HoMM3 is widely considered by most to be the best game in the series, but I would say that, so far, HoMM5 takes the crown for me. A list of summarized reasons: 1. The game plays like HoMM3 (which is admittedly awesome) 2. Leveling up in HoMM5 is far deeper and more interesting than it was in any other game in the series. There are faction specific skills and powers. 3. The game makes town management more interesting looking 4. The best monster design in the series, no cheesiness 5. The game is in 3D, which isn't itself a plus or minus, but it's done so well and the graphics still don't look dated 6. An AI that thinks and has to explore 7. Best multiplayer in series! Simultaneous turns and ghost mode make this an easy win Here are common arguments against HoMM5 1. The 3D means objects get in the way or aren't revealed... NOTE: To fix this all you need to do is go to the Options and tick "Classic Heroes of Might and Magic View". 2. Waiting for your turn is slow... NOTE: I think this may either be true only on very very old machines or very old versions of the game. I played a game with max number of computers last night and I did have to wait a solid 15-20 seconds between turns but that's hardly unreasonable. I've heard reports of turns going longer than a minute, and that hasn't been my experience. In summary, if you liked Heroes 1-3 or even 4, you'll probably enjoy 5. I think nostalgia goggles keeps many people saying Heroes 3 is the best in series. It was easily the best of the first three. Then 4 came out which made too many changes for most people's liking (but it really isn't a bad game). 4 was too far separated from some of the traditions in the series so it's out of the running. 5 is the true successor to 3: superior in virtually every way, it adds just enough to keep things fresh without rewriting history and making the game feel detached from 3. If you haven't played Heroes 5 yet but liked Heroes 2 and 3, you're in for a very pleasant surprise.
