KoWMaPuK
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Based on the Elder's comments, it seems you were in the army throughout the development of the Heroes games and, as a result, don't know anything... There were explanations regarding the buttons (specifically, the game is being released on consoles, and for TVs, such buttons are necessary; perhaps you're unaware, but consoles are more popular in the West) and much more. I simply don't feel like listing everything (because I've already discussed it several times), nor do I have the time. And if anything, the only thing that's truly "raw" is the strategic AI.
I had a great time in the army from 1991 to 1992. So, it's unlikely that anyone was even thinking about developing the Heroes games during that time. But that's beside the point. I dislike consoles with all my heart because I believe they're for the dumb and lazy, but that explains a lot. I disagree with the statement that only the AI is "raw." There's a lot that's "raw," but the AI simply amuses me. Ever since the second Heroes game, it's been the case that only a novice chooses the auto-battle option because the computer has never been able to conduct a battle properly without making obvious mistakes. But in Heroes 5, it has surpassed itself. For example, my nephew (18 years old, preparing to join the army) used a small squad to attack Cave Lords. On the battlefield, the AI deployed them as two squads, each with about 27 units. In the first turn, they almost wiped out my nephew's entire squad with a meteor shower, leaving only a few remnants. And what happened? There were obstacles on the field, and the passage was wide enough for only one large creature (2 squares). The Cave Lords, each from their respective squad, occupied half of this passage and got stuck. To pass, one had to move the other back, but the Cave Lords, like the AI, and like the Mongolian cavalry of old, didn't know the word "retreat." The Mongols at least knew "encircle and charge," but not the AI. Then, for a very long time, the hero finished them off (because no one else could), and they politely took turns. I can't imagine such a situation in any other Heroes game. Of course, I didn't advise him to attack because we were playing hotseat against each other, and I didn't want to prevent him from learning from his mistakes.
I'm glad and surprised that some people liked Heroes 5 so much that they're willing to forgive the developers for everything, including their arrogant disregard. However, I sadly realize that the Heroes series is irrevocably dead, and this is just a dying corpse. Because the true measure of a game is its playability, that is, its appeal to the player, and this can only be achieved by putting your soul, heart, and mind into the game. And you can't save it by simply throwing money at it. Because soon the interest in it will fade, and in five to ten years, no one will even remember it, and only some magazine will write that there was once a very popular game called Heroes Might & Magic, which was later ruined by its unsuccessful sequels.
And I really missed all the chatter before the game's release because I don't like talking about nothing. When it's released, then it will be released, and then we'll see. After 15 years of active gaming, I look at many things more calmly. And as for the delays, so what if the final product is of high quality? Diablo 2 was delayed by three years, and they changed the engine a couple of times, but it turned out to be a gem. People are still playing it. By the way, about conversations. I remember when they were making Heroes 3, they actively asked gamers what they needed and what they didn't need. They even wanted to introduce a tech city with tanks (I even have screenshots somewhere), but they abandoned this idea due to massive protests from players. But what a great game it turned out to be! I'm still not ashamed to play it.
But I only played Heroes 4 for a week and then put the disc on the shelf.
I feel that Heroes 5 will be something in between.