Heroes of Might and Magic III
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia (also known as HoMM3 or Heroes III) is a 1999 turn-based strategy fantasy computer game for Microsoft Windows. It was developed by New World Computing, a subsidiary of 3DO. It is the third installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic series. It was ported to Linux by Loki Software the same year of its release.
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Description
The game is played by controlling heroes, who can transport armies across various locations to fight wandering monsters, gain resources, and take over enemy castles. Each hero gains experience and skills as they progress. The game features a large number of magical spells, army units, and artifacts. HoMM3 supports both single and multiplayer network modes.
HoMM3 employs a tactical fighting system, where stacks of armies with unique combat statistics move across a hexagonal grid.
The game is similar to its predecessor, Heroes of Might and Magic II, but features higher resolution and better graphics. The cartoonish heroes and creatures of the previous version were replaced with sprites made from rendered 3D models.
The game's spell system was also improved, as was the tactical combat phase. All spells were categorized according to each of the elements: water, fire, air and earth. A hero could specialize in one or more of these classifications, making their casting of the spells in that category more effective.
In this game, heroes could recruit more types of units for their armies. In combat, unit stacks could be instructed to "wait", or delay their turn until later in the same round, in order to attack more strategically. The mobility of flying units was toned down from previous versions, and ranged attack units suffer a damage penalty when firing at a great distance. The increased resolution and improved graphical assets also improved the feel of this phase.
Story
The game tells the story of Catherine Ironfist, the Queen of Enroth, who returns to her home to regain control and avenge the murder of her father, King Gryphonheart.
Game Towns
HoMM3 offers not, as most turn-based games would have, different races to choose from, but instead makes the player choose from a variety of different towns. These towns naturally draw different types of units of many different races.
- Castle: The Castle is the most "human" and offers a bright atmosphere, and hence likely the town that a beginner can most easily identify with. The Castle has the potential to hire the most powerful unit in the game, the Arch Angel.
- Inferno: The Inferno is more or less a direct opposite of the Castle. Dark, brooding, it draws creatures from the depths of hell. The Inferno's highest tier unit is the Arch Devil, completing its opposition with the Castle.
- Stronghold: Strongholds draw various brutish creatures associated with war, such as various strains of orcs. They also draw mythical creatures such as rocs and cyclopses to their aid. The best Stronghold unit is the Ancient Behemoth.
- Dungeon: As the name suggests, Dungeons draw dark creatures associated with decay. Their units include troglodytes and harpies, and various fungi are always part of the decor of a Dungeon town. The highest tier Dungeon unit is the Black Dragon.
- Necropolis: The Necropolis is the town of the undead. Skeletons, ghouls, and various creatures associated with the unholy magic of necromancy all find their way to this dark town. The best unit available to the Necropolis is the Ghost Dragon.
- Tower: The Tower is a magical town associated with magical creatures and users of magic. Genii, gremlins, gargoyles and magi can be hired in this town. Titans, the Tower's strongest unit, can also be hired here.
- Fortress: A swampy town, the Fortress offers creatures bred in the marshes, such as lizardmen and serpent flies. The highest tier Fortress creature is the Chaos Hydra.
- Rampart: Ramparts draw mythical creatures from the fantasy genre of most novels. Centaurs, dwarves, unicorns, elves, and various other mythical creatures find their way here. The best Rampart unit is the Gold Dragon.
- Conflux: Available in the expansions only. The Conflux is a purely elemental town which offers various elementals summoned to this plane. The highest tier Conflux unit is the Phoenix.
Expansions
New World Computing released two expansion packs for the game, Armageddon's Blade and Shadow of Death.
An internet-based expansion called Heroes of Might and Magic 3.5: In the Wake of Gods has also been developed which largely uses the Heroes III engine, although incorporates many new troop types, terrain objects, and other features. The main website for the Wake of Gods expansion (Also known as WOG) can be found here
External link
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