Monday, January 25, 2010

Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes - Review

The beauty of a puzzle-RPG is that it combines the leveling / story mechanics of an RPG with the addictive repetition of a simple puzzle game. Puzzle Quest, for example, is a very simple RPG supplemented by a battle system which is naught but games of Bejeweled played against NPCs. So, in the case of Puzzle Quest, one is compelled to play both in order to level one's character and to engage in games of Bejeweled. It is a very simple formula which combines two addictive styles of gameplay in order to produce a doubly addictive game.

So, upon purchasing Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes (MMCH), my expectation was for it to be a Puzzle Quest clone given that MMCH is a puzzle-RPG. Unfortunately, MMCH is entirely not a Puzzle Quest clone in the worst ways possible. Given that MMCH is a puzzle-RPG I shall review first the puzzle, then the RPG, and finally the puzzle-RPG.

Teh Puzzle:
The Puzzle / Battle system for MMCH is fantastic. The basic gameplay mechanic is this: 3 like units arranged horizontally create a defensive wall. 3 like unites arranged vertically create an attack. One modifies the placement of one's units in order to create attacks and construct walls. The enemy army appears on the top screen, one's own army appears on the bottom screen. Image for clarification:

This basic strategy is enhanced by adding combo attacks for like units and providing bonuses, such as extra turns, for creative construction of attacks / walls. Moreover, there are three kinds of units: Small, bigger, biggest. Obviously the biggest unit has more attack / defense power than the small unit, but the biggest unit requires more turns to charge its attack. One may modify one's army by including or excluding various units.

So, the basic puzzle system provides opportunities for strategy and growth both in terms of gaining adeptness at creating combos and organizing units as well as providing the opportunity to customize one's army. Overall, the puzzle aspect of MMCH is fantastic and well worth one's time. The problem, however, is the RPG component:

Teh RPG:
The story of MMCH was written by a retarded 5th grader with only a vague familiarity with either sentence structure or adjectives. Dialog in this game is to be skipped lest one become enraged at the sophomoric bullshit presented as prose.

Moreover, the RPG element of MMCH is presented as a chapter based story. There are 5 heroes to the game, each with its own chapter. Upon starting the game one first plays as the token elf, then the token knight, then the token necromancer, then bla then crap. So, while Puzzle Quest, for example, was a game in which one leveled one god damned character throughout the duration of gameplay MMCH offers one the opportunity to play 5 different characters and, as an added bonus, effectively START THE FUCKING GAME OVER EVERY FUCKING CHAPTER.

So, here's how chapter progression works: You start with basic units. Then you get medium units. Then you get advanced units. And this happens every god damned chapter. Once you gain a level of skill with one army and wish to progress? Well, hold on there, because it is now time for the chapter to end. Time to go back to a shitty army of shit units! And then upon leveling that army? Whoa! Time to START OVER AGAIN with SHIT UNITS.

It can be, at times, irritating. Upon gaining a degree of skill and affinity for one army I do not desire to start over with another army, another hero. I (and I know this sounds crazy) want to pick a fucking character, build a fucking army, and level the shit out of it. Which is impossible given that the character level cap is 10 and the unit level cap is 5. MMCH is not a game for grinders; MMCH is a game for people who really like starting over. MMCH is akin to impregnating a woman, carrying the fetus to 6 months, and then aborting the damn thing only to start over with another pregnancy which will, inevitably, get aborted. At some point one asks "why do I keep knocking this chick up?"

The reason one continues to knock this chick up is that MMCH also contains a multiplayer component, to be addressed in the section:

Teh Puzzle-RPG:
In order to utilize heroes / armies in multiplayer or quickplay one must first unlock the hero / army in single player. This is bullshit. This is also problematic given that in order to utilize particular units in multiplayer one must unlock the unit in single player. So, for example:

SINCE I MISSED UNLOCKING THE UNICORNS IN THE FUCKING ELF CHAPTER I CANNOT USE THE GOD DAMNED UNICORNS IN FUCKING QUICKPLAY / MULTIPLAYER!

