"Heroes of Might and Magic 3: The Restoration of Erathia" is a famous turn-based strategy game with RPG elements, which is still considered a benchmark in the Heroes of Might and Magic series. The game was developed by New World Computing, with The 3DO Company as the publisher. It was released in 1999, and in the spring of 2000, it was localized by the Russian company "Buka."
The action of "Heroes of Might and Magic 3" took place in a fictional world filled with various mythological and fantastical creatures. On the game map, players could capture castles, search for treasures, fight enemy armies and heroes, travel by sea, gather resources, all within the atmosphere of classic fantasy. At the start of a campaign or single mission, players were given control of one castle and several heroes, who needed to be sent to search for resources and clear the surrounding areas of hostile monsters. Each hero had their unique abilities, and as the game progressed, they gained new levels and attribute points that players could distribute at their discretion. Additionally, heroes had numerous slots for equipment.
Each character was also the leader of armies, which often consisted of quite diverse units. Griffins could battle the undead, while goblins could clash with elves. When a hero's army attacked enemy troops, they could evade the battle, counterattack, or join under the hero's banner, thus bolstering the ranks of fighters. If battle did occur, the player entered a tactical map. Each side took turns moving their units or attacking from a distance, depending on the type of units. Victory was awarded to the side that defeated all enemy units or forced them to flee. A strong hero had various bonuses that improved the base abilities of the units. Moreover, players could teach their heroes various magic spells.
In addition to battles and traveling across the game map, players had to manage their castles and cities. Each belonged to representatives of specific races, influencing the recruitment of units. For example, in an elven city, one could recruit battle unicorns, elf archers, and treants, while in a human domain – knights, griffins, crossbowmen, and so forth. Each type of unit could be upgraded by leveling up the buildings from which they were recruited. A fully developed city required many resources, but it was worth it. Players could not only recruit a large number of units but also withstand massive enemy attacks thanks to strong walls and towers.