Heroes of Might and Magic- one of the pillars of the strategic genre. Gamers associate turn-based strategies with this legendary series, primarily with the third part. Back in 1986, New World Computing released the first RPG in the Might and Magic series, creating the universe in which HoMM would develop.
The third part of Heroes of Might and Magic deserves special attention. It was released in 1999, immediately making a splash in the gaming community. “Thirds” to this day remain one of best games in the genre, without losing any popularity for two decades. The subsequent parts of the series were also good, but they failed to repeat the phenomenal success of The Third.
List of games
Might and Magic: Heroes Online
Ubisoft Blue Byte
A turn-based browser strategy with role-playing elements, even the name hints at its affiliation with HoMM. The German branch of Ubisoft released an online offshoot of the main series, telling about the events between the fifth and sixth parts of the original. The game has excellent graphics, interesting gameplay with turn-based battles and an exciting plot with the opportunity to learn more about the events and characters of the universe.
A browser-based MMORPG in the spirit of HoMM is a perfect example quality work enthusiasts. Appearance cities and units, battles on maps with cells, spells - everything, if not copied, is very reminiscent of the original. The main difference is the free movement of players across the global map in real time, which adds greater dynamism. Turn-based battles, the basis of the gameplay, remained in place.
Browser strategy with an unusual style, combining oriental motifs and steampunk. The game did not try to copy HoMM and is less similar to it than others, but many gameplay elements are clearly recognizable. Rise of Heroes is colorful, bright world, ample opportunities for development, a well-thought-out role-playing system and large-scale battles. And a small spoiler for old-school gamers - you can rob caravans here.
In this collection we collect games similar to Heroes of Might and Magic. the series already has 7 full-fledged parts and a countless horde of addons, but for some this is not enough. Key Feature cycle - turn-based battles of armies fairy-tale creatures on the “checkered” margins, was copied by the developers long before the release of the landmark Heroes 3, so finding similar projects is not at all difficult.
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Singles heavyweights
King`s Bounty: Dark Side
The King's Bounty series appeared even before Heroes, but for many reasons it was never able to come out of the shadows " younger brother" The Dark Side is the last part of the series in which all the main characters are villains. The game uses classic scheme turn-based battles (there can be 5 types of creatures in the army), and pleases with an abundance of non-linear quests and nice graphics.
Age of Wonders 3
This strategy is required for anyone who wants to download games similar to Heroes of Might and Magic. Created at the intersection of two genres (turn-based and 4X strategy), this game offers a rich strategic mode in the spirit of Civilization and no less intense battles on a tactical map. Capture cities, upgrade commanders and be especially careful during sieges - the game mechanics are such that armies of neighboring hexes can participate in one battle, which results in real battles.
Disciples: Rebirth
After being frankly unsuccessful, many fans buried the famous series, but Studio worked a miracle and showed the world a seriously redesigned version with a magnificent design. Yes, many will not like the stripped-down strategic mode and frankly faint sound, but the authors offered a good replacement: good tactical battles with an interception system, an interesting story campaign and a solid multiplayer with the ability to control neutral troops. If you like Heroes and gothic surroundings, then this game is for you.
Browser experiments
Might & Magic Heroes Online
Compared to single projects, Online Games in the spirit of Heroes is not that uncommon. Heroes Online is a product of the German branch, that is, the game is well made and the style is very close to the classic series. The same turn-based battles, the same collecting of units, the same leveling up of heroes, but now with the possibility of completing quests together and.
Heroes of War and Money
Judging by the battle mechanics, this project is the same as Heroes 5. The graphics in the game are made in Flash, so don’t expect anything special from it. But there are 2 on 2 and even 3 on 3 battles, a system for repairing and improving artifacts, a built-in mini-game “Arcomage” and the ability to reset skill points. And here you can rob caravans, hunt, fish and work.
Different World
If you are looking for games similar to Heroes and at the same time, then this project is for you. The simple graphics here hide the complex mechanics of turn-based battles, a deep leveling system, light and dark clans, and most importantly, the opportunity to fight with other players without leaving the cash register. Great project for lovers of thoughtful gameplay.
