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LizardWarrior
Honorable
Legendary Hero
the reckoning is at hand
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posted March 30, 2015 05:01 PM |
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Stronghold looks good, except the centaur is both pygmy and anorexic 
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Dies_Irae
Supreme Hero
with the perfect plan
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posted March 30, 2015 05:03 PM |
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The website is still lagging and it keeps breaking down, so I can't perform any commenting there.
I must say, Stronghold looks promising. Great creatures, great artwork. My first impression of the Faction Theme is a bit negative, though. It lacks the power of H6's (town) theme.
And...female centaurs? Oh dear, JEmo is gonna be furious. What happened to that guy anyway. Haven't seen him around the blog for a while.
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Minastir
Promising
Famous Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 05:05 PM |
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Edited by Minastir at 17:06, 30 Mar 2015.
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Sylvan hero or maybe one of councilors
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The_Green_Drag
Supreme Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 05:12 PM |
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I really hate seeing the crusher sharing an ability with another melee walking core. Much less a golem.
Cyclops having sweep is just as annoying. These guys look cool but they are way too similar to the swordmasters.
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JotunLogi
Known Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 05:33 PM |
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Hello everyone, i can finally share my thoughts and opinion about the fanday event and the game itself
Anyone interested can find it here: https://mmh7.ubi.com/pl/profile/JotunLogi
This is my profile on M&M: Heroes 7 site. If there are any questions- please ask them on the main site of the game cause it will be easer to find them and to answer them
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xerox
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 05:56 PM |
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they need to change the colour of the Ancient Behemoth to look more gray, they look like Yetis now, and the faction theme although beautiful doesnt fit Stronghold
I also miss Pao-Kai =(
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Stevie
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:10 PM |
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Sligneris
Supreme Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:12 PM |
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I can't load the blog at all, actually. 
It... kinda makes me wonder whether my IP's banned, or something.
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Pawek_13
Supreme Hero
Maths, maths everywhere!
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posted March 30, 2015 06:13 PM |
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Stevie said:
Where're the vote results.....
Exactly! I want to know whether or not we will have a Lich or Christmas tree.
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hahakocka
Known Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:24 PM |
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The Griffin is neutral creature this time? Or we can use them in the campaign only?
Lovely new infos pictures videos interviews and Stronghold! The music I heard long time before it's quite fit well i don't know that it is for them.
Congrat to the dev and publisher team!
The skill system is really interesting. I hope there will be a video about it only and about each of the factions.
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Dies_Irae
Supreme Hero
with the perfect plan
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posted March 30, 2015 06:32 PM |
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Sligneris said:
I can't load the blog at all, actually.
It... kinda makes me wonder whether my IP's banned, or something.
It's still lagging for me too. It must be a miracle that I was able to actually write a comment .
I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.
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JotunLogi
Known Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:34 PM |
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griffin is neutral creature but somehow strongly connected to Haven- Ivan has specialization in those creatures and will be using them in the campaign... not certain but there was sth written that Edric will be raising the growth of griffins or ssome other creature (cannot check it right now cause of problems with the main M&m: Heroes 7 site
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Dies_Irae
Supreme Hero
with the perfect plan
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posted March 30, 2015 06:35 PM |
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JotunLogi said:
griffin is neutral creature but somehow strongly connected to Haven- Ivan has specialization in those creatures and will be using them in the campaign... not certain but there was sth written that Edric will be raising the growth of griffins or ssome other creature (cannot check it right now cause of problems with the main M&m: Heroes 7 site
Griffins and Wolves  .
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JotunLogi
Known Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:40 PM |
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Due to problems wit the main site I will put my post right beneath.
Sorry fo the length of it
Dear Users,
As promised, I share with You my opinion and thoughts about the fanday event and the game itself.
Before You start reading it, just keep in mind:
1) We have played only 2 maps and the only faction playable was the Stronghold. By that I want to say that everything what is written below is almost entirely limited to this rather small part that I have witnessed
2) I have quite weird taste and preferences (in spite of the fact that I always chose classic fantasy over more modern approach, I am firm supporter of dessert shark idea) so please- take that into account I will try to focus on rather technical things and mechanics although not always
3) Game is in alfa version so many things will still be added and changed. That is the reason why I will just skip some topics or will not review them or describe- especially that many features that I have seen will not appear in the final product
4) Some things about which I have talked to team member will not be shared due to the fact that they are not certain- just some plans, thoughts, ideas and so. I do not want to give you false hope or just write about sth that will not appear in the final product- that would not be far to both You and the team
5) English language is not my native- so in advance I have to excuse for all the mistakes and especially those that can be misleading and against basic logic. If anyone will notice those - please inform me- I will explain everything and correct
6) Due to lack of time and writing this text in a hurry there are a lot of errors, much more that it should be. Once again sorry for that
I have divided this article in several different topics- I hope that that move will make it easier to read and find exactly what You are looking for.
1) The site
As the first person who has arrived at the Airport, I have had great honor to talk to Ubi-Nox for quite a long time. One of the topics that we have been discussing was the site and its future.
First of all, the reason why this site is as it is and has so many technical issues is the fact that for making it Dev team had made new site with new server location (I do not know all IT vocabulary and terms – just hope that You have the main idea). It means that the main Ubisoft server unit responsible for all the sites used by Ubisoft is not being engaged. That has allowed the Team to make this site quite unique, unlike all other Ubi sites. The team has more possibilities to shape it, update it and share so many infos and so.
Unfortunately, it means at the same time that much more effort has to be put in order to keep the site in shape- especially that nowadays the site has quite many users, articles and comments and it is still evolving. What is more, as we have seen recently more features are being added and more people are involved (moderators) so Ubisoft really cares about this site.
As mentioned above, I have talked to Ubi- Nox also about the future of the site, planned expansions and what exactly is hidden behind some mysterious topics like “community”. The plans and ideas are quite impressive and should keep game alive for quite a long time- that means that the site will not die right afer the release of the game. The actual shape and nature of those features are in progress cause Dev is quite busy with current problems that we have faced (glitches, log outs, suspensions, comment removals and so on) but are looking quite promising. Of course, the fate of the site and how those features will work largely depend on the success of the game.
To sum up this topic- Dev has put much effort to make this site not random and give much as many information as possible (without revealing everything that would spoil all the fun).
2) Options
First of all, I shall give in details what are all the requirements of the game and what game options are present in the title.
Thanks to use of Unreal Engine 3, game should be properly optimized and its requirements should not be very high- by that it should be possible to run it also on a bit older computers without any massive drawbacks and technical problems.
I was surprised by amount of options that are included in the game. There have been plenty brackets allowing the player to turn on/ off many features- both changing some graphics (like shades, light and many more), soundtrack, mechanics and much more. Unfortunately, everything was in English but even in my native language I would not understand all the features cause some of them uses all this terminology I am not familiar with (but many of those features are present in many modern games). There was one feature that should not be there but I was informed that it will be removed and just had forgot about it (really minor thing). I wanted to turn off all animations cause after some time, after seeing them over and over, I was fed up with them. I could not find it due to number of options and have not asked about it. Instead I just have changed the speed of the game and movement of the units and their animations. And it worked really well.
I have checked all the resolutions that are present in the game and everything has worked fantastic- I was not forced to exit the game in order to apply all the changes and everything was working just as it should. There were several resolution options and I have played on the highest (just because the screen was really large… and why not make use of it
Overall, I am really satisfied with number of options cause they worked just as they should have and all of them were relevant.
3) Graphics
Game is beautiful and runs quite smoothly. Of course, there have been many glitches- some animations were odd and gimmicky (especially flyers- they were moving awkwardly), some things were floating in the air, some abilities were not working as they should (or were not working at all) and so. But overall game is stable- none of those glitches and bugs has been spoiling the pleasure or the pace of the game. The game was not in danger of some major crash or some error that would make it unable to play. What is more, I have not noticed any objects/ textures to be mixing, putting one on the another and so.
I could only complain that in later stages of the game and in the ts the games tends to slow down quite rapidly, especially while using marketplace. But all those problems are not that big deal and should be polished/eliminated in coming weeks.
Game is on adventure map fully 3d and the camera can be rotated as the player wishes. What is more, the game can be zoom in and out so player can choose which position of the camera she/he likes the most.
As I have said earlier, the game is beautiful. It is colorful, with good quality of textures and lightning effects/ shades. This game is not the most gorgeous and outstanding game that is (or will be n the nearest future) available but it was not meant to be- of course there are and will be some fps games that will be much more amazing. But as it is, game is really pretty and solid.
All objects and units have many details and I cannot complain about their design or look. All their animations (aside from bugs and glitches) run smoothly and naturally, are not disturbing or irritating (ok the only exception is the… behemoth, his movement resembled some glitch gorilla walk).
