Editing Hexen: Beyond Heretic (section)

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| N64 = true
| SSAT = true
| GR_N64 = 60%<ref name=gr_n64>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197555-hexen/index.html |title=Hexen: Beyond Heretic Nintendo 64 Reviews |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 15, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000915/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197555-hexen/index.html |archivedate=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EGM_SSAT = 5.125/10<ref name=EGM92>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Hexen |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=92|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=March 1997 |page=48}}</ref>
| EGM_N64 = 4.875/10<ref name=EGM96>{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Hexen 64|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=96 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=July 1997|page=51}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 6.5/10 (DOS)<ref name=GSPC>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Hudak |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hexen-review/1900-2537441/ |title=Hexen Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=May 1, 1996 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207015006/http://www.gamespot.com/action/hexen/reviews.html |archivedate=February 7, 1997 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_SSAT = 4.9/10<ref name=GSSat>{{cite web|last=Broady|first=John|title=Hexen Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hexen-review/1900-2532879/|website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=12 February 2018|date=April 29, 1997}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS = 3.3/10<ref name=GSPS>{{cite web|first=MacDonald|last=Ryan|date=July 24, 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hexen-review/1900-2545969/ |title=Hexen Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot_N64 = 5.0/10<ref name=GS64>{{cite web |last=Fielder |first=Joe |title=Hexen Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hexen-review/1900-2543667/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=12 October 2018 |date=July 3, 1997}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 5.0/10<ref name=IGNPS>{{cite web |title=Hexen Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/24/hexen-2 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=7 June 2018 |date=May 23, 1997}}</ref>
| IGN_N64 = 3.7/10<ref name=IGN64>{{cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Casamassina|title=Hexen |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/27/hexen |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=12 October 2018 |date=June 26, 1997}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Maximum''
| rev1_PC = {{rating|5|5}} (DOS)<ref name=Max2/>
| N64_N64 = 69%<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Hexen | date=August 1997 | issue=5 |pages=56–59 |last=Nash |first=Jonathan |magazine=N64 Magazine | publisher=Future Publishing}}</ref>
| NGen_PC = {{rating|4|5}} (DOS)<ref name=NGen14/>
| NGen_SSAT = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name=NGen29>{{cite magazine|title=Hexen|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=29 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=May 1997|page=152}}</ref>
| NGen_N64 = {{rating|2|5}} <ref name=NGen32>{{cite magazine|title=Hexen|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=32 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=August 1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n115 114] |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Saturn Power]]''
| rev3_SSAT = 84/100<ref name=SatP1>{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=James|title=Review: Hexen|magazine=[[Saturn Power]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=June 1997|page=76}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev4_SSAT = 88%<ref name=SSM17>{{cite magazine|last=Leadbetter|first=Rich |title=Review: Hexen|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=17 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=March 1997|pages=66–67}}</ref>
| Edge_PC = 9/10 <small>(DOS)</small><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Hexen|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=28|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=January 1996|page=74}}</ref>
}}
''Heretic'' and ''Hexen'' shipped a combined total of roughly 1 million units to retailers by August 1997.<ref name=1m>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012044914/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news080497.html | url=http://www.pcgamer.com:80/news/news080497.html | title=Activision to Buy Raven | date=August 7, 1997 | author=Staff | work=[[PC Gamer US]] | archive-date=October 12, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 13, 2020 }}</ref> Individually, the game sold over 250,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA19758896&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=e922f49b|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321104217/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA19758896&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=e922f49b|title=Hexen II Ships to Retail Outlets Across the United States and Canada; Highly Anticipated Title Available in Stores Week of September 15|website=[[PR Newswire]]|archivedate=March 21, 2025|date=September 17, 1997|accessdate=March 13, 2025|via=[[Gale Research]]|url-status=live}}</ref>

Reviewing the PC version, ''Maximum'' remarked that ''Hexen'' sets itself apart from other "3D slashers" with its selection of characters and novel approach to level design, which "leads to your character choosing their path rather than being guided around a rather linear series of rooms, proving that 3D games have matured". They also commented that the gameplay is consistently intense due to the difficulty of the enemies, the variety of weapons and power-ups, and the sheer size and breadth of the levels. They gave the game 5 out of 5 stars<ref name=Max2>{{cite magazine|title=Maximum Reviews: Hexen|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1995|page=156}}</ref> and their "Maximum Game of the Month" award.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Essential Buyers Guide: Reviews|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1995|page=141}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' opined that "''Hexen'' takes everything that was good about ''Heretic'', and makes it even better." He commented that the ability to choose between three different character classes gives the game replay value, something that had been missing from first-person shooters up until then, and though the graphics are blocky and pixelated, the "eerily lifelike" sound effects make up for it to a large extent. Like ''Maximum'', he praised the non-linear level design and concluded the game to be a must-have for any first-person shooter fan.<ref name=NGen14>{{cite magazine|title=Here Comes Another One...|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=14 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1996|page=172}}</ref> Chris Hudak, citing the differing abilities of the three playable characters, called ''Hexen'' "Slicker, smarter and more stylish than ''Doom''---with all the killing and three times the replay value."<ref name="GSPC"/>

