Heroes of Might & Magic III - HD Edition

 PC
User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 233
  3. Negative: 111 out of 233

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. GarmZandor
    Jan 30, 2015
    0
    Only 15 years old game, that actually was downgraded to beta-version:

    - Only 7 Restoration of Erathia (RoE) campaigns available, while 6 from Armageddons Blade, 7 from Shadow of Death and 8 from Chronicles are missing - No random map generator, thus no replayability and as extension - no competitive games - Map editor in RoE lacks critical functionality, like dwellings linked to    Only 15 years old game, that actually was downgraded to beta-version:

    - Only 7 Restoration of Erathia (RoE) campaigns available, while 6 from Armageddons Blade, 7 from Shadow of Death and 8 from Chronicles are missing
    - No random map generator, thus no replayability and as extension - no competitive games
    - Map editor in RoE lacks critical functionality, like dwellings linked to certain town, so when town is picked, dwelling of selected level and according faction will be spawned
    - No compatibility with all content since 2000 besides some RoE fan made maps - no HotA/WoG/Era and other mods, no AB/SoD maps, no fanmade bugfixes
    - HD edition is missing gameplay mechanics like revisiting objects without moving, moats, permanent border gates and many more
    - No promised steam lobby - steamworks just acts like VPN/Hamachi and you are still forced to use ingame lobby
    - Incredible amount of bugs in addition to old ones from original game
    - Huge performance problems (fps, mouse cursor lag)
    - Graphics became actually worse - blurry, more saturated with sharp edges. Materials are not recognizable anymore, everything looks like plastic. Animations, looks like lost half of frames. Missing graphical details, like flying dragons over cliffs or faceless pikemen. Most of creature's icons / sprites now contain anatomical and perspective mistakes.
    - Cheats works in multiplayer
    - Absolutely no improvements in the game balance / mechanics / UI / AI    … Expand
  2. Lordgrey
    Jan 29, 2015
    1
    Hahaha...HD? Nooo..this is just a some kind of cheap cosmetical remastered mod for 15$ Ubisoft-bravo! Dont buy this commercial useless trash. If you love heroes- play old good Heroes 3 complete from GOG with all addons and RMG, and enjoy.
  3. Auger
    Jan 29, 2015
    2
    Vanilla only and FPS dropes. Thx, Ubisoft, keep it up, so we can hate you more and more. There is nothing more to say, but my review must be at least 150 characters long.
  4. briefer
    Jan 29, 2015
    0
    Just a cash grab from Ubisoft. Basic Heroes III without expansions, without custom maps, without online matches. And its more expensive then complete edition you can get in GoG or boxed in any game stores. I bet soon they will release expansion for another 15e each.
  5. Scritty
    Nov 16, 2016
    2
    Why all the love for this being playable on an Ipad? This is specifically, and bannered quite clearly as a review of the PC version of the game. It's not even as if you get the Ipad version free if you buy the PC version, they are completely different products. The choice is simple. You can buy this, less than half a game with some HD sprites that look marginally better (marginally). ORWhy all the love for this being playable on an Ipad? This is specifically, and bannered quite clearly as a review of the PC version of the game. It's not even as if you get the Ipad version free if you buy the PC version, they are completely different products. The choice is simple. You can buy this, less than half a game with some HD sprites that look marginally better (marginally). OR go to GoG get the whole game, all expansions, random map generator, fan patches that work with it - and free maps - for less than half the price. That works perfectly well and silky smooth on all operating systems (Win 98 through to Windows 10). Why you would spend twice the money on less than half the game? Who knows. It gets a couple of marks for the base game being as good as it always was. Ubi didn't cock that up - but why they bothered for PC players is beyond me when a much superior and much cheaper version is already available.… Expand
  6. Ehriggn
    Jan 31, 2015
    6
    Works well and looks nice, but shows its age. I was addicted to this game when it came out originally, but now its just too simple to keep me hooked. Far easier than i remember.
  7. Genek13
    Nov 19, 2019
    7
    Remake of best turn base strategy games in history.
    Unfortunatelly major flaw is a lack of DLC's... I know that developer have no acces to source codes of both DLC's but still ... price should be adequate, not a almost full price on premiere.