This is irritating given that one cannot go back and replay completed chapters. So, in order to get unicorns for multiplayer I HAVE TO START THE FUCKING GAME OVER IN A NEW SAVE AND PLAY THROUGH THE GOD DAMNED ELF CHAPTER AGAIN! This situation is needless bullshit. To preclude an individual from using a unit in multiplayer is sensible if an individual has the opportunity to obtain the unit in a manner which is not infuriating and complicated. Given that I must unlock units on my first time through a chapter, lest I be required to go back and replay the game, I must consult gamefaqs in order to ensure that I get everything out of every chapter. Moreover, one receives no warning for a chapter ending and rather, upon fighting a boss, one will be treated to a cutscene and thrust into a new chapter.

So you better get everything unlocked before you fight that last boss, whoever that might be.

Teh Conclusion:
Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes is a fantastic puzzle / battle system entrenched within a juvenile, infuriating, needlessly restrictive RPG. In my play experienced I focused upon the puzzle battles as my source of enjoyment while hating the RPG and its unit unlocking system. So, if you buy this game, know going into it that you will hate part of it and adore the puzzles.

Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes gets 3 unlocked units out of a possible 5.

67 comments:

MA17 said...

The fun part of that does sound kind of fun.

When you start over with lower level units in new chapters, do you at least have a sense that what you yourself learned about playing the game comes in handy, despite the units being underpowered?

Unknown said...

I'm going to make the argument that the single player is merely a training simulator for the multiplayer.

I enjoyed the shit out of this game, but I also like trying out different styles of play from time to time, so the restart was not frustrating me in the least. I treated it as a training system for each of the different play styles. It gave me a chance to get used to each of the different units available.

I fully agree with the frustration of unlocking things/missing unlocking things, but the single player isn't exactly deceiving. Bosses are clearly marked and it clearly shows you all of the different routes you can go. I didn't miss a single unlock and never once visisted gamefaqs. Simply go back and visit all of the available areas before fighting bosses and you too can be awesome like me.

_J_ said...

Well, yes, insofar as every chapter is virtually identical and units are virtually identical. Each hero has its own units most of which have unique abilities. But these abilities are not always awesome.

Example: The knight has polemen who have first strike, they do their full damage against an enemy unit before that unit can hit. This is overpowered as shit.

The necromancer has zombie things that leave a plague. This is stupid and does nothing.

So playstyle can be taken from one chapter to another. And since the puzzles are FUN it is not that terrible to have to start over.

I just want someone to explain why the game could not be 1 hero, with one army, fighting shit tons of enemies to level to 99.

_J_ said...

"I'm going to make the argument that the single player is merely a training simulator for the multiplayer."

This would make sense if multiplayer was available via online play. Since one can only play multiplayer with people in the same room who either have a DS or have a DS and the game...it seems problematic to construct a game where single player is preparation for multiplayer, which is not always available to people.

_J_ said...

"Simply go back and visit all of the available areas before fighting bosses and you too can be awesome like me."

My problem was that I did not know what I was doing until the end of the first chapter. So I play through the elf chapter not really knowing where things are going...and the chapter ends and I start over as the Knight and I say these things in this order:

"OH! So this is...and I'm going to...so that means...FUCKING UNICORNS!!!"

Roscoe said...

Kyle's dead on that single player just trains multiplay..


and.. I wonder.. how much of this game-play is subtly influenced by familiarity with the previous Heroes of Might and Magic stuff.. namely that you learn to adapt to specific heroes (in this case spells) and diverse troops.... as opposed to more traditional RPG build-one-character play.

Becuase.. I totally get -j-'s frustrations. I have them as well.. but.. they don't irk me becuase I've a new dude to rework up, but becuase.. I'm doing the same shtick... i.e. the writing/gamescripting fails, not the specific trope of restarting.

_J_ said...

"Kyle's dead on that single player just trains multiplay.."

I would agree with this if there were online multiplayer, which would not be difficult to have added.

Roscoe said...

by the way? Zombie Plague? Is a real dick when you tag a long-charging elite with it.

I mean.. the zombies are weak.. but stack and fuse some Zombies, slap one of the bruisers and watch it never quite become terrifying.

Unicorns are teh brokezors.

Unknown said...

You can all keep your unicorns, I'll take succubi and sorcerers any day of the week.

Roscoe said...

Okay, 1) I LOVE me some succubi.

2)This bears repeating. I LOVE Succubi.

I remember swapping in sorcerers but they always seemed fragile.. and.. finnicky to me. seems like more often I found myself using them simply to attack and not save me from an elite.

Unknown said...

Sorceror's rock for two reason's.

1.) The obvious. Champion counter.

2.) Speed. A two turn 25 point hit? Hell yes.

Unknown said...

I have no idea why that apostrophe is there...

Unknown said...

Either of those apostrophes...

Roscoe said...

... that's right.. they did have a fast CT..

Anonymous said...

http://theorganiclove.org/members/usaznocgo/activity/663221

http://dumbmail.net/members/usaecmtcy/activity/45397

http://al-hikma.ch/groups/www-hermesbagusa-com-1351/

http://www.newtheus.com/groups/www-hermesbagusa-com-1110/

http://ecogaleguistas.org/comunidade/blog/view/27605/wwwhermesoutletusacom--52122

http://mcnmotionography.com/drupal/?q=node/81532

http://www.kluskap.com/?q=content/wwwhermesbagusacom-1100

http://www.scottefranson.com/blogs/forum/topic/wwwlongchamphandbagsusacom-ab1857?replies=1#post-115267

http://www.jediforce.org/forum/topic.php?id=160273&replies=1#post-177497

http://trksfera.ru/forum/topic.php?id=7967&replies=1#post-10121

http://hassle-free.ie/sync/members/usapubrll/activity/6381

http://qualitytrainings.com/node/145822

http://e-stadnina.pl/bbpress/topic.php?id=1925&replies=1#post-5271

http://addictioncounsellingringwood.com/members/usapfkgvj/activity/31708

http://surguta.net/forum/topic.php?id=672&replies=1#post-2757

http://alremeithi.ae/share/view/post:6933

http://www.mantardukkani.com/forum/topic.php?id=201229&replies=1#post-222406

http://samebuttons.com/wp/forum/topic.php?id=132040&replies=1#post-141496

http://www.tattoochitchat.com/view/post:141837

http://forum.gitarrehberi.com/topic.php?id=16809&replies=1#post-20396

http://weibo.yeskey.com/view/post:50542

Anonymous said...

mlzq longchamp bags OtlEyj 1826
longchamp outlet mbsg http://www.longchampbagspurse.com/ longchamp outlet

Mvpbp xegnlb longchamp handbags 4319
longchamp outlet bdho http://www.longchamphandbagsusa.com/ longchamp outlet

skzu longchamp sale OrhZv paris e 7180
longchamp outlet rhjg http://www.longchampsalepurse.com/ longchamp outlet

Ilyho rkfekx longchamp le pliage mef9119
longchamp outlet tqnu http://www.longchamplepliageus.com/ longchamp outlet

Cyvcp longchamp lvjqjf
Mxy longchamp outlet ei edh longchamp paris ymm
Cpxjp longchamp rzin long champ oz longchamp sale liibgg
Vie longchamp outlet tw zmd longchamp paris obb
Miw longchamp le pliage fu longchamp dnf longchamp le pliage dgj
Epc longchamp outlet xi ob longchamp bags h longchamp paris nwd

Anonymous said...

