Posts from Heroes of Might and Magic V [Game Discussion]

That's if he's good and not just any random thing.

Well, that's a given. It's a shame that nothing was said about collectible artifacts in the news. Apparently, they won't be included in the add-on.

IN THE FIRST ADD-ON! The same applies to the third game – they appeared in the SECOND add-on. So, it’s far from certain that there won’t be any collections.

Yes, if only it were that easy, otherwise it's not very interesting to collect artifacts.

Ah, if only the expansion pack would come out sooner! I really want to see the gnome faction! I hope it won't be worse than the other factions! Although it's hard to mess up gnomes. By the way, does anyone know when the expansion pack will be released?
Also, regarding maps - there's an article on mapmaking in the November issue of "Iгромания." I haven't read it in detail yet, but it seems to be very well written.

IMHO, to be honest... Judging by the screenshots, the dwarves turned out to be somewhat crooked, unappealing, and asymmetrical. In short, they are UGLY. Not like in Disciples.

In my opinion, they turned out quite well (maybe you just don't like that race, after all, it's a night elf:D :D).

We've strayed far from the topic. I want to express a few things that I don't like about the game. Unfortunately, my complete list of complaints is longer than the list of fixed bugs in the Readme for the third patch. 1. Terribly inconvenient interface. The most inconvenient of all Heroes games. Why are the lines so thick? And couldn't they have made the fonts smaller? And why are the icons and images so large? Everything is too bulky. 2. The mouse – it deserves separate mention. Unlike the interface, this is the worst mouse implementation of any game I've ever played. Huge cursor. You have to aim with the middle! And if they were too lazy to make an animation, at least they could have borrowed one from the third installment. It wouldn't be as embarrassing. 3. It's amazing how deeply the heroes understand the methods of mental communication in the cutscenes. They don't even open their mouths. They only communicate telepathically. If you're going to create cutscenes using the game engine, do it properly, not like something drawn by a chicken. 4. Same issue. The cutscenes may be related to some plot created by Nival, but they have absolutely nothing to do with the specific playthrough of this player. What happens on my maps and what is shown in the cutscenes simply doesn't match. Overall, the impression of the campaign is terrible. It feels raw, underdeveloped, and unfinished. 5. Why do different heroes look identical on the battlefield? Is this another example of Nival being lazy? 6. Magic is a whole other topic. It's awful. And these huge blots – are they drawings from a book? And why can't I study the book normally outside of combat? The colorful, garish blots turn gray and the mana cost disappears. 7. Where is my favorite statistics screen!!!!! (A SOULFUL CRY) Why can't I see how many cities I have, what and who is in them, how many creatures and units, how many mines of each type? Where is all of that? Who did it bother? Was there not enough space for buttons? Then reduce the size of the icons - there will be plenty of room. 8. The buttons themselves deserve separate mention. Why do I need a permanent "dig" button? Move it to the map view. And add a "rest" button for the unit. Let it stand still and rest if I don't need it. This button would be used much more often than the "dig" button. Those who wish can continue this list themselves. It seems like Nival wanted to make a sequel to Warcraft, not Heroes. I've been playing Heroes since the very beginning (when they first appeared), and I suggest renaming the series. The first, second, and third installments remain Heroes. But the fourth and fifth should be renamed to "We Wanted to Make Heroes, But This Is What We Got" and "We Wanted to Make Heroes, But This Is What We Got Too." I bought a licensed boxed copy of the game, which I now regret. This game deserves a pirated version.

We've strayed far from the topic. I want to briefly express what I don't like about the game. Unfortunately, my complete list of grievances is longer than the list of fixed bugs in the Readme for the third patch.
I bought a licensed boxed copy of the game, and now I regret it. This game deserves to be pirated.

There’s nothing substantial to criticize – you can find fault with anything if you really want to. Basically, I listed all the shortcomings related to the introduction of 3D graphics (which required some sacrifices), icons, and buttons (this is just petty criticism), but as for the plot, that's a matter of personal preference; I like it. You can study the book either on location or in your backpack at the bottom right.

3. It’s amazing how well the heroes know the ways of mental communication in the cartoons. They don’t even open their mouths. They only communicate mentally. If you’re already creating cartoons on a game engine, you could at least make them better quality, instead of something that looks like it was drawn by a chicken.

I agree, but their movements and graphics are also striking. Beatrice is like some kind of ghost. They’re cutting corners!
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5. For some reason, different heroes look the same on the battlefield. Is this another case of Nival being lazy?

It’s just that, as they say, it takes 2 months to create a hero. That’s why they’ve become so lazy. Otherwise, the game would have been released another six months later.

6. Magic is a separate topic. It’s terrifying. And these huge blots – are they drawings from a book? And why can’t I properly study the book outside of battle? The colorful, garish blots turn gray and the mana cost disappears.

I agree, it’s not very convenient. But it’s still better than nothing.

You can find fault with anything if you really want to. I've mostly listed the shortcomings related to the introduction of 3D graphics (which required some sacrifices), icons, and buttons (which is just a minor issue), but the storyline is a matter of personal preference, and I like it. You can study the book both in-game and in your backpack, located at the bottom right.