  8. Kriss_A
    Feb 11, 2015
    1
    UbiSoft trying to cash in on a much beloved game, after they did their best to rape the much beloved franchise.
    Sprites are worse than the original, doesn't come with the expansion packs, the developers of the original game don't see a cent from this.
    It's quite clear Ubisoft just gave some stupid interns the job to redraw some sprites and fix up the netcode to work with steam and    UbiSoft trying to cash in on a much beloved game, after they did their best to rape the much beloved franchise.
    Sprites are worse than the original, doesn't come with the expansion packs, the developers of the original game don't see a cent from this.
    It's quite clear Ubisoft just gave some stupid interns the job to redraw some sprites and fix up the netcode to work with steam and thought they could make a quick buck by dragging the hallowed name of HoMM through the mud.    … Expand
  9. Throutle
    Feb 2, 2015
    0
    UBI killed all graffic style and jewelery work of NWC: automated upscale with very few manual work (as result we have plastic figures which lost many details), missed and displaced frames, and soap
    due filtering. And if it is not to say about optimization, not fixed original bugs, many new, price for not complete edition and so on...
    Much better to buy original game and use fan HD Mod    UBI killed all graffic style and jewelery work of NWC: automated upscale with very few manual work (as result we have plastic figures which lost many details), missed and displaced frames, and soap
    due filtering. And if it is not to say about optimization, not fixed original bugs, many new, price for not complete edition and so on...
    Much better to buy original game and use fan HD Mod than this! In addition you will can run any fan mods in such case...
    BTW: Original HoMM3 10/10, HD HoMM3 on PC 0/10, HD HoMM3 on Android and iOS 3/10 (only for possibility to run them without crutch, and for "improvements" not sot so significantly on small screens).    … Expand
  10. Rarilmar
    Jan 31, 2015
    0
    Shameless resale with cut features like the random map generator and 2 expansions missing...
    For new players just buy the old one that still works on new PCs and it's way better!
  11. EvgenyMikhaylov
    Feb 3, 2015
    2
    Heroes 3 is in mine opinion best game of all time, but this HD reskin is bad joke by Ubisoft. Graphic looks worse than Heroest 3 HD+ fan mode. This so called HD edition dont even have expansion packs.
    Doesn't have autosave!!!
  12. Bethrezen
    Jan 30, 2015
    2
    Minor graphic enhancements at the expense of missing expansions, online matches, random maps and FPS. Play the full game instead. If you buy it, at least buy it from GOG or any other site which sells it cheaper.
  13. HopDop1
    Jan 31, 2015
    0
    I do not recommend this game. The game looks nice, but the performance isn't as good as in the original one. It feels clumsy and it looks like there has been some parts of the animations removed. I especially enjoy the performance and the polishing in older games like this, but in this version i do not get the satisfaction of everything working perfectly. And also the fact that thisI do not recommend this game. The game looks nice, but the performance isn't as good as in the original one. It feels clumsy and it looks like there has been some parts of the animations removed. I especially enjoy the performance and the polishing in older games like this, but in this version i do not get the satisfaction of everything working perfectly. And also the fact that this doesn't have the expansions is a big minus. Sure, i knew it already when i was buying this game that there is only going to be the original game. But still it feels stupid that they did not include the expansions. I have always played this game with the expansions and now when playing without them, it feels like there are a lot of content missing. And what disgusts me, is the idea of the expansions coming later as dlc.

    I really wanted to like this because i have enjoyed so many hours playing the original one. But in a game like this, i don't feel that the most important thing is the good looking hd graphics. For me it is the game itself and how the game performs. In this state of the game i will continue playing my old copy and feeling sad that i wasted 15 euros for this.    … Expand
  14. Dart_Kain
    Feb 2, 2015
    0
    A simple task: to change the texture, but Ubisoft has not coped with this. Eraphia really? No random map generator, tons of bugs in 20 years old game? I bet, that Ubisoft will beat EA this year!
  15. AvatarOfLoKI
    Feb 15, 2015
    0
    Worst. HD. Remake. Ever.

