Heroes of Might and Magic® 3: Complete

I play Heroes III from 1999 to this day, I own Heroes games from 1 to 5 on DVD's, but when I saw this on GOG I couldn't help myself and buy it again! :D Is just THAT good! I am not going to write a full review here; the fact that it was noted 9.1 on Gamespot at the time of apparition and 9.3 on Metacritic, say it all. And from then, it just keeps improving! On my view, this version of Heroes is by far, the best in the entire series, even more if you add to it the latest expansion called Horn of the Abyss (HotA - updated at version 1.4.0 on 2 January 2016 at the time I write this review). Also, this game is fully compatible with the HD patch (HoMM3 HD 4.100 RC5 released 2016.01.02). HoMM3 HD patch improve gameplay and let you change the original 800x600 resolution to any other resolution up to 4k (easy to find if you google for “HoMM3 HD”). About Heroes III HD Edition made by Ubisoft and sold on Steam, I have only one thought: "worthless". Why? Because even if their team improved texture clarity, the size of the play window is painfully small. In this regard, in my opinion, the HOMM3 HD Patch is a thousand times better, as it lets you to “zoom out” as much you want to the limit of your monitor's max resolution. The other reasons I think Heroes III HD Edition made by Ubisoft is worthless includes, but are not limited to: not compatible with HotA, it only have Restoration of Erathia, so is only ¼ of the game, cost much, Steam, Ubisoft. All Heroes III expansions to this date, that respect the original game are: 1. Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia (included on HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC® 3: COMPLETE) 2. Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade (included on HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC® 3: COMPLETE) 3. Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death (included on HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC® 3: COMPLETE) 4. Heroes of Might and Magic III: Horn of the Abyss (easy to find if you google for “Horn of the Abyss”)

HoMM3 turns 20 this year and it's still amazing. I put countless hours into it and playing HoMM3 on LAN with my girlfriend is still our favourite pastime for a lazy weekend evening. For me this game is like a chess with random board, so I'm sure I will play HoMM3 for years to come. Unofficial HD mod is recommended for higher resolutions and minor gameplay improvements (i.e. auto-combat) without breaking the original feeling.

This game has stood the test of time. It's not only one of the best strategy games of all time, but one of the best games of all time as well. It's aged like a fine wine and competes and edges out many modern day strategy games.

It all started in nineties and for last 20+ years we are still playing this game. My brother is playing, my friends are playing, my colleagues are playing, everyone is playing. Campaign is great, scenarios are good, but real gem is custom maps generated by community. When you start there is years and years of great stories and even greater gameplay. And after you have played all the maps out there you can just start random map generation and play with friends. Can't miss with this one. P.S. Intro is not skippable only first time you start the game. ;)

I lost my copy a couple of years ago. So why not, I bought it again from GOG! There are few games like HoMM3. I don't know what else to say, this game is simply legendary.