Hexen: Beyond Heretic

Hexen: Beyond Heretic

344 ratings
Running HeXen on modern operating systems
By Bluebeak
By default on Steam HeXen runs in Dosbox. Here's how to run it with proper mouse-look, widescreen support and the Steam overlay.
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Introduction
Both HeXen Beyond Heretic and HeXen Deathkings of the Dark Citadel run on Id Software's Doom engine. They were released between 1995 and 1996 for the DOS operating system. Because they were never natively ported to Windows by Raven, the Steam release runs in Dosbox. Which is a DOS emulator.

This is sub par for a lot of reasons. The original HeXen DOS version was fairly slow and cumbersome, and that's doubly the case running it in Dosbox. However, you can download a Doom source port which will allow you to run HeXen in your native resolution and with proper mouselook.

This guide will go over the installation process for running it on zDoom. For a variety of reasons, but the biggest being it runs cleanly on almost every PC and is cross platform. And supports modern conveniances like controller support and mouselook, as well as modifications. It's also really easy to install and run. The installation process for other source ports like Chocolate Doom or gzDoom is very similar regardless so the same steps should apply. If they don't, consult the documentation for that source port.
Downloading zDoom
Go to http://zdoom.org/Download and select a version of Zdoom for your operating system, either Windows or Mac OSX
Installing zDoom
Now navigate to your HeXen directory. This is commonly located in your
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ folder. If you installed Steam in a different location, go there instead.

Then open up your HeXen folder and then go to "base". You'll be greeted with this
































Extract the contents of the zDoom .zip into this folder. Then double click on "zDoom.exe" the game should start automatically. If you wish to launch HeXen from the Steam client, and use the Steam overlay there's an additional step.
Using the Steam overlay
In your "Base" folder there's a file marked "DOSBOX". Rename this file to "DOSBOXBACKUP"

Now rename your zDoom .exe to "DOSBOX"

Now you can launch HeXen straight from the steam client and use the steam overlay.
Screenshots

Uninstallation
To go back to using the DOS executable, remove your zDoom .exe and rename "DOSBOXBACKUP" back to "DOSBOX". Or verify the integrity of the game cache.
Making zDoom resemble vanilla
For some people the enhancements to Zdoom are great. But for others like me you want it to look more like the HeXen you're already used to.

Here's a list of commands that'll have the game run as close to vanilla as possible for any Doom engine game. To use these, right click HeXen in your library, go to properties and click "Set Launch Options". Then copy/paste this into it.

+sv_nofreelook 1 +sv_nocrouch 1 +cl_maxdecals 0 +cl_capfps 1 +crosshair 0 +compatmode 2 +vid_defwidth 320 +vid_defheight 200 +dimamount 0 +r_drawvoxels 0 +cl_rockettrails 0 +am_colorset 1 +am_showmonsters 0 +am_showsecrets 0 +sv_aircontrol 0 +m_use_mouse 0 +st_oldouch 1 +telezoom 0 +r_stretchsky 0

You don't need to do anything else after that. It should write it to your .ini file so you can remove it afterwards.
92 Comments
Bluebeak  [author] 16 Mar @ 1:51pm 
The link works for me.
サーシャ 16 Mar @ 9:15am 
zdoom.org
Your connection to this site is not secure
You should no enter any sensitive information
on this site(for example,passwords or credit
cards), because it could be stolen by attackers.
サーシャ 16 Mar @ 9:08am 
{LINK REMOVED} This site can’t be reached
Google Drive no? What is the sucks dangerous web site!?
Munt3d(FunPolice) 6 Jan @ 9:50am 
Just wanting to say Thank You so much for this. Using the stock steam setup is a nightmare and I would not have been able to replay this gem. I can not get the steam application to work with this but i've followed instruction and manually launching the gzdoom from its icon WORKS. Shortcut on the desktop and bingo bango. Thankyou again.
SuperEarthMan 18 May, 2024 @ 7:48am 
BlueBeak, thank you for this. I was already playing Hexen the default way steam has it set up before I came across this article, I have save files already at the 2nd Hub, Cleric on Pope difficulty. Yes... even doing so with arrow keys and alt strafing, / jumping and using [ ] for items.

After following youyr instructions, everything worked flawless with the exception of GZDoom recognizing my save files already played, any fix for this? Luckily your DOSBOXBACKUP worked so easily, i can swap between launchers simple. TIA!
D9 Thea 12 May, 2024 @ 5:28am 
yaaaay!
Lejionator 1 Nov, 2023 @ 9:32am 
I have a question. When I take screenshots, they are clear in the same way I make the game clear, when playing in gzdoom in its own folder. When using the method you teach, which works, the screenshots are stored in another folder on Steam itself. So it is useless to post public screenshots on Steam because they are almost impossible to see.

Another curious thing is that if I transport a clear screenshot from another location where gzdoom is installed, and place it in the game's Steam screens folder, the same screen automatically becomes dark! That's weird!
livro estomago 25 Aug, 2023 @ 7:39am 
thanks a lot for the guide man, can you do one on how to play hexen 2 via steam?
marasmus 1 May, 2023 @ 6:05pm 
Works flawlessly, thank you for the invaluable help!
Pietro Maraveli 22 May, 2022 @ 5:33am 
Thank you very much. Do you know how I use the mouse to move the view up and down?