Other games:
- Disciples
- King's Bounty
- Age of Wonders
- Dominions
- Greed Corp
- Eador. Creation
- Demiurges
The series Heroes of Might and Magic - a unique fusion of turn-based strategy and RPG, has gained popularity all over the world, but has gained truly cult status among domestic fans of thoughtful gatherings in front of the monitor, after the release of the third part, which, in the opinion of many, has remained the best.
Obviously, similar projects should be looked for among turn-based tactical games with a fantasy setting.
compiled in accordance with the personal gaming preferences of the author of the publication
Prodigy Tactics
The game takes place in a world called Tasis, in which mana is the key to the survival of the inhabitants. But the magical energy has dried up and, in order to revive the fading world, it is necessary to awaken the legendary creatures who are the sources of mana.
In this game, like "Heroes of Might and Magic", in addition to the familiar game mechanics, the element of surprise on the battlefield introduces the confrontation of two forces - Harmony and Dissonance, each of which can radically change the course of the fight.
Eador (game series)
The Lords are demigods living in the Astral Plane, between whom there is an endless war. Everyone strives to create their own world, and for this they need to connect as many fragments as possible floating in the astral plane, destroying their competitors.
The first part of Eador (also the best, IMHO) was created almost single-handedly by the talented programmer Alexey Bokulev, which is an achievement in itself, especially in modern realities.
Disciples (game series)
In the sacred lands of Nevendaar, several races with completely different cultural and religious views compete for power: the empire (people), the mountain clans of the gnomes, the alliance of elves, the legions of the damned and the hordes of the undead. Of all the games in the series, Special attention I recommend checking out Disciples II: Dark Prophecy.
The gloomy Disciples has always been in the shadow of HOMM, which, in my opinion, it did not deserve at all. Disciples have a different approach to creating an army - unlike the "heroes" with their large and constantly replenished garrisons, here we command small units led by heroes, each of whom has a set of characteristics.
Age of Wonders (game series)
The ideological successor to Master of Magic gradually absorbed features inherent not only in direct competitors (games like Heroes of Might and Magic), but also in related genres - global turn-based strategies.
The third part of Age of Wonders has gone far from its roots, however, this did not affect the final quality for the worse. Players can choose their own locations for building cities (which makes it similar to global 4X strategies), and the game also allows you to arrange “mass massacres” of armies, which are rare within the genre.
Endless Legend
And a technology tree from Amplitude Studios with a unique combat system, which is divided into several phases, and the player places units and indicates targets, without the ability to interfere in the course of the battle.
Endless Legend, released in 2014, was called by many reviewers a renaissance of the turn-based strategy genre, and I am inclined to agree with this opinion. Perhaps compared to the "heroes" battles lack the tactical variety expected from games of this kind, but in all other aspects it is an unambiguous masterpiece.
King's Bounty: Legend of a Knight
Not just a game in the style of “Heroes of Might and Magic”, but a remake of the legendary King’s Bounty - the forerunner of all similar projects. The studio Katauri Interactive was responsible for the development (authors of “ Space Rangers"), which more than met the expectations of fans... yes, domestic developers knew how to make games in those early years.
After the triumph in 2008, there followed the release of add-ons that did not require the original game, i.e. inherently independent projects, the best of which, released a year later, is “The Armored Princess.”
18 years ago (just think!) the first part of the famous Heroes of Might and Magic was released. This turn-based strategy revolutionized the genre.
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How are all the action games now? open world are called clones, and TBS with RPG elements are called Heroes clones.
The planet Enroth is plunged into the chaos of war. Four rulers are fighting for power: Lord Ironfist, Queen Lamanda, the sorcerer Alamar and the barbarian Slayer. Actually, you just need to decide on a hero and start exploring the territories. A tiny 5x7 field marked out on hexagons provides excellent scope for tactics, and no one paid much attention to the weak artificial intelligence in those years. Heroes of Might and Magic became a cult favorite and spawned an entire series; The best, according to the general opinion of fans, is the third part. As usually happens, other companies decided to capitalize on the popularity by releasing their own “free interpretations” of Heroes. Some games turned out to be so successful that they even eclipsed the original source.
