While most glorify 3rd installment of the series and don't like anything done differently, I actually enjoyed HOM&M4 a lot more because it addressed all the issues that irritated in it's predecessors - like Heroes without armies and armies without heroes. Heroes are still crucial in the game as properly levelled hero can add a lot the strength of the army but if for some reason you need army to go out of the castle without army (i.e. to reinforce here) - you can. And if your hero is nearly omnipotent by himself, he doesn't need minimal army just to do that. The game also dropped hexagonal battle map which started to feel dated at the time - again plus. The graphics - it didn't distract me from the fun. Overall this installment of the series is unlike all the rest - and if the other games irritated you with their design here and there - give v4 a try. It might be just want you wanted.
