Might and Magic: Heroes VI is the continuation of the popular series of turn-based strategies set in the colorful fantasy world of Ashan. The game is being developed by Black Hole Entertainment and will be published by UbiSoft. The game's release is scheduled for September 2011.
Players enter the world approximately four centuries before the events of Heroes V. The game tells the story of the Griffin dynasty before they ascended the throne of the Empire. In those days, the Griffins were merely dukes of the east. The game begins with the assassination of Slava, the ruling duke of the Griffin dynasty. After his death, five offspring, each representing their own faction, begin their own campaigns. Anton, who took the throne after his father, necromancer Anastasia, who allegedly killed her father, her twin brother Kirill, who is possessed by demons, Slava's illegitimate son Sandor, who leads an army of orcs, and Irina, who fled to the southern islands – these are the heroes you will lead into battle.
The game features 5 interconnected campaigns and a final mission.
There are five factions available: Order of Order (Anton’s race, humans), Necropolis (Anastasia’s race, undead), Inferno (Kirill’s race, demons), Citadel (Sandor’s race, orcs), and Sanctuary (Irina’s race, water folk). Each faction traditionally has unique units and its own style of play. Additionally, heroes of the factions have so-called racial abilities. For example, the racial ability of the undead is Necromancy. The faction units are still represented by 7 types of creatures, including both the basic and upgraded versions of each. There are also neutral units in the game.
Heroes, as in the third and fourth parts of the series, can belong to either the warrior or magical class. However, their development has changed. Now, the leveling of a hero is capped at level 30, and players can choose how to develop their character. Primary and secondary skills have been abolished in favor of abilities into which players can invest points to enhance certain branches. A new parameter – reputation – influences the choice of abilities. The magic system has also been reorganized: it will now support units, and the number of magical schools has increased to seven. Several unique buildings are planned in castles, but only part of them can be built in a city. However, captured castles can now be changed, transforming them into a city of your race. Additionally, cities will have specializations planned.
Players will still be able to search for artifacts, complete quests, and of course, fight. In addition to standard battlefield options (e.g., the presence of moats during a siege or increased unit attack when favored by luck), players can expect battles with dangerous boss monsters and other innovations such as weather conditions.
The atmosphere of the fairy world is created not only by beautiful, vivid graphics but also by the soundtrack composed by the series' longstanding composers Paul Romero and Rob King. The game, like the fifth part of the series, will be in 3D; however, the camera angle is now fixed, and the details of the objects have significantly improved.
It should be noted that in 2012, the Might and Magic series celebrates its 25th anniversary, so the concept of Heroes VI incorporates not only innovations but also beloved gameplay elements in the spirit of "the good old Heroes". The title of the game was changed from the familiar HoMM to Might and Magic in order to tie the whole series together.
In general, it can be summarized that despite the new gameplay options and various changes, the sixth part of the series should appeal to both fans of the new "Heroes" and supporters of the old games in the series.