Heroes of Might and Magic® 4: Complete

Interesting and sometimes very challenging campaigns , very long game play, excellent soundtrack (probably the best in the series), strong RPG elements and, for me, beautiful graphics are the pros of the game. The cons would be sometimes very unfair difficulty and lack of some mechanics introduced in Heroes 3 (eg unit upgrades). For a HoM&M veteran this game is solid 3/5, just a good TBS. To me though the game's soundtrack and grpahics create an amazing atmosphere and bring the good old "one more turn and I'm going to sleep" experience. This and the nostalgic value this game has for me makes me add an extra star to the rating. Still, I think that unless you are a true die-hard fan you can skip this instalment of the series.

This is the first HoMM game I played and which defined my look on the franchise. I am saying this with huge respect to all other reviews glorifying the HoMM 3 as the best version, but to me this one simply rocks. As most of 3 and 4-star reviews come from players which started with previous versions, the same applies to me: I tried HoMM 3 and 5 after it, but nothing could occupy me that much. As stated on HoMM website "intenion was to make unique game, not bigger or better than HoMM 3". + Overall graphics were great (although widescreen fix was never issued) they were jump ahead due decentl 3D view. +Fact that hero is actively engaged in all the combats (esp when leveled up in Scenarios and can defeat whole armies by him/herself). +Soundtrack - Orders are simply strongest class here due to: Mage Orders most diverse magic skills. (Forgetfullness, Teleport, Hypnotize). If he/she is accompanied with Genies (split in several units in hero's army, lets say 20+1+1+1+1) nothing can beat them. Lord Orders with their Advanced Nobility already speed up creatures growth significantly, and essentially you dont need to leave the town and fight but just end turns, await money and buy more Genies until you have enough to fight anyone. Cheers

С этой игры началось мое знакомство со стратегиями и играми в целом. Купил бы если бы была русская или украинская локализации.

I like HOMM3 and still play but I've always wished it to have more magic, map items, more uses for artifacts, deeper hero customization and graphics. HOMM4 is the answer but with one addition I hate. I don't like that hero can attack/be attacked. Lots of people like it. For me it kills the imagination. I also don't like that they didn't bring Mighty Gorgon to 4. Anyway, most of the good things have been mentions by others. My most favorite of HOMM4 is magic system. It is the best (of all other fantasy worlds/games/movies or even airbender). BTW, HOMM series has taught me that there can be so many different types of dragons. I have not seen this many types of dragons in anywhere else.

I have been a fan of the HOMM series since I picked up a demo of Heroes 2 back shortly before it's release in 1996. I loved Heroes 3 as well and so when I had heard about the changes in the mechanics that they were introducing to to Heroes 4 I recall being unsure of how I would feel about it. It wasn't until around 2010 that I actually bought the game and I have been hooked ever since. While the game is not perfect (you can tell that it's development was a little under funded and rushed) it's take on the HOMM series is spot on. I love that you can actually use your heroes for more than just moving around on the main map and casting a spell here and there; the heroes themselves finally feel like they matter. I really enjoyed the campaigns and they are my go-to thing to play (seriously, this is the first game I install every-time I format or change computers). That having been said, the game does feel a bit unfinished at times, especially after the masterpieces that were Heroes 2 and Heroes 3. The graphics of course are dated now, but they were alright for the time. The maps are generally spacious, but feel a bit sparsely populated in comparison to it's predecessors. It seems as if the developers had originally intended to have more content; I can't quite put my finger on it, but I suspect if they had been allowed more time and a bigger budget this game could have been genre changing.