''[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]'' named ''Hexen'' the best "First-Person Action" title of 1995.<ref name=cgm1995awards>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | title=A Decade of Gaming; Award Winners of 1995 |date=November 2000 | issue=120 | pages=56–58, 60, 62, 66, 68, 70–76 }}</ref> It was also a runner-up for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 1995 "Action Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to ''[[Crusader: No Remorse]]''. The editors called it "another ''Doom'' bloodfest distinguished by its fantasy setting and the fact that it let you play as either a fighter, priest or mage, each with unique attributes and weapons".<ref name=cgw1995>{{cite magazine | author=Staff |title=The Computer Gaming World 1996 Premier Awards |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=143 |date=June 1996 |pages=55, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 67 }}</ref>

The Saturn version was far less well received. A review in ''Next Generation'' of the Saturn version reasoned that, "Like oil and water, ''Doom''-style games and console conversions don't mix well. Unless the programmers are willing to rewrite the graphics engine from scratch, PC ports suffer from getting cramped into too little memory and neglecting the console's native 3D hardware." The reviewer recommended Saturn owners instead try ''[[PowerSlave]]'' or ''[[Ghen War]]'', first-person shooters specifically designed for the console.<ref name=NGen29/> Shawn Smith and Sushi-X of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' similarly said the game had not been converted well from PC.<ref name=EGM92/> Others described the Saturn port as an exact conversion, and argued the problem was simply that ''Hexen'' was too old a game to be released for console in 1997 without any improvements.<ref name=EGM92/><ref name=GSSat/> Though they disagreed on exact reasons, most critics agreed that the Saturn version suffers from pixelated graphics,<ref name=EGM92/><ref name=GSSat/><ref name=NGen29/><ref name=GPro102/> dramatic drops in frame rate,<ref name=EGM92/><ref name=NGen29/><ref name=SSM17/> and cumbersome controls.<ref name=GSSat/><ref name=NGen29/><ref name=GPro102/> Scary Larry of ''[[GamePro]]'' gave it a mixed review, summarizing that "although it doesn't live up to ''PowerSlave''{{'}}s standards, it's still decent fun."<ref name=GPro102>{{cite magazine|title=Saturn ProReview: Hexen|magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=102|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1997|page=84}}</ref> John Broady of ''[[GameSpot]]'' gave a slightly more dismal assessment: "Despite these glaring deficiencies, ''Hexen'' nonetheless offers enough enhancements over the standard shooter to warrant a rental, especially for fans of role-playing games who thirst for real-time action. ... But for the rest, the Saturn version of ''Hexen'' is a classic game of too little and too late."<ref name=GSSat/> Rich Leadbetter of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' and James Price of ''[[Saturn Power]]'' defended the Saturn version, commenting that, although not outstanding, it is far superior to the Saturn version of ''Doom'', which was released at roughly the same time.<ref name=SSM17/><ref name=SatP1/> Price was particularly enthusiastic about the link cable-enabled multiplayer mode.<ref name=SatP1/>

The Nintendo 64 version also left most critics unimpressed. The four-player mode was praised as an unprecedented feature in console first person shooters,<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NGen32/> but the graphics were considered unacceptably poor, particularly the frame rate<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NGen32/> and the usage of the Nintendo 64's mip-mapping and anti-aliasing in a way which actually worsened the visuals of the game.<ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NGen32/> As with the Saturn version, some critics opined that ''Hexen'' was too dated by this time to be receiving a straightforward port.<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=IGN64/> Joe Fielder of ''GameSpot'' additionally complained of a severe bug in the save feature.<ref name=GS64/> In a dissenting opinion, Scary Larry concluded that "Although not as polished as ''[[Turok: Dinosaur Hunter|Turok]]'' or as fun and creepy as ''[[Doom 64]]'', ''Hexen'' gives you three characters to choose from, and the action's addicting once you get into it." He gave it higher scores than the Saturn version in every category except sound.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Hexen |magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=106|date=July 1997 |page=82}}</ref> In contrast, [[Matt Casamassina]] of ''[[IGN]]'' called it "A shoddy port of a PC game that wasn't so great to begin with."<ref name=IGN64/>

The PlayStation version was even more negatively received; critics universally panned the port for its poor frame rate, pixelated graphics, and sloppy platform-jumping controls.<ref name=GSPS/><ref name=IGNPS/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=PlayStation ProReview: Hexen|magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=102|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=March 1997|page=74}}</ref>

''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s 1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide named ''Hexen'' the 1997 "Game that Should've Stayed on the PC", commenting that while the Nintendo 64 version was the best of the console ports, all three were poor conversions, and ''Hexen'' was too old by the time they were released.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Good the Bad and the Silly |magazine=1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=March 1998 |page=20}}</ref>