Heroes of Might and Magic II#Expansion

{{main|Heroes of Might and Magic#Gameplay|l1=Series gameplay}}

Image:HoMM2 screenshot.png

For the most part, Heroes of Might and Magic II is largely a graphical overhaul to the first game. Gameplay in both games is along the 4X genre of strategy games, in that the player builds their kingdom from the ground up, securing resources, stronger armies, better generals, and then uses those assets to find and defeat opponents through capturing their castles and defeating their armies. Aside from the updated look, Heroes II added many new features that would become staples in the Heroes of Might and Magic franchise. Heroes II added the Necromancer and Wizard factions, joining the original four factions (Knight, Barbarian, Sorceress, and Warlock) from the first game.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2001 |title=Heroes of Might and Magic II |url=http://www.gamezilla.com/reviews/h/homm2.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011127203552/www.gamezilla.com/reviews/h/homm2.asp |archive-date=November 27, 2001 |website=Gamezilla}} These two new factions also come with an army of creatures and a themed town that ties the faction together, and the six are divided down the middle to have 3 "good" and 3 "evil" factions.

Each hero still retains the 'primary skill' system from Heroes I but now can also learn secondary skills, giving each hero the ability to become more distinctive as they gain experience. Each hero can possess up to eight different secondary skills and once gained, a skill can be developed from Basic to Advanced and Expert levels. For example, the Wisdom skill allows a hero to learn spells of level 3 and higher, while the Logistics skill increases the hero's movement ability over land. In Heroes I, heroes had a single, fixed special ability according to their class. The magic system was overhauled in Heroes II. Heroes I had used a memorization system in which each spell could be cast a certain number of times before being exhausted, where the player had to return to a guild to relearn the spell. Heroes II uses a magic point system that allows the player to apportion spell use as needed, while the varying point cost of different spells maintains balance. Another major feature introduced in Heroes II is the ability to upgrade certain army units, granting them improved statistics and, in some cases, important abilities.

In order to play, players guide around their heroes and have them fight other ones and castles. People have full control over their castles, what to build in them, and whether to upgrade a town to a castle. People can only upgrade each castle once per turn.

Lastly, Heroes II added more scenarios to the game and a proper campaign, where the player chooses the good or evil side and plays a series of scenarios using the three factions of that side. Victories in certain scenarios give the player lasting bonuses that carry over to future scenarios, and the player can choose a starting bonus before each scenario starts based on what strategy they take.

The canonical ending of Heroes I results in Lord Morglin Ironfist's victory. In the following years, he has successfully unified the continent of Enroth and secured his rule as King. Upon the king's death, his two sons, Archibald and Roland, vie for the crown. Archibald orchestrates a series of events that lead to Roland's exile. Archibald is then declared the new king, while Roland organizes a resistance. Each alignment is represented by one of the game's two campaigns. Archibald's campaign features the three "evil"-aligned town factions (Necromancers, Warlocks and Barbarians), while Roland's campaign features the three "good"-aligned town factions (Knights, Sorceresses and Wizards).

If Archibald is victorious, Roland's rebellion is crushed, and Roland himself is imprisoned in Castle Ironfist, leaving Archibald the uncontested ruler of Enroth. The canonical ending, however, results in Roland's victory, with Archibald being turned to stone by Roland's court wizard, Tanir. This event is referenced later in Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven, when Archibald is freed of the spell. He goes on to be a significant NPC in Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor.

{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

Much of the core programming of Heroes II was carried over from the original Heroes, thus the game actually took less time to develop than the original Heroes.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}}

The soundtrack was produced primarily by Paul Romero.

