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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The first game to reintroduce the video game legend to the public is Heroes of Might and Magic V, the sequel to the universally acclaimed turn-based strategy series with a touch of RPG. The new opus will benefit from the features and characteristics that established the success of the initial saga while offering a wealth of innovations such as a a highly immersive scenario, a variety of appealing factions, modern 3D graphics, a revolutionary tactical combat system and a story-based campaign mode. [Ubisoft]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 92
Strategy Informer
I am truly spellbound by the splendor of this game.
 90
Pelit (Finland)
Heroes of Might and Magic V is like meeting an old friend. There is not really that much new if you have played the earlier games, but who cares when the new version is both addictive and beautiful to watch. [June 2006]
90
Game Chronicles
If you love deep, complex strategy games and fun online multiplayer action, you can’t go wrong with Heroes of Might & Magic V. What it lacks in technological flash it makes up for in smart, well-balanced gameplay.
85
ActionTrip
You simply have to have the willingness to learn and give this game a chance. If you do this, you will be rewarded with an amazing strategy experience.
85
PALGN
Heroes V is a presentation marvel. The game boasts some fantastic bright, colourful 3D graphics that bring the experience alive. It’s brilliant to see some of the old regular structures from previous Heroes games and recreated in 3D.
85
GamePro
Hardly a turn passes in the game where you aren't faced with a potentially crucial decision, making for addictive, "just one more turn" strategy gaming at its best. And the best Heroes game since "HOMM III."
85
Worth Playing
Regardless of these minor concerns, HoMM V is a shining example of how a turn-based strategy should be executed, and will no doubt set the standard for generations of the genre to come.
85
Digital Entertainment News
I came to this series knowing not what lay ahead. Imagine my surprise when I found a beautifully crafted fantasy realm that reminded me both of the Disciples series and the more recent Warcraft III.
84
eToychest
Heroes of Might and Magic V is certainly a good game, but it's flawed. That said, fans of the series, as well as those who simply enjoy turn-based strategy, will definitely enjoy it.
83
Game Informer
Complaints and rough spots aside, this is a very solid and enjoyable effort. [July 2006, p.111]
83
The New York Times
Like the gameplay, the story also picks up, mainly because of an ingenious structure in which it is told not from the perspective of one hero but from the points of view of consecutive protagonists.
82
PC Format
A good sequel that's faithful to its forebears in all the right places. [July 2006, p.98]
82
GameSpot
Skeptical Heroes fans, as well as anyone looking for a fun, long-lasting turn-based strategy game, will likely be pleasantly surprised by this one.
82
Jolt Online Gaming UK
V. With its beautiful fantasy graphics and huge amounts of depth, Heroes is back from the dead and ready for the next generation of RTS role players.
80
PC Zone UK
Truthfully, HOMMV is better in every department than its predecessor. It's grittier, funnier, prettier, more accessible, more strategic and rammed full of multiplayer goodness.
80
GameBiz
Heroes V brings all Heroes fans back to their origins as the game builds on all of the series' past experiences to make a truly epic game. Days of campaigning is involved in beating Heroes V, and RTS fans will most definitely feel that their money has been well invested.
80
GameZone
Heroes of Might and Magic has always been about strategy in a board-game setting, where players take their time making decisions on each turn. Building up a huge army, amassing tons of money and resources and beating those pesky enemy heroes is what it’s all about. People new to the Heroes’ universe who enjoy a good strategy game should definitely give this one a try, as well.
80
Eurogamer
It's not a great leap forward for gaming; but in terms of reassurance and welcome traditionalism, it's a small step for cosiness.
80
Games Radar (in-house)
The long wait is now over: our gaping mouths declared it officially worth it after seeing the startlingly gorgeous Heroes world.
80
RewiredMind
A credit to the series, a huge improvement on the previous title and a game you should definitely try if you like strategy games. In fact, it’s probably worth a try even if you DON’T like strategy games.
80
Game Over Online
There isn’t anything new here, but the format works as well as ever, and the 30 campaign missions are good for over 60 hours of playing time.
