Heretic + Hexen similar games & best alternatives
Heretic + Hexen
2025
Related articles
Quick resume
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.
Global score
95/100
Genres
Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Shooter
Similar games
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Motivations
-
Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players have extensive control over deckbuilding and character choices, with freedom to customize decks between battles and choose paths on a hex map."
Arcanium: Rise of Akhan
"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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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 intrinsic interest and nostalgia, with no indication of obligation or pressure."
DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours
"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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
MicroWorks
"No strong evidence of leadership roles; multiplayer appears balanced with shared participation."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
4"Players accumulate equipment, upgrades, and unlock new episodes and characters."
Dicey Dungeons
"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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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 resources, avoid death, and overcome threats in a challenging environment."
Devil Spire Falls
"Players manage resources, avoid damage, and overcome threats in challenging environments requiring strategic defense."
Analysis
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.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- 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.
Where to buy
Last update: 30/04/2026