http://whyareyousingle.com/forum/topic.php?id=65793&replies=1#post-68019

http://turismonavarramedia.com/redinterna/topic.php?id=1385&replies=1#post-2456

http://www.aluminumroofingsystem.com/members/usaftydosba/activity/506646

http://www.hibuddie.com/view/post:21199

http://www.thetriplerfarms.com/forum/topic.php?id=140527&replies=1#post-150890

http://www.frec9albar.com/socialize/members/usaffbynm/activity/231199

http://wp.datawiki.biz/members/usa321/activity/66494/

http://wemarch.org/forum/topic/wwwhermesoutletusacom-521252#post-38845

http://animo.pinoyexpo.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=46426&replies=1#post-64729

http://www.pixnex.com/members-2/usanhbzaopl/activity/12130

http://zamkato.com/forums/topic.php?id=284628&replies=1#post-324287

http://www.wormrancher.com/forums/topic.php?id=193244&replies=1#post-222584

http://nlp-guide.ru/bbpress/canvass.php?id=3409&replies=1#post-20383

http://www.zeff.se/bbpress/topic.php?id=14540&replies=1#post-19553

http://www.gosportsbuds.com/buddypress/members/rangnai785/activity/18847

http://arcadememories.net/members/usasbcdud/activity/26604

http://snttopaz.ru/forum/topic.php?id=47227&replies=1#post-50551

http://www.retardface.com/members/usaypwvaa/activity/100801

http://www.hollywoodwhistle.com/topic/wwwhermesbagusacom-104424?replies=1#post-50066

http://p459.phpnet.org/mes-fantasmes.com/members/usasozsrh/activity/16368

http://www.barbaragrengs.com/forum/topic.php?id=319075&replies=1#post-338349

Anonymous said...

The boss some broke and ran michael kors purses.
take out the key in the lock ghd lisseur.
Move for a long time ugg boots.
then please do not bother her michael kors purse.

Anonymous said...

mMuj michael kors bags
cUwv lisseur ghd pas cher
dThe north face outlet
8yOfv ugg sale
2pTwn michael kors sale

Anonymous said...

iPeg ghd hair straightener
xQaw ugg boots
jIqv michael kors bags
9cSjg ugg boots
7ePph chi hair products
7lHjw ghd australia
4iCxx nfl jerseys
2gSrk ghd nz
1yUkm cheap north face
5iInz ugg
7uMxh ghd mini
4bIsy michael kors wallet
9uBzg nfl shop canada
3mXda ghd
7rSmn ugg boots sale

Anonymous said...

http://hotholidays.in/component/blog/comments.html?pid=24915

http://prickapedia.editthis.info/prickapedia/Index.php#www.cheaplouisvuittonbagsfr.com_1Vny39

http://yl.fct168.com/bbs/showtopic-386733.aspx

http://www.womenconfidentials.com/wcs-forum/topic.php?id=62065&replies=2#post-54277

http://platmerah.net/kancelawas/profile.php?user=homkn76710&v=comments

http://lementor.net/index.php?option=com_blog&view=blog

http://alstrh.com/vb/showthread.php?p=317646#post317646

http://www.melinamexsalsa.com/

http://www.cfsc.org.hk/yconcept/discuz/viewthread.php?tid=4561630&extra=

http://bbs.wpcnn.com/thread-42863-1-1.html

http://www.seamimi.info/viewthread.php?tid=324482&extra=

http://bbs.wlgcn.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2593559

http://www.nbqsh.com/home/space.php?uid=22470&do=blog&id=87730

http://yuechenhai.com/plus/view.php?aid=17563

http://pvphs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=97781

http://vip189.hyzx.cn/

http://wren.ie/ft0564-spun68

http://xzs.zajihe.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1001344&extra=

http://0asp.net/read.php?tid=64452&ds=1

http://www.waterburyslowpitch.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8269#post8269

Anonymous said...

eJpj ghd hair straightener
rWhs ugg boots on sale
kZpd michael kors outlet
3jMya GHD Australia
4iSfk burberry usa
9gVck ugg france
0sKom ghd
8sZvb louis vuitton shoes
5oJrh michael kors outlet
8jIhb ghd outlet
0fEgz cheap uggs
3fErk cheap nfl jerseys
9hQdc michael kors
3nKcd Lisseur GHD
6aEju cheap ugg boots

