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After ten years of dormancy, the turn-based strategy franchise that defined an entire generation of PC gaming is finally making its triumphant return, and what we’ve experienced so far suggests this might not just be a revival but potentially the definitive entry in the series.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era arrives at a fascinating crossroads in gaming history. The original 1995 release fundamentally shaped how millions of players think about tactical combat, resource management, and fantasy world exploration. Yet the franchise has been collecting dust under Ubisoft’s umbrella for a decade, leaving dedicated fans to sustain themselves on mods and nostalgic replays of the beloved third installment. Developer Unfrozen has stepped into this vacuum with what can only be described as a passion project elevated to professional excellence, and our extensive hands-on time with behind-closed-doors builds reveals a game that understands exactly what made this series magical while boldly pushing into modern territory.
A demo so massive it feels like early access
Something remarkable happened when Olden Era dropped its free Steam demo during the October Next Fest. Rather than offering a brief taste designed to leave players hungry for more, Unfrozen essentially handed out what feels like a substantial portion of a complete game. The numbers speak volumes about what they’ve accomplished. Players have logged upwards of 200 hours in this free trial, exploring procedurally generated maps, experimenting with faction combinations, and diving into multiple game modes without hitting any artificial walls.
Denis Fedorov, CEO of Unfrozen, attributes this extraordinary engagement to one key feature. The random map generator creates virtually limitless replayability, allowing players to spend countless hours discovering new strategic possibilities without the experience growing stale. Four playable factions are available in the demo including Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and the newly introduced Schism, with six confirmed for the full release. Each brings distinct playstyles, unique unit rosters, and specialized mechanics that reward deep exploration.
The demo includes Classic mode for traditional map conquest, a focused One-Hero Mode where survival becomes paramount, and an Arena setting that strips away empire management to deliver pure tactical combat. This variety ensures that whether you have ten minutes or ten hours, there’s always something meaningful to accomplish.
Staying faithful while pushing forward
What strikes immediately about Olden Era is how confidently it walks the line between preservation and innovation. Unfrozen clearly studied what made Heroes of Might and Magic III a cult classic that maintains an active competitive scene 25 years after release. The hexagonal battlefield grid returns after being replaced by rectangles in recent entries. The core loop of exploring fantasy landscapes, gathering resources, building settlements, recruiting mythological armies, and clashing in tactical battles remains intact and deeply satisfying.
Yet the studio hasn’t simply recreated past glories. Secondary abilities now activate for units when energy meters fill during combat, adding layers of tactical consideration. Graverobbers can summon skeletons mid-battle. Dungeon units shift between combat stances. Sylvan Druids cast spells rivaling those of beginner heroes. These additions create decision points that didn’t exist before without overwhelming the fundamental accessibility that made the series approachable.
Faction Laws represent another significant evolution. These unique modifiers allow players to customize how their chosen civilization operates, affecting economy, creature statistics, and core gameplay mechanics. Enacting new laws becomes a strategic consideration whenever visiting your castle, creating meaningful choices that ripple throughout entire campaigns.
The visual presentation deserves special mention. Unfrozen opted for a painterly aesthetic rather than attempting to recreate the pixel art nostalgia of earlier installments. Town interiors come alive as structures rise and develop. Battlefields feel appropriately epic when hydras clash with phoenixes while arcane energies crackle overhead. The developers even responded to community feedback about visual preferences by implementing multiple color modes, allowing players to adjust vibrancy and saturation to match their tastes.
Transparency as a development philosophy
Perhaps most impressive is how Unfrozen approaches the relationship between developer and community. The demo that launched during Steam Next Fest wasn’t a static promotional slice. It continues receiving updates based on player feedback, essentially functioning as a preliminary early access period before the official early access begins. Problems identified by the community get addressed. Balance concerns receive attention. The game visibly improves in real time.
Fedorov has been explicit about learning from this process. Player feedback revealed the need for adjustable difficulty options. Casual players who prefer exploring narratives at a relaxed pace will find easier settings waiting for them. Competitive veterans demanding aggressive, intelligent AI opponents will get exactly that challenge. This willingness to listen rather than dictate demonstrates a studio that genuinely cares about serving its audience rather than imposing a singular vision.
