About Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel
Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel is the official expansion to Hexen: Beyond Heretic, the dark fantasy first-person shooter that pushed the Doom engine into atmospheric, puzzle-driven territory. In this chapter you return to the role of a lone hero who has already defeated Korax, only to find yourself trapped in the Realm of the Dead. The only route home runs through the towering Dark Citadel, and the road there is crowded with undead hordes, brutal traps, and labyrinthine hubs that reward careful exploration as much as fast reflexes.
This release is version 1.1 and arrives as a direct GOG installer, which means you download one file, run the setup, and launch the game from a desktop shortcut. The whole package is 180.13 MB, so it is a quick download even on modest connections. If you enjoy classic shooters with a strong sense of place and you want a game that respects your time without holding your hand, this expansion is built for you.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.1 |
| File Size | 180.13 MB |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Category | DRM-Free PC Games |
| License | Free |
| Developer | GOG Unlocked |
Download Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel (v1.1)
Story and Setting
The expansion picks up right where the base game left off. Korax is gone, but victory does not mean escape. You are pulled into the Realm of the Dead, a hostile plane where the architecture itself seems designed to wear you down. The Dark Citadel looms as the final objective, and every hub you clear brings you one step closer to its gates.
Three new hubs structure the campaign: the Blight, the Constable's Gate, and the Nave. Each hub branches into multiple levels, and each one has its own visual identity and enemy mix. The Blight leans into decay and poison, the Constable's Gate feels like a fortified checkpoint overrun by the dead, and the Nave carries a cathedral-like solemnity that makes the combat feel heavier. Together they give the expansion a cohesive, oppressive atmosphere that fans of the original Hexen will recognize immediately.
What Makes This Expansion Worth Playing
Deathkings of the Dark Citadel adds twenty new single-player levels, which is a substantial campaign by the standards of 1990s expansion packs. The level design leans on Hexen's signature structure: you solve environmental puzzles, find switches, and backtrack through interconnected maps rather than running in a straight line. If you liked the hub system in the base game, this expansion gives you more of it with tougher encounters.
Multiplayer also gets attention here. Six additional deathmatch maps are included, and the enhanced multiplayer options give you fresh ways to compete with friends or foes. For players who remember crowding around a CRT with a few friends, the new arenas are a good excuse to revisit that style of play.
Key Features
- Twenty new single-player levels spread across three hubs: the Blight, the Constable's Gate, and the Nave.
- Six additional deathmatch maps built for competitive play.
- Enhanced multiplayer options for competing with friends or foes.
- Dark fantasy first-person shooter gameplay with puzzle-solving, exploration, and resource management.
- Direct GOG installer with a one-click install and play flow.
- Compact 180.13 MB download that runs on modest Windows hardware.
Gameplay Breakdown
Hexen's class-based structure carries over into the expansion. You choose a character with distinct weapons and abilities, and that choice shapes how you approach each hub. The fighter types favor direct confrontation, while the more magic-oriented classes reward positioning and timing. Because the levels are built around switch hunts and locked doors, you will spend time reading the environment, not just shooting. That pacing is deliberate, and it is the main reason Hexen still has a dedicated following.
Combat is fast and unforgiving. Enemies come in waves, and the expansion assumes you already know how to manage your inventory and health pickups. If you are new to Hexen, expect a learning curve. If you played the base game, the difficulty jump here will feel like a natural next step rather than a wall.
For readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric games with a similar mood, our library includes titles like Darkest Dungeon (v27628 & ALL DLC) and Dark Scrolls, both of which share the grim tone and strategic depth found here.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: A full twenty-level campaign that meaningfully extends the base game; three distinct hubs with strong atmosphere; six new deathmatch maps for multiplayer; small download size; simple installer with a desktop shortcut.
- Cons: The visuals are rooted in 1990s technology and will not appeal to players who expect modern graphics; the puzzle-heavy hub structure can frustrate players who prefer linear action; there is no built-in tutorial for newcomers to the series.
System Requirements
The expansion is light by modern standards. The listed requirements are Windows 7, 8, or 10, a 1.8 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9, DirectX 9, and 215 MB of disk space. Note that the disk requirement is slightly higher than the download size because the installer needs room to extract and install the game files.
Installation Guidance
Click the download button and you will be redirected to UploadHaven. Wait five seconds, then click the blue download now button. A download manager such as FDM can speed things up if your connection is slow. Once the file finishes, right click the .zip and choose Extract to Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel v1.1.zip. You will need 7-Zip or the built-in Windows extractor. Open the extracted folder, run the setup application, accept the EULA, and install. Launch the game from the desktop shortcut when setup finishes.
Version Freshness and Trust Signals
This page covers version 1.1 of the expansion, which is the current build offered here. The file size is 180.13 MB and the installer is a direct GOG package, so you are not dealing with a third-party wrapper or an online launcher. The publisher listed for this release is GOG Unlocked. The download is free, and if you enjoy the game you can support the developers by purchasing it through the official store link included in the reminder below.
Because this is a classic title, the technical footprint is small and the install is straightforward. If you run into an issue, the most common causes are a missing extraction tool or a blocked download from the file host, both of which are easy to resolve. Keep your download manager active and confirm the .zip extracts fully before running setup.
Download Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel (v1.1)
Reminder: This download is completely free and won't cost you a penny. However, if you love the game and want to purchase it, you can support the developers by doing so here.
Screenshots
Final Thoughts
Deathkings of the Dark Citadel is a focused expansion for players who already love Hexen and want more of its hub-based, puzzle-driven combat. The twenty new levels, three hubs, and six deathmatch maps make it a complete package rather than a small add-on. At 180.13 MB with a direct installer, it is an easy addition to any classic shooter collection on Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide
Q: My antivirus flagged one of the files as a threat. Is this game safe?
A: Yes, all files on our site are 100% verified clean. Antivirus software may occasionally flag steam_api.dll or crack files as false positives due to modified game binaries. Temporarily whitelist the game directory before extracting.
Q: I get a missing DLL error (e.g., VCRUNTIME140.dll, MSVCP140.dll, or D3DCOMPILER). How do I fix it?
A: Missing DLL errors indicate missing Windows system libraries. Ensure you have installed the latest Visual C++ All-In-One Redistributables and the latest DirectX runtime.
Q: Where are my game save files located?
A: Saves are usually stored in your %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, or Documents/Saved Games folder. Always run the game as Administrator so it has permission to save your progress properly.
Q: Can I play online or multiplayer with friends?
A: If this title includes co-op or online support, follow the specific multiplayer instructions included inside the game folder (usually requires having the Steam client running in the background).