    Yeah, there is nothing much to say: they just downgrade heroes 3 series to one first DLC (Erathia). No map-generator, no custom maps. Only bugs (check the bug-list first patches of old H3 and u will find all those bugs in HD version) and soap, lots of soap!
    Better buy old H3 with even lower price and google HD fan mode. No, rly, Ubisoft's mode is awful
  16. DocentPicolan
    Feb 1, 2015
    0
    Жалкая мыльная поделка от DotEmu не стоит своих 800 рублей, а поддержку HD-разрешений в Героях уже давно реализовали сами пользователи. В до сих пор весьма активном игровом комьюнити "тройки" над этим переизданием народ, в основном, посмеивается — но, на самом деле, поводов для веселья мало. Это, прежде всего, неприятно и ощущается как намеренный плевок в лицо всем ценителям оригинала, сЖалкая мыльная поделка от DotEmu не стоит своих 800 рублей, а поддержку HD-разрешений в Героях уже давно реализовали сами пользователи. В до сих пор весьма активном игровом комьюнити "тройки" над этим переизданием народ, в основном, посмеивается — но, на самом деле, поводов для веселья мало. Это, прежде всего, неприятно и ощущается как намеренный плевок в лицо всем ценителям оригинала, с одной исключительно простой целью — заработать на ностальгии. 0 из 10.… Expand
  17. faceless-1
    Feb 1, 2015
    0
    Heroes 3 is in mine opinion best game of all time, but this HD reskin is bad joke and pure cash in by Ubisoft. FPS drops and graphic looks worse than Heroest 3 HD+ fan mode. This so called HD edition dont even have expansion packs. Stay away from this abomination, Ubisoft is really trying to be the worst game Publisher in the world.
  18. Cablenexus
    Feb 1, 2015
    0
    I cannot believe Critics score is 71 when user score is 35. So much distance between real players and people just want to gain money from players. The same is the fact for this release of Homm3, my favorite game of all time. Thousands of hours I spend with the original one and I really love it.
    This release is not made for fans or players. This release is made for wannabee fans of an    I cannot believe Critics score is 71 when user score is 35. So much distance between real players and people just want to gain money from players. The same is the fact for this release of Homm3, my favorite game of all time. Thousands of hours I spend with the original one and I really love it.
    This release is not made for fans or players. This release is made for wannabee fans of an original golden classic.

    This release is made by an emulation company and not by people who loves the game. There is no passion. There was no play testing, there was no dedicated community from over 16 years playing fans involved in this release. Not one questions asked to find out what the fans of this game like to see in a remake.

    The end product is of course unfinished, incomplete, full of bugs and just a one time forgettable cash grab. No expansion packs included, not even the random map generator included so you are stuck with the same maps, no possibility to use any mod made by the fans of the game, from the 1000 user made maps you find on the web you can only play the few 100 made for the original vanilla game.

    It was made for tablets and Ipads, while the original is a pure PC game from 1999. They port it to the tablet and port it back to the PC so you need a very high end pc to play it, while the original game runs on a first pentium win98 PC. You can grab the original anyway on other places and pay less then this trash release. It will run on your high end hardware as well and you can use all the user made stuff too.

    Stay far away from this if you don't want to see emulation companies damage more classic games in the future.    … Expand
  19. AerinSwift
    Feb 4, 2015
    1
    Очередная попытка заработать на ностальгических чувствах, не прилагая при этом усилий.
  20. akatsuki
    Feb 14, 2015
    10
    1. It's a game from Ubisoft without Uplay. Perfect!
    2. Can feel the big graphic change from the old Heroes 3 and the multiplayer with Steam. Great!
    But,
    3. Without custom maps, and it just has the Restoration of Erathia.
  21. Itoshiki_zz
    Feb 14, 2015
    10
    Only have the Restoration of Erathia. -10/10
    A game without Uplay! 20/10

