Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

HacX builds on the classic run-and-gun formula pioneered by Doom, but it introduces several twists that make each playthrough feel fresh. Your primary task remains to navigate labyrinthine corridors, hunt down enemies and locate keycards to progress. However, the inclusion of destructible objects scattered throughout the levels means you can carve new paths or reveal hidden caches of ammunition and health packs.

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The game spices up its core mechanics with “cyberspace” levels accessed via the Genemp Microtel implant. In these virtual realms, gravity and visibility rules shift—floors may be invisible until you step on them, and platforms can hover at different elevations. These segments demand quick reflexes and spatial awareness, breaking the monotony of traditional combat zones and giving the gameplay a welcome change of pace.

Enemy AI has been overhauled compared to standard Doom II fare. Many creatures exhibit more aggressive behaviors, flanking your position or retreating to call reinforcements. Coupled with altered weapon names and designs, the familiar shotgun and chaingun feel almost like new tools in your arsenal. You’ll often switch strategies on the fly, balancing ranged gunfire with grenade tosses to dismantle entrenched foes.

Level design in HacX leans into realism and detail. Industrial complexes, biotech labs and ruined cityscapes provide varied backdrops that feel more lived-in than the abstract corridors of vanilla Doom II. Hidden alcoves reward exploration, and alternate routes let you bypass heavily guarded areas if you’re willing to search for a secret switch or blast through a weak wall.

Graphics

Visually, HacX stands apart from its Doom II origins by replacing the original textures, sprites and environmental art with a unique, futuristic aesthetic. Wall panels feature glowing circuitry, and floor tiles sport industrial grates and hazard markings that reinforce the high-tech corporate setting. This custom artwork gives HacX its own identity rather than feeling like a mere reskin.

Character and monster models have been reimagined to fit the hacker-versus-corporation narrative. Cybernetically enhanced guards, biotech abominations and rogue security drones each come with new animations that reflect their specialized designs. In cyberspace levels, you’ll encounter translucent enemies that flicker in and out of view, adding a surreal visual twist that keeps you on edge.

Lighting plays a critical role in HacX’s atmosphere. Flickering overhead strobes, colored floor lamps and sudden power failures can plunge you into darkness, forcing you to rely on sound cues and cautious movement. These dynamic light effects are more advanced than in classic Doom II, and they heighten the tension during exploration and combat alike.

Although the underlying Doom II engine has its limits, the developers used clever tricks—like depth shading and parallax floor details—to imply greater verticality and realism. Destructible objects, from computer consoles to office chairs, shatter with satisfying particle effects, reinforcing the sense that you’re impacting the world around you.

Story

HacX departs from the demon-infested Martian moons of Doom and drops you into a corporate espionage thriller. You play Danny Evanger, a master hacker newly released from a high-security prison after breaching the Genemp Corporation’s classified database. The narrative unfolds through briefings and in-game text, weaving a tale of international conspiracies and biotech horrors.

Genemp’s classified network, known as GENIE, is both your target and your nemesis. The same system that thwarted your original hack is now rumored to be manipulating world events. As Danny, you must infiltrate data centers, override security protocols and retrieve damning evidence of corporate malfeasance. This hacker-versus-technology theme gives the game a modern edge few Doom mods attempt.

The backstory of Danny’s physical training and his forced imprisonment adds emotional stakes to your mission. He’s no supernatural marine—he’s a human with honed strength and unrivaled coding skills, striving for redemption. This blend of muscle and mind is reflected in gameplay: one moment you’re brawling with a security bot, the next you’re navigating a digital maze in cyberspace.

While plot twists aren’t exactly cinematic blockbusters, the cyclical shifts between real-world infiltration and cyberspace escapades maintain narrative momentum. Each new level feels like a chapter in a techno-thriller, encouraging you to push forward to learn who really pulled the strings behind the nationwide chaos.

Overall Experience

HacX offers an ambitious expansion of the Doom II template, merging fast-paced shooting with light puzzle-solving in cyberspace. The balance between familiar corridor combat and novel level mechanics makes for an engaging ride that won’t bore long-time fans. Even if you’ve explored every inch of classic Doom, HacX’s twists on enemy behaviors and level layouts demand fresh tactics.

The custom audiovisual presentation gives the add-on a cohesive identity. Music tracks blend industrial beats with eerie synth motifs, complementing the futuristic environments, while revamped sound effects—metallic clangs, data-stream hums and electronic beeps—immerse you in Genemp Corporation’s high-tech world.

Difficulty can spike in later levels, especially when cyberspace segments layer invisible platforms over swarms of new enemy types. However, resource placement is generous enough that a careful player can learn enemy patterns and adapt weapon usage accordingly. The destructible elements also open alternative strategies, rewarding exploration and creative thinking.

Overall, HacX stands as a testament to what modders can achieve with the Doom II engine. It feels less like a simple add-on and more like a standalone adventure, complete with its own visual style, narrative focus and gameplay innovations. For players craving a dose of classic FPS action with a hacker-thriller twist, HacX is well worth investigating.

Retro Replay Score

null/10