Legendary franchise's Might and Magic makes a triumphant return

Ubisoft has unveiled Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era at Gamescom 2024, reviving the cherished franchise with a nod to its classic roots. Slated for early access on Steam in the first half of 2025, this new installment promises to return to the beloved “olden era” of fantasy strategy.

Since its debut in 1995, the Heroes of Might and Magic series has captivated players with its mix of exploration, army building, and resource management. With Olden Era, fans are treated to a fresh chapter and a 30-year tribute to the series, drawing heavy inspiration from the acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic 3.

Developer Unfrozen, in collaboration with Ubisoft, is infusing modern features into this nostalgic game. It will include various online multiplayer options alongside a robust single-player campaign. Players can engage in one-on-one duels or battle in lobbies of up to eight participants, competing on pre-made maps, procedurally generated landscapes, or custom creations from the in-game editor available during early access. A new arena mode introduces a draft system where players select weapons and creatures to fight against one another.

Eric Damian-Vernet, Ubisoft’s brand director, shared in a Ubisoft blog post, “With Olden Era, we aim to recapture the enchantment of exploring a vibrant adventure map, constructing powerful faction towns, and commanding vast armies of mythical beings,” emphasizing the series' return to its origins.

Initial trailers and images suggest that Olden Era is a nostalgic throwback, featuring hexagonal battlefields viewed from a top-down, isometric perspective. The environments are rich in atmosphere but primarily focus on the armies engaged in combat.

The game also introduces new features to enhance gameplay. While you’ll choose from one of six factions, the focus shifts to heroes within those factions. These heroes can provide buffs and perform special attacks, which you can enhance by finding and equipping artifacts. The new Faction Laws system allows for faction upgrades with various perks, and the addition of subskills provides deeper customization for both heroes and armies. This enables players to tailor their characters and strategies to their preferred playstyles.

For those who prefer less manual control, Olden Era also includes an autobattler mode, blending classic turn-based strategy with modern conveniences.