Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is a prequel to the third installment of the turn-based strategy game series with RPG elements, titled Heroes of Might and Magic. The game was developed by Unfrozen - an independent development studio from Russia, in whose portfolio we can find the warmly received Iratus: Lord of the Dead. The main source of inspiration for the creators was the iconic Heroes of Might and Magic III entry.

Plot

The action of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is set before the events presented in the third installment of the series. The game takes us to the continent of Jadame located on the planet Enroth and allows us to learn about the events preceding the appearance of Lord Ironfist on this globe. The game contains references to its great predecessor, but it was prepared in such a way that players unfamiliar with the universe could also find their way and have fun.

Gameplay

In Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era we watch the action from a bird's eye view. The game takes place in turn-based mode and is based on the mechanics known from the earlier parts of the series, especially from the already mentioned third installment. During the game we take on the role of a hero character who explores vast maps and takes control of the objects passed by, collects resources, and also fights with opponents.

Cities

Our bases in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era are cities that we expand as we progress. They are presented in the form of picturesque panoramas, and by building various structures within them (for which we need the already mentioned resources), we gain access to new units and improvements. Since they are our command centers, it is worth taking care of their defense by building fortifications. The appearance of individual cities can vary and it depends on the faction we represent.

Battles

Another pillar of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era are skirmishes with opponents. Similar to exploration, battles take place in turn-based mode. After encountering an opponent on the world map, we move to a special arena covered with a grid of hexagonal squares.

The key to success here is not only the proper placement of individual units (it is best to keep ranged units at the back, and put your melee subordinates on the front line), but also the skillful selection of the abilities of the hero (or heroine) and the members of his (or her) army. Each unit has active skills that can be used on the battlefield.

As we progress, we not only gain access to increasingly powerful allies, but also collect artifacts that provide us with various enhancements, as well as develop our character (unlocking new abilities or improving those already learned) and their subordinates. All of this makes it possible for us to face increasingly greater challenges over time.

Game modes

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era in addition to the story campaign offers a special arena mode and a module allowing for multiplayer gameplay over the Internet.

Graphics

The graphic design of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is three-dimensional, however the locked camera gives the impression of interacting with a two-dimensional work. The whole was maintained in a colorful, cartoonish style. An interesting idea was using some of the designs from the third part of the series (such as the dragon utopia, the observatory or the stone of knowledge).