Looking for a retro-style FPS, I poked around the new releases on Steam. That is, until I found Hands Of Necromancy and played it all weekend. It’s a Hexen-like FPS, with big, sprawling maps, a bunch of weapons, and a variety of enemies. The 21 maps are spread between three hubs, as all such games should be. As you find keys, new abilities, and so on, you’ll be dashing between the portals in each hub. Between the fast-paced action and exploration, it gives it a little Metroid flavor.
Hands Of Necromancy doesn’t feel beholden to Heretic or Hexen, but rather inspired by them to become its own game. As you’d expect, you get a mix of ranged and close-up combat, starting with a sword and fireball, then expanding on it as you go. A whirlwind spell swoops enemies backward, and if they’re pinned against a wall, takes their life. You’ll find a freezy ice wand, a scythe with impressive power, and even a gun.
Enemies include creepy crawlies, magic-wielding wizards, flying bats, and stomping golems. This gang joins up with even more deadly beasties by chapter 2, so fights can be a crazed barrage of blood. I built the whole thing in GZDoom, and it’s all 2.5D. I love the pixel art on the creatures, and the locations feel detailed and interesting to explore. In addition, the level design is top-notch, with underground chambers, maze-like crypts, and puzzle-filled towns to explore.
Your character, an evil sorcerer, is no hero; he’s on the hunt for power, fighting not to survive, but just because he wants to. When you pick up a powerful weapon and let out a villainous cackle, you’re reminded of this. The game lets you turn into various enemies, including little snakes, punchy golems, and horned devils. You can use this to solve puzzles, find secrets, or fight differently. It’s the first time I’ve seen a FPS where the character can transform into the enemy.
It’s estimated to take 7 hours to play, which is crazy. I spent almost that long on the first chapter, exploring every nook and cranny and trying to find secrets. You could blitz through it, but that seems wasteful. It’s awesome, a game that would have stood up to Raven Software’s mid-90s fantasy shooters. You can get Hexen for a buck-fifty right now, but you probably already have. Developers HON Team have become a name to watch with Hands Of Necromancy.
