Heroes of Might and Magic: Platinum Edition - PC

I can't think of a better gaming value than this product. I still remember the day I installed the demo of Heroes of Might and Magic I. I finished it, and immediately RAN into my car, drove to the store and bought a copy. Since then, I've played Heroes of Might and Magic II, and I am in the process of playing Heroes of Might and Magic III (about 50% through). Just HOMM3 alone has the main game and 2 extensions, each part containing about 6 campaigns, and each campaign consisting of about 5 maps. It takes me about 2-4 hours to complete a map, so that's 3 times 6 times 5 times 3 = 270 hours of gaming! Add in HOMM1 & HOMM2, and I would conservatively estimate 500 hours of gaming in this package just playing the campaigns. If you add in the non-campaign maps, the map editors that let you make your own maps, and the possibility of multiplayer play, we're talking thousands of hours of gameplay here.The premise of Heroes of Might and Magic (HOMM for short) is very simple: It is a turn based game that takes place on a fantasy map filled with castles, mines (gold, coal, wood, etc.), monsters and treasure. You generally start out with a single weak hero and a castle of your own. You alternate turns against one of more computer players (usually) or against other humans, and you move your hero(es) around capturing the resources and defeating enemy armies and unallied groups of creatures. You use these resources to improve your castles where you can also purchase a army of creatures for your heroes to lead. When your hero meets a group of monsters or an enemy on the map, you have a battle, and the hero who loses their army loses the battle (surrendering is also an option). The monsters include archers, dragons, vampires, etc. (each subsequent version of HOMM added more and more types of monsters) Artifacts abound that increase the power of your heroes, and as the heroes gain experience they also become more powerful. Heroes can either concentrate on becoming better fighters (might) or spell casters (magic). Heroes can cast spells in battle (and outside of battle) to help win a battle.HOMM1 is very simple compared to the later incarnations of the game, it is easy to pick up and many of the complexities in HOMM2 and HOMM3 are not there.HOMM2 vastly improved the cartoonish graphics and simple sound of HOMM1 and added a more complex gaming system. I particularly liked the opera singing when you managed the building of your castles.HOMM3 refined the added complexity of HOMM2.What makes these games so compelling is the same thing that makes a game like Civilization so addictive: the "just one more move" trap of the game. There is always a juicy artifact, or a big battle, or something to conquer close to one of your heroes. I've never played multiplayer, but battles against the computer are well paced and challenging at the higher difficulty levels. In HOMM1 and HOMM2 it is pretty easy to outwit the computer because it is easy to take advantage of the AI, but HOMM3 plays much more like a human!

These three games are one of the best strategy games around. It has elements of an RPG and strategy game mix together. The battles are fought much like a chess game with magic and fantasy type troops that you try to create each week. I've had Heroes 2 for years and it had stood the test of time and become very replayable. Heroes 3 was an even better game but different enough for me to enjoy both games. After losing Heroes 3 by accident I was ecstatic when I heard I could get all three games with one purchase. It's a bonus when I also get all the expansion games to Heroes 2 and Heroes 3 along with the purchase as well! =)Heroes of Might and Magic - I've never played Heroes 1 before but I found it enjoyable and nice to see what the first game in the series was like. There are not many features compared to later versions but it's still fun nevertheless. The map editor is included and fun to use, and the editor is improved with every later Heroes version.GRADE: BHeroes of Might and Magic 2 - This is the game I have been playing for years. The monsters are better, the magic system is improved, and the maps more fun when compared to Heroes 1. This was the first appearance of the upgrade system for the creatures and this will always the best when only a few of your troops could be upgraded. The two "super" creatures, the Black Dragon and Titan are both a force of nature in the battle field and are both what I strive to get in my armies if I can create them. The campaign, the main story of the game is very well done and a few were an absolute joy to play, (In one called "Rebellion", you must raise an undead army by destroying nearly everything.) There are two campaigns where you can play either for good or evil. There is a map editor where you can make your own maps or you can download maps off the net, there are still a few online. This game has one expansion included.GRADE: AHeroes of Might and Magic 3: This is the latest version (before Heroes 4). This game has a cinematic feel whenever the cut screens are playing. The graphics are improved and there are even more classes to play and more creatures to command. There are more special moves for all of your troops and the magic system has been increased. The map editor is again improved and now it even lets you create your own campaigns where several maps are liked together so you can create your own game. The game has two expansions included. I would also like to add that the main character Queen Catherine is very cute. ^_^GRADE: ASo I highly recommend this game if you enjoy strategy games, looking for something new, or are looking for a game that makes you tell yourself "Just one more turn".

Heroes of Might and Magic is such a superb series, and from a long time fan, the series was in it's golden days with these three games. Alone, each offer a interesting game experience. Having played many classic ames from the golden era of games (including X-COM), I can honestly say HOMM is easily one of my top favorite game series.Heroes 1 is very simple and great for a new player to the series. Some of the old maps like Desert Isle and Holly Roger still are fun to play all thee years later. The charm of the characters and music is still there, and it is a humbling experience to play through a game of Heroes 1 and move to II.Heroes II introduces two new castles and creature upgrades, quite a boost from it's predecessor. This is arguably the best HOMM game next to III. The included expansion adds new buildings, maps, campaigns and places to visit. Quite a deal!Heroes III is a great game, far superior to Heroes VI. The game is almost shocking at first with the new additions to battle and castle structure. But given time, it is clear this is an excellent game. The added expansions, Armageddon's Blade and Shadow of Death add a plethora of new features and units, even a new castle- the Conflux (pheonix!). Aside from the HUGE fan base online that have ready made maps and the built in random map maker, this game will always offer a new challenge.I bought my copy for a fairly high price, but it has easily paid for itself over the years; especially compared to the weak titles of new. I highly recommend this collection for HOMM fans and Turn-Based Strategy fans alike!

Well, be careful guys. Although it's quite classic, its performance under XP is rather uncertain. One of serious problem is it might display abnormally.