Chris InglisBack in 2024, Ubisoft and Unfrozen announced a brand-new installment in the legendary Heroes of Might and Magic franchise: Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era. Celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary, this exciting new chapter is set to launch in Early Access in the first half of 2025. Olden Era marks a return to the world of Enroth, mentioned but never explored in a Heroes of Might & Magic game before, delving into the origins of the iconic saga. Both seasoned veterans and newcomers will embark on a fresh strategic quest on the mysterious continent of Jadame – a land teeming with unique factions, diverse biomes, and fascinating creatures, never before explored in the main series.
My first entry into the series was with Heroes of Might & Magic III back in 1999. Playing co-op with mates sitting around the computer desk, each taking turns at moving our characters or fighting a battle, then swapping chairs so the next person has their turn, was just an amazing experience for the time. It really gave us the sense of playing cooperatively in turns. The fourth and fifth games in the series were good fun to play and evolved the series both graphically and with new game mechanics, however none of them matched the intrigue and immersion of HOMM3. The series took a different turn with a change in the naming convention to Might & Magic Heroes 6 and 7 in 2011 and 2015 respectively, and I found them to have lost their ‘magic’ in a way. Let’s hope Olden Era really does bring us back to those earlier game experiences. Over the last 10 years there has been the King’s Bounty series that I highly recommend, and more recently Songs of Conquest was very close to capturing the HOMM3 vibe.
Prepare to explore a vibrant and living fantasy world, build magnificent castles, and command massive armies in epic, tactical battles. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era offers a wealth of content, including:
- Solo Adventures: Dive into a new campaign, explore single maps, and enjoy limitless randomly generated scenarios.
- Multiplayer Mayhem: Engage in strategic battles with other players in various modes, from quick Arena matches to the depth of single-hero and classic Skirmish modes.
- Community Creation: Get ready to flex your creative muscles! Early Access will introduce powerful tools allowing players to create their own Heroes of Might & Magic single maps and multiplayer templates.
Experience a fresh take on combat with all-new mechanics, including active abilities for heroes and creatures, and a unique faction-based perk system called “Faction Laws.” Prepare to command one of six distinct factions at launch, featuring both beloved classics and exciting new additions:
- Temple: The classic Knights
- Necropolis: Undead and Vampires
- Sylvan: The Forces of Nature and Fey Folks
- Dungeon: Dark Elves and Underground Creatures
- Hive: Insectoids corrupted by Demons
- And one more exciting faction to be revealed!
“At Unfrozen, our passion for tactical RPGs runs deep, especially for the Heroes series,” says Denis Fedorov, CEO and Founder. “For many of us, it was a defining game, and we’re excited to bring this experience to both long-time fans and new players.”
“We’ve combined the core elements of classic Heroes with new ideas and modern technology to create an experience that resonates with everyone,” adds Leonid Parmenov, Game Director.
Eric Damian-Vernet, Brand Director for the Might and Magic IP at Ubisoft, emphasises the community focus: “We wanted to make sure this comeback, after almost a decade, would be a true celebration. We’re confident that Unfrozen’s passion and expertise will deliver a worthy new installment.”
Ubisoft and Unfrozen are committed to working closely with the community to make Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era the best it can be. Releasing in Early Access on Steam allows for valuable player feedback throughout development. Expect a steady stream of updates, including a whole new faction, new modes, features, and more during the Early Access period.
Return to the cherished world of Enroth and experience a reimagined classic. Don’t miss out on this exciting new chapter in the Heroes of Might & Magic saga. Wishlist Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era on Steam ahead of its early access launch this year.
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