Might & Magic Clash of Heroes
- September 22, 2011
- Capybara Games
- 20h median play time
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a tactical RPG and puzzle hybrid game. Players can choose from five different factions, each with their own unique characters and abilities. The game features a single-player campaign, as well as multiplayer modes, where players can battle each other in turn-based combat. Units and spells are positioned on a puzzle grid, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.
Reviews
- Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes offers a unique blend of strategy and RPG elements, making it a refreshing take on the genre.
- The combat system is engaging, requiring thoughtful planning and strategy, which keeps battles interesting.
- The hand-drawn art style is charming and visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from frequent bugs and crashes, particularly during battles, making it frustrating to play.
- The pacing can feel uneven, especially in the later chapters, which may deter some players.
- The multiplayer mode lacks a robust matchmaking system, leading to unbalanced matches and a diminished experience.
- story243 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes" is generally described as engaging but somewhat generic, set within the established might & magic universe. While it may not offer groundbreaking narrative elements, it provides enough intrigue and charm to keep players invested, complemented by enjoyable characters and a light-hearted tone. The gameplay mechanics often overshadow the story, which is seen as a simple backdrop to the more compelling puzzle combat and strategy elements.
“The storyline is engaging, set in the rich Might & Magic universe.”
“Surprisingly addictive gameplay mixed with a generic but entertaining story makes for an unexpectedly compelling little game.”
“The story features some characters from the famed 'Might & Magic: Heroes V' game in their childhood, as characters like Godric, Findan, and Markal are featured.”
“The story is boilerplate, but the puzzle combat is where it shines.”
“The story is completely throwaway, which is fine... but the Might & Magic branding had me looking for something more.”
“The story is not original, is linear and not a masterpiece, but who cares when the battle system is good?”
- gameplay181 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes features a unique blend of puzzle mechanics and turn-based strategy, offering an engaging and addictive gameplay experience that appeals to both casual and tactical players. While the game introduces a steep learning curve and some balance issues, its innovative match-3 mechanics and RPG elements provide depth and variety, making it a standout title in the genre. However, technical issues such as crashes and poor UI can detract from the overall experience.
“Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes offers a refreshing take on the RPG genre by seamlessly merging puzzle mechanics with turn-based strategy.”
“The gameplay is quite addictive; however, the game lacks balance, presenting overly challenging fights alongside ones that are too easy.”
“The mechanics are simple but challenging, the way that Tetris or Dr. Mario can be, and the variety provided within the game is incredible - each area brings you a whole new main character with new units that have their own particular flavor.”
“But most people want to play with artifacts (gameplay modifiers) and it makes the game totally broken and it becomes an unga bunga festival of cheapness.”
“Low and behold, it always crashes during gameplay whether it is online multiplayer or offline single player.”
“Here's however the problems I've encountered: 1) the game doesn't explain well the mechanics, and there's no documentation online or in the game itself 2) the loading times are way too long 3) during the game there aren't indications on the stats of the units, so you can't make accurate predictions about the final damage and defense values 4) there's lack of stats information both in- and outside of games, which makes the game confusing 5) the end boss is a chore and the worst fight in the game 6) sometimes you have to play the game for more than 2 hours to have the ability to save the game again.”
- graphics87 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming hand-drawn art style, colorful environments, and appealing character designs, which enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers appreciate the unique artwork and animations, noting that they evoke a nostalgic and visually engaging atmosphere, although some express disappointment with the graphics compared to earlier versions or handheld counterparts. Overall, the aesthetic is described as a delightful blend of anime and cartoon influences, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.
“The hand-drawn art style is charming and visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience with its colorful environments and character designs.”
“Graphically, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a gorgeous game to behold.”
“The graphics are charming, the music is enjoyable, it has high replay value and a great puzzle/RPG mechanic.”
“The graphics still hold up, but the new graphics kinda suck compared to the pixel art of the original.”
“Not that the graphics are bad, but this minimalistic art style is not my cup of tea.”
“It's poorly optimized; its 2D graphics will barely run even on modern specs, often badly losing sync.”
- stability39 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with frequent reports of freezing and crashing that render it nearly unplayable. Many players have experienced game locks during critical moments, such as battles and puzzles, leading to frustration and the need for restarts. While some users found temporary fixes, such as running the game in compatibility mode, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from severe stability issues that detract from the experience.
“The DS and Xbox versions were nearly bug-free.”
“The game used to be practically bug-free.”
“I bought this game and it freezes constantly, not even playable. Extremely disappointed.”
“Love the concept, unfortunately the game is a buggy, unplayable mess that soft-locks in battles constantly.”
“It constantly freezes or shuts down altogether.”
- music35 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic ties to the Heroes of Might and Magic series and its ability to enhance gameplay and atmosphere. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and dramatic, others criticize it as repetitive or lacking in quality, with only a few standout tracks. Overall, the music is seen as a solid aspect of the game, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and originality.
“An awesome game overall - great art, music (love that they continued the musical themes from Heroes of Might and Magic 5), gameplay, story.”
