Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard delivers a classic first-person RPG experience by placing you at the helm of a four-person party that must battle through dangerous dungeons to recover the talismans of four imprisoned gods. Character selection is streamlined yet varied: you choose from 16 pre-generated adventurers, divided equally among warriors, wizards, rangers, and assassins. Each class feels distinct, and party composition quickly becomes a strategic puzzle as you balance brute strength, ranged attacks, stealth, and arcane power.

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Combat unfolds seamlessly in real time on the same grid-based map you explore, which keeps the action fluid and tense. Enemies can appear from around corners or burst through hidden traps, forcing you to think on your feet. There’s no separate battle screen, so you’ll need to master positioning, timing of spells, and coordinated attacks—especially when facing multiple foes and magical hazards simultaneously.

The game’s magic system deepens the gameplay further: a robust library of 32 spells is drawn from earth, chaos, dragon, and night disciplines. Learning new incantations is rewarding, as each spell feels unique and carries its own tactical advantages—whether you’re summoning a wall of stone, unleashing a firestorm of chaos bolts, or cloaking your party in shadow. Managing your magic points and choosing which spells to equip before each dungeon run adds another layer of preparation and strategy.

Graphics

Hexx’s graphics are a compelling mix of early-2000s 3D environments with richly detailed textures and atmospheric lighting. The sinister tower and its four dungeons are rendered with a gritty palette that captures the foreboding mood of an evil wizard’s lair. Flickering torches cast dancing shadows on moss-covered walls, and dripping water effects enhance the sense that you’re delving deeper into a living, breathing dungeon.

Character and monster models are chunky by modern standards, but they possess a nostalgic charm that will resonate with fans of classic dungeon crawlers. Goblins, skeleton knights, and other denizens of the tower are distinct and often glow with elemental auras when imbued by magic. Spell effects in particular stand out—earthquakes cause cracks to spider across floors, while chaos spells swirl with purple energy that feels dangerous and unpredictable.

User interface elements are clean and unobtrusive, with health bars, spell icons, and inventory panels tucked neatly at the edges of the screen. This minimalist approach keeps your field of view clear, so you never lose sight of creeping enemies or hidden doorways. While there’s no cutting-edge shader work, the game’s art direction strikes a fine balance between clarity and atmosphere.

Story

The narrative of Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard is straightforward but effective: a power-hungry sorcerer has imprisoned four gods in talismans and scattered them across his tower to forestall divine vengeance. This premise drives every exploration, giving each level a clear objective and a sense of escalating stakes. As you recover each talisman, you’ll piece together more about the gods’ personalities and the wizard’s desperate fear of retribution.

Dialogues and journal entries convey lore in bite-sized morsels, so you’re never overwhelmed by text dumps. Instead, you discover cryptic runes on walls, overhear scraps of conversation between summoned creatures, and find tomes that hint at the ancient rivalry between the gods and their cage. These world-building elements reward curious players who search every nook and crack for hidden scrolls.

Although character development is limited by the pre-generated nature of your party, the distinct classes and personalities shine through well-crafted flavor text. The stoic warrior, the wise earth mage, the nimble ranger, and the morally ambiguous assassin all leave impressions through occasional banter. This subtle storytelling helps keep the focus on dungeon crawling while giving your heroes a touch of individuality.

Overall Experience

Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard is a love letter to retro dungeon crawlers, offering tense real-time combat, a wealth of spells, and a moody, immersive environment. Its learning curve can be steep—especially when first navigating the tile-based dungeons under pressure—but the satisfaction of clearing a floor and recovering a talisman is immense. Every corridor you explore feels dangerous yet rewarding.

Replaying the game with different party compositions and magic loadouts adds replay value, encouraging you to experiment with strategies that balance frontline fighters with squishy but powerful mages. The design respects your time by letting you adjust difficulty settings, so both newcomers to the genre and seasoned dungeon delvers can find an enjoyable challenge.

Overall, Hexx stands out for its cohesive presentation: tight gameplay mechanics, consistent art direction, and a narrative that propels you deeper into the wizard’s tower. If you’re craving a dungeon-crawling adventure that demands strategy, offers real-time thrills, and immerses you in a dark fantasy world, this title is a compelling choice.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10