What makes Might and Magic different? [Archive]

BeanCloud1962

03-25-2005, 07:35 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Timeposter:
You have been fans through some long times... why? What is special about these games? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, for the Heroes series, I will say that it's the "one more turn" factor. I know that Turn Based Strategy is not the vogue these days, but for me the appeal is setting back and thinking about my actions and the ramifications of the actions, without worrying about what the enemy is doing to me in the meantime. I found myself up at all hours of the night, wondering if I had achieved an advantage over the AI by my last move. Of course, when he moved, the cycle started over again.

I really don't like real time strategy, because for some reason I worry too much over what the other guy is doing, not paying attention to my play.

The thing that kept (keeps) me going back to the Heroes series is that it is a beautiful game, but there was also a pretty good engine under the hood. If I wanted to develop an excel spreadsheet using random number generators to determine if my 12 titans could adequately handle the opponents 11 green dragons, I could do that (and by the way, I have done that, dork that I am :P) But if you want to just immerse yourself in the fantasy and play the story, you can do that too (and at least in the case of Heroes 3, I have done that, dork that I am :P)

JustStoneColdJo

03-26-2005, 04:34 AM

Childhood memories of playing M&M on my C-64.
The great storylines and rich history.

Jayce_jta

03-28-2005, 08:56 AM

Like Bene said the Heroes series probably has the biggest 'just one more turn' factor of any game I've even played.

I do like real time strategy games but not for a game like Heroes. It should always remain a turn based game IMHO.

I started off with King's Bounty (well if we're not counting Might and Magic's here if we are I started with 1) and loved it. In fact I still miss some of the things about that game. Such as leadership ability factoring into the amount of creatures you could control. That probably wouldn't fly with today's gamers though too well. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Heroes of Might and Magic stood apart from the rest because it was fun to play. There might have been games with better graphics or a certain feature that was better but none combined them all the way Heroes did.

I think that's the most important thing I'm hoping that H5 will do. It doesn't have to be the best in a certain area it just needs to combine the elements which made the previous games fun to be a winner.

OZFirst

03-28-2005, 08:57 PM

At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there.

Jayce_jta

03-28-2005, 10:30 PM

realbinky

03-29-2005, 10:40 AM

Nope, Oz, you are not alone. I only played scenarios and only ones where the objective was "build more than enemy and kill them all."

I especially enjoyed playing co-op with the wife. Something we could do together.

JustStoneColdJo

03-29-2005, 10:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by realbinky:
Nope, Oz, you are not alone. I only played scenarios and only ones where the objective was "build more than enemy and kill them all."

I especially enjoyed playing co-op with the wife. Something we could do together. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

*insert Bene comment here*

ValiantFwiffo

03-29-2005, 10:48 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OZFirst:
At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't pay attention to OZ, for he knows not what he speaks of. Without context for the encounter, there is just a mechanical exercise of finding the right approach to getting the resources and armies. With the context, there is an added element that might not be appreciated by some, but is appreciated by many.

JustStoneColdJo

03-29-2005, 10:56 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by ValiantFwiffo:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OZFirst:
At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't pay attention to OZ, for he knows not what he speaks of. Without context for the encounter, there is just a mechanical exercise of finding the right approach to getting the resources and armies. With the context, there is an added element that might not be appreciated by some, but is appreciated by many. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like Oz has been playing too many games of Civilation, or in Ubisofts case, Settlers.

thenetbear

03-29-2005, 11:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by ValiantFwiffo:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OZFirst:
At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't pay attention to OZ, for he knows not what he speaks of. Without context for the encounter, there is just a mechanical exercise of finding the right approach to getting the resources and armies. With the context, there is an added element that might not be appreciated by some, but is appreciated by many. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<devil's advocate>
But even then, you're left with the mechanical exercise of finding resources and armies.

If that part isn't fun and engrossing, you're better off reading a book.

ToxicMunkee

03-29-2005, 12:42 PM

I love the turn-based factor of the games. I can take my time, look around, build things...without having to keep up with an AI clock. I'm not a very big fan of the real time craze. I find real time annoying. Stressful. I don't like having to zip around a map trying to build buildings, explore a map, move armies, prepare for battle, bla bla bla all at the same time. I fail to see the "fun" in that.

For me the story isn't very important, either. I'm more like Oz.

