Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders picks up where the original Heretic left off, retaining the fast-paced, corridor-blasting action that defined mid-’90s first-person shooters. Players once again wield a collection of fantastic weapons—from the trusty Phoenix Rod to the devastating Firemace—each with its own strengths and strategic applications. The staple of ammo conservation and proper weapon choice remains intact, encouraging players to balance risk and reward as they navigate through labyrinthine levels filled with hidden secrets and deadly foes.

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What truly sets this expansion apart is the series’ signature inventory system, a clever addition to the Doom engine that lets you carry useful artifacts like protective wings or mana-boosting totems. The ability to look up and down, coupled with flight sections powered by the Wing of Wrath, adds a verticality that Doom fans could only dream of. These enhancements open up new tactical possibilities, whether you’re swooping over spiked pits or peering into alcoves for cloaked enemies ready to pounce.

The two new episodes introduced in Shadow of the Serpent Riders not only extend the campaign’s length but also introduce fresh level design challenges. You’ll traverse serpent-worshipping temples, twisted garden courtyards, and chasms alive with poisonous gas currents. Raven Software peppers each environment with traps, moving platforms, and wind gusts that can either lift you to hidden alcoves or blow you right into the path of fire-breathing horrors.

Moreover, the game’s pace rarely lets up. Enemies range from the familiar Shub-Niggurath’s cultists to brand-new Abyssal abominations loyal to the Serpent Riders. Boss battles, including the climactic encounter with D’Sparil, demand both quick reflexes and pattern recognition, delivering a satisfying challenge for veteran players and newcomers alike. In total, the expanded five-episode romp offers well over a dozen hours of tightly tuned, magic-filled mayhem.

Graphics

Visually, Shadow of the Serpent Riders wears the Doom engine’s 1994-era cloth proudly, yet Raven’s custom touches give it a distinct fantasy flair. Textures feature gothic arches, rune-inscribed tombstones, and serpent iconography that bring the dark, war-torn world to life despite the engine’s sprite-based limitations. Color palettes shift seamlessly from mossy dungeons to lava-lit caverns, ensuring that each episode feels fresh and thematically coherent.

Raven’s team also refined lighting effects to enhance immersion: flickering torches cast dancing shadows, and colored light sources bathe environments in eerie hues during boss arenas or secret rooms. While there’s no true 3D geometry, cleverly placed wall sprites and sector-based lighting simulate depth and atmosphere far beyond the original engine’s baseline capabilities.

The enemy and weapon sprites receive upgrades, too. Your arsenal’s magical projectiles crackle with animated runes, and hideous monsters sport more elaborate animation frames during attacks or death throes. These improvements are subtle but appreciated, especially when confronting large groups of foes whose pixelated forms remain distinct and readable even in the heat of battle.

Although modern gamers may view the graphics as retro by today’s standards, the nostalgic charm is undeniable. For players who appreciate the raw, stylized presentation of classic shooters, Shadow of the Serpent Riders delivers art direction that feels both authentic to its era and brimming with dark fantasy ambiance.

Story

At the heart of Heretic’s expansion lies a simple yet compelling narrative: the three Serpent Riders have laid waste to the world, and while two have departed, the tyrannical D’Sparil remains to crush all resistance. As the last surviving Heretic, your mission is to hunt down and destroy this demon lord before his abyssal forces can fully subjugate the land.

Although the story unfolds primarily through text-based intermission screens and brief in-game messages, the tale of revenge and liberation is effective in driving you forward. Level introductions set the scene with evocative descriptions of serpentine temples, desecrated shrines, and landscapes writhing with corrupted wildlife. This sense of urgency permeates each episode, motivating you to press onward despite overwhelming odds.

Raven Software wisely avoids overcomplicating the plot, focusing instead on immersive world-building through environmental storytelling. Hidden rooms reveal murals of past atrocities, and scattered glyphs hint at the Riders’ ancient origins. These touches give depth to the campaign without slowing down the action, allowing you to piece together the broader mythology at your own pace.

By the time you reach the final confrontation with D’Sparil, the narrative stakes feel earned. The climactic boss arena, set against a backdrop of swirling darkness and chained statues, offers a fitting conclusion to the Heretic’s odyssey. While the storyline may not rival modern epics, it strikes an ideal balance for a mid-’90s shooter: concise, atmospheric, and perfectly in tune with the gameplay.

Overall Experience

Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders stands as a landmark expansion that elevates the original game from a solid Doom-derived shooter to a robust fantasy adventure in its own right. With five polished episodes, enhanced engine features, and a suite of new enemies and level designs, it offers both newcomers and veterans a thoroughly engaging journey through dark magic and serpent-haunted ruins.

The free patch for existing Heretic owners is a generous touch, rewarding early adopters with two additional episodes at no extra cost. For first-time players, the full package provides outstanding value, delivering dozens of hours of content brimming with secrets, hidden pathways, and replay incentives like key-hunting runs or speed challenges.

Beyond the single-player campaign, Shadow of the Serpent Riders supports multiplayer deathmatches and cooperative play—essential features for fans of competitive or team-based arena warfare. Community-created mods and custom levels continue to breathe life into the game decades after its release, speaking volumes about its enduring design and the devotion of its fanbase.

In an age of high-definition blockbusters, Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders remains a testament to the timeless appeal of fast, skill-based combat combined with immersive fantasy themes. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering this classic for the first time, Raven Software’s ambitious expansion delivers a compelling and memorable experience that still stands tall in the pantheon of retro shooters.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10