The game suffers from some pacing issues, both with a mostly unexciting and forgettable campaign tale and some very high XP requirements for unit progression, but it’s also got redeeming qualities in a great visual style, distinct faction playstyles, and a plethora of strategic unit options.
I suggest this version to every passionate TBS player who loves to start a hero and city from scratch, with the greatest race, unit, map design and a spectacular day&night cycle in a new hotseat/custom game. The game also has a wonderful quest line. Besides, this is the correct version most similar to the Disciples II.
My point: Disciples 3 Reincarnation is a great game, a good strategy with RPG elements and some points is even better than the second part!
How do you like that ?! Prepare your angry comments! Because this point of view is definitely “puzzling” someone! Dudes really tightened up the graphics, added cool animation of magic, added weed, varied objects and textures, and the whole environment looks much more lively and interesting. But these are trifles!
About the war part of the game
Many hate the third part because the characters in it learned to run in battle. In Reincarnation, this part was completely reworked, and it became interesting to play. Why?
In the second and first, there was, of course, the original combat system. But the updated hex fermentation system in Reincarnation is very cool implemented.
The field was greatly reduced, and there was practically no need to run, everything was just a cold tactical calculation. One wrong move - and you catch a ban in bread. In the second, we think about the sequence of actions, and only that. Here, units have the ability to move, surround, intercept and break ridges in sophisticated ways.
Why is this better than the Disciples 2 warhead? Because many mechanics of the 2nd part now do not make sense.
Global Map:
It is now really interesting to walk on it. I am still controversial about getting rid of the mechanics of wands towards the mechanics of control points and guards. But the card itself has become much more diverse! In the second, it was very boring to chase on large maps. There are tons of objects in the map editor, but they are not interactive. Those. visually, the territories are rich and interesting, but extremely boring gameplay. What is on the map in the second part? Monsters, dungeons (which in fact are the same monsters, current with loot), merchants and objects.
In Reincarnation, there are also all sorts of buffers, various interactive objects that give one or another bonuses and effects. There are obelisks that can damage or heal someone who walks around the territory controlled by the facility. Moreover, they can be intercepted if you terraform the land under them, and then they will work on your side.
About design and music:
Everything is debatable here. Each part has a unique atmosphere, design and sound design. Here it is also mine. Yes, some unit designs are absurd (such as the griffins of elves and all dragons), while others are very original and distinctive (such as border guards), while the third ones are far superior to the second part (Templars, witch hunters). In general, the design I would not call bad. He is gothic in his own way, but he is different. But definitely not bad. So is the music. And demons look interesting. In any case, unlike the second part, the full detachment does not turn into a brown tentacle-winged indistinguishable mess.
And also, unlike the original three, Reincarnation works stably. The game is pleasant and interesting to play. Now I'm going through a campaign, and the game is addictive no worse than the second part.
Hexes were able to get the most out of the mass that the original was, and they managed all 200%. Although the AI is still dumb (although it was not in the second part to say that it is directly superintelligent).
With all the love for the second part, I can confidently say that Disciples 3 Reincarnation is much more diverse and interesting in terms of game mechanics. And I advise everyone and everyone to try this game with a fresh mind. Yes, hex studio also began to saw an addon with clans, but Akella, if she was damned three times, dispersed the team with rags, and someone bought the rights to the series. But in the meantime, hopes for continuation fade away as well as hopes for normal new Heroes, I suggest everyone to swing and play Reincarnation.
This game is - for me - a prime example of failed compromise (meaning, everyone looses) and style over gameplay.
Now - why is it failed compromise?
It seems that the devs looked at the main competitor (HoMM) and thought "lets do it like them..." and so the combat was changed from the board like disciples 2 concept to a tactical board similar to Crossroads, Armoured Princess or HoMM. The problem there is that the implementation of this kind of combat feels poorly done in disciples, which has always been much more "party based" than "army based". In HoMM you get strength by adding weekly stacks, in Armoured Princess ... similarly by adding to the stack quantity. In Disciples however you strengthen your "stack" by earning exp and evolving along a unit tree.
Furthermore - the AI does not really analyze the map in order to utilize it properly. It is among the "dumbest" combat AI i have encountered for some time in such a turn based game - and only poses a threat by pitting stronger units vs. a weaker party.
Another problem is most certainly the idea of AoE attacks/assists - which simply do not work well on the convoluted combat maps of Disciples 3. The AI also seems to fail to use those AoE properly.
Style over gameplay?
The style of the game is very nice - and uniquely dark gothic. And although the graphics begin to age - the design is solid enough to hold up. However - There is something wrong with the scaling. And by wrong - i mean ... they try to keep it "right". Structures and objects on the world map are properly big compared to the hero ... not realistically big - but bigger than ... lets say - a symbolic representation (as used in the HoMM series).
The result is that maps feel cramped and stuffed with so much that there does not seem to be much room to move - at all. Tall structures (trees, towers etc. ) also tend to "stick out" so much that they not only obscure the view just a bit too much - but also make it very hard to see any surroundings. In a game where strategical movement based on very limited movement points is key ... organization is crucial - and the game fails at that.
Good things?
There are still good sides to the game that ... in case there will ever be a Disciples 4 ... might revive the franchise. The unit evolution trees are very nice - and it is a huge treat to see your units evolve into a new class after so many battles.
The style is mature and dark (although Disciples 2 was just 10 times better despite or maybe because it used much nicer 2d graphics) - the music and lore of the units is great.
Future?
Well, personally - i hope that the Disciples 2 combat style makes a return and replaces the stupid hex based combat arena - if i want to play that kind of game - i d rather load HoMM - which does the whole affair just so much better.
The world map needs to be better designed and the AI needs to be loads smarter. (i am not saying that HoMM has a much better AI - as far as i know... the AI there cheats ... but its simply does not feel that dumb)
So - all in all .. the latest Disciples release gets a 4/10 - mostly for the joy of unit evolution and unit design. Had it have the old combat system - i d easily give it an 8/10 (if it was just as good as D2)
They didn't bring back the old battlefield system. There's the load of bug fixes, but some unnecessary gameplay fixes are just infuriating. I mean, how many levels an unit had to get before getting upgraded?
Not worth getting if you expected anything similiar to previous Disciples games. Disciples 2 is still the king.
SummaryA true reincarnation of the legendary series! The Almighty has turned away from Nevendaar and its denizens. He is busy thinking about the fate of the world. Above Nevendaar, rent by perpetual wars, a new star flashed out. What will it bring with it? Who will claim its great power? Immerse in the struggle of four powerful races!