Actually, Heroes V with the last expansion is surprisingly balanced, and people saying that some units are useless quite simply didn't spend enough time with them. Heroes V, their current version at least, possesses one of the best tactical combat systems I have ever seen, initiative system being a large part of it. It's amazing.

I do agree about the lack of little details that made 3 amazing, however, when I wish to play a skirmish game, I will play V just for these reasons: It's more balanced (aside from the damn barbarian town), skill tree works well, all spells are useful and you can get trough the game easily even with spell-less might-focused hero.

I have this game, have played the first few campaign levels and have to say that it's exactly like King's Bounty (or rather King's Bounty is exactly like Heroes).

The only difference I see is that Bounty appears to have more mini missions to run off on and Heroes appears to be more oriented to taking over territories and placing garrisons.

Posted this in the Gaming deals thread but might as well mention it here. All the M&MV games are £2.79 each on GetGames at the moment. I might as well get them based on the feedback here as they have to be worth that.

I really like King's Bounty and I don't see Heroes V as any better or worse - it might have more content though considering the expansion.

You mean apart from the fact that both games play completely differently? :D I mean, KB is one hero from heroes riding around. I hated KB when I bought/played it. I love heroes, the town/resource management is a very important part of it for me.

Yeah, KB is more of an role playing game where as Heroes is more of strategy game.

Heard someone here say that the Heroes III on here is pretty deep in content. Is it just as beefy as Heroes V and KB?

Well, IMO, and when trying to be non-biased, H3 has way better storytelling and every multiplayer map is a little story in itself, while H5 is much better in gameplay terms, better balanced and more interesting skill developement. Just pick whatever you think is more important.

Also, take a look at Disciples II - it has quite a good story as well, it's sort of grind-y, but art style is amazing and it tells more dark-fantasy story than Heroes series.

Yeah, I've got Disciples II Gold, Age of Wonders II and Lords of Magic (which all seem to be similar to one another and a lot more difficult than Heroes or KB).

Started playing Heroes 5 again recently, and quit in frustration.

It annoys me that I have to slog through the dull campaigns in order, rather than being able to start one with the race I choose.

Started "Tribes of the East" yesterday though, and it is better so far.

If you don't like the King's Bounty games, you probably won't like Heroes VI. It seems they're intentionally aiming at that style of gameplay with less resources which means fewer town building schemes. It'll probably focus almost exclusively on the units & tactics.

Edit: The Hero abilities system they just released screen shots of only enhances the "King's Bounty"ness of the game too. Very, very similar.

I quite enjoyed Heroes V, but then again I only played Tribes of the East, and not the campaigns. It's not on the same level as II and III, but it places right in the middle above I and IV.

Nah, I personally enjoyed the campaigns a lot and the expansions even more

And Isabelle may not be bright but hey, at least she's hot

Though she is very stupid with her: "Hey, my Man who I love died, I know! I'll try to resurrect him! WHAT CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG?"

if you can't already tell, this scenario never goes well (SEE: Castlevania lords of shadow)