Heroes of Might and Magic® 3: Complete

It should be an acknowledged scientific fact that there's nothing more addictive than a good turn-based strategy game. It's just so easy to go "just one more turn" even if you already know beforehand that it's never going to be just one. Heroes of Might and Magic 3 isn't just a good game, it's a really really great one. I bought the game to see if all my fond memories from playing the game years ago were just rose-tinted nostalgia, and I can happily say that that was not the case. HoMM3 really hasn't aged a day in the ten years since it's release. The detailed graphics still look gorgeous and the interface, while not as streamlined as in many recent strategy games, is easy to use and all the needed information can be found in just a few clicks. The game is pretty easy to get into, but mastering the use of all the different units and skills available to the heroes can take ages, so the game doesn't get boring or repetitive. The nine (eight without the Armageddon's blade expansion) different towns are very well balanced with slightly different leanings towards combat (might) or magic, and they all have their share of awe-inspiring (and deadly) creatures. Best of all, HoMM3 is just incredibly fun to play. The mechanics are simple enough, so the game is just as fast-paced as the player wants. If you want to spend a long time perfecting your turns and choosing just the right equipment for your heroes, you can do so. If you want to just dive into the action, train some Black Dragons and show your enemies who's boss. Despite it's seeming simplicity HoMM3 can be played in many different ways, and finding your own is a big part of the fun. I find HoMM3 to be the best in the series, though it's really similar to HoMM2. But like a good sequel should, it has more monsters, more buildings, more spells and more challenges. And it's just impossible to stop playing. There's always that one castle to conquer, that one dragon to kill, that one artifact to find, that one kingdom to save. Highly recommended.

The game is so fun. With HD mod (which is kind of obligatory) it easily beats HoMM5, another good game from the series. It's not that story-driven like the fifth game, but it's not a big problem in a turn-based strategy game. My only problem with the game is, that the King's Bounty series have quite a similar combat system, which works much, much better (and is less exploitable). The rest is just an honest 9/10. Very recommended.

To be honest, there is a lot of nostalgia involved. But nonetheless, this game is one of the best games ever made. I can't tell you how many hours I've put into this game, but it was worth it. Definitely the complete edition on GOG and not the HD version on Steam.  Make sure to download the HD mod, and if you want to keep it vanilla, look for the  "SoD_SP"-plugin. Both the HD-Mod and the plugin will give you lots of QoL features and bug fixes. If you want to take it a step further, get HotA (Horn of the Abyss). It's a fanmade mod that is so well made that everybody considers it to be an official DLC for the game.  The GOG complete edition is just 10 bucks, but it's mostly on sale for 2,50. It's worth far more, so you definitely have to try this awesome game!

This game is one of the few. Was excelent when it was released 25 years ago and it is excelent today. The gameplay, balance, game mechanics, music and even thegraphic are still the world class. If you played it back then, you most likely love it, if you havent play it you shoudl definetly go for it. This is the masterpiece.

The HOMM series drew me in with the 2nd game, and had me hooked from the very first demo map I played from my PC Gamer demo CD. When 3 came out, I wasn't sure I liked the more serious graphics and change of art style, but soon, I was playing it non-stop. I've owned at least four copies of this game, but finally when GOG released the DRM/CD-free version, I was onboard as quickly as I could type in my credit card number. I've played this game for 15 years now, on and off, and when I need a good game to put on a laptop and take with me for an airplane ride or a business trip, this is the game I go to. Now if only they would release a version for the Mac! My kids now play this game, they introduce it to their friends, play hotseat around the computer at home with them, and spread the joy. This is one of the few games my wife plays with me (she's not a gamer)! Forget the fancy 3D graphics of Heroes V or VI, save your CPU and GPU and just go for this one. It's got everything you need.