The best Raven Software game depends on what you want to play: start with Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic for the studio’s signature dark-fantasy shooters, try Singularity for a standalone time-bending sci-fi FPS, or choose Jedi Outcast for lightsaber and Force combat. Raven’s catalog also includes team-based superhero RPGs and extensive work on Call of Duty—a major part of its modern portfolio, but not a single standalone Raven original.
What are the best Raven Software games?
This is a preference-based shortlist, not an objective ranking: Raven has made original fantasy and science-fiction games, licensed action titles, role-playing games, and contributions to a large shared shooter franchise. The picks below focus on what each game offers and who is most likely to enjoy it.
![Armored Core: Last Raven Portable [Japan Import] by FROM SOFTWARE](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CYZ4BW7UL._SL160_.jpg)
| If you want… | Try… | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Classic dark-fantasy FPS | Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic | Magic and supernatural weapons define Heretic; Hexen adds character classes and nonlinear, hub-based exploration. [Raven Software] |
| A contained, distinctive sci-fi shooter | Singularity | A Soviet-island setting and a Time Manipulation Device that alters objects and enemies give its FPS combat a time-bending hook. [Raven Software] |
| Lightsaber and Force combat | Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast or Jedi Academy | Outcast combines blasters, lightsaber fighting, and Force abilities; Academy emphasizes custom Jedi progression and combat options. [Raven Software] |
| Superhero action RPGs | X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends II, or Marvel: Ultimate Alliance | These are the choices for team-based action, character development, and superhero rosters. [Raven Software] |
| A different kind of shooter | Quake 4, Soldier of Fortune, or Wolfenstein | They range from an alien-war campaign to gritty mercenary action and supernatural WWII-themed combat. [Raven Software] |
| Raven’s modern franchise work | Call of Duty: Warzone or entries such as Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 | Raven describes major contributions across the Call of Duty universe; these are shared-franchise projects, not all solely Raven-developed. [Raven Software] |
Which Raven game should you play first?
Choose Heretic for the studio’s early fantasy-shooter identity
Heretic is the clearest starting point if you want magic in place of a conventional arsenal. Raven describes it as a dark-fantasy shooter built around supernatural weapons and a real-time inventory system. Its companion, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, changes the feel with distinct character classes and nonlinear, hub-based levels. Together, they show how Raven took the fantasy FPS in different directions rather than simply repeating one formula. [Raven Software]
Bethesda’s catalog search result for Heretic + Hexen lists Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, Hexen, and Deathkings of the Dark Citadel. Check the live product listing for the edition, platform, and availability before buying; those details are not established here. [Bethesda]
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- The Raven Remastered
- A classic whodunit adventure from KING Art, the creators of the Book of Unwritten Tales-series
- Experience a thrilling crime story through the eyes of multiple characters
- Classic murder mystery locations, from a train in the Swiss alps, to a majestic cruise * and the Cairo Museum
- High quality voice acting from a compelling cast of quirky characters
Pick Singularity for a standalone sci-fi campaign
Singularity is the strongest fit if you want a Raven shooter that is not part of a fantasy or licensed universe. Its Soviet-island setting, puzzles, multiple endings, and Time Manipulation Device center the experience on altering objects and enemies through time. [Raven Software]
Go with Jedi Outcast or Jedi Academy for Star Wars combat
Choose Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast if you want a mix of blasters, lightsaber combat, and Force powers built around Kyle Katarn. Choose Jedi Academy if creating and developing a Jedi character, with a range of combat options, is the bigger draw. Both are licensed Star Wars games rather than original Raven universes. [Raven Software]
Choose a superhero RPG for team play and character progression
X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends II, and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance suit players looking for superhero rosters, character development, and team-based action RPG play. Pick among them by the roster and setting that appeal to you; Raven’s catalog describes the shared action-RPG strengths but does not establish a quality ranking among the three. [Raven Software]
What games did Raven Software make before Call of Duty?
Raven’s early history includes original fantasy and action games such as Black Crypt, ShadowCaster, Heretic, and Hexen: Beyond Heretic. The studio calls Black Crypt its first game. Its portfolio later expanded across licensed properties and other shooters, including Star Wars Jedi Knight, X-Men Legends, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Wolfenstein, and Quake 4. [Raven Software]
Rank #3
- Take on the role of animated Raven
- Interact with your favorite characters, including Cory, Chelsea, Eddie, Loca, Alana and others
- 16 action-packed levels
- Play 4 mini games based on such episodes as Run Raven Run, Clothes Minded, Smell of Victory and Four's a Crowd
- Master special defensive moves, including purse swinging, perfume spraying and water bottle throwing
Raven says it was founded in 1990 and joined Activision in 1997. Those are historical milestones, not confirmation of the studio’s current corporate ownership structure. [Raven Software careers]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you think about Raven’s Call of Duty games?
Raven’s catalog says the studio has helped shape the Call of Duty universe since 2010, with major contributions across the Black Ops series and Call of Duty: Warzone. Its careers page lists Call of Duty as the studio’s current franchise focus. That makes these games relevant to Raven’s history, but their shared development context differs from playing a self-contained Raven original such as Singularity. [Raven Software] [Raven Software careers]
For an individual title, use Raven’s catalog as a guide to its role and portfolio, not as a complete independent credits database. The catalog currently features Black Ops 7 and Black Ops 6, as well as older games. [Raven Software]
Quick Recap
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