Posts from Which Might and Magic universe are you referring to?

As is well known, some time after the dissolution of New World Computing, Ubisoft, the new owners of the Might and Magic brand, introduced a new game setting – Ashan. Ubisoft abandoned the previous M&M universe created by John Van Caneghem and NWC. Within the Ashan setting, games such as Heroes of Might and Magic 5 with two expansions and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic were created. Which of the two universes do you consider to be better? Please provide arguments for your choice.

As is well known, some time after the collapse of New World Computing, Ubisoft, the new owners of the Might and Magic brand, introduced a new game setting for the brand – Ashan. Ubisoft abandoned the previous Might and Magic universe created by John Van Caneghem and NWC. Games set in Ashan include Heroes of Might and Magic 5 with two expansions and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Which of the two universes do you consider to be better? Please provide arguments for your choice.

It seems to me that these universes cannot be compared correctly, because the universe with the Ancients was created over 15 years, if not more, and 9 Might and Magic games, 9 Heroes of Might and Magic games, 8 Chronicles, 1 Legends, and 1 Arcanum were created based on it, while only 3 parts of Heroes of Might and Magic V and 1 Dark Messiah of Might and Magic were created for Ashan, and it was developed for about 3 years, or rather, less, since everything was created earlier, for example, the Orc race (because in the screenshot with the Grail, there is a bald priest). The Ashan universe did not have time to develop to such a level, to acquire layers of plot, as the universe with the Ancients. I can say one thing: the Ashan universe had a good start, the plot is interesting, the main thing is to develop it correctly. Time will tell

Of course, Might and Magic! A new universe is an absolutely new world without a deep history, without a connection to previous installments, and without good taste! The world of Canenghem was distinguished by its intricate plot and the atmosphere of the game world; the world of Ashan is distinguished by its beautiful graphics and sometimes interesting gameplay solutions! The world of Might and Magic was created at a time when there was still some artistry in game development; the world of Ashan was created simply as a commercial product!

Saruman almost expressed everything I wanted to say about Might and Magic. I'll add that Might and Magic is unique in its essence. Unlike Ashan and many other purely fantasy worlds.

Might and Magic, Ashan – it’s nothing special. I didn’t like Heroes 5 at all.

Everyone has their own point of view on this, and everyone will say which one is good (the one they voted for) and which one is bad (the one they didn't vote for). I voted for Might and Magic, but that's just my humble opinion.

I don't think it's useful to compare them. Might and Magic was high-tech fantasy, and that was its, pardon, unique selling point. And Arcanum is a classic fantasy story. Comparing them is like comparing Warcraft and StarCraft: someone who doesn't know anything about them might think they're similar (but only visually). Ubisoft just bought the name, and since Van Caneghem refused to participate in the project, they had no choice but to create their own world and do whatever they wanted...

The world of Might and Magic is imbued with a special gaming spirit; the plot is more interesting and complete, and there is even a backstory to this world, which is why it is the best!

You're talking about the two worlds as if they were two completely different things. Might and Magic isn't just an "old, well-established universe with a backstory," and Ashan isn't just a "pretty package with a lot of money behind it." How can you even compare them?

The world of MiM is imbued with a special spirit of the game; the plot is more interesting and complete, and there is even a backstory to this world, which is why it is the best!

I think Ashan also has something like a backstory; there just aren't many games about it yet. We'll soon find out for sure what's new!
The old world is interesting; it's more fairytale-like than the new one!

Ubisoft probably had their reasons. Maybe they didn't know what to do with the existing world. You yourself said that the Might and Magic universe is very well-developed, and they created their own.

Generally, I prefer Enroth; I'm more or less familiar with it from the Might and Magic series, but Ashan is actually quite captivating, and it would be interesting to explore it thoroughly.

Might and Magic isn't an "old, well-established universe with a backstory," and Ashan isn't just a "wad of cash tied with a pretty ribbon." How can you even compare them?

Might and Magic is precisely an "old, well-established universe with a backstory." As for Ashan, I'm not sure; it can't really be called just a "wad of cash tied with a pretty ribbon" either. I mean, how can you compare them? They're not that different...

I voted for Ashan. To be honest, I didn't like Void in some aspects, but so far, I have no complaints about Ashan. Ubisoft bought the Might & Magic franchise with all its assets, including Void. But they didn't know how to continue developing the setting. Therefore, they chose the simplest and, in my opinion, the right path. They decided to create a world that is in no way connected to the old one. And I thank them for that. Personally, Void killed Forge for me. It killed the fairy tale. It wasn't brought to life, but… Ashan is, in some ways, much better than other fantasy universes. Namely, because everything is more complex in it. There are no stereotypes like "evil necromancer," "knight in shining armor," etc. Even the light elves will have a couple of skeletons in their closet. I think the sixth installment promises us a good story. We will see how the generally peaceful era of the Seventh Dragon gives way to the warlike era of Fate. And the beginning of the new era should take place with an epic scale.

To be honest, I voted for Ashan. IMHO, the storyline there is more interesting, tied to lunar eclipses, and each faction has its own patron gods. But the spirit of the heroes is more evident in the old universe. And the factions and the composition of creatures were better there.