    And, plus some great memories this game has brought to me.
    At last, I give this HD edition a 10/10.
  22. lamamalin
    Feb 2, 2015
    10
    I can play HOMM3 on my ipad. **** YEAH

    Ok, missing expansions, but I don't care. Ok, you have the GOG version which is cheaper, but I don't care. I want to play on my ipad, ok bro ?
  23. Meredithe
    Jan 29, 2015
    8
    An honorable HD remake, ture to the original one and including new services such as the steam lobby. I wish they will release the DLC later on...and not too much expensive!
  24. somedude14
    Feb 9, 2015
    8
    HD visuals are without a doubt a significant improvement over the original. However TCP/IP and LAN features have been stripped from the game, only way to do multiplayer is Hotseat or through Ubisoft's online service, which can be hit or miss. It's hard to say if that's due to the service or other people not knowing how to create firewall exceptions or do port forwarding - to be bluntHD visuals are without a doubt a significant improvement over the original. However TCP/IP and LAN features have been stripped from the game, only way to do multiplayer is Hotseat or through Ubisoft's online service, which can be hit or miss. It's hard to say if that's due to the service or other people not knowing how to create firewall exceptions or do port forwarding - to be blunt about it, everyone I've played with who I know has forwarded their ports, has had next to no issues in multiplayer (in ten hours of games, maybe two drops total), so I feel like it's more a user-error than developer oversight.

    I'd recommend this over the GoG version despite how much more content that one adds, because even with the resolution mod it does not look as good as this one.

    Campaign maps range from incredibly boring due to be nothing more than a tutorial, to insanely difficult and requiring careful planning and a few restarts to clear. The best way to play Heroes 3 has been and always will be with friends, and I'm glad I was able to get a few matches in with people I grew up with to relive those days with HD visuals.

    Would be nice if they would patch in 60fps support (this is capped at 33fps, as was the original pre-community mods) and add some of the quality-of-life features mods did for the original (ie. "send all artifacts" "upgrade all creatures" commands), but overall I still feel this is the preferred package to Original Complete in any of its forms. It has less, and some people are going to see that as a sticking point no matter what, but I feel like it does it better.    … Expand
  25. Nico20130
    Jan 29, 2015
    10
    Since this HD Edition keeps exactly the same gameplay as the original version and brings both the HD graphics and the multiplayer with Steam it makes me happy.
  26. LongLiveRetro
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    I'm so thrilled this game actually came out !

    Of course it could've been better, the expansions are missing and there is no real addition of content. But could Ubisoft really add anything to this awesome game ? I don't think they should have since they didn't make the original in the first place. Instead they provided a beautiful graphic remake that I can finally play on iPad in my    I'm so thrilled this game actually came out !

    Of course it could've been better, the expansions are missing and there is no real addition of content. But could Ubisoft really add anything to this awesome game ? I don't think they should have since they didn't make the original in the first place.

    Instead they provided a beautiful graphic remake that I can finally play on iPad in my long train journeys :3. Thanks for the amazing job !
    I hope to see the expansions available soon even though I think they lost the source code !! :(    … Expand
  27. Kaelyne
    Jan 29, 2015
    9
    Honest game, it's the vanilla RoE version for anniversary as always announced by Ubisoft.
    Loyal true HD remake with SD/HD switch so funny ton compare the old and new version.
    HD is cleaner, characters are smooth but the style remains the same as it was in my memories! The cutscenes are really nice. Of course GoG version is complete but not in true HD, not with all that work. Steamworks    Honest game, it's the vanilla RoE version for anniversary as always announced by Ubisoft.
    Loyal true HD remake with SD/HD switch so funny ton compare the old and new version.
    HD is cleaner, characters are smooth but the style remains the same as it was in my memories! The cutscenes are really nice.
    Of course GoG version is complete but not in true HD, not with all that work.
    Steamworks lobby for online game is a plus, easy to use, just launch a game and reach your friends, no more TCP IP problems .
    GG!    … Expand
  28. daroczi
    Jan 29, 2015
    5
    I'm glad they enhanced the original version of my favorite game ever, but if the HotA crew (a handful of guys in Russia) can make a brilliant exciting seamless expansion, then big ol' Ubisoft can remaster the old expansions. But seriously, if anybody here hasn't played Horn of the Abyss yet, google it yesterday.
  29. codetyper
    Feb 22, 2015
    0
    Спекуляция на ностальгических чувствах фанатов старой серии. Считаю, что за это нужно, как минимум, сажать на кол. Не ведитесь, халтуру подобной наглости сложно себе представить!
  30. Caerleon
    Dec 10, 2018
    5
    I admit, nostalgia took the best of me and I bought the game. The first two weeks were interesting and fun to play, but then came a boredom. Of course, Heroes 3 is a great game, but it got its greatness thanks to two additions. It's been three years, but Ubisoft hasn't released them yet.

