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Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (DS)

Status: Finished playing
I started playing this game on Monday 25 July, 2011  //  I stopped playing this game on: Wednesday 7 September, 2011
Current opinion of this game
Definitely a must-get for the DS. Especially if you're into match-3 type games.

September 7, 2011 05:29:31 PM
The game's box has the following: "Innovative and undeniably addictive" - IGN.com

Having finished the game, I kind of disagree with both of those qualifiers. Maybe the second more than the first. Yes, the game does some things differently (and more importantly, the differences are interesting) but I'm not sure that I'd call the game "innovative". I tend to associate innovation more with "radically inventive" instead of "gradual progress and improvement". It's definitely NOT addictive, although I would call it engrossing. There's simply too much "fluff" (cut-scenes, story exposition, etc.) for it to be addictive in the sense that you'd play it for hours and hours straight. The way the game experience is segmented (different "matches") is such that while you may spend a fair amount of time engaged in a battle, you have to spend a fair amount of time outside of battles as well.

I know I'm sounding like I didn't enjoy the game. But I did. It's a good game. However, my overall feeling upon finishing it was of relief over elation or disappointment. The game sort of drags after a while, with the story elements getting in the way. In a nutshell, the game has 5 "types" of characters/enemies, each with their own "troops" and special powers/abilities. Each character has X number of battles before the story moves on to the next character and so on. The problem (for me) is that by the time I got to the 3rd character I felt pretty comfortable with the game rules/mechanics and would have appreciated tighter pacing towards the end. In other words, let me get at the battles quicker... a LOT quicker.

As I write this I'm reminded of the Advance Wars games, same idea (different COs have different powers and so on), but those games really streamlined the "getting to the next battle". There's also a lot more depth to those games..which might be another issue. After a while, the battles in this game start to feel like the same old thing as before...


August 2, 2011 04:51:26 PM
I'm not sure what this game has to do with "Might & Magic" or even if there is enough brand recognition to capitalize on. In all, it was probably a bad idea to go with such a long name for a game that is quite special and unique. It deserves a better name than the generic "Clash of heroes" (I dare you to search for clash of heroes on gamefaqs, see how many games turn up!) and an old brand that probably isn't recognized...

Anyways... great game! I've really enjoyed the interesting directions that people have been taking with the "match-3" games. Puzzlequest, Henry Hatsworth and this game are a triad of sorts. Mora later...


 
kudos for original design to Rodrigo Barria