Released in 1999 by Dutch developers Triumph Studios The turn-based strategy features a decent range of creature abilities and tactical combat that turns out to be quite varied.
The action takes place in the elven kingdom, where the local king, by his grace, allowed nomads human race. People retaliated with a coup d'etat - they overthrew the ruler and ousted the elves. The surviving Pointy Ears have fled the city and are preparing to return everything to its place. Having chosen one of 12 races, a long passage begins. The battlefield, like in Heroes, is divided into hexagonal “honeycombs”. A group can include up to eight units, each unit occupying one cell. Each ward has a certain number of movement points, but you can move two units at once. In addition to battles, it is proposed to develop magic, hire heroes and upgrade settlements. There are two resources at your disposal for this - mana and gold.
Russian company Nival released a successful fantasy strategy with elements role playing game. In the West the game is known as .
As in the first part of Heroes, four sides are in conflict here. Green vitals, children of nature; red chaos (fire); black synths that rely on technology, and blue “water” kinets. Races have their own unique sets of magical abilities. During the campaign you will have to change sides several times, so you will be able to try out all the magic trees.
Movement occurs in a step-by-step mode; capturing territories allows you to move on. In addition to the usual strategic mode, there is also a tactical mode, in which magical duels take place. Here the heroes themselves sort things out one on one. Each victory brings experience points, which are spent on improving the character's abilities. Duelists have cards, they show their reserve of magical power.
Disciples: SacredLands
The Canadian Strategy First launched a rather successful series; at the moment, three numbered games in the series and several add-ons have been released.
The story takes place in the world of Nevendaar, where - believe it or not - four sides share power. This time, demons (Legions of the Damned), humans (Empire), undead (Hordes of the Undead) and gnomes (Mountain Clans) did not agree on the rule. The gameplay consists of three large parts. These are battles, reconnaissance of the area with heroes and improving skills by learning new ones. All cities can be upgraded, but only the capital is allowed to create new buildings. The capitals vary depending on the race you choose, but they all look cool and do a great job of showing what each side is all about.
The hero can be the Head of the Guild, the Warlord or the Archmage. Additionally, the type is determined: mage, warrior, scout, thief, and so on - the parameter is assigned automatically depending on what style you play.
Battles take place in the usual form for turn-based strategies. But there is one difference - large units (for example, dragons) occupy two cells, because they simply do not fit on one. In addition, troops cannot move, and special attention must be paid to wards with a long range.
King's Bounty.Legend of the Knight
The remake of the 1990 game, which became the prototype of Heroes, turned out to be extremely wonderful. There is nothing to cling to. The world of the game captivates with its colorful graphics, the fabulous atmosphere and wonderful humor result in sleepless nights, people lose their lives for several weeks - the passage takes about sixty hours if you play normally, and do not run along the storyline, ignoring all the most interesting things.
We are given the role of a court treasure hunter. Movement on the global map takes place in real time, and this decision turned out to be successful - it’s much more convenient to explore the wonderful world of Endoria. A fairly flexible difficulty system allows both beginners in turn-based strategies and hardcore players to play without any particular difficulties, when ordinary opponents and routine battles turn into a serious challenge, not to mention battles with giant bosses.
Katauri Interactive made an exemplary TBS that was able to surpass even the latest parts of Heroes.
Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria
A good series of turn-based strategies for the fourth part has changed a lot compared to its predecessors. A wheel has appeared that divides the warring and friendly races into two sides. Ten races: Elves, Dark Elves, Dwarves, Empire, Knights, Demons, Undead, Orcs, Demons and Dragons. They all have one hero and five units. The latter can be obtained in three ways: created in the city, found in ruins, or taken from allies. As usual, improvements and purchases of goods are taking place in cities. The fourth part came out buggy, and was urgently treated with patches. It ended up being a pretty passable turn-based strategy game.
The Heroes of Might and Magic series has now taken a slightly wrong turn, but is still beloved by TBS fans. And if “Heroes” doesn’t suit you for some reason, there are plenty of alternatives, as can be seen from this selection. Perhaps by the seventh part the current owners of the brand will return the franchise to the right direction.