplay element with melee, ranged, and magic attacks."

    Capsule for Risen Risen

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage threats and resources to avoid defeat, with strategic defense and overcoming challenges."

    Capsule for Elemental: Reforged Elemental: Reforged

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026