19. Heroes of Might and Magic II. 20 Best Classic PC Strategy Games

Fantastic creatures have always been a trademark of the series.

In the 1990s strategy games were divided into two main schools: games with real-time action or games where action took place in turns. The leader among the latter was the Heroes of Might and Magic series, which successfully transferred the virtual "magic and sword" universe, previously known from the RPG genre, into the world of management, planning and great battles.

The second part of popular Heroes told the story of the civil war that raged in a realm called Enroth after the death of its previous ruler, king Morglin Ironfist (we met him in the first installment).

In terms of gameplay, it was primarily an evolution from the equally successful first installment. We got a classic formula, using a turn-based system, in which we moved around a map full of treasures and dangers, expanded towns and fought battles (also turn-based). The main course was the fantastic combination of RPG elements, namely the progression of our hero characters, with a strategic aspect.

Each of our heroes had four basic attributes, a maximum of eight skills and 14 slots for artifacts. Not bad for a strategy game.

The title heroes, who could acquire new skills, develop attributes, and collect magical equipment, were at the same time commanders of our armies. Successive attempts to obtain new resources building, tactical battles and sieges, and the continued expansion of our town could engage us for long hours.

Compared to part one, the developers offered more character classes and towns, a new spell-casting system, and the ability to upgrade some of the fantastic creatures in our army, all of which worked perfectly.

Essentially, the Heroes series uses such timeless gameplay mechanics that its second part could be, and with a clear conscience, recommended today as well. I will not do it, however, because there will be another title of this type on our list, which in my opinion is even better.