Heroes of Might & Magic V

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,302 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Heroes of Might & Magic V Game Cover
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Heroes of Might & Magic V is a turn-based strategy game set in a rich fantasy universe, where players must lead hero characters, assemble armies, and defeat enemies using the active-time battle system. The game boasts cutting-edge 3D graphics and a sophisticated modern fantasy universe, with a focus on building and managing forces to achieve victory in both offline and online modes. Players must defend against demon swarms and uncover the secret goal of the Demon lords to save the world from chaos.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,302 reviews
story122 positive mentions
stability30 negative mentions
  • Great graphics and engaging gameplay that captures the essence of the Heroes series.
  • Offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the franchise, with many hours of fun and replayability.
  • Well-balanced factions and a variety of units provide depth and strategic options.
  • The campaign can be tedious and some missions are frustratingly difficult or bugged.
  • Multiplayer features are limited and the AI can feel unbalanced or cheat at times.
  • Graphics and animations, while decent for their time, may feel dated and cartoonish compared to modern standards.
  • story390 mentions

    The story in "Heroes of Might and Magic V" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its classic fantasy elements and intricate world-building, while others criticize it for being cliché, predictable, and poorly executed. Many reviews highlight the engaging campaign structure, which features multiple factions and missions, but also note issues with pacing and mission bugs that hinder the experience. Overall, while the narrative has its charms and can be enjoyable, it often falls short of the rich storytelling found in earlier entries of the series.

    • “With its intricate storyline, diverse set of heroes, and detailed fantasy world, it offers a rich gaming experience.”
    • “In Heroes of Might and Magic V, you follow a classic story about saving the kingdom, repelling invading factions like demons, undead, and creatures of the deep, and becoming the hero that saves the day.”
    • “The campaign is fun and challenging with an interesting story and lore.”
    • “However, the cringe and cliché story really hammed it up to 1000% and had me laughing at the amount of tropes they were able to fit into one storyline.”
    • “Ubisoft and Nival decided to scrap the rich and beautiful lore of the previous games, and now what we've got instead is an absolute disaster of a story that can only be described as an utter disappointment.”
    • “The writing is laughably bad at times (as is the voice acting), the story is predictable and very generic, and the whole plot overall feels like a discount store version of Heroes 3's campaign, Restoration of Erathia.”
  • graphics314 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its mid-2000s release, but many players still find them acceptable and enjoyable for the time. While some appreciate the colorful and cartoonish art style, others feel it lacks the charm of earlier entries in the series. Overall, the visuals are seen as a mixed bag, with some praising the design of towns and units, while others criticize the animations and graphical glitches.

    • “The graphics are impressive for the time, and the various factions and units are all well-designed and visually distinct.”
    • “Great graphics, addicting gameplay and overall a nicely designed game in many different aspects.”
    • “Easily the best game in the heroes series, graphics still hold up today, gameplay never gets old.”
    • “Now, the graphics of the game, well, let's just say it's no Mona Lisa.”
    • “It's from that awkward period when poor-quality 3D graphics first replaced beautiful pixel sprites, so the game looks and handles like ass, but doesn't yet have any of the quality of life improvements one would expect from a truly modern game.”
    • “I'm normally the last person to complain about graphics but these graphics have aged so poorly.”
  • gameplay233 mentions

    The gameplay of Heroes of Might and Magic V is generally praised for its depth, addictive nature, and engaging mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers while offering complexity for veterans. While the graphics are considered dated, the turn-based strategy elements, well-balanced campaigns, and rich fantasy world provide hours of enjoyment. However, some players note issues with slow pacing and repetitive battles at lower difficulties, alongside a lack of innovation compared to earlier installments in the series.

    • “Well balanced, addictive gameplay, plenty of content and fun campaign, good music, pleasant graphics.”
    • “The gameplay is deep, but you can jump right into the game, and try it out, until you get it, without getting frustrated or confused about the gameplay.”
    • “Amazing gameplay, with an incredibly long campaign, and some of the best soundtracks, fitting for each faction.”
    • “Gameplay is tedious, strategy is lacking, storyline is bland.”
    • “The gameplay in itself is bad enough and due to the lack of being able to even out unbalances during the game's progress and the dishonest presentation doesn't help either - but on the other hand, the game is also very addicting, has great potential and the fantasy aesthetics are gripping.”
    • “Mindless animations laying over the top of impeded gameplay make for an extremely frustrating experience.”
  • music107 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising the compositions by veteran Paul Anthony Romero for their charm and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. While some players find the soundtrack to be fantastic and nostalgic, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking the memorable quality of earlier titles in the series. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the immersive experience, though opinions vary on its originality and impact compared to past installments.

    • “The music is also fantastic as it was composed by the series veteran composer Paul Anthony Romero, and it's always a joy to listen to.”
    • “Finally, the soundtrack, which is great, not only does every faction get a town and battle theme that synergizes with their style, but there are also unique songs for each campaign and exploration songs based on where you currently are.”
    • “Amazing gameplay, with an incredibly long campaign, and some of the best soundtracks, fitting for each faction.”
    • “But the music in V could really use some new tracks; I find myself throwing on a Spotify playlist and basically muting the game music because it's just too repetitive.”
    • “The voice acting is subpar, the music is lacking compared to IV, and the combat is boring.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't as good as earlier HOMM editions either.”
  • replayability38 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse factions, strategies, and gameplay mechanics, with many players noting the enjoyment of experimenting with different heroes and tactics. While some aspects, like the campaign difficulty and lack of a random map generator, may slightly diminish replay value, the overall experience remains engaging and addictive, often leading to extended play sessions. Expansions further enhance the game's depth, making it a worthwhile investment for both solo and multiplayer experiences.

