HeXen
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| HeXen: Beyond Heretic | |
| Missing image Hexenbox.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Raven Software |
| Publisher(s) | id Software, GT Interactive |
| Release date(s) | October 30, 1995 |
| Genre | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Mature (M) |
| Platform(s) | PC, PlayStation, N64, Mac, Saturn |
HeXen: Beyond Heretic (or Hexen) is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Raven Software, published by iD Software, and distributed by GT Interactive beginning on October 30, 1995. It is the sequel to Heretic.
Hexen uses a modified version of the Doom engine, which allows (like in Heretic) up and down views, network play with up to 8 players and the choice of three character classes. It also popularised the "hub system" of level progression in the genre of first-person shooter games and featured some architectural elements that could move horizontally or rotate. Unlike previous games, which had relied purely on MIDI for music, Hexen could also play tracks from audio CD. Hexen extended the Doom engine in many innovative ways: larger levels, doors that appeared to open three-dimensionally, pulsating lights, triggered sounds, and so forth. Many fans consider Hexen to be a vast improvement over both Heretic and Doom.
The main goal of the game is the stopping of Korax, one of a trio of demon brothers known as the Serpent Riders, from taking over the world of Chronos. The three playable characters are a Warrior, a Cleric and a Mage. Each character has four weapons, the first having unlimited ammunition, the others are powered by mana, the fourth is built by finding three different parts. There are two different types of mana; blue and green. Weapon 2 uses blue and weapon three uses green whereas weapon 4 uses both types. The Warrior has weapons that are best used at striking range - Spiked gauntlet, axe, hammer, sword. This combined with his high strength stamina and life make him easy to power through the beginning of the game but a failure far beyond the seven portals. The Mage has long distance projectile magic which, though weak, can keep him away from attackers and allow him to snipe enemies. Until later in the game when flying capabilities and other spells have been collected, the mage is comparitavely weak. The Cleric is well rounded and has a diverse selection of weapons and decent armouring and speed. His ultimate weapon is a crucifix that can tear apart enemies with a ghostly horde.
| Contents |
Hubs and Levels
Prologue
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Winnowing Hall | 13 |
Hub 1: Seven Portals
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Seven Portals | 2 |
| Guardian of Ice | 22 |
| Guardian of Fire | 15 |
| Guardian of Steel | 9 |
| Bright Crucible* | 21 |
Hub 2: Shadow Wood
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Shadow Wood | 8 |
| Darkmere | 14 |
| Caves of Circe | 20 |
| Wastelands | 6 |
| Sacred Grove* | 5 |
| Hypostyle | 16 |
Hub 3: Heresiarch's Seminary
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Heresiarch's Seminary** | 19 |
| Silent Refectory | 21 |
| Orchard of Lamentations | 22 |
| Wolf Chapel | 14 |
| Griffin Chapel | 10 |
| Dragon Chapel | 17 |
| Deathwind Chapel* | 18 |
Hub 4: Castle of Grief
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Castle of Grief | 12 |
| Gibbet | 15 |
| Effluvium | 8 |
| Dungeons | 19 |
| Forsaken Outpost | 20 |
| Desolate Garden* | 3 |
Hub 5: Necropolis
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Necropolis | 16 |
| Zedek's Tomb | 10 |
| Menelkir's Tomb | 11 |
| Traductus' Tomb | 9 |
| Vivarium* | 17 |
Epilogue
| Name | CD Track |
|---|---|
| Dark Crucible | 2 |
| Finale | 5 |
* These are "Secret" bonus levels which require extra searching to find, and are not crucial to the gameplay.
** This level is also referred to as the "Monastery" by in-game messages.
Notes
Deathkings of the Dark Citadel is an official expansion pack that was released for Hexen, featuring 3 more hubs for a total of 20 new single player levels.
The source code of Hexen was released by Raven Software in 1999, which allowed the game to be ported to different platforms such as Linux.
"Hexen" is the German word for "witches".
Version 1.0 of Hexen contains an incomplete level called "Maze" that consists solely of moving walls with no exit. Its presence in the released game is almost certainly an oversight; the level was removed in the 1.1 update. The "Maze" level can only be accessed by using the cheat code "warp 41" in unpatched versions of the game.
The game was used for the finale of an official Doom championship in late 1995.
See also
External links
- Official Hexen website from Raven (http://www.ravensoft.com/hexen.html)
- Official Hexen website from id Software (http://www.idsoftware.com/games/hexen/hexen/)
- Official website for the Deathkings expansion (http://www.ravensoft.com/deathkings.html)
- The HeXen FAQ (http://www.cco.net/%7Earne/hexen.faq)de:Hexen