AmeGem

03-29-2005, 01:22 PM

I can't keep up with real time games,so the turn based is perfect. The "one more turn" syndrome is a major catch as well - the number of times I have played for well over 12 hours because of the "one more turn" is uncountable - .

Wrathmar

03-29-2005, 01:55 PM

The turn based aspect allows you to focus on the strategy not the hot keys for the perfect build and lets you enjoy the surroundings. The games interface was always easy enough to pick up and understand but there was always a lot of choices/complexities ... from town and hero builds to army makeup. The HoMM games were ones you could waste a whole day playing.

Jayce_jta

03-29-2005, 02:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>The HoMM games were ones you could waste a whole day playing. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah and sometimes longer! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s

03-29-2005, 02:30 PM

For Heroes....onemoreturn-itis. A deadly disease if I've ever seen one. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Turn-based is the way to go for any parent. I can just turn away from the game to deal with real-life situations and not worry about dying in the game. Add in the fact that with a turn-based game you'll be creating a whole new community because most of us became friends by chatting during the other players turns. Or by distracting players during thier turns. nwcmakejayceplaylikeadoofus :O)

As for the RPG's...it's all about the treasure. :O) Random chests, secret areas, great storylines, carryover parties, party creation~~NOT pre-determined characters like in MM8 iirc. Those a just a few reasons.

RexMund1

03-31-2005, 02:15 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s:
Or by distracting players during thier turns. nwcmakejayceplaylikeadoofus :O)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
isn't that the default setting?

as for HOMM I think that what really made it so special is that there was always another way to win the game. If you gave everyone the same map and said...pick a town pick a hero and lets see who can win against the AI everyone got to customize the gaming experience to their own playing style. You could also come in and discuss with other people strategies and tactics either to win a certain battle or to defeat an oponent or even to beat a scenario. The best part was the balance that allowed you to win with YOUR style and didn't force you to adopt a uniform method to be competetive.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s:
As for the RPG's...it's all about the treasure. :O) Random chests, secret areas, great storylines, carryover parties, party creation~~NOT pre-determined characters like in MM8 iirc. Those a just a few reasons. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Spoken like a true treasue hound...
like me http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I agree totally...it is all about the loot in an RPG and being able to build yourself up to the point where you can just slaughter everything http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Blackjack_77

03-31-2005, 02:30 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OZFirst:
At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Once again I'm with OZ though this isn't as shockingly unusual a thing for me as it seems to be for most everyone else, I've never been too big on the storylines. I'll come clean, I only dabbled in the Might and Magic RPG's, it was Heroes that really got my attention. And I thought Heroes I was perfectly fine with its minimal campaign storyline, individual maps were what made it really worth playing anyway. Online multi-player capability made that even more the case. I'd say that one of the Heroes series' greatest strengths is its open-endedness when you're away from the campaigns. This is where competitors like Age of Wonders always seemed to fall short.

Qrystal_Dragon

04-01-2005, 01:36 PM

Turn based! Fantasy! Exploration! Strategy!

It's appeal to all ages. You will find old farts (as some of us have admitted) to young folks. So many games are geared towards a certain age group, yet Heroes managed to attract players throughout the spectrum.

FireVampire

04-02-2005, 10:04 AM

While I second a lot of what people have said, about it being turned based and the one more turn factor, I think a lot what set it apart was the ease of use. You really didn't have to know a lot about the game. If there was something on the map that you wanted to know about, you just had to go to it and interact with it. And if you did want to go more in-depth with the game, usually just a click or two on the unit or resource or building would give you all the info you would need. Beyond that, the incredibly varied amount of cities and troops led to a game you could play over and over again without it becoming repetitive.

Ghasteater

04-06-2005, 10:39 AM

1) Might and Magic Turn Based. SO there is no nedd make fast clicks and think about right way monsters coming or not... You control Every deed of your minions.

2) Might and Magic is more dynamical or complicated then other turn based games. SO Civilisation is too complicated , but more les dynamical Disciples is mey be some better with dinamic but less complicated. There is why Heroes 4 losing many fans.

3) game notend by 1 big battle in many cases... And not one big battle too... Batles between lessere heroes... Town defence with making losses to enamy main hero army... Trying to take artifacts in wilderness e.t.c.