The philosophy extends to quality-of-life considerations that respect player time. While Unfrozen clearly takes pride in combat animations and visual flourishes, speed options let those who prioritize efficiency accelerate through familiar sequences. Autobattle functions allow players focused on exploration and story to skip encounters against weaker opponents. These aren’t compromises to the core experience but acknowledgments that different players value different aspects of the genre.
Competing against a new king
Olden Era doesn’t enter an empty market. During the franchise’s decade of absence, Songs of Conquest emerged to capture the devotion of turn-based strategy enthusiasts hungry for exactly this type of experience. That game built its own identity with features like terrain elevation affecting combat and intricate flanking mechanics. Unfrozen must prove that returning to the throne warrants displacing the current occupant.
Interestingly, the studio consciously avoided certain complexity additions specifically because they felt too divergent from the series identity. Flat battlefields remain the standard. Backstabbing and flanking mechanics weren’t implemented. Combat stays relatively straightforward at its foundation while depth emerges through hero abilities, spell synergies, unit compositions, and artifact combinations. This philosophy argues that complexity should arise from mastering interconnected systems rather than moment-to-moment tactical granularity.
Whether this approach resonates more than alternatives depends entirely on individual preferences. What cannot be denied is Unfrozen’s clarity of purpose. They know precisely what type of experience they’re crafting and whom they’re crafting it for.
The weight of legacy
Paul Romero, one of the original composers whose music became inseparable from the franchise’s identity, returns to score Olden Era alongside Cris Velasco, known for his work on God of War, Starcraft II, and Mass Effect. The Heroes Orchestra, beloved for performing series compositions in concert halls worldwide, contributes orchestral arrangements. This attention to auditory authenticity signals how seriously Unfrozen treats the responsibility of continuing such a storied legacy.
The narrative unfolds on Jadame, a continent referenced but never explored in previous entries. Setting the game as a prequel grants creative freedom while maintaining canonical connections for lore enthusiasts. Six factions vie for dominance across this mystical realm, each commanding armies of warriors and magical creatures with distinct combat profiles and thematic identities.
Temple fields armored knights championing order. Necropolis commands undead legions where vampires and liches drain life to fuel their unholy advances. Sylvan draws upon nature spirits and forest guardians. Dungeon unleashes fire-breathing dragons and subterranean horrors. The Hive introduces insectoid swarms serving an Inferno demon lord. A sixth faction remains mysteriously unrevealed, presumably saved for dramatic impact closer to launch.
Early access expectations
Unfrozen and publishers Hooded Horse and Ubisoft pushed the early access release to 2026, prioritizing polish over haste. The full launch will follow at an unspecified later date. During the early access period, players can expect the addition of at least one more faction alongside new modes, features, and continuous updates based on community engagement.
This measured approach reflects confidence in the foundation already established. The demo’s staggering engagement validates that confidence. Over one million Steam wishlists accumulated before the game even entered paid availability speaks to genuine anticipation rather than manufactured hype.
The game graced the cover of PC Gamer’s Christmas issue and featured prominently in the anniversary edition of Czech magazine SCORE, where developers discussed franchise history and future ambitions. Media attention of this caliber rarely accompanies indie or mid-tier releases, yet Olden Era occupies a unique space bridging passionate independent development with AAA franchise recognition.
Should you dive into the demo now
Absolutely. Without reservation or qualification. The free Steam demo offers an experience substantial enough that many full-priced releases would envy its content density. Whether you grew up conquering fantasy realms in the late 1990s or you’ve never experienced what made turn-based strategy so captivating during its golden age, Olden Era provides an ideal entry point.
Veterans will recognize the soul of their beloved classics refined for modern sensibilities. Newcomers encounter an accessible yet deeply strategic system that rewards both casual exploration and competitive mastery. The random map generator ensures no two campaigns play identically. Multiple factions invite experimentation with dramatically different approaches. Arena mode delivers immediate tactical satisfaction for those lacking time for full campaign commitments.
After spending double-digit hours with exclusive builds and interviewing the passionate team bringing this project to life, anticipation for the early access launch has only intensified. Unfrozen clearly understands both the privilege and burden of reviving something this meaningful to so many players. Their guiding principle that this franchise belongs to everyone suggests they’re building not just for nostalgic veterans but for the next generation of strategy enthusiasts waiting to discover why Heroes of Might and Magic earned its legendary status.
The question now is simple: will Olden Era merely satisfy existing fans, or will it transcend nostalgia to establish itself as the definitive entry in a 30-year legacy?