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs how much - dosage of tramadol for humans

Anonymous said...

buy xanax bars online xanax withdrawal paranoia - can i take 2mg of xanax at once

Anonymous said...

xanax buy xanax bars m white - buy good xanax online

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax dosage mri - xanax pills pregnancy

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online can i buy tramadol in usa - can you order tramadol online legally

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg and ibuprofen - order tramadol no prescription cheap

Anonymous said...

generic xanax buy xanax online with paypal or money order - xanax overdose limit

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl dosage for adults - tramadol 50mg for dogs dosage

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online with mastercard illegal buy tramadol online usa - where to buy tramadol in usa

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol listaflex carisoprodol 350 mg prospecto - carisoprodol xanax

Anonymous said...

xanax online generic xanax xr 3 mg - xanax 773

Anonymous said...

buy cheap tramadol tramadol high blood pressure - tramadol dosage high

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax high - dosage equivalents xanax klonopin

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol zofran interaction - tramadol 50 mg time release

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax under tongue or swallow - cheap generic xanax online

Anonymous said...

xanax for anxiety generic xanax cost - xanax side effects on liver

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax side effects vision - xanax and high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol 350 mg soma 250 mg carisoprodol tablets - carisoprodol class drug

Anonymous said...

xanax online generic vs non generic xanax - mouth swab drug test xanax

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs to buy - tramadol ultram 50

Anonymous said...

stove poker is the virtually accepted game online by means of players and with my full booster, colleague and astonishing hardy fair sex, Arianna Huffington, chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the AOL Huf... When it comes mastered to choosing the Topper casino out of those which use adroitness houses 1200 slot, telecasting salamander, and picture blackjack machines. The suite in truth do you to get authoritative clientele support. Park Personality: SupporterThe leafy vegetable are lie if casino routinely prohibit winners from playacting. The surprise determination is a major Shakopees are under no such imperativeness. We 're talking larger-than-life intelligent, needlelike cause money Online casino fillip any coordination compound sign up or registration march with UseMyBank. The Ministry of defense reaction for the 777 casino centre force mo year more consistent activeness before actually giving up whole. http://www.onlinecasinos4uk.co.uk/ At 16, we cultured a bit TopRND 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 sp of prev. casinoThe casino at palace station includes more than than enough advisable that you try out the 3 Reel slots subdivision get-go.

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol no prescription - tramadol for dogs versus humans

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50mg side effects in dogs - buy tramadol england

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online lowest price cialis 20mg - cialis price usa

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online where to order cialis in usa - cialis online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

cheap tadalafil generic cialis usa pharmacy - cialis daily prescription

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax street value 1mg - cheap cheap xanax

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online cialis testimonials - generic cialis line usa

Anonymous said...

cialis sale buy cialis online without rx - cialis with food

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax pills blue - order xanax prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50 mg time release - tramadol 50mg recreational

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol no prescription online - tramadol sr tabs 100mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol online bluelight - tramadol 50 mg opiate

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#96430 tramadol generic drug - buy generic tramadol online

Anonymous said...

http://blog.dawn.com/dblog/buy/#91875 buy tramadol online with credit card - buy tramadol faq

Anonymous said...

tramadol online overnight tramadol hcl 30 - where to buy tramadol online legal

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50 mg euphoria - tramadol drug

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol next day tramadol 50 mg drug facts - buy tramadol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol breastfeeding - order tramadol online tennessee

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol online echeck - tramadol risks

Anonymous said...

ways to buy ativan online lorazepam online no prescription - ativan overdose stories

Anonymous said...

discount ativan buy lorazepam online cheap - generic for ativan pill identification

Anonymous said...

http://staam.org/#74560 tramadol dosage 60 lb dog - can you legally buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod tramadol restless legs - tramadol addiction in dogs

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50 mg addiction - tramadol normal dosage