Игра вторгается в жанр таких титанов, как HoMM и Age of Wonders... И умудряется на их фоне выглядеть очень достойно. Она не становится ни тенью, ни клоном. У нее свой стиль, свой сюжет, свои способы игры. Она вариативна и заставляет думать и принимать решения. Необратимые решения. Да, недостатки есть: скромная графика. Геймплей на больших картах становится несколько затянутым, можно найти еще. Но общее впечталение это не портит. А редкое по нашим временам чувство новизны и необычности заслуживает отдельной оценки. В чем-то уступая таким титанам жанра, как HoMM и AoW, она имеет и свои преимущества. Да-да, даже на фоне титанов жанра. Поэтому даже несмотря на отдельные недостатки - 5 из 5
Играл в нее в начале 2000х. Тогда было увлекательно, но с лучшими образцами жанра даже в сравнение не идет, удивлен высоким средним рейтингом. Симпатичный мир славянских сказок. Довольно тупая боевая система и тупой ИИ. Для своего времени неплохо реализован крафт - варка зелий, во второй части еще и использование рун. Крафту, конечно, далеко до TES, но и время выхода другое. И не перегружен сущностями. На три звезды, пожалуй, не тянет, но за ностальгию и колорит мира ставлю.
I own the game on CD for more then ten years, and still replay regularly. Really, not once a year, but more often and al least for a month or more of nearly everyday playing. In almost the same edition (includes the expansions Napoleon's Ambition (2007) and In Nomine (2008), but does NOT include the expansions Heir to the Throne (2009) and Divine Wind (2010)) It probably has some weak sides, like metioned by other users, but it has some special beauty in this package. For me, some additional features may seem redundant rather than interesting.
Owned it before, and now I'm glad, that GOG makes it available worldwide. To my opinion, it's the best way to mix in one game the personal adventure of the characters, sea battles, abordage and a litttle bit of managing your ship, crew & cargo. Not too much management to become bored, just to feel connection with it. Lots of freedom. Really, why anyone needs a pirates game, if not for freedom of the open sea? You really choose yourself, what to do: trade, fight or look for adventure. But if you want a storyline, a long complicated quest - you can find enough/ Sword fighting is good. Easy to learn, hard to master. You make your way as a sword master or use just simple basics: anyway you have fun. Ships really differ. Big or fast, large room for cargo or for crew, and other ways to decide, what is best for you. Everything has its pros&contras. The only thing to be aware of: if you start the game, it takes a lot of time ;)
Good game. Nice graphics, made with respect to the tradition of the series. But the tempo kills the pleasure. HOMM2 is swift and exiting. The gameplay process is the main thing. The 3rd game of the series is balanced and exiting too. But in HOMM5 the picture and new features were more important to the developer than the playing process, and game makes you tired too early. Owned it on CD when it was new and never will buy again.
For me, this is the best part of HOMM. Not very beautiful graphics. Probably not a perfect balance for multiplayer. But the playing process is energetic and swift. It keeps your attention, and you dont have time to feel tired. And more important - it is really variable. While in HOMM3 the effective way of development and war changes just a little from one type of castle to another, in HOMM2 you really have to change the way of thought.
