Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Deathkings of the Dark Citadel picks up the momentum of its predecessor by offering 20 brand-new single-player levels spread across three distinct hub worlds. Each hub presents a self-contained dungeon layout, encouraging players to explore winding corridors, hidden alcoves, and cleverly placed secret rooms. The level design strikes a satisfying balance between puzzle solving, platforming, and frantic combat. Fans of the original Hexen will find the pacing familiar yet refreshed, with each hub culminating in a climactic showdown that tests both reflexes and resource management.

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While Deathkings doesn’t introduce new enemies or weapons, the existing arsenal and monster roster feel revitalized by expertly crafted encounters. The familiar skeletons, gargoyles, and hounds return in denser formations and more strategic placements, forcing players to rethink tactics rather than rely on muscle memory. The absence of new enemy types may disappoint some, but the expansion’s level designers compensate with clever environmental traps and arena layouts that keep combat engaging from start to finish.

In addition to the single-player campaign, the pack includes six new deathmatch maps for multiplayer mayhem. These arenas capture the fast-paced, corridor-heavy skirmishes that Hexen aficionados love, with tight choke points and vertical elements that encourage both stealthy ambushes and all-out firefights. Even today, these maps hold up as compelling arenas for LAN parties and online duels, thanks to their thoughtful geometry and balanced item placement.

Overall, the gameplay in Deathkings of the Dark Citadel feels like a natural extension of Hexen’s core mechanics. Fans seeking more exploration, intricate puzzles, and high-octane combat will find much to enjoy here. The add-on’s strengths lie in its level variety and pacing rather than new mechanics, making it a must-have for Hexen purists but a modest upgrade for newcomers.

Graphics

Graphically, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel remains faithful to the original Hexen engine. There are no new textures or models, but the expansion’s level environments are richly arranged to showcase the game’s moody, gothic aesthetic. Each hub world features distinctive architectural themes—ranging from dank crypts to towering obsidian spires—allowing the existing texture set to feel fresh and atmospheric.

Lighting plays a key role in heightening tension throughout the expansion. Strategic use of flickering torches, ominous red glows, and plunging shadows accentuates the undead realm’s eerie vibe. While advanced graphical features such as dynamic lighting or high-resolution textures are absent, these limitations are skillfully masked by well-placed light sources that guide the player’s eye and amplify the sense of foreboding.

On modern Windows releases, the standalone package benefits from compatibility patches and optional high-resolution texture mods created by the community. These add-ons can bring the visuals closer to contemporary standards without altering the original art direction. Players content with the classic look will appreciate how faithfully the expansion preserves the low-poly charm and palette that made Hexen’s world so evocative.

In short, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel delivers a consistent graphical experience that aligns seamlessly with Hexen’s signature style. While it doesn’t push any new visual boundaries, the expansion’s environments are artfully composed to maximize the impact of its existing assets, ensuring a memorable journey through the realm of the dead.

Story

Continuing directly from the end of Hexen, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel casts the player as the same heroic champion who last wielded the Chaos Sphere. Transcending the living world, you find yourself in the shadowed domain of the Death Kings. The narrative premise is straightforward: to escape this macabre realm, you must hunt down and defeat each of the Death Kings within their respective citadels.

The expansion weaves its tale predominantly through environmental storytelling. Crumbling murals, blood-soaked altars, and cryptic inscriptions hint at the Death Kings’ twisted reign and the ancient rituals that bind them. Although there are no voiced cut-scenes or text-heavy dialogues, the level designs themselves convey a sense of progression—each hub feels more oppressive and corrupted than the last, underscoring the mounting stakes of your quest.

Fans of Hexen’s lore will appreciate the thematic continuity. Familiar artifacts and runic symbols reappear, tying the expansion’s events to the greater narrative of the Serpent Riders and the world of Parthoris. The story’s brevity is both a strength and a limitation: it keeps the focus squarely on dungeon crawling and combat, but those seeking deep character development or plot twists may find it wanting.

Ultimately, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel offers a concise but atmospheric continuation of Hexen’s story. Its minimalist approach to storytelling places more emphasis on the player’s own sense of discovery and interpretation, delivering a narrative experience that feels true to the source material even if it doesn’t break new ground.

Overall Experience

As the only official expansion for Hexen, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel occupies a special place in the franchise’s history. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines and extends Hexen’s core formula with precision. Players who revel in maze-like level design, demanding combat, and gothic atmospheres will find nearly 20 hours of satisfying gameplay here.

One of the expansion’s greatest strengths is its cohesion: each new level, lighting effect, and secret corner feels purposefully placed to build a unified experience. The lack of new enemy types or weaponry can feel conservative, but it also ensures that the learning curve remains smooth and that the expansion integrates seamlessly with the base game’s mechanics.

On modern Windows platforms, the standalone release makes installation and play simplicity itself. Community patches and high-res texture packs can further enhance longevity for those who want a slightly more polished look. The six deathmatch maps offer additional replay value, making Deathkings a worthwhile inclusion for multiplayer enthusiasts as well.

In conclusion, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel is a loving tribute to the original Hexen, delivering solid level design, moody visuals, and tight gameplay. While it may not dazzle with new bells and whistles, it provides a robust expansion to one of the genre’s cult classics—making it a must-download for fans eager to revisit Hexen’s dark, labyrinthine world.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10