Hexen

by nintendo 64 hexen

Product Features

• hexen

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JMWB
• Media: Game Cartridge
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,909 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Since its PC inception, Hexen has gotten a bad rap: It's just not "as good" as its big brother, Doom. Its latest incarnation (this time on the Nintendo 64) proves that while in one way it doesn't deserve that rap, in another, it deserves it as much as ever. Yep, it's true, I have decidedly mixed feelings about this game.

For those of you unfamiliar with Hexen, it's an RPG-themed take on the first-person shooter. In fact, it's a sequel to a similar title called Heretic (a game known best for carrying the dubious title of "the first Doom clone") and both are based on the Doom engine, though they're happily altered slightly so that you can jump. Instead of playing as the perpetually furious marine, you are given the choice of three different character classes: warrior, cleric, or mage. Each class plays a little differently, with the warrior being stronger, faster, and lacking in magical attacks; the mage is weaker, though he has far-ranging magical attacks that allow him to keep his distance from enemies; and the cleric is a mix of the two. Artifacts have different effects for different characters as well. For example, the flechette item acts like a grenade for a warrior, a bomb for a mage, and, best yet, a poison gas cloud for the cleric, which can be used to take out multiple enemies if placed correctly.

Other than its characters, Hexen also differs from traditional Doom play by its "hubs," or levels that must be come back to after puzzles are solved or items acquired. Both are pretty standard fare for players who have taken on other versions of the game (it is, granted, a fairly straight port), but if Hexen on the Nintendo 64 is the first time you've tried the title, you'll likely find it a nice break from the monotonous "run and shoot" first-person games because of its puzzle aspects and more strategic take on fighting. And Hexen carries a play element that Midway's Doom 64 really should have had, the deathmatch. In it, you can take on your friends in two- to four-player matches. The four-player quarter screen match isn't really worth mentioning, but the two-player split-screen mode is worth your time.

Unfortunately, there are several technical factors that make Hexen a sub-par product when compared to Doom 64. The graphics, while better than ever before, are occasionally plagued by frame rate problems. Likewise, the sound is fairly moody and well done, but during save times, it freaks out and gets quite choppy. But most important of all is the title's fatal bug: During the platform jumping sections of the game, if you save on a platform before attempting a jump (which most players do), and then proceed to fall (this is bound to happen at least once), when you load your saved game back up, the cart places you in the middle of the fall instead of on the platform before you jump. Since only one save is allowed per memory pack, you can kiss any progress you've made so far goodbye, making it impossible to play through. For me, this happened when I was about two hours into one game, and then four into another. Frustrating? Yup.

While Hexen on the N64 does have its plusses, I'm afraid I can't recommend the title with this horrible save game bug in place. Many people were surprised when the game hit store shelves on time, but it looks like it wasn't really ready to go. --Joe Fielder
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What? It's not bad..., October 19, 2000

By 

Eric Mekkelsen (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hexen (Game Cartridge)

Remembering lemings..?..the great fun you would have..but the graphics.... Yes I admit this game could do alittle upbeating to it's gfx. All and all this game is great for those who love puzzles and shot'em up's. It's like "Goldeneye" sorta. You have objectives (unclear in this) you do the objectives a new objective come's. When you complete an objective in this, it opens new worlds and doors in different levels..I love this game!... Great sounds and music. Poor pixelation (who cares!?- you put up with doom). Great Game.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars PC version is better, September 17, 2008

By 

John L. (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hexen (Game Cartridge)

Hexen is a brilliant game, but its N64 transfer is not.

In fact, the only thing praise worthy of the N64 conversion is the nice little paragraphs you get when traveling from one level to another. These little descriptions of where your going are not available in the PC version.

Otherwise, Hexen 64 is a terrible mock up of what is a brilliant game on PCs today. Yes its dated, but many people have taken the source code and made it a much more enjoyable experience with better controls, lighting effects, and so on.

The only reason you should buy this, as far as Hexen fans are concerned, is the ease of having a multiplayer match.

If you've never played Hexen before, buy the PC version, go to http://www.doomsdayhq.com/ and download the source port there that allows smoother graphics, 3D model support, lighting effects, and more. This is the Hexen we die-hards know and love

In fact, you should also look into http://www.korax-heritage.com/kmod/faq.php for the single greatest Hexen MOD there is. It really takes the game to a whole new level.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not the best or worst corridor shooter, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hexen (Game Cartridge)

Hexen 64 might not be the best Hexen game there is, but it's not as bad as most people say it is. The graphics are definitely subpar when compared to other Nintendo 64 corridor shooters because they're pixelated when you get close to the walls and other objects. The sound is decent, but nothing special.

The gameplay might not compare to others such as Goldeneye or Doom 64, but it's not that bad. It's fun to play 2-player and try to get through the levels. The control is also good. Hexen 64 isn't at the top rank of the corridor shooters, but it's not the worst that's ever been made.