Clash of Heroes HD Released Today

[Blackbird]

Hey everyone. I'm going to take a moment to do a shameless plug for a game I like. It's called Heroes of Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, and it just came out today for XBox Live and PSN. As the name implies, it is set in the Heroes of Might and Magic universe. Technically, this game is a prequel to Heroes of Might and Magic V. Those of you who have played HoMM V will recognize a few familiar heroes. However, I would categorize this game a spinoff, because this game has a completely different tone than the classic series, and also plays quite differently.

I was extremely skeptical when this game came out for the DS, however, after playing it, I was pleased to discover that my fears were unfounded. This is an extremely fun game in it's own right if you appreciate it for it's own merits. It's a combination of a puzzle game and a strategy rpg. You perform match-3 combos to create attack formations. A lot of people like to compare it to Puzzle Quest. The HD version is essentially an enhanced port for XBox and PS3. It completely revamps the graphics, improves multiplayer accessibility, and tweaks some gameplay elements for balance. Regarding the level of challenge/difficulty, I found this game to be extremely easy, however, I also own the speed-running record for the DS version of this game, so maybe I'm just really good at it =P. Some people found the DS version quite challenging.

See more information/trailers here:

Trailer and Screenshots
Raw Gameplay Footage

Please support Capy Studios by purchasing this game if it looks interesting to you. They are small indie studio out of Toronto staffed with cool people, and I'd like to see them continue to make cool games like this.

[guigui]

I did had a lot of fun out of Puzzle Quest (and even its sequels Galactrix and PQ2) for the DS.
Does this one have that "shining force" feeling in the plot that will make me love it ?

[Blackbird]

I haven't played Shining Force yet, so I couldn't say. The plot of this game is pretty straightforward RPG fare, with mostly obvious good guys and bad guys. I didn't find the plot especially memorable, but the characters have their moments. I recommend this game for the gameplay first, other stuff second.

[guigui]

Ok, 1200 MSP is the price ?

[Blackbird]

Looking around, I believe the price is $14.99 US Dollars.

[antares]

I loved the DS game, finished it within a few days last year. Totally addicting.

But I'm not sure if there is any reason to buy it again on XBLA. I mean it's still the same just new graphics, right?
Lets say if they made a new Story mode that is twice as long as the DS game I'd buy it instanly.

[Blackbird]

Yeah, I don't think the original gameplay has changed much.

The main changes were:

- Changed graphics to HD hand-drawn animation. I like pixel art and art is subjective, so I can't really say it's an "upgrade", in the sense that it makes the original artwork obsolete. The new art is very good though.

- Multiplayer over PSN and XBox Live. This could be compelling, because it was next to impossible to find multiplayer opponents on the DS version. This should make multiplayer much more accessible.

I think the big draw will be for those people who do not own a DS and wanted to try this game on a system they already own. Additionally, it will also be a nice treat to view this game on a large television, as opposed to a tiny portable screen.

[BulletMagnet]

I wanted to love the DS edition, and conceptually-speaking I did, but I found the system a bit too luck-based for my liking: a good or bad shuffle of units for yourself or the enemy could easily end up deciding the match. Granted, you're not sent back much at all when you lose, but it's still frustrating. Supposedly the downloadable version has been rebalanced a bit, but I see the problem as a more fundamental (perhaps unavoidable) negative side effect of the overall structure...well, trying the demo couldn't hurt.

[Blackbird]

Yeah, I've heard that criticism too. I personally never found it insurmountable when you got a bad draw, but it can make a battle harder than it needs to be.

[Ganelon]

This game has a lot of variation in opponents. Too bad I can't stand the kiddy artwork (which seems to be slightly better in HD form). A different draw can be the difference from killing an enemy in 5 min. or being forced to have entrenched defenses.

No clue what "Shining Force" feel means (you do jump from world to world with no way of backtracking, but as different characters). Unfortunately, some of those characters are more interesting in others. And it does stick with cartoony characters throughout.

I think the mechanics are fun and will get it anyway, hoping to see a real M&M sequel down the line. From the trailer, it looks like PSN is the main platform?

[neorichieb1971]

will have a look at this. Looks rather interesting.

[guigui]

No clue what "Shining Force" feel means (you do jump from world to world with no way of backtracking, but as different characters). Unfortunately, some of those characters are more interesting in others. And it does stick with cartoony characters throughout.