    • “It somehow manages to be accessible and ungodly replayable at the same time.”
    • “A wonderful game with so much charm and replayability, maybe the best of the series.”
    • “For this game by itself without the DLC, it costs a mere $9.99 and offers many hours of gameplay and has endless replayability with the multiplayer mode (which you can play solo as well against as few as one or up to 8 AI competitors).”
    • “Coupled with the lack of a random map generator, this means that the base Heroes 5 has a somewhat lower replay value after you've played the scenarios and finished the campaign, at least compared to HoF which brought the RMG back.”
    • “While this one flaw weakens the replay value a little, the game is still well worth the money and time, as it is wicked fun!”
    • “Overall much more replayability (meaning, while V only offers 500 hours of fun, III easily manages to go above 1,000).”
  • stability36 mentions

    The game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding its stability, with users reporting numerous game-breaking bugs, glitches, and a generally frustrating experience. Many players have experienced freezing issues and significant problems with the user interface and AI, particularly on Windows systems, although some noted better performance on Linux with Proton. Overall, the game's stability issues have led to disappointment and frustration among players.

    • “It also runs great on Linux with Proton.”
    • “Few bugs/glitches.”
    • “The 'Tears of Asha' objectives are buggy and prevent you from completing campaign and single scenarios.”
    • “I was very excited to play this, but when I open it, it just freezes :(”
    • “I installed this on my Windows 10 PC and it was too buggy to play.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and punishing, particularly during the campaign where difficulty spikes and lengthy chapters can lead to frustration. While some appreciate the high replay value and initial fun, the overwhelming reliance on grinding and lack of strategic depth detracts from the overall experience for several users. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of enjoyable moments overshadowed by excessive grinding and tedious gameplay.

    • “This game is nothing but eternal grinding, and although I understand the appeal of a perpetual easter egg hunt, where one is immediately rewarded with little easter eggs - each level takes so long it is simply downright punishing.”
    • “6 campaigns, each of which is about 5 chapters long and each chapter roughly taking me about an hour or two to finish most of the time, but then out of nowhere there is a chapter that could take you a day to complete due to just being a tedious level, or failing at the end because of a sudden difficulty spike.”
    • “Gameplay is tedious, strategy is lacking, storyline is bland.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the over-the-top, cliché storytelling and character interactions that can elicit genuine laughs, especially during chaotic moments. While certain characters and cutscenes are noted for their comedic value, others find the humor inconsistent, with some jokes falling flat and not resonating as strongly. Overall, the humor can be entertaining, but it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “However, the cringe and cliché story really hammed it up to 1000% and had me laughing at the amount of tropes they were able to fit into one storyline.”
    • “But here's the kicker – the humor!”
    • “The characters' dialogue is well written, and while some of the humor falls flat, I found myself chuckling enough when it was trying to be humorous.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the combination of music, storyline, and nostalgic elements that evoke a sense of familiarity. While some comparisons to other titles like King's Bounty highlight preferences for different aspects, there is a consensus that the game offers a rich and engaging atmosphere, despite not reaching the heights of previous installments in the series. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the gameplay experience, providing both beauty and a sense of nostalgia.

    • “I'm not really into the series and this was my first one, but the atmosphere of the game, the mechanics, and the music were all really nice.”
    • “The game's atmosphere, storyline, and music all add up and provide hours of gameplay.”
    • “Looking back at the game in comparison with King's Bounty, I think I prefer the latter in terms of graphics, mechanics, story, and overall atmosphere.”
    • “And while, for me, it doesn't really match the fantasy atmosphere heights of III, there's a notable amount of improvements here.”
    • “Dripping in atmosphere, HOMM5 reminds you of sitting at your parents' beige PC, MSN Messenger pinging away in the background.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate improvements over the previous generation in various systems, others report significant performance issues, including black screens and installation problems. These inconsistencies suggest that while the game shows potential, it may require further optimization to ensure a smoother experience for all users.

    • “The overall system is a lot more optimized than the 3rd generation: the tech tree, the hero's abilities, the magic spells, the units, the map design... I've already played about 25 hours in 2 days, very solid game so far.”
    • “Seems like a bad optimization.”
    • “Ridiculously bad optimization.”
    • “I had performance issues and the game only opened when installed in the same directory with Steam.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is significantly enhanced by its nostalgic soundtrack, which evokes strong feelings and memories in players, often leading to tears. The use of familiar tunes creates a heartwarming experience that resonates deeply with the audience.

    • “The soundtrack is more than good; the feeling when you notice the 'recycled' tunes from the background music is very heartwarming.”
    • “I cried; it brought back so many memories.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game features a robust character development system complemented by a well-written story and engaging multi-hero battles, contributing to a polished overall experience. Additionally, the character design is praised for its quality, enhancing the game's appeal.

    • “Good character development system, really well written story, multi-hero battles, etc. make this a well-polished product.”
    • “+ fantastic character design”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy a fun, old-school gaming experience without the interruptions often associated with modern monetization practices.

    • “An above average game where you can experience a lot of fun, indulge yourself with an old game-like style that seems alien today, devoid of any microtransactions that ruin the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Heroes of Might & Magic V

Play time

117hMedian play time
187hAverage play time
20-406hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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