Heretic and Hexen have received a surprise remaster from Nightdive Studios

Nightdive Studios and id Software have announced a surprise remaster of the classic fantasy shooters Heretic and Hexen. The new release, dubbed Heretic + Hexen, combines the original games and their expansions, with support for co-op, cross-platform multiplayer, and community-published mods. Additionally, the remaster includes two brand new episodes, Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur, featuring new levels inspired by the original games. Heretic and Hexen, originally released in 1994 and 1995, respectively, were known for their unique blend of Doom-inspired first-person action and rudimentary RPG elements, including character classes and an inventory system. The remaster is now available on various platforms, including Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers able to access the games. The remaster comes after Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of id Software, the original publisher of the games. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had previously expressed interest in rereleasing Heretic and Hexen, and the remastered versions are now a reality.