Something similar happened with Lords of Magic, but I remember it less. However, there was a swamp... and the Conflux... for some reason, I always thought that the water elementals were beautiful... until I saw their fish-like faces up close...
Then there was a lull, and then I gave the fourth installment to that same friend for her birthday. She didn't like it, and the lull continued. But then, one day, she came to class all excited and started praising the fourth game. I went to her house after school, and we played. I chose Emily Nightshade (she seemed similar to Fiona from Shrek to me). And for a long time, Order remained my favorite faction.
Well, of course, it was all at the level of "buying the most beautiful heroes and creatures." Besides, I always stayed in the castle and accumulated a large army while the enemy conquered the map.
And then, I saw the fifth installment at another friend's house, and it all started again. We started playing the Mahir's Gambit mission together, and after that, the Academy became my favorite faction. However, because I still don't understand artifacts, they moved to the second or even third place.
Then, my parents bought me the fifth game and its expansions, and that's when I started playing the Campaigns. Here, I finally got the hang of the heroes and started playing thoughtfully. I completed all the campaigns. After that, I was finally able to complete the Chronicles without codes, and I still enjoy them, playing them from time to time (especially during lectures when there's nothing to do). Last year, I even played Clash of the Dragons again. I still play the fourth game from time to time, depending on my mood. But I still can't seem to complete the third game's campaigns, Armageddon's Blade.
Now, I'm struggling with the sixth game. Now, for me, Heroes is like chess... and in general, it's very relaxing.
Now, at the dacha, I play the fifth game with my younger cousin, teaching her the tricks (although I'm not an expert myself). Either I play as the Demons, and she plays as the Mages, or I play as the Tower, and she plays as the Orcs. I've introduced another classmate to the world of Heroes, so to speak :smile20: