A surprise Xbox Game Pass shadow drop has added two more games for players to enjoy, adding Heretic + Hexen to the library. Heretic + Hexen mash up fantasy with the classic DOOM FPS formula, and these new definitive versions add a ton of new features and additional content to the titles, so Xbox Game Pass subscribers may want to check them out.
Quakecon 2025 has provided updates and info on a bunch of new and existing games, with the Heretic + Hexen announcement being just one example. Quakecon 2025 has also seen the reveal and release of Doom: The Dark Ages Update 2, while fantasy fans were gifted a free play event for The Elder Scrolls Online.
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Heretic + Hexen Releases on Xbox Game Pass
Nightdive Studios has released Heretic + Hexen, which is available now Xbox Game Pass. The two games originally launched in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and for the unfamiliar, they may strongly resemble the original DOOM. The games got their start on a modified version of the original DOOM engine, but instead of guns and explosives, players are equipped with magic, staves, and melee weapons like maces with shields, while they face off against enemies like the undead, demonic cults, and hulking creatures.
Heretic + Hexen aren't straight ports, as they've received a number of new features, support for in-game mods, and even two new episodes created by id Software and Nightdive Studios, called Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur. The titles come with all their releases and DLC, including Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, and Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel. The games have been retooled to run at 60FPS in 1080p on all platforms, and up to 120FPS in 4K on select systems. The new releases have also added cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players online, or local split-screen versions for up to 8 players. The original soundtrack by Kevin Schilder is available, or players can switch to a remixed version composed by Andrew Hulshult. Finally, new accessibility options have been added, bugs have been fixed, and support for twelve additional languages have been added.
Heretic + Hexen provide a great opportunity to check out a pair of classics that helped to advance the FPS genre back in the 1990s. Those with Xbox Game Pass can play it for free, but it's also available for purchase on the Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, and Steam for $14.99, for those who prefer to buy the game or play it on a different platform.
