Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Review [Demo] | Classic Strategy Reborn

Introduction

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era brings back one of the most iconic strategy experiences ever made. Developed by Unfrozen and published by Hooded Horse in collaboration with Ubisoft, this new entry aims to revive the nostalgic magic of the classic turn-based franchise.

Set as a prequel to the original Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest, the game revisits the early conflicts that shaped the fantasy world of Enroth. While still in demo form, Olden Era already shows impressive promise — with its deep mechanics, faction variety, and that unmistakable Heroes charm that fans have loved for decades.

In this detailed review, we’ll cover everything from the gameplay and story to visuals, performance, and what makes this demo a must-try for old fans and new players alike.

Story and Setting

The story of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is set in the continent of Jadame, on the mystical planet of Enroth — long before the events of the original series. This time, the world faces the rise of a terrifying threat: The Dragonfly King, who commands an insectoid army determined to conquer all lands.

To stop this invasion, rival factions must put aside their rivalries and unite against this new enemy. This plot sets the stage for a conflict that’s both epic and deeply connected to the series’ lore.

Even though the demo only reveals fragments of the narrative, it does a great job of building anticipation for what’s to come. Each faction’s lore snippets, hero backstories, and map dialogues add a sense of depth and mystery that fans will appreciate.

Gameplay Review

Turn-Based Strategy at Its Finest

If you’ve played any Heroes of Might and Magic title before, you’ll immediately feel at home. Olden Era keeps the traditional turn-based strategy gameplay, where you control heroes and their armies across massive adventure maps.

You explore territories, capture castles, gather resources, and engage in tactical battles against both AI enemies and rival heroes.

Each hero commands an army made up of creatures, which you can recruit and upgrade by constructing buildings in your castle. As heroes level up, they gain new skills, magic spells, and leadership bonuses — making every decision meaningful.

Factions and Units

In the demo, you can play four out of six factions — Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and Schism. Each one brings unique units, abilities, and aesthetics:

• Temple – Focuses on balanced armies and divine magic.
• Necropolis – Masters of dark magic and resurrection.
• Dungeon – Uses poisonous beasts and stealthy monsters.
• Schism – Specializes in speed, lightning, and chaos attacks.

Each faction also has distinct heroes, with specializations that change your entire army strategy. For example:

• Typhona (Dungeon) commands powerful Hydras — massive creatures with regeneration and poison attacks.
• Mouaren (Schism) relies on Infiltrators — fast, weak units that win through speed and clever tactics.

This variety ensures that every campaign feels different.

Unit Upgrades and Customization

One of the most exciting mechanics is the unit upgrade system. Each creature can evolve into alternative forms with unique abilities.

You can freely switch between upgraded forms while stationed in your base, giving you flexibility to adapt your army to different situations. This dynamic design encourages experimentation and keeps battles fresh.

Combat System

When two armies clash, the game shifts into a hex-based combat screen, reminiscent of Heroes of Might and Magic III and V, but with smoother movement and animation.

Combat is fully turn-based — you command units to attack, defend, or use abilities. Positioning is crucial, as fast-moving enemies can easily flank your backline.

Heroes also participate by casting spells from their learned spellbooks. From healing your troops to summoning lightning bolts, these spells can turn the tide of battle in seconds.

And while the demo’s auto-battle feature simplifies smaller fights, the real fun lies in manual control — planning every move and using terrain advantages to outwit your opponent.

Visuals and Audio

Visually, Olden Era looks clean and modern while keeping the aesthetic of older entries. The hand-painted landscapes, magical effects, and detailed unit animations all capture that nostalgic charm.

However, since this is still a demo build, there are some visual hiccups. Some sound effects occasionally bug out, and certain textures look slightly blurred. The game could also benefit from additional camera options for zooming in during combat.

Despite these minor flaws, the overall presentation feels solid. The soundtrack especially stands out — filled with medieval fantasy themes that instantly take you back to the golden age of turn-based strategy.

Performance and Accessibility

The demo runs surprisingly well on most modern PCs. It’s not resource-heavy, and loading times are minimal.

The game also includes several modern quality-of-life features such as:

• Auto-battle and quick-resolve options
• Resource filters
• Unit highlighting (press ALT)
• Simplified menus for managing heroes and armies

The interface is easy to navigate, making the game accessible even for newcomers to the genre.

Demo Limitations

While the demo gives a good taste of what’s to come, it’s still missing several major features:

• PvP multiplayer is not yet available
• Two factions are locked
• Campaign story mode is not included
• Minor sound and texture bugs

Still, a single playthrough can easily last several hours — offering plenty of replay value through faction variety and map exploration.

Strategy Depth

What sets Olden Era apart from other strategy titles is how every decision matters. From which hero to level up to which unit upgrades to invest in, every choice affects your long-term progress.

The resource system remains faithful to classic HoMM gameplay, featuring gold, wood, ore, crystals, sulfur, and gems. Balancing your economy while expanding your territory adds a satisfying challenge that fans of the series will love.

Monetization and Future Plans

As of now, Olden Era is planned for PC release in 2026, with potential console versions later. There are no indications of heavy monetization — a refreshing change compared to modern live-service games.

Developers have confirmed that the final version will include:

• Full campaign mode
• Multiplayer support
• More heroes and spells
• Expanded world maps and narrative quests

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Verdict – A Promising Return to Strategy Greatness

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era successfully captures the magic that made the series legendary. It’s a heartfelt revival that combines old-school mechanics with modern improvements.

While the demo still has its rough edges — from missing features to minor technical issues — it already feels like a true successor to the franchise’s golden age.

If you’ve been longing for the classic turn-based experience with deep tactical layers, Olden Era is absolutely worth your time. Try it, master it, and be part of the hype — because this might just be the comeback the strategy genre deserves.

Game Information

FAQ