Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is an unusual combination of puzzle game and tactical strategy set in the fantasy world of the Might & Magic series, arriving on PlayStation 3 as a title available through PlayStation Network. The player assembles an army of units on a grid reminiscent of match-style puzzle games, and lining up identical units in a row creates attacking formations or defensive walls, which are then used in battles against enemy heroes and their own units. Combat thus takes place in real time on a shared grid, where both sides simultaneously arrange their units, charge special attacks, and try to break through the opponent's defenses before the opponent does the same to them.

Beyond the battles themselves, the game offers a story campaign following several heroes from different factions with distinct unit types and playstyles, RPG elements such as leveling up and buying new units, and fairly extensive story content that keeps the game entertaining for dozens of hours. The visual style combines hand-drawn character portraits with a clean, legible battlefield grid, which keeps the game readable even in more hectic battles with many units on both sides fighting for the same space.

Clash of Heroes was highly praised at the time specifically for the originality with which it linked the seemingly incompatible genres of puzzle game and turn-based strategy into a cohesive, deep whole with surprising tactical depth. The title is still cited today as one of the most inventive puzzle-strategy games of its generation, and as proof that even a side departure from the Might & Magic series' traditional RPG direction can appeal to both puzzle game fans and strategy fans looking for deeper systems.

The different factions differed from one another not just in the appearance of their units but in their overall playstyle philosophy, from aggressive fast pressure to patiently building defensive formations, which gave the game noticeable replay value even after finishing the main campaign. It is precisely this depth hidden beneath a seemingly simple puzzle surface that made Clash of Heroes a title that still holds a reputation as one of the best-designed fusions of two seemingly incompatible genres.

Why play it: For the noticeable replay value given by each faction's distinct philosophy and the depth hidden beneath a seemingly simple puzzle surface, Clash of Heroes ranks among the best-designed fusions of two genres.