As my sergeant used to say, you can find fault even with a pole. But I'm talking about the flaws that arose as a result of poor, careless work on a game that was heavily advertised, continues a hugely popular series, and was destined for success solely because of its name. Everything good (and I'm not saying there's nothing good in the fifth game) in the fifth installment was borrowed from the third. But such a large number of seemingly minor flaws and shortcomings indicates an irresponsible attitude towards the work, which personally offends me. I was sold an absolutely raw product with excuses that they were all so busy that they didn't have time to deal with all sorts of trivial things. Well, if they don't have time, then let them not bother, let them write scripts for "Garanta" instead of doing something they don't have enough time for. I wonder, would anyone want to buy a new car at a good price with crookedly attached wheels, a scratched dashboard, and other flaws, but with the explanation that it's a new model, a well-known brand, and they didn't have time to finish it, and the cramped interior is offset by the great view from the window. I'm not complaining about the size of the maps, but excuse me, what do you mean by the connection between the overly thick borders of the icons and the introduction of 3D, which can't be called a new technology in any way? And Nivala has been working with 3D for a very long time. And how will animated icons be affected by 3D? And drawing a hero in the inventory to equip him with artifacts now requires such unimaginable power. 5 or 7 years ago, it didn't require it, but now it does.
Regarding the MagikBook, I apologize. I was a little confused. You can't see how much it costs or what damage it does through the inventory.
By the way, statistics would probably also require a "very large, powerful, and mighty" (can't swear) 3D, damn it.

As my sergeant used to say, you can find fault even with a pole. Sorry about the MagikBook. I got a little confused. You can't see how much it costs or how much damage it does through the inventory.
By the way, the stats probably would have required a "very big, strong, and powerful" (we can't swear) 3D display.

As for "they pushed it on you," you bought it yourself; no one forced you. You have your own head on your shoulders; you have the right to criticize. You know why you don't like all these little details because you expected a lot, as did others, given the PR, but it's simply impossible to please everyone, and there will always be shortcomings, for the sake of future successes. I personally was also eagerly awaiting the game, but when the release was delayed, and I was already preparing to give up on it, I forgot about it and remembered it when it was released, after buying the May issue of "Game Mania." I assessed it with a cool head, first with the demo, then with a pirated copy, and then with a licensed copy. As they say, the theory of cycles. I was lucky; my feelings about the game grew. I think the expansion will also not disappoint, and your comments will be taken into account, no doubt.

2 KoWMaPuK, judging by the elder's comments, you were in the army throughout the entire development of the game and, as a result, you don't know anything... There were explanations regarding the buttons (specifically, the game is being released on consoles, and such buttons are necessary for TVs; perhaps you're not aware, but consoles are more popular in the West) and much more. I simply don't have the desire (because I've already talked about this many times) or the time to list everything. And if anything, the only thing that's truly unfinished is the strategic AI.

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.

2 KoWMaPuK, everyone has their own opinion, and I didn't want to argue with you; I just pointed out that some of the shortcomings, as you said, had quite understandable reasons. Unfortunately, the entire series died after the release of *Armageddon's Blade* and *The Shadow of Death* (Heroes 3), after which everything was just about making money (it wasn't even a Heroes series anymore, but the entire Might & Magic universe). And when Heroes 5 was released, after playing it for quite a while, I came to the conclusion that it revived the series for me. But, as has already been said, everyone has their own point of view; however, I didn't notice any indifferent people, and that's still a plus for the game. And in general, positive opinions far outweigh the negative ones. As for the game being remembered for years, I think the gaming industry itself has changed a lot compared to what it was 8-10 years ago, and the emergence of such games has become almost impossible. There are many reasons for this, including the rapid development of technology, which leads to an acceleration of the game creation process until it becomes obsolete. And the overuse of plots and genres. And the ever-expanding market for consoles, especially in the West, where the main investments in projects are made. And much more. Therefore, I think comparing only the release of Heroes 3 and Heroes 5 is incorrect; too much has changed over the years. As for Blizzard, it's almost not worth talking about... it's the ONLY company that can afford to make games like that and not fail. As for the downsides, for me, it's really only the strategic AI (specifically strategic, not tactical), despite the example you gave; it's still an exception. Because you can also remember chasing a single fly in Heroes 3 while archers were shooting at squads, and standing in front of a moat until the very end, and much more... There are no such obvious blunders now. If there's anything else that bothers you, then it's almost impossible to convince you, because personal feelings are a very subjective thing and don't yield to external persuasion. IMHO, Nival did everything possible to revive the series, and they did it brilliantly. P.S. And of course, the excellent balance, which no other Heroes series could boast before.

Ah, I wish the expansion would come out sooner! I really want to see the gnome faction! I hope it won't be worse than the other factions! Although it's hard to mess up gnomes. By the way, does anyone know when the expansion will be released?
Also, regarding maps - there's an article on mapmaking in the November issue of Igromania. I haven't read it in detail yet, but it seems to be very well written.

The expansion will be released on November 14th, I think.