pymPreview, Heroes Of might & Magic V

[pym]

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By: Ubisoft (http://www.ubisoft.com)
Genre: Fantasy Turn-Based Strategy
Release Date: Apr 4, 2006
Platforms: PC
Official Website (http://www.mightandmagic.com/HeroesV/uk/home.php)
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It seems like the upcoming few months are going to be pretty busy for Ubisoft. during these months, we'll get a sequel to almost every successful game that this company created.
Among them we can find Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six... WOW, Right on !!!
hmmm, anyway...
One of them will be different and very significant for fans who thought that after 3DO bankruptcy, Heroes of Might & Magic series will become extinct.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9031/heroesvpc154havenadventure21xy.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5800/heroesvpc154havenadventure29fv.jpg)

Graphics
The new game will abandon the 2D graphics which is a big risk.
But, the 3D engine looks very promising and beautiful.
It revives the green fields, forests, desert, snowy areas etc with so much grace.
The dynamic camera gives us a chance to zoom and admire the graphical beauty from a close distance.
Creatures animation is alive and wonderful as well.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7837/heroesvpc155academybattlesiege.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7837/heroesvpc155academybattlesiege.jpg)

New creatures and races
Besides the great graphics, the world of HOM&M5 is a whole new one, with a new plot, its own mythology, creatures and magic.
The powers and abilities of creatures has been changed to create a more balanced world.

There is what to wait for
We'll be able to build ships, go around the world and explore it, find bonuses and improve our abilities and army.
The developers promise we'll be able to explore the world in different dimensions (hmmm...)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4383/heroesvpc156academytown24vh.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5599/heroesvpc156academytown26bh.jpg)

Summary
Reading the above lines, makes it sound like we're looking at a new game with almost no connection to the series...
Don't worry, changes are not in a way that veteran players will have to open the instructions book...
The basics were kept and we will still enjoy a wonderful, turn based, strategy game, that is loyal to the previous games in the series!

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5414/heroesvpc175necropolisadventur.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/217/heroesvpc175necropolisadventur1.jpg)

- Based on Beta Test.

Other pymPreviews:
Medal of Honor: Airborne (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6099&highlight=pympreview)
TimeShift (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6215&highlight=pympreview)
Hellgate: London (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6514&highlight=pympreview)
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5493&highlight=pympreview)
Unreal Tournament 2007 (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6990&highlight=pympreview)
Gothic III (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5644&highlight=pympreview)
Rise of Legends (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7384&highlight=pympreview)
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6795&highlight=pympreview)

- pym

[liqnit]

i read some previews of the BETA and it is looking very promising.
the game is great and with all this new additions it will be better
and still have the great playability of the past games.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=62509

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/heroes-of-might-magic-5/682899p1.html

[pym]

I'll drink for that... :)

I don't really like turn based games in global.
But it is different when we're speaking about HoM&M...
I have played this series a long time ago and I was caught in the magic!

I can't wait or it to be released!

[liqnit]

i am with you waiting for agme like this is hard
you know it's good and just can't wait to get it

[Schwarz]

Yah I had posted about the BETA a few days back.
http://www.bjorn3d.com/theforum/viewtopic.php?t=60990
If you want to try it out.

[pym]

After their first (http://www.mightandmagic.com/uk/dev_letter_1.php) letter, development team released their second development letter to the community, talking about they're handling a beta test.

Take a look:
Second Letter (http://www.mightandmagic.com/uk/dev_letter_2.php)

Also, about the beta:
Still not part of the Heroes of Might and Magic V beta? We've teamed up with the lovely people over at Multiplay UK to give away yet another batch of keys - those lucky enough to be at their recent StratLAN got one each, this time it's over the website. To be in with a chance to win a key, head over to the multiplay website (http://www.multiplay.co.uk/) and get entering!

[liqnit]

thanks for the info but all the keys are gone :cry:

We have been inundated with requests for Beta keys for HOMMV and sadly all our keys have now gone. If you have sent a request in the last 24 hours you will most likely get a key - within the last 12 hours or so will most likely not.

You will hear from us shortly with your key or an e-mail saying you have been unsuccessful, please be patient.

In the meantime please do not send any new or duplicate requests in for a key.

Thanks to all those who did mail in, keep an eye out for your keys shortly!

[Mendel]

Played the beta. The multiplayer is absolutely horrible.

Luckily though, there is an unofficial menu mod that makes it possible to play two scenarios vs. AI opponent. That makes the game actually playable and almost as fun as previous parts of the series.

Of course, as it is a beta, it's still lacking any info about how the campaign modes will play and whether there's any good story but the basic game mechanics is all there.

[pym]

Played the beta. The multiplayer is absolutely horrible.

Well, I think that turn based games are meant to have single player mode only. The multiplayer is an option that I would cut off since it is frustrating to sit and wait until your opponent finishes his turn, let alone a few opponents. Multiplayer must be played real time or it's just not it...