Posted on: March 10, 2011

LongTailGamer
Games: 151 Reviews: 5
A Shining Jewel of RPG Greatness!
The Might and Magic series holds a well-deserved place of high regard in in the RPG world. I'll admit I came in late to the games -- I started with Heroes of Might and Magic 3 -- and I didn't know what to expect to make this series different from Bard's Tale or the Ultima worlds. In many aspects, the world of M&M7takes its inspiration from those venerable games. It makes for a classic gamer's paradise. You'll find an easy mix of high fantasy with a splash of epic sci-fi to spice things up. The game is ripe with nods to the cults built up around space operas like Star Trek and Buck Rogers. This is no cookie-cutter rehash of tropes, though. Might & Magic 7 stands firmly on its own two feet. I soon learned that differences are not at important as the quality of the execution. First, the plot is brilliantly conceived, and the writing has sparks. The in-jokes are comfortable and clever -- the developers wisely resisted over-indulgence of the inner geek that squirms between "ha ha, I get it" and "um... okay, stop." The entire games steeps you in the world, and it only subtley jabs at the fourth wall. Gameplay keeps the pace up while throwing the player elegant curve-balls to manage hit points and spell mana. The entire world is open to roam, and I remember times when I knew I had taken one step too many toward a danger I was not ready to face... but with judicious sneaking and careful tactics, I was able to explore on my own terms. It's no easy thing, escaping from a band of Ice Giants! When enemies spot you, they chase you down as far as you have speed to lead them. The AI will respond to your own clever moves, though, ducking out of sight or just getting far enough away. No guarantees, though. Occasionally I escaped alive, and that fired my resolve to improve and return. Some realms were much more exotic than I had expected. It whetted my appetite for more! Might and Magic 7 is a jewel in the crown of classic RPGs. Invest a few weeks in it, and you'll find a satisfying party-based adventure to remember.
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