"Hexen II" is the third and final game in the Serpent Riders Trilogy, succeeding Hexen. It follows four different heroes across the world of Thyrion as they battle against the forces of Eidolon, the last and strongest of the Serpent Riders, and his Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
The game was developed by Raven Software and published by id Software on September 11th, 1997.
Story[]
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse lurk in the shadows before you. They are Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War. They are the root of all that is evil. They are the least of your worries.
The last known Serpent Rider, Eidolon, lives. As the Necromancer, the Assassin, the Crusader, or the Paladin, you must defeat the dark generals and their Hell-spawned legions before you can face the Archfiend and attempt to end his ravenous onslaught. Go in peace and you will surely die.
Gameplay[]
Hexen II is similar in concept to its predecessor. There are four characters to choose from; an Assassin, a Crusader, a Necromancer and a Paladin, each with different attributes, skill sets, advantages and disadvantages. The game has a Hub based design with your character having to return to a central hub after completing tasks and puzzles in the surrounding levels. However, unlike Hexen, the characters in the game gain experience which enhances their skills and gives them special abilities.
The backstories of the four characters are also written out in greater and more varied detail. Whereas they represent each of the continents and societies of Thyrion similarly to the three characters in Hexen, they are also provided with their own motivations for pursuing Eidolon. Whereas the Crusader and Paladin are more typical heroes looking to avenge their societies and eradicate Eidolon's evil, the Necromancer is a villain who sees Eidolon as competition, whereas the Assassin, the first playable female character in the series, is a robber looking for a bigger challenge to despoil.
Hubs[]
Before fighting Eidolon, the chosen hero first needs to defeat his generals, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who each reside in a different part of the world.
The game consists of five hubs:
- Blackmarsh - A Medieval European-themed land controlled by Famine.
- Mazaera - A Mezo-American-themed land controlled by Death.
- Thysis - An Ancient Egyptian-themed land controlled by Pestilence.
- Septimus - A Greco-Roman-themed land controlled by War.
- Blackmarsh - Once all Horsemen have fallen, the player returns to Blackmarsh to confront Eidolon.
Weapons[]
Each character in the game has a unique set of weapons:
|
The Crusader's Weapons The Paladin's Weapons |
The Assassin's Weapons The Necromancer's Weapons |
Puzzles[]
- Loric's Bones Puzzle
- Sand, Glass and Grindstone Puzzle
- Tests of the Elements
- Canopic Jars Puzzle
- Wheel of Ages Puzzle
- Charity Puzzle
- Desecrated Altar Puzzle
Items and Artifacts[]
Development[]
Hexen 2 was originally supposed to be the working title[1] for John Romero’s Hecatomb[2], which differed significantly from the final build.[3][4] After John Romero’s departure, they renamed Hecatomb to Hexen II.
PlayStation, SEGA Saturn[5], and Nintendo 64[6] ports were planned in 1997, but never materialized.
Portal of Praevus[]
See Also: Hexen II Mission Pack: Portal of Praevus
The Portal of Praevus expansion added an additional 2 Hubs, new enemies, and a new character class with her own weapons and abilities: The Demoness. It follows the 5 heroes in an attempt to stop the dark wizard Praevus from resurrecting the Serpent Riders to use under his control.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19970703235708fw_/http://www.ravensoft.com/hexen2a.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/romero/status/688561322020175873
- ↑ https://twitter.com/romero/status/316243788416839681
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20070814104433/http://www.johnromero.com:80/wiki/index.php/Hecatomb
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19970703234442/http://www.ravensoft.com/hexen2e.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19970703234515fw_/http://www.ravensoft.com/GSpot.txt
| Hexen II - Hubs & Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub 1 Blackmarsh |
Blackmarsh • Barbican • The Mill • King's Court • Stables • Inner Courtyard • Forgotten Chapel • Palace Entrance • Famine's Domain | ||
| Hub 2 Mazaera |
Plaza of the Sun • Obelisk of the Moon • Square of the Stream • Court of 1000 Warriors • Palace of Columns • Tomb of the High Priest • Bridge of Stars • Well of Souls | ||
| Hub 3 Thysis |
Temple of Horus • Palace of the Pharaoh • Pyramid of Anubis • Temple of Nefertum • Ancient Temple of Nefertum • Shrine of Naos • Temple of Light • Pestilence's Lair | ||
| Hub 4 Septimus |
Hall of Heroes • Gardens of Athena • Forum of Zeus • Reflecting Pool • Baths of Demetrius • Temple of Mars • Coliseum of War | ||
| Hub 5 Return to Blackmarsh |
Cathedral • Tower of the Dark Mage • Underhalls • Eidolon's Ordeal • Eidolon's Lair | ||
| Hexen II - Enemies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Black Spider • Red Spider • Knight Archer • Archer Lord • Hydra • Skull Wizard • Shadow Wizard • Fire Imp • Ice Imp • Stone Golem • Iron Golem • Bronze Golem • Crystal Golem • Sand Scorpion • Bog Scorpion • Were Jaguar • Were Panther • Mummy • Mummy Lord • Medusa • Fallen Angel • Fallen Angel Lord • Sheep | ||
| Boss | Famine • Death • Pestilence • War • Eidolon | ||
| Hexen II - Weapons & Artifacts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Crusader | Warhammer • Ice Mace • Meteor Staff • Lightbringer | ||
| Paladin | Gauntlets • Vorpal Sword • Axe • Purifier | |||
| Assassin | Katar • Hand Crossbow • Grenades • Staff of Set | |||
| Necromancer | Sickle • Magic Missiles • Bone Shards • Raven Staff | |||
| Demoness | Blood Fire • Acid Rune • Firestorm • Tempest's Staff | |||
| Ammunition | Mana ( Blue • Green • Combined ) | |||
| Healing | Healing Vial • Quartz Flask • Mystic Urn | |||
| Armor | Amulet of Protection • Breastplate • Bracers • Helmet | |||
| Artifacts | Torch • Krater of Might • Chaos Device • Boots of Speed • Disc of Repulsion • Icon of the Defender • Tome of Power • Seal of the Ovinomancer • Glyph of the Ancients • Force Cube • Stone of Summoning • Invisibility Sphere • Holy Strength • Soul Sphere | |||
| Rings | Ring of Flight • Ring of Water Breathing • Ring of Regeneration • Ring of Reflection | |||