Posts from Heroes in Search of Truth [translations from other languages into Russian]

Even the fantastical technology of HL2 didn't include wizards. Noticing this huge flaw, the developers at Arkane took the Source engine from under Gordon Freeman's feet and started improving it, adapting it to the world of Might & Magic:)
As a result, we got a stealth/shooter/mage simulator based on the M&M universe - and that's already a good thing :). And yet, ironically, we still don't have a wizard.
Even people unfamiliar with the M&M series (which reached unprecedented heights as both an RPG and a strategy game before disappearing a few years ago) shouldn't worry about not understanding what's going on.
Dark Messiah takes place in the world of Ashan, a world not well-known in the revived series, a world that is geared towards first-person action.
Even if you don't like chasing giant spiders in dark and damp dungeons, or the life of a wizard in general, you will be interested in the following. We assumed you like FPS games and made our game FPS-like.
Ashan is full of orcs, swords, and magic, but choosing Source as the engine means two things.
First, Arkane is focused on creating a game, not on reinventing the basics of 3D for the hundredth time. And second, all the great physics of HL2 can be used to the fullest, including magical gadgets.
The first thing that impresses is its scale: the interiors are as vast as caves, and the homes of the locals are built on colossal cliffs, not, say, on a beautiful and peaceful meadow.
The size of the cathedrals takes fun into account. High ceilings mean that high statues are also needed... and high statues are easy to knock over (especially if they are on wooden scaffolding) ... and if you're lucky (or smart), the statues will crush the enemies with their weight.
Of course, if you focus on magical skills, you can simply freeze the bad guys in place and watch them crumble at the touch. Then shrink the survivors to dwarf size and smear them on the floor. And those who remain alive, throw them out the window, and they will also face a quick death.
Freezing is useful in unreliable passages. Guards will slip, and a sincere comedy of death is always welcome... as an alternative, you can focus only on combat skills and go, blessing each person you meet with a blow to the head with a sword.
Hack and slash... Hey, if it's good for American foreign policy, it's good for us too.
The third option is to play as a thief, using stealth. Each target takes into account diverse approaches, and a little exploration – perhaps combined with using a grappling hook (not an animal :)) – and you're already behind the unsuspecting guards. A great position for a quiet, stealthy kill.
And this is not a random stroke of luck; if you found the right route, if everything goes according to plan, it provides the player with the opportunity to fully see (and appreciate) every detail - a part of the ideal project.
So, Arkane is really focused on giving us the freedom to choose everything, from the appearance of your character (by the way, his name is Sareth) to information about the level and tailoring the skill tree to your style.
Specializing in one of the three main areas is key, but it's still far from a traditional RPG. And although you can't become a grandmaster in all areas at once, the game provides the opportunity to mix classes, but the emphasis is on action and stealth.
We are also working on improving the first-person view: modeling weapons is one thing, but modeling swords, and even wildly swinging fists, is something else entirely.
Still, here you can convince an enemy with a sword and watch the beautiful scene of a bloody battle :
But who wants to convince all the time? Sometimes you just want to throw a mage out of the church... through the window.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic will not be released on PC in 2006 :

Ranger

Strong in ranged combat, but weak in melee.
The Ranger deals heavy damage to single targets from a long distance.
Ranger skills:
Fast Reload
Zoom
Multiple Shots

Assassin

Strong in the art of stealth and melee combat,
but weak in face-to-face combat.
The Assassin prefers to hide in the shadows and strike quickly.
Assassin skills:
Stealth (Invisibility, silent movement)
Poisons
Traps

Warrior

Strong in face-to-face combat,
inherent strength.
The Warrior will overwhelm the enemy, using a shield and natural damage resistance.
Warrior skills:
Powerful Strike
Increased Speed
Increased Health

Priestess

Strong in both offensive and defensive magic,
but physically weak.
The Priestess supports her team by casting offensive spells along with support spells.
Priestess skills:
Point Attack
Restorative Spells
Status Change

Mage

Strong in offensive magic, but physically weak.
The Mage deals area-of-effect damage.
Mage skills:
Increased Spell Effect
Learning New Spells
Increased Magic Resistance.