Heroes of Might and Magic IV

The 3DO Company

Company type	Video game publisher
Industry	Video games
Fate	Bankruptcy
Successor	Ubisoft (acquired Might and Magic series)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Video games, including Heroes of Might and Magic IV

Heroes of Might and Magic IV is a turn-based strategy title created by Gus Smedstad at New World Computing and released by The 3DO Company for Microsoft Windows in 2002. Subsequently, Contraband Entertainment developed a Mac OS version, which 3DO also published. As the fourth entry in the acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic franchise, it succeeds Heroes of Might and Magic III and represents the final installment produced by New World Computing.

Gameplay

Heroes of Might and Magic IV brought significant innovations to the series. The game features six distinct town factions, each aligned with a particular ideology: Life (Haven), Nature (Preserve), Chaos (Asylum), Death (Necropolis), Order (Academy), and Might (Stronghold). With the exception of the neutral Might faction, each alignment maintains friendly relations with two others and hostility toward two more.

Heroes

In contrast to earlier versions, heroes now actively engage in combat alongside their troops, capable of both attacking enemies and being targeted themselves. Should a hero fall in battle, revival is only possible within a friendly town. Armies may include multiple heroes or none at all; however, those lacking heroes cannot execute essential actions such as capturing enemy towns or structures.

The skill system underwent a comprehensive redesign: all heroes within a class begin with identical skills, but players gain enhanced control over their progression. Heroes can advance into more than 40 specialized classes. Each hero chooses up to five out of nine primary skills, each unlocking three secondary skills. Compared to previous games’ three-tier progression, these 36 skills now have five levels of advancement.

Combat

Both adventure and combat maps transitioned to a fixed isometric 3D perspective. The prior hexagonal battle grid was replaced by a finer square grid that accommodates units of varying sizes. Units capable of casting spells but not classified as heroes now possess appropriate spell selections. Retaliation occurs simultaneously with offensive actions, including ranged units counterattacking ranged assaults. Both projectile attacks and spells require an unobstructed line of sight.

World map

Each troop type has its own movement allowance and can separate from the main army independently; however, transferring troops between heroes for extended travel within a single turn is not permitted. The availability of travel spells was curtailed or eliminated, thereby limiting logistical options. To balance this, weekly visits to resource-producing structures were removed as a necessity, and caravans were introduced to facilitate rapid hero transportation as well as remote recruitment of troops from external dwellings.

Units

While some skills remain consistent with earlier entries, new abilities such as Grandmaster Stealth can greatly influence tactics by rendering heroes invisible to units outside their alliance. Troop units no longer undergo upgrades; instead, towns offer only four recruitable ranks compared to seven in former titles. Each rank provides two mutually exclusive dwelling choices. Creature dwellings generate units daily rather than on a weekly basis. Unlike previous games, all unit types—whether associated with towns or found solely on the adventure map—are linked to one of the six faction alignments.

Story

Following the events of Heroes Chronicles: The Sword of Frost, Gelu—the leader of Erathia’s Forest Guard and bearer of Armageddon’s Blade—launches an assault on Kilgor, Barbarian King of Krewlod, aiming to destroy the Sword of Frost. Their confrontation triggers the Reckoning, a devastating explosion that obliterates Enroth. Many survivors flee through portals to Axeoth, the setting for Might and Magic IX. Among these refugees are heroes from previous installments who resume their roles on this new continent.

Heroes of Might and Magic IV unfolds through six campaigns that explore how Axeoth’s kingdoms emerged following the Reckoning and subsequent arrival of Enrothian refugees. Each campaign focuses on the ascension of a faction leader and is available from the beginning as an independent narrative.

• The Haven campaign, The True Blade, follows Lysander—a loyal knight formerly under Queen Catherine Ironfist—who governs Palaedra, a realm primarily composed of Erathian refugees. Lysander faces challenges from Sir Worton, an impostor claiming Gryphonheart descent. Lysander must expose Worton’s deceit or risk losing control as many generals defect.
• In the Stronghold campaign, Glory of Days Past, Waerjak—a barbarian chieftain—strives to restore unity after Kilgor’s death sparks internal conflict. Guided by Tarnum (the protagonist from Heroes Chronicles), Waerjak aims to consolidate his people by overcoming rival factions.
• The Academy campaign, The Price of Peace, centers on Emilia Nighthaven—a peasant who leads refugees to establish Great Arcan. Her achievements attract the attention of Gavin Magnus, Immortal King of Bracada, along with his genie Solmyr, who seek to prevent Axeoth’s collapse through magical enslavement.
• In Preserve’s campaign, Elwin and Shaera, Elwin—an elf from Aranorn populated mainly by AvLee survivors—pursues Shaera amid rivalry with Lord Harke. Their conflict sparks war that will decide both Shaera’s fate and Aranorn’s throne.
• The Necropolis campaign, Half-Dead, narrates the story of Gauldoth Half-Dead—part human, part lich—who unites Necromancers and demonic Kreegans into Nekross. He must defend both living and dead against a formidable interdimensional menace.
• The Asylum campaign, A Pirate's Daughter, features Tawni Balfour inheriting her pirate father’s ship and crew. As she navigates the Gold Sea coasts, she confronts buccaneers, sea monsters, mermaids, and her own enigmatic past.

Expansion Packs

Two expansion sets were launched for Heroes IV: Heroes of Might and Magic IV: The Gathering Storm (2002) and Heroes of Might and Magic IV: Winds of War (2003), both exclusively available for Microsoft Windows.

The Gathering Storm features six distinct campaigns, more than 20 maps, 16 additional artifacts, four new creatures, and enhancements to multiplayer functionality. The initial five campaigns introduce unique specialty heroes. It also provides an improved editor granting comprehensive access to new heroes, adventure items, artifacts, and creatures, along with a fresh soundtrack.

Winds of War brings in three new creatures alongside six campaigns that illustrate the assault on Channon by its five neighboring realms. This expansion marked the final Heroes of Might and Magic title developed by New World Computing. After the 3DO Company declared bankruptcy, the Might and Magic series was acquired by Ubisoft for $1.3 million.

Critical Response

Upon release, Heroes IV garnered positive feedback, achieving a Metacritic rating of 84/100. GameSpot commended it as a worthy follow-up that adeptly incorporated fresh elements while preserving the essential features that characterized earlier entries. Other reviews varied from moderate to high scores, demonstrating strong approval for its gameplay enhancements and strategic complexity.

Sales Performance

In Germany, the game entered Media Control's computer game sales ranking at number 5 in April 2002. It climbed to fourth place in the subsequent month before descending to 12th and then 19th positions in June and July respectively.

Awards

The title was shortlisted for The Electric Playground's 2002 "Best Strategy Game for PC" accolade but was ultimately surpassed by Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

The Gathering Storm

The Gathering Storm experienced a more varied critical reception compared to the original Heroes IV, as reflected in its Metacritic score.

Winds of War

According to Metacritic data, Winds of War received an even more mixed critical response than both The Gathering Storm and the base game.