Retro Mayhem Returns: Two Classic Shooters Shadow-Drop on Xbox Game Pass

The first half of August has been a whirlwind for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, with major titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Aliens: Fireteam Elite already joining the service. However, Microsoft had a few more surprises in store. In a move that delighted retro-shooter fans, two classic games from the golden age of PC gaming were “shadow-dropped” onto the service with little to no prior announcement. As part of the ongoing QuakeCon event, Bethesda Softworks, in collaboration with Nightdive Studios, has announced and immediately released Heretic + Hexen, a remastered collection of the two iconic 90s shooters. This surprise release, which is available now across all Game Pass tiers, is a welcome addition to the service and a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of the classic “boomer shooter” genre. For fans of fast-paced, demon-slaying action, the wait is over.

The remastered collection, titled Heretic + Hexen, brings back two of the most influential and beloved first-person shooters of the 90s. Originally developed by Raven Software on a modified DOOM engine, the games broke new ground by blending fast-paced combat with dark fantasy themes and RPG elements. This new, definitive re-release from Nightdive Studios, which is known for its high-quality remasters of classic games, includes a host of new features and improvements. These include cross-platform online co-op and deathmatch for up to 16 players, local split-screen, and two brand-new episodes created in collaboration with individuals from id Software. The surprise launch has been a major talking point for the gaming community and a clear sign that Bethesda and Microsoft are committed to celebrating the rich history of PC gaming. The two games are available now for all Game Pass subscribers on console, PC, and cloud, giving a new generation of players a chance to experience a classic that helped shape the genre.

What’s Included in the “Heretic + Hexen” Collection?

The surprise addition of Heretic + Hexen is a massive win for Game Pass subscribers, as the collection is far more than a simple port of two old games. It is a comprehensive and definitive re-release that has been carefully crafted for modern hardware. Here is what is included in the new collection:

• Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders: The original dark fantasy shooter that started it all. You play as a hero named Corvus, who must fight a war against the evil Serpent Riders using a variety of weapons and magical spells.
• Hexen: Beyond Heretic: The sequel to Heretic, which expanded on the game’s core ideas by introducing three distinct classes—Fighter, Cleric, and Mage—and a more complex hub-based level design.
• Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel: The expansion pack for Hexen, which added new levels, new enemies, and new challenges to the game.
• Brand New Episodes: The collection also includes two brand-new episodes, “Heretic: Faith Renewed” and “Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur,” which were created in collaboration with individuals from Nightdive and id Software. These new episodes are a major draw for longtime fans and a testament to the developers’ commitment to honoring the legacy of the original games.

The collection also includes a number of modern improvements, such as support for widescreen resolutions, improved controls, and a variety of accessibility features. The games are also a part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program, which means you can play on both PC and console with a single purchase. The surprise launch of these two games is a perfect example of a “shadow drop” done right, as it gave fans an immediate and unexpected reason to jump back into their Game Pass subscription.

More Than a Surprise: A Look at the Rest of August

The addition of Heretic + Hexen is just the latest in a long list of great games coming to Game Pass in August. The month kicked off with the release of Farming Simulator 25, and since then, we’ve seen a number of other notable additions. On August 6th, the service added four new titles for Game Pass Standard subscribers, including the dice-based RPG Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector and the downhill racing game Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders. The following day, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the beloved return to the franchise’s stealth-focused roots, joined the library. In a timely release, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is also set to return to the service on August 12th, coinciding with the premiere of FX’s new series “Alien: Earth.”

The second half of August is also set to bring a number of other exciting games, including the roguelike kingdom builder 9 Kings, which is coming to PC Game Preview. The steady stream of high-quality content is a clear sign that Microsoft is continuing to invest heavily in its subscription service, and the surprise release of Heretic + Hexen is just another example of how the company is keeping things fresh and exciting for its millions of subscribers. The game’s surprise launch is a perfect example of how a well-timed “shadow drop” can generate a massive amount of positive buzz and give players an immediate reason to celebrate. For a genre that helped build the foundation of modern gaming, this new collection is a fantastic way to honor its past and introduce its timeless gameplay to a new generation.