Download Theseus: Return of the Hero (Windows)

The game has been tested on Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8 and Windows 10, it works fine. You may experience some small troubles when you play the game on modern systems, check our Notes for troubleshooting.

To install the game simply run Setup. If the installation doesn't start - try to launch Setup.exe in compatibility mode with old version of Windows (98, 2000 or XP) and as Administrator

Notes:

• Theseus: Return of the Hero originally released as a commercial product, but later Sigma Team, the developers of the game, made the game available for free on their website. That freeware release was a part of promotion for other games by Sigma Team and included advertisements on the exit screen
• It is recommended to install all versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and NET Framework for the correct work of the game
• The game works on old version of DirectX, so if you're using Windows 8, 8.1, 10 or 11 - you need to enable DirectPlay: Go to Control Panel, and select 'Programs'. Select 'Turn Windows features on and off', click on 'Legacy Components' and check the box 'DirectPlay'. Select OK, once the installation is done, restart your computer
• If the game doesn't work - try to launch it in Compatibility mode with old version of Windows and as Administrator (right click on Theseus.exe -> Properties -> Compatibility)
• Also, Data Execution Prevention (DEP) may block the executable file of the game. If the game doesn't run or closes right after the start - add Theseus.exe to the exceptions of DEP (Data Execution Prevention): Go to Control Panel -> System Properties -> Advanced System Settings. From the System Properties dialog, select Settings. Select the Data Execution Prevention tab. Select "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select". Click Add and use the browse feature to show the path to the program executable you want to exclude, in that case Theseus.exe inside the game folder. Here's the guide with pictures
• If you have troubles with the game, try to run it through dgVoodoo 2. The game with dgVoodoo 2 has been tested on Windows 10, it works fine. As another option, you can try to use DxWnd utility, check this thread about Alien Shooter engine games running through DxWnd
• Cheat codes for the game, to enable cheat code you must type it on letter during the game. Type in the game mode: cheate - complete level, cheath - gives 1000 HP, cheatw - gives all weapons, cheata - gives 1000 ammo; type in the shop: cheatm - gives 50 000 money. Cheat codes doesn't work in Survive mode
• Be careful, Russian CD release was protected with infamous StarForce DRM! StarForce DRM is not compatible with modern systems and can even ruin it, especially if you use 32-bit Windows. If you install the Russian release from that CD, make sure to use NoCD before the first launch, check this thread for more details. Or install the digital freeware release, it doesn't have any DRM protection
• Looks like the German release includes one of the early versions of the game, it features some models and animations that were removed from later German releases