Hexen (Nintendo 64)

Hexen for the Nintendo 64 was released by Software Creations on June 24, 1997. Other console ports were developed by Probe Entertainment for the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation.

Of the three console ports, the version might be considered the most accurate PC translation, boasting superior graphics and the fastest and most fluid frame rate of the three home ports. Trilinear texture filtering, as is common with most Nintendo 64 titles, is used to prevent pixelation of monsters and wall textures when seen up close. The Nintendo 64 port also has four-player cooperative and deathmatch options (split screen). However, if multiplayer is used, the game is forced into a low detail mode, lowering the overall graphics quality.

This port does not feature the full-motion video cut scenes added to the PlayStation and Saturn ports. The soundtrack consists of slightly simplified arrangements of the PC's MIDI tracks reworked for the Nintendo 64's internal sound hardware. New narrative introductions to every level are displayed as text on each level loading screen to expand upon the game's plot and give each location proper context.

Reception
Hexen for Nintendo 64 was not particularly well received due to the overall low quality of the port. Unlike Doom 64, there is no use of the hardware's capabilities to enhance the game's appearance beyond the PC version besides texture filtering. The graphics suffer from numerous accuracy and stability issues, with cracks between walls and in the floors and ceilings, and textures warp and shift as the player turns. Controls cannot be rebound and are not mapped in a particularly intuitive manner. Many of the PC game's resources were cut in order to fit on the cartridge. The framerate is relatively poor and notoriously inconsistent, and there are numerous bugs. An entire 123-page is required to save, and saving or loading a game can take a significant amount of time.

The game received a rating of 3.7 "Awful" from IGN.

Music
The music for the port frequently starts to stutter and play back with significant noise when the game is saved or loaded. This usually persists until the game changes to a different music track.

Changing player classes
Normally, the player must stick with one character class throughout a game. However, it is possible to change classes mid-game by exploiting a glitch. It happens by following the guidelines:


 * 1) Activate the cheat menu, enter it and switch to another level under visit.
 * 2) Move back to the main pause menu without unpausing.
 * 3) Enter the option to start a new game, choose your character class, proceed and you will teleport to the level as a different class.
 * 4) Use visit to go back to where you want to be.

You will keep your weapon levels, items, and mana just as before. However, all hub puzzles and conditions will reset, so it is recommended to do this at the start of a new hub. This does not seem to be capable of changing difficulty.