{{Video game reviews

| CGW = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine |author=Chin, Elliott |title=Classic Heroism |date=February 1997 |issue=151 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=216, 217}}

| GSpot = 8.2/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-succession-wars-r/1900-2537609 |title=Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars Review |first=Tim |last=Soete |date=1996-11-26 |access-date=2012-04-27}}

| NGen = {{rating|3|5}}

| rev1 = MacAddict

| rev1Score = "Freakin' Awesome!"{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990505000520/http://www.macaddict.com/issues/1097/rev.hmmii.html |url=http://www.macaddict.com:80/issues/1097/rev.hmmii.html |title=Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars |date=October 1997 |archive-date=May 5, 1999 |work=MacAddict |author=Tafel, Kathy |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2020}}

| rev2 = PC Games

| rev2Score= B+{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970711134151/http://www.pcgames.com/reviews/strategy/heroes.html |url=http://www.pcgames.com:80/reviews/strategy/heroes.html |title=Heroes Of Might & Magic II: The Succession Wars |work=PC Games |author=Klett, Steve |archive-date=July 11, 1997 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2020}}

}}

In December 1996, PC Gamer reported that Heroes of Might and Magic II was "doing particularly well in retail, with every 3DO retailer reordering the product."{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961223080042/http://www.pcgamer.com/news.html#s |url=http://www.pcgamer.com:80/news.html#s |title=Short Items... Heroes of Might and Magic II Selling Well |author=Staff |date=December 17, 1996 |work=PC Gamer US |archive-date=December 23, 1996 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2020}} Combined sales of the Heroes of Might and Magic series, including Heroes II, surpassed 500,000 copies by October 1997.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070428/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-10-27.html |url=http://www.pcgamer.com:80/news/news-1997-10-27.html |title=3DO in Flux |date=October 30, 1997 |author=Staff |work=PC Gamer US |archive-date=February 18, 1998 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2020}} This number rose to 1.5 million copies by December 1999.{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010425145533/http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=thdo&script=410&layout=9&item_id=66067 |url=http://www.corporate-ir.net:80/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=thdo&script=410&layout=9&item_id=66067 |url-status=dead |title=3DO Ships Heroes of Might and Magic(R) III for Macintosh(R) |archive-date=April 25, 2001 |agency=PR Newswire |date=December 21, 1999 |location=Redwood City, California}}

Next Generation reviewed the Macintosh version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "as role-playing games are few on the Mac, HM&MII, with its mix of character and Warcraft-like game elements is a welcome addition."{{cite magazine |title=Finals |magazine=Next Generation |issue=33 |publisher=Imagine Media |date=September 1997 |page=144}}

Computer Gaming World called Heroes II a "strategy game that amaze[d] everyone with its surprising, addictive qualities and amazing ease of use" and found that Heroes II was "much better than the original Heroes of Might and Magic." Apart from two gameplay issues - the lack of a wait function, and not being able to control your hero if all of your units are disabled, the reviewer found the game "nearly perfect."{{cite magazine |last=Chin |first=Elliott |title=Classic Heroism - Heroes II Is An Amazing Sequel To '95's Best Strategy Game |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff-Davis |date=February 1997 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1997&pub=2&id=151 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |pages=216, 217}}

The editors of PC Gamer US named Heroes of Might and Magic II 1996's "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game", and called it "clearly a cut above" the rest of its genre that year.{{cite press release |title=PC Gamer Reveals Its 1997 Award Winners |date=February 6, 1997 |location=Brisbane, California |work=Business Wire}} The game was nominated for Computer Gaming World{{'}}s 1996 "Strategy Game of the Year" and Computer Game Entertainment{{'}}s "Best Strategy Game" prizes, as well as Computer Games Strategy Plus{{'}}s award for the top turn-based strategy title of 1996, but lost in all of these categories to Civilization II.{{cite web |author=Staff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970614161401/http://www.cdmag.com/news/0325971.html |url=http://www.cdmag.com/news/0325971.html |title=Computer Games Strategy Plus announces 1996 Awards |date=March 25, 1997 |work=Computer Games Strategy Plus |archive-date=June 14, 1997 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite journal |author=Staff |journal=Computer Game Entertainment |title=The Computer Game Entertainment Awards 1996 |date=July 1997 |issue=1 |pages=54–58}}{{cite magazine |author=Staff |magazine=Computer Gaming World |title=The Computer Gaming World 1997 Premier Awards |date=May 1997 |issue=154 |pages=68–70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80}} It was also a finalist for the Computer Game Developers Conference's 1996 "Best Strategy/War Game" Spotlight Award,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970605172050/http://www.next-generation.com/news/041597e.chtml |url=http://www.next-generation.com:80/news/041597e.chtml |title=And the Nominees Are... |date=April 15, 1997 |author=Staff |work=Next Generation |archive-date=June 5, 1997 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 13, 2020}} which ultimately went to Command & Conquer: Red Alert.{{cite press release |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/spotlight_1997.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703083042/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/spotlight_1997.html |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |title=Spotlight Awards Winners Announced for Best Computer Games of 1996 |publisher=Game Developers Conference |url-status=live |location=Santa Clara, California |date=April 28, 1997}} The editors of Computer Gaming World wrote, "The simplicity of King's Bounty-style tactical combat is the perfect counterpoint to the surprising depth of the strategic game, and unlike Heroes I, the campaign is much more satisfying."