    Is it worth buying? Certainly. For the younger generation it will be a great opportunity to touch a    I admit, nostalgia took the best of me and I bought the game. The first two weeks were interesting and fun to play, but then came a boredom. Of course, Heroes 3 is a great game, but it got its greatness thanks to two additions. It's been three years, but Ubisoft hasn't released them yet.

    Is it worth buying? Certainly. For the younger generation it will be a great opportunity to touch a great series, and for more adults a great opportunity to remember an unforgettable gameplay.    … Expand
  31. Watersson
    Feb 17, 2015
    6
    I dont get people who gave this game 0-4/10 because Heroes III is in itself perfect! I played it for the first time 9 or 10 years ago and I remembered it as amazing experience. I spent a lot of time just because I wanted to upgrade my castle, fight or just explore big and open world. Soundtrack was awesome too. But now let's talk about HD version. It is not as good as it could be. Why?I dont get people who gave this game 0-4/10 because Heroes III is in itself perfect! I played it for the first time 9 or 10 years ago and I remembered it as amazing experience. I spent a lot of time just because I wanted to upgrade my castle, fight or just explore big and open world. Soundtrack was awesome too. But now let's talk about HD version. It is not as good as it could be. Why? Look at price. It cost 15 USD! Too much! You could buy first version of HOMM3+all DLC for lower price. I really dont know why Ubi dont give us DLC (oh ok, they said that they lost source code, but only for Shadow of Death so they could give us Armageddon's Blade). I would give HOMM3 HD higher note but only if it will be cheaper. It should cost something about 8-9.99 USD.… Expand
  32. Sirik_Matak
    Jan 1, 2016
    1
    An absolute cash-in with no real purpose besides earning few extra $. It's fugly (an amatour HD mod does the whole "HD" better) and it offers less (no expansions, LOL).