Well, Shining Force feel is just my childhood feeling, just have a bunch of character to level up, some of them you love, some of them you dont, and follow a largely moral plot.

I tried the demo for this game and was disappointed by the artwork and plot. Combat system seems nice though, as well as evolution possibilty. I missed this game for the DS and think I'll get it for that system ; when I turn on the big console, I like to get a game packed with action !

[Blackbird]

Yeah, the plot is pretty straightforward... follow each of the five heroes in individual campaigns as they each deal with a relatively local problem, then at the end they all team up to fight the big bad. It's kind of like Dragon Quest in that regard.

I actually kind of like the Saturday morning cartoons look, if only because it appears they executed well in that style, and it's a style that isn't represented very often at all in games.

If you prefer a more classic look, then I recommend the DS version instead. It uses sprites that pleasantly remind me of 16-bit gaming.

I do agree with you on the "sequel" but, though - it might be better to simply ignore the Might and Magic part and think of this as it's own game, because it is very different in mechanics and tone. Only the setting and a few characters remain, really. HoMM will be getting a true sequel eventually - HoMM 6 has been announced at least. We can only hope that it turns out to be as good a game as it's predecessors (and doesn't get cancelled, lol).

[Super Laydock]

I kinda blindly bought this..........

Capy also brought us Critter Crunch, which is why I just needed to try it. (still have to btw, so can't comment on quality or the game itself....).

Will comment on it once I played it.

[auryn]

*** kind of spoiler alert ***

I'm slightly stuck on the first battle of the final area, where the enemy blows up the 2nd and 3rd row every two turns. I'm trying to use magic but doesn't seem charge up fast enough. Anybody have any tactics for that battle?

[Blackbird]

It's a wave of fire right? If I recall correctly, you can use Ghosts in that battle, and the Ghosts are immune to the flames while they are charging. As such, you should probably use only Ghosts and core units for that battle.

[auryn]

thanks for the tip, I just managed to get through by defending and spamming magic attacks... great game btw

[Ruldra]

Anyone here got the PS3 version? I'm considering buying the game when PSN goes back up and it'd be nice to play with/against a fellow member.

[Super Laydock]

I've had plenty of time to play the campaign mode of this because of the PSN outage, and though I have some complaints, the game has really grown on me.
My complaints are mainly the somewhat long loading times in between sequences/scenes (though when I am "in" I notice them less, because some battles last more than 10 mins anyway.)
Also as said before, the "luck" factor can be annoying as you'll never know how the result of adding troops will be.
But I consider this part of the the game which is out of your hands. Sometimes you have to accept certain random stuff, and the fact that you can't control everything.

All in all i think this is a solid buy, providing literally (if only because of the length of some battles) tens of hours of gameplay. That and production values are great.

Anyone here got the PS3 version? I'm considering buying the game when PSN goes back up and it'd be nice to play with/against a fellow member.

Yup, I am playing on PS3. Hit me up with a friend request or something when PSN is back up.
You can find my PSN nick in the appropriate section.

[Blackbird]

The devs have acknowledged that the load times can be distracting. I can't say for sure that they will reduce the load time, but I suspect that it's in the works.

[Ruldra]

I heard there's a bug that wipes out your online stats every time you log off. Because of that you won't be able to get all the artifacts. The devs are aware of this but not sure if they're gonna fix it.

[MadScientist]

Anyone here got the PS3 version? I'm considering buying the game when PSN goes back up and it'd be nice to play with/against a fellow member.

Yep. Fortunately I think this should work better than that time we tried to play SF IV together.

[Mischief Maker]

I loved it at first, but after a while the balance problems just became gamebreakers for me. I was so sick of battling through the elf chick's overpowered unicorn barriers and managing to get her down to half-health, only for her to instantly pull out the 75 damage sniper shot and wipe me out in one blow.

[Blackbird]

Yeah, Elves were even more hax in the DS version =). You have to manage the AI's mana somewhat carefully.

[Ruldra]

Finally bought the game and I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm still playing through campaign and figuring out strategies, but after that I'll start challenging people here (looks at MadScientist).

Any suggestions on how to counter a defensive Anwen player? I've been playing with my brother and winning, but once he picked Anwen I couldn't win no matter what. His tactic is basically spam walls all over the place while charging treants behind them.