Well, my first contact with Heroes of Might and Magic 3 wasn't that great as the title says. It was the demo version with only one map and one playable castlebut that wasn't problem. I think main reason I didn't like the game at first was the graphics. I couldn't get used to "this modern stuff" since I was used to play Heroes 1 and 2 and this looked quite different and not so "fairy-taleish". I gave it some tries, but then returned to Heroes 2... ...to finally get my hands on Heroes 3 CDs few years later. I forgot about the "graphics problem" and put myself in game. It quickly caught my attention and I liked it better and better. Yes, there are lots and lots of campaigns and scenarios, but the main reason I like Heroes 3 still so much is it's multiplayer. I share my Heroes obsession with friend and even now, after many years of playing, we manage to sit side by side and play good old Heroes 3 hot seat mode. The reason it's so addictive and playable lies in really well ballanced castles and units. If you're good enough, there should be no problem winning any map with any castle. That's what makes strategy games really strategical. If I had to, I would pick Heroes 3 as my favourite strategic game ever made. No doubt. There are other good games (Disciples series, Age of Wonders series, etc.), but there remains only one true love :-)