    How about lying in promotional campaign? They pixelated original sprites and compared them to actually worse HD edition ones. Wow, that takes a special kind of **** you" towards the customers, almost a Bethesda's one.
  33. kongtower
    Apr 26, 2015
    0
    Даже не думайте покупать это ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥о. Мало того, что разработчики просят с вас 15 евро за ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥о полное багов, недоработок и прочего ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥а, они ещё и работать твари не хотят. Всё что правится, делается настолько медленно, что до нормальной версии она дойдёт через пару лет ... Безмозглые Ubisoft даже не работают с комьюнити, им тупо на♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ на игроков, они перерисовалиДаже не думайте покупать это ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥о. Мало того, что разработчики просят с вас 15 евро за ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥о полное багов, недоработок и прочего ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥а, они ещё и работать твари не хотят. Всё что правится, делается настолько медленно, что до нормальной версии она дойдёт через пару лет ... Безмозглые Ubisoft даже не работают с комьюнити, им тупо на♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ на игроков, они перерисовали игру и попросили денег. Не более чем развод людей на бренд прошлого. Лучше качайте Heroes 3 HD mod она в сто раз доработанее, удобнее чем обычная версия, тем более она совершено бесплатная. Если бы я мог вернуть свои деньги за это багованное ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥о, я бы попросил бы их немедленно!… Expand
  34. EudGenius
    Aug 1, 2015
    2
    When i was ten, my friend recomended me to play HOMM IV. I liked it. Then i found HOMM III and i loved it. It was so fabulous and entertaining, so i thought HD remaster will be even better (800x600 resolution was not very comfortable), but what i got is... is just horrible. This "remaster" is the same game as in 1998 but with blured textures, bugs, without addon support and without normalWhen i was ten, my friend recomended me to play HOMM IV. I liked it. Then i found HOMM III and i loved it. It was so fabulous and entertaining, so i thought HD remaster will be even better (800x600 resolution was not very comfortable), but what i got is... is just horrible. This "remaster" is the same game as in 1998 but with blured textures, bugs, without addon support and without normal multiplayer. We can just download the fan made HD patch and have HD resolution and more options. And not spending money for ths "remaster".… Expand
  35. MuMagic
    Aug 29, 2015
    0
    Игра хорошая, но с ней ничего не сделали. Люди бесплатно переделывали эту игру. Картинка была намного лучше, большинство багов исправлено, смысл покупать это?
    Что-то подрисовали, ничего нового не добавили и сделали высокую цену. Хорошая попытка.    Игра хорошая, но с ней ничего не сделали. Люди бесплатно переделывали эту игру. Картинка была намного лучше, большинство багов исправлено, смысл покупать это?
    Что-то подрисовали, ничего нового не добавили и сделали высокую цену. Хорошая попытка.
  36. azuredragon
    Aug 29, 2015
    3
    I've seen better mods than this not-so-cheap 'update'...such a blatant cash grab. Well, for me Heroes works perfectly well as it is, no need for HD version. Play for free with vcmi or better yet, new mod with Cove town (cool!)
  37. DoritoFan80
    May 7, 2020
    2
    One of the worst remasters I've ever played in my life. Was gonna be a 4/10, but considering that HoMM3 has a special place in my heart, the score was dropped to 2. Only thing worth doing is getting a pirated version from Aptoide so you can play on your phone, cuz mobile games suck.

    So, what are the problems? Let's see: - Overpriced on Steam - Added bugs and glitches - Lack of    One of the worst remasters I've ever played in my life. Was gonna be a 4/10, but considering that HoMM3 has a special place in my heart, the score was dropped to 2. Only thing worth doing is getting a pirated version from Aptoide so you can play on your phone, cuz mobile games suck.

    So, what are the problems? Let's see:

    - Overpriced on Steam

    - Added bugs and glitches

    - Lack of any expansions and mod support

    - The map creature increase which is making maps unplayable due to having to wait like 36 months to be able to kill the bastards

    What's good? Well, the fact that it's Heroes of Might and Magic III, but that's it.    … Expand
  38. setho87
    Apr 25, 2022
    6
    It's still a great game don't get me wrong, BUT the hd edition is just high price for less content than original.
  39. 18Xq8Rtutehc
    Mar 29, 2021
    8
    The quality of this remake is superb. I didnt have any problems playing more than 200h in it, as others had. It is exactly the game i remember playing as a kid. It is difficult to find a game this good released in the last decade.
  40. Bigwillyhaver69
    Jul 21, 2023
    6
    A decent game i liked the game even tho I Don't even like these kind of games

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. IGN Spain
    Oct 9, 2015
    75
    The same old good game that we remember, but it could have been even better with the two expansions that were released and a better price or better graphics.
    Read full review
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 19, 2015
    75
    This is mostly an unnecessary remake of the fantasy strategy classic. The improvements are minor in the graphics and nonexistent elsewhere, except for the multiplayer mode through Steam and the tablet versions, which might be the game's biggest selling point. The game itself is still gold - PC gamers should just consider if the old Ultimate Edition bundle, with expansion packages already included, is a better investment. [March 2015]
  3. CD-Action
    Mar 17, 2015
    50
    The game itself is wonderful, still one of the best PC titles, but the HD Edition is very disappointing. Redrawing the game in higher resolution is not enough, especially that expansions are not included and program’s stability leaves much to be desired. [03/2014, p.60]
See all critic reviews »