Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Launches in Early Access, Aiming to Recapture the Series' 1999 Glory

Key facts

• Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era entered early access on an unspecified date in 2025, with a 25% launch discount.
• The game is set on the continent of Jadame on the planet Enroth, hundreds of years before the first Heroes title.
• Unfrozen developed the game; Hooded Horse and Ubisoft are co-publishers.
• The game does not require the Ubisoft Connect launcher or any additional online login.
• Jon Van Caneghem, former executive producer at New World Computing, contributed to the development.
• Early access includes the first act of the campaign, with more content planned.
• a bug where time stopped progressing in one mission, fixed by reloading an autosave.

A Return to Enroth's Distant Past

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, the latest entry in the turn-based strategy franchise, has launched into early access, marking the series' first new title since the poorly received Might & Magic Heroes VII in 2015. The game is a prequel set on the continent of Jadame on the planet Enroth, taking place hundreds of years before the events of the original Heroes of Might and Magic. This setting allows the developers to explore a fresh era while honoring the lore that long-time fans cherish. The game was developed by Unfrozen, an independent studio, and is published jointly by Hooded Horse and Ubisoft. Crucially, it does not require the Ubisoft Connect launcher or any additional online login, addressing a major complaint from fans about previous entries. The development team also brought on Jon Van Caneghem, the former executive producer at New World Computing who oversaw the early, beloved titles in the series.

Gameplay That Honors the 1999 Classic

Olden Era is a turn-based strategy game divided into two phases: exploration on an adventure map and tactical combat on a hex grid. Players control a hero who leads armies represented as stacks of units—such as fairies, knights, dragons, and banshees—and collects resources, captures buildings, and battles foes. The hero does not directly fight but can cast spells or attack from the edge of the battlefield. The game's structure uses days, weeks, and months: each day allows movement, resources are generated at day's end, and buildings and unit recruitment refresh weekly. This loop is designed to be simple on the surface but hides deep strategic layers, a hallmark of the series. The campaign is not entirely linear, and early missions ease players in by making them the only hero on the map before introducing multiple heroes and competitive elements.

Early Access Content and Known Issues

The early access release includes the first act of the campaign, along with additional content such as new factions and systems. The game features an art style that nods to Heroes of Might and Magic III without copying it, and introduces new factions alongside familiar ones. A reviewer noted that the game evokes a sense of comfort and nostalgia, comparing it to "cosy" games despite its conflict-driven core. However, the early access state is not without flaws. One reviewer encountered a bug in a mission where time—the day/week/month cycle—stopped working, preventing resource generation and building recruitment. Reloading an autosave resolved the issue, but the incident highlights the unfinished nature of the product. The developers have acknowledged that wrinkles remain and are expected to be ironed out during the early access period.

A Franchise Seeking Redemption

The Heroes of Might and Magic series debuted in 1995 from New World Computing and reached its pinnacle with the third installment in 1999, widely considered one of the greatest PC games of all time. Subsequent entries, particularly those released after Ubisoft acquired the IP following New World Computing's dissolution, faced criticism. Might & Magic Heroes VI (2011) and Might & Magic Heroes VII (2015) were seen as low points, often blamed on Ubisoft's handling and the mandatory Ubisoft launcher. Olden Era explicitly distances itself from those missteps. By involving Van Caneghem and returning to the Enroth setting, the developers signal a commitment to the series' roots. The game's release on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and Game Pass without additional DRM or launchers is a deliberate move to rebuild trust with the fanbase.

Independence from Ubisoft's Financial Turmoil

Given Ubisoft's ongoing financial difficulties, some fans have expressed concern that Olden Era could be affected. However, Unfrozen has repeatedly stated in Discord that as an independent studio, it is not impacted by Ubisoft's troubles. The game's development and future support are assured regardless of the publisher's situation. This reassurance is critical for a community that has seen beloved franchises abandoned or mismanaged. The partnership with Hooded Horse, a publisher known for supporting strategy games, further insulates the project. The game's early access launch with a 25% discount has been well received, with one reviewer reporting over 20 hours of playtime in testing and expressing confidence that it will eventually rival their playtime of Heroes III.

What Comes Next for Olden Era

The early access phase is expected to last for an unspecified period, during which Unfrozen will add more campaign acts, factions, and features. The developers have not announced a full release date. The game's success will depend on the studio's ability to deliver on its promises and maintain the delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation that has so far earned positive early impressions. For now, Olden Era stands as a hopeful revival of a classic franchise, offering long-time fans a reason to believe that the series can recapture its former glory. Whether it can sustain that momentum through early access and beyond remains to be seen, but the initial signs are promising.

The bottom line

• Olden Era is a prequel set on Enroth's continent of Jadame, hundreds of years before the first game, and was developed with input from original creator Jon Van Caneghem.
• The game avoids Ubisoft's controversial launcher and DRM, releasing on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Game Pass with no additional login required.
• Unfrozen, an independent studio, is not affected by Ubisoft's financial troubles, ensuring the game's continued development and support.
• Early access includes the first campaign act and introduces new factions, but a reviewer reported a time-stopping bug that was fixed by reloading an autosave.
• The game is available at a 25% discount during early access, and early impressions highlight its nostalgic feel and deep strategic gameplay.
• Olden Era aims to restore faith in the franchise after the criticized Ubisoft-era entries, with a focus on honoring the series' roots while adding new content.