These scripts use a syntactic variant of C, thus allowing special sequencing of game actions. Whereas Doom, Doom II, and Heretic rely on lines within the maps to perform simple actions, Hexen also allows these actions to be activated by Action Code Script (ACS). This often creates problems in sectors containing more than one node, however, explaining the relatively limited use of polyobjects. This enables a pseudo-moving wall, but does not allow moving sectors (such as seeing the tops of moving doors). Hexen 's moving walls are actually one-sided lines built somewhere else on the map and rendered at the desired start spot when the level is loaded. Because the Doom engine uses the binary space partitioning system for rendering, it does not enable moving walls. "Polyobjects" are the walls that move within the game. However, the most significant improvement was the addition of wall translation, rotation, and level scripting. The game's own CD contained a soundtrack in an audio format that was exactly the same as the MIDI soundtrack, but played through a high-quality sound module. Unlike previous games, which had relied purely on General MIDI for music, Hexen is also able to play tracks from a CD. It also popularized the "hub system" of level progression in the genre of first-person shooter games. Hexen uses a modified version of the Doom engine, which allows looking up and down, network play with up to eight players, and the choice of three character classes. Like Heretic, Hexen was developed on NeXTSTEP. The inventory system returns from Heretic with several new items, such as the "Disc of Repulsion", which pushes enemies away from the player, and the "Icon of the Defender", which provides invincibility to each class in a different manner. The player must traverse through a hub in order to advance to the next hub. This is done in order to solve larger-scale puzzles that require a series of items or switches to be used. Hexen introduces "hub" levels to the series, wherein the player can travel back and forth between central hub levels and connected side levels. Additionally, certain items, such as the flechette (poison gas bomb), behave differently when collected and used by each of the classes, functioning in a manner better suiting their varying approach to combat. The Cleric arms himself with a combination of both melee and ranged capabilities, being a middle ground of sorts between the other two classes. The Mage uses an assortment of long-range spells, whose reach is counterbalanced by the fact that he is the most fragile and slowest moving of the classes. The Fighter relies mainly on close-quarters physical attacks with weapons both mundane and magical in nature, and is tougher and faster than the other characters. Each character has unique weapons and physical characteristics, lending an additional degree of variety and replay value to the game. Players may choose to play as a fighter (Baratus), a cleric (Parias), or a mage (Daedolon). Throughout the course of his quest, he travels through elemental dungeons, a wilderness region, a mountainside seminary, a large castle, and finally a necropolis, before the final showdown with the Serpent Rider.Ī new series feature introduced in Hexen is the choice of three character classes. The player assumes the role of one such hero. Critical plaudits for the game centered on the non-linear level design and the selection of three playable characters, each offering a distinct gameplay experience.įollowing the tale of D'Sparil's defeat in Heretic, Hexen takes place in another realm, Cronos, which is besieged by the second of the three Serpent Riders, Korax. Hexen: Beyond Heretic met with highly positive reviews upon release, though the various 1997 console ports were negatively received because of problems with frame rate and controls and the aging of the game itself. Game producer John Romero stated that a third, unreleased game in this series was to be called Hecatomb. The title comes from the German noun Hexen, which means " witches", and/or the verb hexen, which means "to cast a spell". It is the sequel to 1994's Heretic, and the second game in Raven Software's "Serpent Riders" trilogy, which culminated with Hexen II. Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a fantasy first-person shooter video game developed by Raven Software and published by id Software through GT Interactive on October 30, 1995.
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