Title: Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: Nintendo DS
Cost: $29.99
Genre: RPG with a touch of Puzzle
Verdict: Great RPG, fresh turn based battle style, definitely worth it.
Pros: Original battle style, great graphics and use of color
Cons: Side quests tend to be above the level they’re given at.
Any of you who have read my reviews know that I’m a big RPG fan. I love the turn-based style that allows for “strategery” and style. But what if there were a game that brought a whole new twist to the term ‘turn-based’? What if you HAD to take the time to plan your moves, unlike some of the other pick & click battle styles? What would it look like? Would we like it? Would the battles make as much sense? I had heard that this game was different, but I wasn’t ready for what was in store. When I got to it, though, I couldn’t put it down.
The story is compelling enough to keep you entertained from the get go. You immediately delve into a situation that requires not only expedient, but decisive action. You aren’t given a choice of which character’s story you follow, which helps you to develop your fighting skills right off. As you progress through the story, more options for personalization present themselves by way of new characters, treasure chests, and sometimes battles. Each character has their own specialization, as you would expect to find in any good RPG. In addition, each character brings a different set of units (fighters) to the battle. Some are excellent for certain battles, others will fail given the same circumstances. A good example of this are the side quests. I found that generally, you are given these before you character is at a level high enough to beat them soundly. That being said, choosing the right units goes a lot way in making up that difference. Each character has Core, Elite, and Champion units. The Elite and Champion units can be permanently lost in battle, so you can purchase those throughout the game. The Core units are in endless supply. Choose which unit you’ll use, is done through the in game menu, which you access from your main storyline screen.
The battles are very smart. You have columns on your side of the board, each of which mirrors an enemy column. Your units will randomly line up in these columns. Each round, both the player and the enemy play a specific number of moves. Use these turns to move one unit at a time in order to either build defensive walls, or prepare for attack. There are several different combinations of Core and Elite/Champion units that create different effects. For example, line 3 units in a row horizontally, and you create a defensive wall that the enemy must get through before he can hurt you. Match 3 units vertically, and they will begin a countdown to attack. When they reach the end of the countdown, they will cross over into your enemies screen, either destroying enemy units, or, if there are no units blocking the line of attack, taking points from the enemy life. Much like Magic (the Gathering), when the player loses his/her total HP, they are finished. There are special attacks that each character can learn as well, most of which are devastating to the enemy units. In a stroke of genius, Ubisoft placed a quick battle area in the main menu. Because, honestly, the battles are the best part of this game, even as compelling as the storyline may be. A warning, though: if you go through the tutorial in the quick battle mode first, you’ll have to do it again in the story. You can skip it, but it may be worth just getting on with the story line first. The tutorials are very helpful, and very detailed. The battles are easy to learn, but difficult to master.
The graphics in this game are decent during battles and plot, but the pictures of the characters are beautiful. Very brilliant colors, thankfully, because the characters are represented by the colors they wear. Also, in battle, your units come in 3 colors which you have to match in order to defend or attack. If you’re color blind, this game is definitely not for you. The music is very champion-esque, which is fitting, and doesn’t get out of control frantic during battles, which I appreciate a great deal. It’s frustrating to me when I’m already pissed off because I’m losing some stupid battle, and I hear this hectic music making me feel like I’m in some kind of a hurry. Thankfully, this music doesn’t do that. The battle sounds are cute, but not overwhelmingly rich by any means. Control can be maintained in every part of the game by either stylus or buttons. I really appreciate this feature, because I’m not a big stylus fan. Aside from my ditziness causing me to occasionally push the wrong button, destroying my own Elite units, I found the buttons to me much more satisfying.
There is a multiplayer option that I haven’t played. Both players must have their own DS/DSi, as well as a copy of the game. Apparently, you can send a demo of the game to your friends via the wireless connection, but I’m not sure how far you’ll get into a battle using just the demo.
All in all, this game is a lot of fun. I found myself playing it constantly, if for no other reason than to practice my battle techniques. I love the look of the characters, and the storyline is specifically pointed in the direction it needs to go, so no help is needed in that way, making this game easier for beginning gamers to play. I would, however, take note that there are demons and monsters attacking and killing (though not graphically) characters, so sensitive youth should probably stay away from this one. It’s not excessive, but my 5 year old can learn RPG on another game. I would let her play the quick battles though, as they are not graphic or suggestive in the least. This game is so fun and entertaining that, although I have a bunch of DS games, this one is staying in collection for good.
Popularity: unranked [?]
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