Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is finally here with its demo, and fans of the classic strategy series are filled with excitement. Developed by Unfrozen and published by Hooded Horse and Ubisoft, this new entry takes players back to the golden age of turn-based strategy. The game serves as a prequel to the very first title in the franchise, exploring the early conflicts that shaped the magical world of Enroth.
Even though it’s only a demo, Olden Era already shows great promise. It captures the charm of older Heroes games while adding smoother controls and fresh visuals. Let’s take a look at what makes this game special, what works well, and what still needs a bit of polish before its full release in 2026.
A Return to the Olden World
Olden Era’s story takes us to the continent of Jadame, long before the events of the original Heroes of Might and Magic. Here, an ancient evil known as the Dragonfly King rises to power, bringing together an army of insect-like creatures that threaten all living things. In response, rival kingdoms are forced to set aside their differences to survive the coming storm.
The game’s lore feels classic and familiar. It gives players the same sense of adventure and danger that made the older Heroes titles so beloved. Even though the story isn’t the main focus of the demo, it sets the tone for the larger campaign that will arrive later.
Gameplay: True to Its Roots
The core of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is its turn-based strategy gameplay. Players move heroes across large maps, gather resources, capture towns, and fight enemies in tactical battles. Each hero leads an army made up of creatures unique to their faction.
The demo includes four playable factions — Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and Schism. Each faction feels different, both in terms of visuals and strategy. For example, Necropolis relies on undead armies that regenerate after battles, while the Temple faction uses holy warriors and strong defensive units.
Just like in older Heroes games, every hero can gain experience, learn new skills, and specialize in different abilities. You can recruit new heroes, upgrade your city, and build advanced structures to unlock stronger troops.
Battles: Strategy on a Hex Grid
Combat in Olden Era happens on a hex-based battlefield, similar to other tactical RPGs. This setup allows more movement options and makes positioning your troops even more important. Fast units can easily flank enemies, while slow but powerful creatures like Hydras or Dragons can dominate the center of the field.
Each turn, you decide which units move, attack, or cast spells. Your hero also plays a big role, able to use magic spells or abilities that can heal, boost, or damage enemies.
Even though the battles are turn-based, they feel active and engaging. Watching your army execute a well-planned attack or landing a perfect spell always feels satisfying.
Unit Upgrades and Choices
One of the most exciting parts of the demo is the unit upgrade system. Each unit type can evolve into one of two alternate forms. For example, you can upgrade a creature to make it stronger in combat or more flexible depending on your strategy.
Upgrades happen inside your base, and what’s interesting is that you can switch between upgraded forms at will when near your castle. This feature adds depth to strategy since you can adapt to different situations.
Graphics and Sound: Classic Vibes with Modern Touch
Visually, Olden Era tries to blend nostalgia with modern design. The maps are colorful and detailed, filled with forests, lakes, and mysterious ruins. Character models look slightly stylized, keeping the classic Heroes charm.
However, since this is still a demo, some textures and effects seem unfinished. At times, objects on the map can blend into the background, making it harder to spot certain items. The camera is also limited, as you can’t zoom in closely during battles — something longtime fans might miss.
On the bright side, the soundtrack is outstanding. Legendary series composer Paul Anthony Romero returns, joined by Cris Velasco (known for God of War and Bloodborne). The music feels grand and heroic, fitting perfectly with the game’s fantasy tone. The orchestral pieces make exploration and battles more immersive.
Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
Even if you’ve never played a Heroes game before, the demo does a good job of guiding new players. The tutorial mode explains everything clearly — from gathering resources and building towns to leading armies and fighting on the battlefield.
The learning curve feels gentle. After a few rounds, you start to understand how different resources and unit types interact. But there’s still plenty of depth for veterans to enjoy, especially once more factions and spells are added.
Olden Era keeps the best parts of classic turn-based strategy — careful planning, resource management, and tactical battles — while trimming away some of the old frustrations.
Challenges and Early Concerns
While the demo is enjoyable, it’s not perfect yet. Some sound effects fail to play correctly, and the UI can feel a little cluttered in certain screens. The camera controls during combat could also use improvement to allow closer views of units.
Another missing feature is PvP (player vs. player), which was a big part of previous Heroes titles. Since this demo focuses only on single-player content, it’s unclear how multiplayer will work in the final release.
Still, considering that it’s only an early version, these small issues are forgivable. The core gameplay already feels solid and addictive.
A Promise of Nostalgia and Fun
If you grew up playing Heroes of Might and Magic III, Olden Era will feel like coming home. The exploration, the turn-based battles, the thrill of discovering new treasures — it’s all here.
But what’s impressive is that the game doesn’t just rely on nostalgia. It also introduces quality-of-life improvements that make it easier to play. You can now auto-battle smaller fights, manage units more efficiently, and enjoy faster map movement.
Even as a demo, the game can easily keep you engaged for hours. Whether you’re building your castle or fighting a challenging opponent, there’s always something rewarding to do.
Final Thoughts: Try the Demo
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is shaping up to be one of the most promising turn-based strategy games in years. It respects the legacy of the series while bringing it to a new generation of players.
The mix of classic gameplay, modern design, and nostalgic charm works beautifully. Sure, it has a few rough edges, but that’s expected from a demo. What matters most is that it captures the feeling that made the original games so iconic.
If you’re a longtime fan, you’ll love the return to Enroth. And if you’re new to the franchise, this is a great place to start learning what makes the series special.
Olden Era is expected to release in 2026, and based on this demo, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Final Verdict: 9/10 — A magical comeback worth the hype.
Game Info:
- Title: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
- Developer: Unfrozen
- Publisher: Hooded Horse, Ubisoft
- Release Date: 2026 (Early Access)
- Genre: Strategy, RPG
- Platforms: PC
- Players: 1–4
- Rating: PEGI 16