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Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective
Join in on an informative, exciting, and whimsical oversized full-color hardcover volume chronicling thirty years of the beloved fantasy strategy franchise, Heroes of Might and Magic!
When New World Computing released the original Heroes of Might and Magic in 1995, players were elated to take control of bold heroes who led vast armies composed of creatures from modest peasants to fearsome Black Dragons. In the decades that followed, the games have only become more ambitious, featuring thrilling narratives, unforgettable art, and iconic gameplay. Now, readers can learn the secrets behind the development of each main game in the definitive turn-based strategy series through never-before seen art, documentation, and interviews with key members of the creative teams.
The Heroes of Might and 30th Anniversary Retrospective takes fans of fantasy, turn-based strategy, and nostalgic gaming on an expansive expedition down the heroes’ path and beyond. Explore the storied history of one of gaming’s most fondly remembered series!
When New World Computing released the original Heroes of Might and Magic in 1995, players were elated to take control of bold heroes who led vast armies composed of creatures from modest peasants to fearsome Black Dragons. In the decades that followed, the games have only become more ambitious, featuring thrilling narratives, unforgettable art, and iconic gameplay. Now, readers can learn the secrets behind the development of each main game in the definitive turn-based strategy series through never-before seen art, documentation, and interviews with key members of the creative teams.
The Heroes of Might and 30th Anniversary Retrospective takes fans of fantasy, turn-based strategy, and nostalgic gaming on an expansive expedition down the heroes’ path and beyond. Explore the storied history of one of gaming’s most fondly remembered series!
192 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 26, 2025
This book is weird. It is probably ad for long-term fans of the series to check the new game.
There are plenty fun facts and interviews with the developers, but they don't go beoynd the top level. You probably won't learn a lot about the series itself from the book, you won't read about all these endless "which Heroes are better?" discussions.
Since the book is done for promoting Ubisoft game - it barely touches Ubisoft mismanagement of franchise. It does a bit, but there are much more information that is available online.
That is the sad part - the book could be much better than that.
If you like Might&Magic franchise - it worth checking out.
There are plenty fun facts and interviews with the developers, but they don't go beoynd the top level. You probably won't learn a lot about the series itself from the book, you won't read about all these endless "which Heroes are better?" discussions.
Since the book is done for promoting Ubisoft game - it barely touches Ubisoft mismanagement of franchise. It does a bit, but there are much more information that is available online.
That is the sad part - the book could be much better than that.
If you like Might&Magic franchise - it worth checking out.
December 23, 2025
It is unfair to this book that I read it digitally, but I am glad to read people write and speak passionately about their work. Really emphasizes the community engendered by these games and stories.
December 31, 2025
The book is beautiful and deserves to be consumed in all it's hard cover glory. The full colour art used both hand drawn and pulled from in game is a feast. The gallery chapter at the end is a wonderful addition.
The author went to a lot of trouble to interview as many people as he could across the history of the franchise who had a hand in creating these games that are so near and dear to many of us.
The cold fact is that greedy developers ruined HoMM, but since they still hold the IP, there is little more than a shrug and "they did what they thought was best, even if in the long run it wasn't" type of review of how Ubisoft steered the series.
The author went to a lot of trouble to interview as many people as he could across the history of the franchise who had a hand in creating these games that are so near and dear to many of us.
The cold fact is that greedy developers ruined HoMM, but since they still hold the IP, there is little more than a shrug and "they did what they thought was best, even if in the long run it wasn't" type of review of how Ubisoft steered the series.
May 5, 2026
The four stars is for nostalgia. That is what kept me from making it a three star review. I liked learning the history about the game. The history through New World Computing and 3DO grabbed my attention. I admit I played nothing after Heroes III. I've read not so great reviews of everything that comes after that game. That made the latter sections interesting to learn what was going on behind the scenes. Did not encourage me to try anything after Heroes III.
What kept it going to a five was a few obvious misses on editing. Around page 59 four paragraphs were repeated. In another place, the word was supposed to be "well" and instead was "will". It took me a couple passes to realize my brain was putting the correct word in when the page said something else.
My other ding keeping it from going to a five was the gallery section. I would have appreciated a... timeline of the graphics. As someone playing the first Heroes (nostalgia) game again, the graphics are... lacking for this day and age. Still, a history starting with the first game and ending with their last game, showing how the factions evolved over time would have been great. I forgot Hydras were part of the Warlock's castle in the first. By the third, they were in Fortress. Minotaurs were Warlock and went to Dungeon. Instead, the artwork was mostly from Heroes V. I thought the art was great, yet too focused on one game for a book that covers the history of the game.
What kept it going to a five was a few obvious misses on editing. Around page 59 four paragraphs were repeated. In another place, the word was supposed to be "well" and instead was "will". It took me a couple passes to realize my brain was putting the correct word in when the page said something else.
My other ding keeping it from going to a five was the gallery section. I would have appreciated a... timeline of the graphics. As someone playing the first Heroes (nostalgia) game again, the graphics are... lacking for this day and age. Still, a history starting with the first game and ending with their last game, showing how the factions evolved over time would have been great. I forgot Hydras were part of the Warlock's castle in the first. By the third, they were in Fortress. Minotaurs were Warlock and went to Dungeon. Instead, the artwork was mostly from Heroes V. I thought the art was great, yet too focused on one game for a book that covers the history of the game.
June 23, 2026
Świetnie spisane dzieje jednej z najważniejszych serii gier końcówki XX wieku. Mnóstwo wywiadów z twórcami, ciekawostek i cudownych grafik z gier, i szkiców koncepcyjnych.
Autor skupia się na spisaniu faktów z życia twórców poszczególnych odsłon serii Might and Magic oraz Heroes of Might and Magic, które przyczyniły się do tego jaki ostateczny produkt otrzymywaliśmy przez ostatnie 30 lat. Szkoda jedynie, że historia każdej odsłony była przytoczona tylko powierzchownie. O ile lepszym doświadczeniem (pełnym nostalgii i radości) byłoby przypomnienie dokładnej historii każdej gry z serii, tak aby w pełni ponownie przeżyć magię "Hirołsów". Ale to być może materiał na kolejną książkę. :)
Polskie wydanie od Gamebook jest po prostu idealne! Świetnej jakości papier, bardzo żywe kolory i znakomita jakość wydruku oraz szyta książka w twardej oprawie. Przyjemnie się ją czyta, a także patrzy na nią, kiedy przyozdabia domową biblioteczkę.
Autor skupia się na spisaniu faktów z życia twórców poszczególnych odsłon serii Might and Magic oraz Heroes of Might and Magic, które przyczyniły się do tego jaki ostateczny produkt otrzymywaliśmy przez ostatnie 30 lat. Szkoda jedynie, że historia każdej odsłony była przytoczona tylko powierzchownie. O ile lepszym doświadczeniem (pełnym nostalgii i radości) byłoby przypomnienie dokładnej historii każdej gry z serii, tak aby w pełni ponownie przeżyć magię "Hirołsów". Ale to być może materiał na kolejną książkę. :)
Polskie wydanie od Gamebook jest po prostu idealne! Świetnej jakości papier, bardzo żywe kolory i znakomita jakość wydruku oraz szyta książka w twardej oprawie. Przyjemnie się ją czyta, a także patrzy na nią, kiedy przyozdabia domową biblioteczkę.
February 1, 2026
It was rewarding to get an insight into the people that developed the games/franchise that have been with me all my life. I would have preferred a longer book with more artwork and interviews but I enjoyed what was included.
May 30, 2026
Speaking as an old school Heroes fan, this anniversary book is an incredible treat for the eye and soul. Pure perfection.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews