I’m really enjoying two new games right now. The combat in MENACE was fantastic and I’m eager to see how the larger strategy elements develop. I’ve also been playing Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, and it’s so good that I’m already worried about which game I’ll want to play first – they’re both excellent!
Just a quick note: I haven’t played much of the Heroes of Might and Magic series – only one game, actually, on the Gameboy Color. I have good memories of it, though, and remember it well. So, while I’m not an expert, I’m not going into Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era completely unfamiliar with the series, and I’ll be comparing it to that earlier experience.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Golden Era was exactly as I remembered it from over 20 years ago. It retains the simple design and the freedom to play however you want, which is fantastic.
The tutorial does a good job of teaching you the game’s fundamentals – how everything works, what each button does, and how combat functions. But the real highlight of this early version is its classic mode. You choose one of four factions and are then free to explore the world, build up your armies, expand and improve your cities, and ultimately battle against the computer in a final confrontation.
I’ve noticed the four factions are all quite distinct, and each unit within them has special abilities and strengths. These work well with some troops, but not others, meaning army building is really strategic. There’s a lot of depth to it, and players who like to carefully optimize their armies will find a lot to enjoy.
The game world is packed with activities and you’re constantly earning rewards. Completing dungeons gives you gold and experience, defeating strong enemies unlocks new units, and even clearing out weaker creatures like undead provides benefits, such as new recruitment options. It’s hard to imagine running out of things to do. However, while plentiful, most of these rewards come from standard battles against common enemies and aren’t particularly special or unique.
Okay, so the combat in this game is way deeper than I initially thought, especially coming from Ubisoft. It’s not just picking units and hoping for the best. You really need to think about how your army is built, how you stack your units, and what each one can *actually* do. Every unit has unique abilities and traits that change how they fight, and there’s a surprising amount of number-crunching to optimize everything. Positioning is huge too! Some units excel at hitting multiple enemies at once, others need to be right up close, and some have long-range attacks – there’s even one that gets *stronger* the further away it is! Plus, every creature, human, and undead unit has different attack options, so you’ve gotta plan accordingly. It’s surprisingly strategic.
Although the battles aren’t huge, where you position your units is really important. I mentioned earlier how ranged attacks and area-of-effect spells work, but you also need to consider the size of your spells. You definitely don’t want to accidentally weaken the units you’re relying on to protect you! Unit counter-attacks are also key – every unit can strike back once per turn, so you’re always thinking about who will take the damage and whether you can afford it. There’s a lot of strategy involved, and I enjoyed figuring it all out.
The game’s magic system includes everything you’d expect – spells to boost allies and hinder enemies, spells that target one enemy or a whole area, and the ability to summon creatures. It’s a pretty standard, but solid, setup.
Overall, the game is visually appealing with a beautiful, hand-painted art style that really fits its fantasy world, reminiscent of Heroes of Might and Magic. The animations and sound are decent. While the game feels complete, there are a few minor issues – like missing interface elements, explanations, and occasional animation hiccups – but none of these significantly impact gameplay.
You can try the demo for free and access all current content, so it’s definitely worth checking out the game yourself. I think Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is looking like a great new installment in the series. It’s built on a strong foundation and kept me hooked, always wanting to play just one more turn – which is a really good sign!
Will this new game be as good as classics like Heroes of Might and Magic 2 and 3? We’ll find out soon enough! It’s currently scheduled to release into Early Access in 2025.
Read More
- Strategy and Wargaming News – 5th October 2025- Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Demo, Mechanicus 2 Demo, Tempest Rising, and So Much more!
- Unlock the Secrets: Find All 20 Dreamcatchers in RDR2!
- Violence District Killer and Survivor Tier List
- Sanda: The Dystopian Christmas Anime You Can’t Miss!
- The Real Attack On Titan Successor Is Officially Returning In 2026
- Elbaf’s Hidden Secrets: What One Piece Fans Must Know!
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Little Nightmares 3 Multiplayer Co-Op Guide (Friend’s Pass, Explained)
- Sunderfolk Devs Reveal Fate Decks, Weapons, and Future Class Plans
- Battlefield 6 Launch Week Twitch Drops Revealed
2025-10-10 16:43