So I just got Magic VI after avoiding the title for awhile. I have found it to mostly be a cheap, less immersive version of Disciples III, which is a much better game.
It has a perfectly logical Tactical AI using a hex tile, whereas Magic VI used a square tile system that is constantly cheesed.
Disciples has much better graphics and art design, unit variety and advancement, hero mechanics, and music and dialog. Might and Magic spelled Svetlana wrong.
There is nothing wrong with coming out with an inferior game, especially if that game was the inspiration for Disciples, but my real worry is that both of these games have terrible strategic AI. The enemy really doesn't seem to be able to compete like it could in the older versions of these games. Isn't this supposed to be the easier AI to program? Why is it so hard for the AI to level and conquer territory? The real challenge is getting through the throngs of stationary neutral guards one finds next to treasure troves. This can't be right.
You can also add obscene system requirements to the mix. I know I don't have the brightest PC in the bunch, but I can run Skyrim, yet H6 refuses to even run, due to not liking my video card. A friend of mine is as big a fan of the series as I am, and he told me they basically ripped the soul out of the series with this game. On a personal note, I hate the world they came up with. Ashan is the most Warcraft ripoffiest thing I've ever seen. It lacks any kind of creativity. Sure, the Mummy Dragons of World of Xeen were a bit much, but it was a unique mix of fantasy and SF.
Also, it's not Might and Magic VI, that is an awesome game, it's Heroes of Might and Magic 6 Hipster Version, with the wrong word order, cause the old name was too mainstream.
Guys just play Heroes of Might and Magic 3.5 That massively modded version that owns. Google HoMM 3.5
Or fheroes2 for HOMM2 (mod, added features and bug fixes for HOMM2, requires original data files, which you can get from GOG.com). Also in progress is VCMI for HOMM3, which aims to rewrite the HOMM3 engine, not just add to it with skillful hacking like HOMM3.5.
My issue with heroes 6 is that it has horrible bugs which they have not fixed after weeks. After having to use tricks to get past battles in some areas without a crash to desktop, I found out that one of my unit's special abilities did not work at all ;/. After looking on the forums i saw there were tons of similar bugs which I had just been lucky to miss. I may try it again if they ever release a patch or 10.
Thank you very much Steven!
Would you say the two engines are playable? Do I have to have the original copies of the game to play the game?
Ah damnit I do...Ah well. Not a huge issue I guess. So have they improved the HoMM 2 AI anything?(I actually have two copies of HoMM 3, Complete and the classic Original but they are at my dads and I don't have a copy of HoMM2 anymore)
You need the original data files for fheroes2, but you can buy HOMM2 Gold from GoG.com ($US9.99) which gives you them. HOMM3 Complete from GoG.com ($US9.99) and (freely downloadable) WoG files give you the files necessary to run VCMI. Of the two, I would say that fheroes2 is in the more playable state, however the AI is in the process of development and improvement. Exploring maps, especially with the new features and a tough end hero, are still a heap of fun. eg. Plains of Aekon and Clouds of Xeen are two good ones in this respect (Xeen has quite a tough end hero, and Plains of Aekon can have a few built up heroes, especially on Impossible). Impossible difficulty isn't as difficult as in original H2, but that is not necessarily *too* bad.
Let's face it, the HOMM2 AI was very good, and the fheroes2 AI is not there yet. But it is being worked on and improved periodically, which can't be said for the original HOMM2 AI. And you'll find that the traditional AI exploits from H2 are not there, although there are some other ones specific to current fheroes2 AI. The fheroes2 AI can build up some quite fearsome armies which can cause some losses, although sometimes it doesn't attack when it could.
Anyway, if you can afford the $US9.99 for HOMM 2 Gold from GoG.com, then I strongly suggest giving fheroes2 a shot. In the last week there were over 400 downloads, not bad for a mod based on a game from 1996/1997.
How could anything be crappier than Disciples 3?
qft - that would be an accomplishment indeed.
Sounds like Disciples 3 is a cheap, less immersive version of Heroes 3, which would be what HoMM6 was likely aiming for as well.
Though I only played the beta and the demo, it struck me as lacking in (for want of a better term) charm. The whole aesthetic was so clinical and lacking in drama, it was such a step down from the other heroes that treated everything with fanfare. WoM had this problem.
Disciples II was a great game as was HoMM. It sucks to see so many wonderful games have inferior sequels. The real problem is this ridiculous push towards 3D rendering. Maybe if they kept the graphics simple, they could focus on adding something to these games, instead of taking away the best parts. I am glad to see I am not alone in my disappointment.
also agree. I loved disciples II. 3 was just a major step back imo.
HOMM2 was my first HOMM game, and my favourite. And fheroes2 makes it really fun (not the least much bigger resolutions). The map seems "alive", and visually interesting.
haven't tried the HOM 6 yet but i hope it is not that bad
Make that another $50 I saved by reading this forum first.
My opinion on HoMM6:
I like it. Much.
I think it is as good as 3 was at release. No more, no less.
I like the graphics, its very HoMM for me. It runs smooth on my pc. I like the story so far, not that far in yet, tho. UI and handling is quite good. Much, much better then Skyrim anyway (and yes, i think you can compare the UI between completly different games).
Multiplayer needs work, mostly something to do for those waiting for their turn to arrive.
I dont like that whole online stuff personally, but i can see that it is the way younger generations like it.
So it is really ok in my book.
Might and Magic: Heroes VI got a good review in Australia's PC Powerplay Magazine, and it was reviewed by someone who hasn't particularly been a Heroes follower in the past. It was given 8/10.
Okay, well if you like Heroes VI, then Disciples III will blow your mind. To each his own.
Well I'm not saying that I like it, I haven't played it, and not sure if I will in the near future. But I know that not everyone hated it, and some quite enjoyed it. But it doesn't necessarily stack up to 2 (my favourite) and 3 (others' favourite).
If by HOMM you mean HOMM1, I can assure you HOMMV's graphics are definitely NOT HOMM1 !
HOMM3 is the one that seems to get the most youtube activity out of all of them. Boardgamergirl continues her marathon play through.and TheMeinTeam is back at it again. Probably others, just haven't noticed. Game is too hard for bears of weak brain like me but I like watching others play. HoMM3 seems to me to be like SoaSE in some ways. You put together a group and see if it can defeat an enemy group. But Sins has research and HoMM3 does not. I try to play HoMM3 but I am bad at it. Liked Disciples 2, D3 does not appeal.
HOMM2 was in the quite early internet age. I think it paved the path for HOMM3, when the internet was more prevalent.
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