4) Few actions is need to manage troops and economy. All is need to strategy. Econo,mic calculations is simpole but still present - giving some way of Building (For examble I need 10 sulfur to build dragons I can go ro naga bank and lose some troops or go to the Dwarwen treasury And then take willage and build another market plase Or Inot need that dragons I need 4-th lvlv mage guild) Many priorities many choises...

5)Dynamic spell casting system. How many spells you cast in other tbs games... heroes 4 here is more better than 3-rd. I think, that is His main advantage... Combo of spellcasters.

6) Easily manage troops on strategic maps... Moving in staks not by single Units..And increasing too... In HOMM 4 Troops growth per day/ but no 4 scouts is recruited for combat purpose if Angels Alredy builds)

C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s

04-06-2005, 12:03 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OZFirst:
At the risk of being accused of being difficult, while everyone praises the story elements (and here I'm talking about Heroes), I doubt I'm the only one in the habit of skipping through the story screens to get to the game. i want to build my towns, raise my armies and fight, not worry about some silly fluffed-up "save the kingdom" pretext for doing so.

I recognize I'm in the minority there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, I do the same thing quite often. The only time I'll ever really follow the story is during the campaigns the first time I play them. Mainly if they intro's are movie-type intros. The crappy ones they did for H4 were a joke so I quickly learned to skip those. The only other time I'll follow the storyline is if it's a user-made map that is designed as a story-based map. Goldheart for example. Or several of Cattleman's maps. Otherwise....I'm on to the building too.

Lich_

04-06-2005, 02:45 PM

One of things that I liked alot in Heroes series were spells, their icons and animations, skill images. In fact I don't actually know another game with such nice spell and skill icons, than Homm or especialy MM games.

Dog_in_Black

04-06-2005, 07:59 PM

It is hard to know where to start, but for single player gaming, it all comes down to adventure.

Why do I want to play one more turn? It's not because I know exactly what will happen next. It's not because I need to waste some time. It's because I want to find out what is next. What's in store for me this next turn? That's what keeps me playing

The reasons I enjoy HOMM multiplayer:

1. Relatively fast turns with chat ability (although would like to be able to do more between turns)
2. The variety of strategies which can be used, and used effectively
3. Great visual appeal. From HOMM 2-4, I've thought the graphics (and music of course) have been fantastic.
4. It's rarely the same game twice, randomness is the spice of life http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
5. The great group of people that I've played with over the years.

C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s

04-06-2005, 08:04 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dog_in_Black:
5. The great group of people that I've played with over the years. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With the sole exception being Jayce of course. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

Dog_in_Black

04-06-2005, 08:20 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dog_in_Black:
5. The great group of people that I've played with over the years. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With the sole exception being Jayce of course. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey now, watch it....

....you're reading my thoughts.

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

nbl Jayce

The_Post_Master

04-09-2005, 09:12 AM

The pretty graphics. Not a huge fan of overly-realistic fantasy portrayals in computer games. It's always been very sparkly and cute in a camp, tinsel kind of way, and I like that. But I also enjoy Julian Clary.

I liked the sci-fi elements (even though I acknowledge there are one or two other series that have touched upon it) - although I play a few fantasy-oriented games, I actually don't enjoy the genre in general because it's so limiting and cliched. Having the future-tech may be somewhat reminiscent of Roger Corman movies, but it gives the end-games a feeling of revelation, and hidden secrets, that offers something apart from the standard elf/dwarf fantasy trope. Also, the overarching plot with Sheltem, Corak, and the world "bubbles" was actually pretty good! Although it seemed to get ditched in the later games (I never played MMIX, but I presume it was completely gone by then). Then again, I was also a fan of the ideas (if not the complete execution) behind the Forge.

I like the orientation to turn-based combat, and I believe this should be preserved at all costs, in either incarnation, be it the RPG series or Heroes. Games with turn-based combat are becoming harder to find all the time.

Also, with a series, an established mythology that's held to can work wonders, and Might and Magic did a good job up to a point of preserving this. Nothing is more annoying than a game in a series that follows none of the rules or story of the previous games - you may as well make up a new title, rather than milking an established title to death and beyond.

Jayce_jta

04-11-2005, 12:09 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dog_in_Black:
5. The great group of people that I've played with over the years. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With the sole exception being Jayce of course. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HEY NOW! Is that anyway to talk to someone you guys usually end up partnered with? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif