I remember when I was young, waking up as early as I could, creep my way to my old computer without waking anyone up, grabbing the disc for this game, and playing it until the rest of the house woke up to me shooting my bow at a bunch of lizardman, pirates or just simply having a dragon in my party. This game made me into what I believe is a true RPG fan. However to get to this game I had to go through MM6 and MM7 which I did take a preference to MM7 however this was the first Might and Magic I had ever progressed to end game situational content. Not only did I have incredible amounts of fun playing this I just could not simple save and quit, I had to complete this quest or side quest or I had to come back with a vengeance to those creatures who killed me after hours of clearing through dungeons, forests and mountain tracks. It may just seem like I am buttering this game up, but that is what this masterpiece of a game needs, now I know that it may seem unfair to rank this as an elite game but im afraid that this is that elite game that shines down on all other games or is looked up too by others. What can you expect from this? Attention - You have to pay attention there is none of this, engage conversation, skip conversation, go to checkpoint business as you find in modern games, this game makes you read the quest givers demands, and forces the player to fight a powerful foe or collect this plant that is only accessible here. Compelling Story - I will not spoil the story for those who actually have not completed it or are looking to play this for the first time, but the story will take you several weeks to complete, assuming you played like myself, which was level every party member equally and ensure that they are mastered in all skills. Skill Sets are Unique - although you may find yourself having many of the same races in your party you can easily ensure that they each take a skill path of your choosing, there is no auto level button to be pressed, it is your choice, why would you need to auto level with such a great game like this. Items - There are a plethora of items in this game, maybe even more, so it is up to the player to find these mythical items who knows you may be able to find something so special that no one else has found it or had it drop for them. Races - They added the races I always wanted to be in Might and Magic 7, when I first fought the dragon I was amazed at how well it was presented (keep in mind I was 7 years of age) and the fact they made it possible for a dragon to be in your party made it even the more better. A Minotaur is available to be played as, vampires dark elves and even more. This is not your average RPG - This is by far one of the best RPG's I have ever player in my life, and I have been through all of the Ultima Franchise, Final Fantasy's, Might and Magics, Baldurs Gates, Icewind Dale, Planescapes, Fallouts, Elder Scrolls, neverwinter nights and Arcanum series of games and I will say that Might and Magic 6 - 8 are the best out of all of them, and its not to promote this in a buyist way its merely the fact that this is the truth. I know I could go on and on about how amazing this game is, but I will end it with this, if you are a fan of endless RPG's buy this game. If you have yet to play this game, buy this game, give it a try, you will not be disappointed.
