Over the past few days, I’ve immersed myself in the updated versions of Heretic and Hexen, released following QuakeCon 2025 (a big thank you to Bethesda Softworks for providing the access code).
This remastered collection is a thoughtful upgrade of Raven Software’s original games, expertly adapted for contemporary hardware by Nightdive Studios, who are collaborating once more with developer id Software.
Not only do players get to enjoy the classic titles, but there are also entirely new expansions available (created jointly by Nightdive and id Software).
Experiencing these games and witnessing the passion behind them has me contemplating the successful partnership between these companies over the past few years, while also pondering what exciting projects may lie ahead.
Nightdive is a master of reviving older games
For those not in the know, Nightdive Studios is a team known for adapting older games to run smoothly on contemporary technology. They even go the extra mile to secure the rights for titles that were previously believed to be abandoned or unattainable.
The partnership between Nightdive and Bethesda/id Software dates back to 2020, when they announced a modern update for DOOM 64, marking the start of a nearly yearly event. They followed this with remastered versions of Quake, Quake 2, and a combined release of DOOM and DOOM 2 in 2021, 2023, and 2024 respectively.
These adaptations stand out as some of the best remasters available, offering numerous customization options and enhancements such as improved animations, entirely new campaigns, 120 FPS support on Xbox Series X|S and PC, among other things. Nightdive’s work has been widely praised, but for me, these collaborative remasters have truly set a benchmark in the industry.
It’s been quite exciting to anticipate each new release, often discussing with friends about what might be next on their agenda.
Not only can you get Heretic and Hexen for just $15 (and they’re also included in Xbox Game Pass), these remastered games are truly worth playing, so don’t miss out if you haven’t already.
This year’s version of the games has taken collaboration a step further, with contributions from Raven Software, which is now part of Activision.
In the past, creating such remasters might have been challenging due to the publishing rights to Heretic and Hexen being held by ZeniMax Media, but the development rights were under Activision. With both Activison and ZeniMax now owned by Microsoft, ownership of several games no longer needs to be divided.
This development has me curious about what other games might be remastered in the future.
What’s next for Nightdive and Xbox?
For some time now, Nightdive Studios has been diligently remastering classic games in collaboration with teams from Bethesda, id Software, MachineGames, and most recently Raven Software. As these remasters have become more prevalent, it seems that many of the obvious games from that era have already been updated for modern play. However, there are still a few games left (such as Hexen 2), but the list is becoming thin.
With this in mind, perhaps Nightdive could take on even more ambitious projects by focusing on newer games that were released towards the end of the original Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. According to previous statements made by studio leadership, the team has expressed an interest in working on Xbox 360-era titles.
Given recent reports about a Wolfenstein TV series being developed and MachineGames seemingly preoccupied with Indiana Jones, it seems like Raven Software’s 2009 Wolfenstein game could be an ideal candidate for Nightdive to test their skills on. Additionally, the underappreciated Singularity – another game developed by Raven Software – has yet to be ported to modern hardware and could also benefit from a remaster.
It’s time for a fresh look at DOOM 3, even the BFG Edition can’t quite capture the original’s essence for purists like me who appreciated its atmospheric darkness and relied on flashlights. While it’s possible to optimize DOOM 3 for modern PCs, a more dedicated approach would be ideal to truly honor its legacy.
I hope to see Nightdive Studios continue their work in both Activision and Bethesda’s libraries, regardless of the final form it takes.
By the way, Heretic + Hexen, along with other remastered id Software titles by Nightdive Studios, are now available on various platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Read More
- ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency
- Minecraft lets you get the Lava Chicken song in-game — but it’s absurdly rare
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
- Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”
- PS5’s ChinaJoy Booth Needs to Be Seen to Be Believed
- Yungblud Vows to Perform Ozzy Osbourne Song “Every Night”
- Cyberpunk 2077’s Patch 2.3 is Here and It’s Another Excellent Overhaul
- Elden Ring Nightreign’s Patch 1.02 update next week is adding a feature we’ve all been waiting for since launch — and another I’ve been begging for, too
- Microsoft is on track to become the second $4 trillion company by market cap, following NVIDIA — and mass layoffs
2025-08-17 13:12