• The Duelist #16{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/the-duelist-16/page/n101/mode/2up | title=The Duelist # 16 | date=April 1997 }}
• Gamezilla

Heroes of Might and Magic II was named the 25th-best computer game ever by PC Gamer UK in 1997.{{cite magazine |author1=Flynn, James |author2=Owen, Steve |author3=Pierce, Matthew |author4=Davis, Jonathan |author5=Longhurst, Richard |magazine=PC Gamer UK |title=The PC Gamer Top 100 |date=July 1997 |issue=45 |pages=51–83}} In 1998, PC Gamer US declared it the seventh-best computer game ever released, and the editors called it "the most dangerously addictive turn-based strategy game in the history of PC gaming (with the possible exception of Civilization II)."{{cite journal |author=The PC Gamer Editors |title=The 50 Best Games Ever |date=October 1998 |volume=5 |number=10 |journal=PC Gamer US |pages=86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 125, 126, 129, 130}} In 2003, Heroes of Might and Magic II was inducted into GameSpot's list of the greatest games of all time.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-20.html |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009065338/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-20.html |archive-date=October 9, 2007}} Fheroes2: Resurrection is an open source multiplatform engine recreation. It adds improvements like higher screen resolutions, language translations, and improved artificial intelligence.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Faith |title=How Fans Are Resurrecting Heroes Of Might And Magic II |url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/how-fans-are-resurrecting-heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=17 November 2023 |date=17 November 2023}} Version 1.0 was released on December 21, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Hubchyk |first1=Ihar |title=fheroes 2 - Release version 1.0.0 |url=https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2/releases/tag/1.0.0 |website=GitHub |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=17 November 2023 |date=21 December 2022}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}}

The Price of Loyalty was the expansion pack for Heroes II, released on May 16, 1997. The expansion added four new campaigns, new artifacts, new scenario maps, new in-map buildings and an improved map editor. The expansion also added a new structure for the Necromancer faction - a shrine that enhanced the heroes' ability to raise the dead (Necromancy Skills). Each new campaign had a totally different story that did not have any connection to the original game or the other campaigns.{{Cite web |date=May 30, 1997 |title=Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Price of Loyalty Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-price-of-loyalty/reviews/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-price-of-loyalty-review-2537723/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730080911/http://www.gamespot.com/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-price-of-loyalty/reviews/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-price-of-loyalty-review-2537723/ |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |website=Gamespot}}

{{reflist}}

• {{moby game|id=/1513/heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-succession-wars}}
• [https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2 fheroes2: Resurrection] at GitHub

{{Might and Magic series}}

Category:1996 video games

Category:The 3DO Company games

Category:Acorn Archimedes games

Category:Classic Mac OS games

Category:DOS games

Category:Game Boy Color games

Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox

Category:Heroes of Might and Magic

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:New World Computing games

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Video games scored by Paul Romero

Category:Video games scored by Steve Baca

Category:Video games set in castles

Category:Windows games