Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra

New World Computing

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	United States
Products	Might and Magic series

Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra represents the third entry in the Might and Magic series of role-playing games, launched in 1991 by New World Computing. It serves as a sequel to Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World and precedes Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen. Although a version for the Sega Genesis was developed, it ultimately was never released.

Gameplay

Building upon its predecessors, Might and Magic III introduces an enhanced first-person, turn-based gameplay system. With a larger development team and advancements in technology, it delivers richer VGA graphics, broader sound card compatibility featuring improved sound effects, music, and synthesized voice, along with the addition of mouse support for the first time.

The interface replaces text-based character summaries with a graphical heads-up display that includes portraits reflecting the health status of player characters. Spellcasting is simplified through a spell list rather than numeric codes. Level maps have expanded beyond the previous 16 x 16 grid limitation and now incorporate an automap feature, eliminating the necessity for manual mapping. Enemies are visible from afar, enabling strategic ranged attacks, unlike earlier games where foes only appeared when occupying the same square. After combat, loot is collected automatically without requiring manual searching.

Players may save their game progress almost anywhere except in certain zones such as the Arena or Castle Greywind Dungeon. This system differs from earlier titles that mandated inns for saving and also records defeated enemies to prevent their respawning upon revisiting areas.

Plot

Following Sheltem’s defeat on CRON in Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World, a fresh group of adventurers originating from his "homeworld" Terra becomes entangled in the ongoing struggle between two Guardians. They aid Corak in thwarting Sheltem’s renewed menace. In canon, these heroes include Sir Caneghem, Crag Hack, Maximus, Resurrectra, Dark Shade, Kastore, Robert the Wise, and Tolberti.

The party explores the Isles of Terra—flat "nacelle" worlds that Sheltem dragged from the Void onto Terra. Now antagonistic toward the Ancients, Sheltem propels these nacelles into stars, causing widespread devastation. Inspired by Corak’s journals detailing the Ancients, Elemental Lords, and "Forces of the Dome," the adventurers confront numerous dangers while pursuing the Guardians.

Eventually, they navigate the "Maze from Hell," earning recognition as "Ultimate Adventurers." They uncover Terra's backstory and gain access to the Pyramids of the Ancients, discovering a 'Main Control Center' inside an underwater seedship once used by Ancients to colonize Terra before it submerged.

At the story’s end, Sheltem flees in a pod aboard this seedship toward Xeen’s nacelle while Corak gives chase. Corak contacts the adventurers via his pod, guiding them on employing matter transfer technology to safely land the seedship—called "Lincoln." The heroes follow Corak and Sheltem aboard Lincoln, setting up events leading into Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen. However, they veer off course and later appear as powerful non-player characters in Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor.

Development

Presage Software was responsible for creating the Macintosh edition.

Reception

Johnny L. Wilson of Computer Gaming World (1991) observed that the title attracts both newcomers and seasoned fans of the Might & Magic series. Charles Ardai described it as "an impressive fresh take on classic ideas," likely to please its dedicated audience. In 1992, the publication included it among the top role-playing games of the year, commending its visuals, audio, and demanding gameplay. The reviewer Scorpia regarded it as "a significant enhancement to the series, well worth experiencing."

Dragon magazine awarded a perfect score of 5 out of 5. Jim Trunzo from White Wolf rated it 4 out of 5, emphasizing features such as automapping, a flexible save system, a wide variety of spells and weapons, and an expansive fantasy environment, marking a notable progression compared to previous installments.

Regarding the SNES adaptation, Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 6 out of 10, acknowledging its engaging narrative and soundtrack while criticizing the user interface and the slow pace of its stepwise movement.

In 1994, PC Gamer US placed Might & Magic III at number 25 in their list of greatest computer games ever made, describing it as "one of the most captivating adventures in role-playing history."