80
Sydney Morning Herald
The lovingly detailed graphics can be rotated and zoomed, but the core game mechanics remain intact.
80
GamerFeed
Still, regardless of what might be missing, or the overall lack of anything incredibly new and unexpected, Heroes of Might and Magic V is still a very addictive game that easily sucks players in with its strategic gameplay. When you get right down to it, this is still HOMM, and it's still great.
80
VideoGamer
Graphically light years ahead of everything else in the turn-based genre and is easily on a par with the best looking real-time strategy games, such as "Dawn of War."
80
AtomicGamer
The single-player game is fun but manages to end sooner than it should with no possibility for player created campaigns (yet). Multiplayer is also lacking – a play-by-email system would have been a huge help to the game.
78
Gamers' Temple
If you are looking for a fun, relaxing game, with great visuals, you have found it; if you are looking for a challenge, well, take a calculus class, or maybe intermediate accounting.
78
IGN
While I adore the Heroes franchise, I feel that Nival played it a little too safe with this one. After seeing them show so a bit of originality in their other titles, this feels too much like development-by-the-numbers.
76
Games Master UK
While nothing ground-breaking, this is a highly polished and likeable romp that will have the series' hardcore fanbase stroking their beards in delight. [July 2006, p.84]
75
GameCritics
Is HOMMV a good game? Absolutely. Is it essentially the exact same game as HOMMIV was? Oh yes.
74
PC Gamer
And, unfortunately, despite extra time on the grill, Heroes V's ribs are tasty, but still a bit undercooked. [Aug 2006, p.48]
74
PC Gamer UK
Nice looking, moderately rewarding. [July 2006, p.78]
70
games(TM)
Heroes Of Might And Magic V has sufficient appeal to become an entry level into the genre for the mainstream player, at the price of not quite having sufficient subtlety and depth to completely satisfy its natural target audience: the lesser spotted geek. [July 2006, p.128]
70
Total Video Games
For fans of the series Nival has achieved the ultimate courtesy in that HOMMV retains that same spirit of its 3DO predecessors, but with a visual upgrade, and should put this revamped franchise in good stead for future instalments.
70
GameSpy
On one hand, you can't ignore the game's various shortcomings, the lack of editing tools and failing multiplayer. But on the other hand, it's hard to dismiss a game that eats up late night hours faster than G-String Diva reruns on HBO, leaving you desperate to finish a campaign mission at 3AM before you pass out.
70
Yahoo! Games
The biggest failing of Heroes V, which you can almost anticipate from its emphasis on looking so good, is that it's stingy with information.
68
WHAM! Gaming
A decent but pretty run-of-the-mill RPG.
67
Game Revolution
On the other hand, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and New World Computing should be very flattered indeed. Despite how derivative it is, Heroes of Might and Magic V is still a good, addictive game. It just isn’t a very new one.
66
Cheat Code Central
This might be the last kick at the can for M&M but unless it can offer something more than some new graphics and a few new features, I can’t say I would be looking forward to the sixth version.
60
G4 TV
Good looks and tactical high jinks aside, it's tough to recommend HoMM5 with a mere ten skirmish maps, no map editor (for shame!), and a barrel of bugs, e.g. random desktop crashes, missions that "break" if you perform certain tasks out of order, heroes that attack through castle walls, incorrect initiative bar tallies in battle, etc.
60
Computer Games Magazine
While Heroes V might be a hard game to hate, it's also a hard game to love. [Sept. 2006, p.61]
50
1UP
While HOMM5 retains much that fans once cherished about this series, its imaginative yet hamstrung shift to 3D, poor A.I., clunky interface, stingy multiplayer maps, and intimidating bug list render what could have been the rebirth of a phenomenal strategy game merely an average rehash.
Dawid K. gave it a9: Jeffrey P. gave it a0: Sebastian C. gave it a3: Nina Aase gave it a10: Humanophage gave it an8: D. Wills gave it a5: R Nagle gave it a5: |
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