Heroes of Might and Magic Game by 3DO, but converted to GBC by KnowWonder Reviewed by Jesse Watson gobez@minot.com Size: 8 megabits (that's ONE megaBYTE, but it's heavily compressed) Save: Thank God is uses a battery (three save slots). Score one for KnowWonder Released: Like yesterday. June 20-something 2000 Works with: Just Game Boy Color (score two for KnowWonder!) **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: What could possibly go wrong while converting this game? Changes, that's what. I mean, they could've taken the save out. Hey, stupider things have happened. Or they could have added password save. Or, God forbid, turned it into a real-time strategy game (which is what I was expecting). During this games development, I prayed fervently that it would turn out right. Were my prayers in vain? You'll find out. (But to make it easy on you, no, they weren't in vain.) **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: This is good old Heroes of Might and Magic, guys. The gameplay, largely, is ALL HERE, crammed into an 8 meg cartridge by the folks at KnowWonder. They have IMPRESSED ME! I'm very pleased with how this turned out. You know what? This isn't really above and beyond the call of duty, I mean you're not going to be floored, but the fact that they actually did the conversion without screwing something up or changes things all over the place is a MIRACLE OF CHIRST! Praise the Lord with waving and shouting, because Game Boy Color FINALLY has a turn-based strategy game, guys. (See editor's note.) This game will be quite easily played by anyone who knows the game on the PC. I just got it today and I'm already cruising around like I designed it. Good job on the interface with limited buttons and screen space. But if you've never played a Heroes game before, read the manual (which is hefty for a Game Boy game), and be prepared to struggle a bit at first, but it'll be worth it if you like strategy games! Trust me! Liked: Guys, it's ALL FRIGGIN' HERE! All the gameplay basics of the PC game! Oh my gosh! They actually did a GREAT conversion. I can't really find much to complain about. It even saves your high scores!! Hated: Well I don't HATE anything about it--hate is such a strong word--but the fact that it lacks a campaign mode kinda irks me. Oh well. But there are lots of scenarios, like 35 or so, and they're pretty random. A campaign mode and random map generator would have been nice... The other complaint is that the learning curve will be a bit steep for newbies, and it will be kind of arcane and cryptic to figure out. But like I said, it's worth it. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Uh... They had to cut corners somewhere. I can take it. It's not that bad. What's here is VERY fuctional and works well, and it will grow on me. I can tell my units apart, buildings apart, I can wander the map easily. It might not floor ya (okay, it WON'T floor ya), but they done good. Good enough, anyway. :-) Liked: It may be small and not flashy, but it works! :-) And I actually like it. Hated: Nothing amazing here. They spent time on gameplay, not figuring out how to squeeze lots of beauty out the system. And I'm glad they did, cause the gameplay is what counts here, not flash. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Not bad, actually, but not great either. The music is pretty well composed (really well, actually), but the sound engine is kinda old and flakey. It's definitely pretty much the standard tinkly Game Boy sound engine. Think of the Ultima Runes of Virute music. It's like that. The sound effects are fine, but again, make your jaw hit the B button. Liked: Similar to the graphics, the sound effects and music are good enough... Hated: ...but not jaw dropping. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: This game is actually really intuitive. You won't do much by accident, and once you get the interface figured out, you're clear. It took me about 10 minutes, although I can't speak for people who aren't familiar with the series. Read the manual, guys. Kinda tough, actually, but I guess that's all right. It's not REALLY tough, just kinda tough. In a fair way. Er... :-) Liked: Everything works exactly like it should. Not much to complain about here. Good use of limited screen space, limited buttons, etc. Hated: Well... Like I've said 800 times, nothing jaw-dropping, just good, solid stuff. **************************************************************************** Improve: Add in a campaign game, random map generator, more heroes, enemies, STUFF, rewards for finishing scenarios, MORE scenarios, better graphics, better sound, some stuff that will amaze and dazzle us and draw the mainstream masses to the game, etc etc etc. I really want a sequel. I mean, they did pretty much everything they could with limited time and resources. It's obvious KnowWonder cared about a faithful conversion when most companies would have just done a crappy one and shoved it out the door for a quick profit. I want a sequel! They could spruce all sorts of stuff up. Get on it right away, boys! Chop chop! And then when Game Boy Advance comes out, I expect a THIRD sequel at the systems launch!! :-) Now THAT could kick! RIYL: ANY kind of turn-based strategy, or even real-time strategy (although this is a slow, thinking man's game, definitely.) The only other games like it on Game Boy are the Nobunaga's Ambition series, and they're extremely lame compared to this (they feel like graphing calculator games compared to this). I guess Warlocked is going to be pretty cool, but that's real-time strategy (although I hear it's not as frantic as the PC stuff, yay). **************************************************************************** Final Words: THANK GOD for this game. Now I just want a sequel where they can improve in other areas now that they have the gameplay nailed. That's where they spent their time--on gameplay--and that's why this game rocks. Portable strategy gaming has NEVER been better. Trust me on this. Get into the game, and you'll like it. I wanted to give this game higher than an 84%, but since the graphics and sound aren't exactly top-notch, there was no way around it. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: 5 stars baby!!! it's all good! Graphics: 3 stars because it's totally functional, but not amazing. Sound/Music: 3 stars and ditto Play Control/Game Design: 5 stars here, too, because what's here rocks, and what's missing isn't too detracting Personal Opinion: 5 stars because I'm going to be spending lots of time with this game. Total: 21 Final Score: 84% I would have liked to have made this number higher, because I consider this game a must-have for strategy fans... I tried to go easy on the game because of that. It just needs more stuff to really please me. But what can we expect? This isn't a high-budget Nintendo title, it's done by a small company that specializes in educational games. Companies just don't invest in their GBC projects usually, so we should just be DANG HAPPY that we got this! **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Geez, I dunno. Editor's Note: You mean.. the Game Boy finally got a GOOD one. ;) Oh, that company "KnowWonder" is working on Crusaders of Might and Magic GBC. I got to play the demo at E3 and it was good. The demo had two endings. One with you still in Prison, and one where you escape. The game was REALLY early and you could move anywhere and there weren't any enemies. Oh, a Might and Magic sequel? Well, let's just say that the good ol' people at KnowWonder are three steps ahead of you...