Ubisoft revives Olden Classic franchise from the grave

As a devoted fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich and captivating world of Heroes of Might and Magic, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension upon hearing about HOMM Olden Era. With a 15-year gap since the last mainline game, I’ve been longing for a return to the enchanting universe that once consumed my thoughts.

In the second quarter of 2025, the game titled “Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era,” which is being created by Unfrozen, will be published by Ubisoft. This is Ubisoft’s upcoming endeavor to rekindle a cherished franchise that was once highly acclaimed.

For the first time since the release of Might & Magic Heroes VII in September 2015, a new mainline game from the HOMM Olden Era series is set to debut. Its visual style, a blend of nostalgic elements from Heroes of Might & Magic III and contemporary, mobile-friendly graphics, has sparked a sense of anticipation among players.

Last week’s unveiling of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era could have been eclipsed by the grander announcements at Gamescom. Here’s hoping Ubisoft gives it the necessary promotion, marketing, and resources to make it a standout game for fans, rather than adding another layer to the struggles faced by this struggling franchise.

Early Gameplay footage of HOMM Olden Era

However, enthusiasts can anticipate that this remake won’t merely serve as a sentimental journey; instead, it promises to be an engaging game experience. Preliminary gameplay clips from PC Games suggest that HOMM Olden Era could offer six distinct playable factions.

Temple – the human and celestial alliance;
Sylvan – consisting of wood elves, fairies, and the forces of nature;
Dungeon – where the dark elves and other creatures who don’t see the light of day reside;
Necropolis – where the necromancers raise their army of the undead and vampires;
Hive – a throng of demonic insects that are likely based on or are actually part of the Kriegans faction from days old;
and a sixth unannounced faction, which is more than likely the equivalent of the Mages/Tower/Order from the previous games.

Players can rejoice in the knowledge that the Towns System is staying part of the game, along with the reappearance of the ancient spellbook tome. The gameplay will adhere to the traditional format, featuring turn-based exploration of an overworld map divided into a grid system. Encounters with enemy forces will switch the gameplay to turn-based tactical battles.

Revitalizing the timeless Heroes of Might and Magic formula with updated graphics and enhanced quality-of-life systems feels invigorating. Although it’s too soon to make a definitive judgment, entrusting the development to Unfrozen might be a smart move because they have a reputation for honoring classic games, injecting freshness while preserving the essence of the original content.

Olden Era is keeping the spirit while introducing new systems

Introducing its own systems isn’t something Unfrozen shies away from. One innovative feature players will find exciting is the Faction Law system, which allows them to create and enact laws that impact their entire faction.

An extra beneficial feature is the improved multiplayer game settings, enabling players to dive into gameplay without dedicating entire weekends to a single session. One of these game modes includes the “One-Hero Mode,” where each player controls only one character, and another is the “Arena Mode,” where participants select and enhance their hero, assemble an army for consecutive battles.

I’m thrilled about the introduction of active abilities for creatures! Now, each faction has a richer, more nuanced feel. It’s fantastic how this change reduces the dependence on Heroes in combat, yet keeps them central to the gameplay experience.

However, modifications have been introduced while preserving cherished elements such as the scenario and map editing tools, even though some enthusiasts yearn for the reintroduction of random map generators. Furthermore, a significant number of fans are advocating for the return of Paul Romero, who has composed the majority of the series’ scores in the past.

A Reboot that is also a Prequel

Ubisoft is wisely choosing to take a different direction with this new game by making it a reboot, yet maintaining connections to the classic games that fans love. This upcoming title, known as Olden Era, will actually serve as a prequel to the original games leading up to Heroes of Might & Magic IV, preserving many of its themes and some factions.

In the Olden Era of Heroes of Might and Magic, players will embark on a campaign that takes place on the enigmatic continent of Jadame. Here, four factions must work together precariously to combat a common threat: the Hive, as an Infernal demon lord seeks dominion over the world. However, the direct link between this new setting and the worlds of Enroth, Erathia, Antagarich, Axeoth, and other previous game environments remains undisclosed at present.

The Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era, a new installment in the series, is expected to launch on PC via Steam in the second quarter of 2025, marking its thirtieth anniversary. To keep you entertained until then, I recommend checking out games such as Songs of Conquest and Age of Wonders 4. These games are inspired by some of the best aspects of the franchise.

2024-08-28 13:08

Ubisoft revives Olden Classic franchise from the grave

Early Gameplay footage of HOMM Olden Era

Olden Era is keeping the spirit while introducing new systems

A Reboot that is also a Prequel

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