“Great and unique gameplay, lovely comic style visuals, one of the greatest soundtracks ever (some tracks from Heroes of Might and Magic V are found here as well, being slightly altered and reworked) and nice Might & Magic lore and atmosphere.”
“It's so dramatic and entrancing, I ended up getting the soundtrack just so I could hear it on demand.”
“This game has very poor music.”
“The battle music is thankfully very varied; however, that would be a good thing only if they didn't all suck as well!”
“Keep in mind though it's a very small game, and you're probably going to be bored because of the soundtrack that's taken straight from HOMM V.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, particularly due to its engaging online PvP mode, diverse character combinations, and unique puzzle mechanics. However, some players note that replay value diminishes after completing the campaign unless multiplayer options are utilized. While many find the game enjoyable enough to revisit multiple times, a few critiques mention repetitiveness and limited replayability once the main content is finished.
“The storyline from campaign mode is quite good, but it's the online PvP that really increases the replay value.”
“A clever AI, a wide variety of units, and infinite replayability makes this one of the most underappreciated games on Steam.”
“Comfortably replayable more than twice, just because the battle system provides such a good balance of skill and random elements.”
“9/10 only because once you finish the game it is pretty much not replayable unless you have a friend to do multiplayer online.”
“Only downside is that there probably isn't much replay value unless you are able to find some friends to duel after finishing the game.”
“It's a great game while it lasts but it doesn't have much replayability.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the meaningful progression it offers, others criticize it for being tedious and time-consuming, especially with certain missions and achievements. The lack of an auto-save feature adds to the frustration, as players risk losing significant progress during lengthy grinding sessions. Overall, the game balances action and strategy well, but the grinding can become overwhelming, particularly towards the end.
“Also the achievements are very grindy, and I recommend using a controller.”
“Multiple storylines = lots and lots of grinding, and some missions have arbitrary goals that get really annoying due to the randomness of puzzle pieces.”
“It got pretty tedious by the end.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players noting a mix of somewhat funny dialogue and engaging storylines that incorporate witty humor and diverse character personalities. While the campaign offers enjoyable moments, the multiplayer aspect is particularly highlighted for its hilarity, despite some balance issues. Overall, the game is appreciated for its lighthearted approach, making it a fun experience if players don't take it too seriously.
“From the individual evolution of each character and their respective sidekicks, displaying a lot of different and funny personalities, the player progressively becomes more involved with what is apparently a 'match 3 game' that has a lot more strategy behind it than it shows at first glance.”
“Though ultimately a prequel to Heroes V, Clash of Heroes displays witty humor throughout the storyline and provides unlimited retries for those less inclined to strategy.”
“And by far, Necropolis is the one that's an absolute joy to play that had me laughing out loud at parts, along with Inferno in second place (although your mileage may vary due to subjective tastes, of course).”
- optimization8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for PC has received significant criticism, with many users reporting stuttering and performance issues, particularly after extended play. While some players have not experienced these problems, the general consensus is that the port is poorly optimized, especially for 4K resolution, leading to a subpar experience even on capable hardware. Overall, the lack of attention to optimization detracts from the game's nostalgic appeal.
“I've seen some complaints about performance on PC, but I have not encountered them.”
“After beating the whole campaign and doing some multiplayer battles, the game started stuttering so badly that it was unplayable when opened.”
“The port seems to be quite lazy as it's not at all optimized for PC, and while I understand that people love this game for nostalgia, it doesn't mean you have to turn a blind eye to Ubisoft's sub-par performance in general.”
“It's poorly optimized; its low-quality 2D graphics will barely run even on modern specs, often losing sync badly.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its unique artwork and distinct zones, each contributing to an engaging experience. Players appreciate the satisfying sound design and attack animations, alongside a charming comic style and a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall ambiance. The integration of Might & Magic lore further enriches the atmosphere, making it a compelling backdrop for the gameplay.
“Each zone has unique artwork and atmosphere, and each army plays differently.”
“They convey the atmosphere extremely well, and it is a joy to watch them (especially the attack animations; the sounds when you hit something are very satisfying).”
“Great and unique gameplay, lovely comic-style visuals, one of the greatest soundtracks ever (some tracks from Heroes of Might & Magic V are found here as well, being slightly altered and reworked) and nice Might & Magic lore and atmosphere.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the charming hand-drawn art style and colorful character designs, which enhance the overall experience. The engaging animations and puzzles contribute to a fun narrative, though some may find the pseudo-anime aesthetic less appealing.
“The hand-drawn art style is charming and visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience with its colorful environments and character designs.”
“It is fun, the story is nice, the graphics are awesome, and I definitely love the character designs!”
“Love all the character designs, the little animations during battle, and the engaging puzzles.”
“Can you tolerate pseudo-anime character design?”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is praised for prioritizing gameplay and fun over heavy advertising and high production costs, leading to a more authentic experience for players. Users appreciate the lack of intrusive ads, suggesting a focus on quality rather than aggressive marketing tactics.
“The monetization in this game feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like a cash grab.”
“It's frustrating to see that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”