Hexen (1997). Play online

Summary

The Nintendo 64 version of Hexen, sometimes just called Hexen, was hand‑crafted by Software Creations to preserve the original’s detailed world and scenery while delivering a steadier frame rate than most console shooters of the era. The team managed to keep high‑detail textures and smooth filtering intact, but the cartridge’s size meant they had to drop the full‑motion video cutscenes and Redbook CD music that appeared on the PC CD‑ROM. Instead, each level opens with a fresh narrative voice‑over that gives a quick story hook without using tons of storage. A highlight for N64 fans is the four‑player split‑screen, offering both cooperative and deathmatch play—though these multiplayer modes force the game into low‑detail rendering to stay smooth. For anyone who loved the original’s hub‑based level design, this cartridge version delivers the core experience despite the necessary compromises.

Storyline

Hexen picks up where Heretic left off, after D'Sparil’s defeat, and shifts the setting to the realm of Cronos. The world is under siege by Korax, the second of the three Serpent Riders, and three heroes are summoned to end his threat. The player steps into the shoes of one of those heroes.

The journey takes the hero through a series of distinct locations: elemental dungeons that test mastery of fire, water, earth, and air; a sprawling wilderness region filled with hidden dangers; a mountainside seminary where ancient knowledge is guarded; and a massive castle that serves as Korax’s stronghold. Each area builds toward the climax.

The final leg leads into a bleak necropolis, where the hero confronts Korax in a decisive showdown, bringing the Serpent Rider’s siege of Cronos to an end.