Animations are quite quick and do not lengthen the game artificially . Even those special animations, even f some are overcool, are not a problem- especially that those are visible while killing a unit or while critical hitting the enemy. Just speeding the game up is enough if someone is fed up with those.
I have forgot to add that, due to nature of the factions and the missions I have played, everything has taken part in the desert. And in spite of the fact that this type of landscape has few thing to offer in terms of visual aspects, the terrain and objects on it were quite diverse and varied, pleasant to watch.
4) The interface
Saving/loading is quick and I have not met any problem while using it
Once again there is the same interface and button placement that was in previous Heroes (M&M: Heroes 6 and also HoMM 5 if I am not mistaken). I have not any problem with using it and adapting to it. It is intuitional, reasonable and easy to use.
In game there are many buttons on the keyboard that are involved and that offer many options- zooming, rotation, menu, quick save, hero details, ts and so on- and as far as I know, player can change those controls and choose those she/he prefers.
I disliked only two things-one was hero equipment. Just the picture of the hero was unpleasant to me (but I was informed that it was meant to be remastered, alongside with some icons and pictures). The bigger problem was the fact that all artifacts look a little too little- it was hard to recognize some of them and it was hard to enjoy their look (cause it is hard to make small icon to look mighty). What is more, placement of those artifacts was not intuitional- instead putting free brackets on the hero image, those have been put around with some rays connecting with the proper part of the body. In my opinion the solution we know in previous Heroes games is better
I also disliked the fact that artifact has not automatically fulfilled the free slot ion the inventory- each had to be put invidually what is both not that obvious for those used to other solutions and rather annoying when there are many artifacts being found
The interface looks decent, the font is easy to read and the chosen colors of the font and the background make it easy to read and to understand.
Now town icon is one left side, just above the map.
It is possible to point some important places on the map and attach something in order to keep focus on it.
A bit not intuitional was for me position of the passive abilities- but I got quickly used to them.
Quest diary works fine, there is division between primary and secondary quests.
5) Soundtrack
The music is decent and pleasant to ears. I cannot complain about it and… that is all. It fits the atmosphere, is well made and not even for a moment I have had a feeling that it does not suit the landscape or so. That is all I can say. It is just very good. I cannot say that all the pieces I have heard are belong my favorite in the series but none of them is among my least favorites. All the scores- battle music, adventure map scores and so are just really fine.
Sound effects are good, beasts roar as they should, effects same, I have never had the feeling that sth sounds unnatural or there is lack of some sounds. Or is lacking power (or opposite- sth is over the top).
The only thing that I really missed in the game were voice of the heroes in dialogues while they have been talking to each another- it was so… raw, to put it this way. I was informed that some of them will be added- not all will be voiced but some of the most important dialogues.
6) Spell system
In M&M: Heroes 7 we will witness the return of old magic system that we know from HoMM 3 and other games. There is again mana pool and no restrictions in casting the same spell over and over. Sadly, I have forgotten to ask how gaining the new spells (and especially those higher/ special spells) works and how investing the points in skillwheel affects number of spells and their effectiveness- one of the reasons was just because I have not invested in magic at all, only in war cries. Again, one spell can be cast in the round- and it can be done while our creature can its action so there are no hero turns. Hero can either cast a spell or attack. Game reminds the player about it
As far as I have noticed, new spells can be acquired by visiting magic guild in the town. The cost of upgrading it is average- not as heavy as t was in HoMM 3 (where level 5 costs 10 each main resources, level 4 costs 8 and so) and not as cheap as in hoMM 4 (1k gold and one 1 resource for each level). It is cheaper than costly but fair.
I have used two spells- regeneration that heals 40 hp each turn- and due to number of units that are used this spell is… disappointing, to say at least (or just useless). Other I have used was blizzard0 spell affecting a movement of the enemy (or units, do not remember) on some certain area. Sounded cool and it was probably working (cause, as mentioned earlier, not al the effects in the game were working at all and it is hard to say which exactly have been working properly).
There is some spell roster/ spell list (have seen it after Francois, one of the dev team members, had shown me it- but that is all I can say)
Finally, I have been talking to Francois and OakWarrior about the spells:
- There will be less mass spells
- There will be decent number of spells affecting the battlefield and enabling control of the map- both units and obstacles!!!
- There will be mechanics that would allow to regain mana in the battle (some of them we already know- like bone dragon’s ability)
- They are working on the proper balance of the spells (especially those spell damage)
7) Skillwheel & specialization
In the alfa game that we have played, heroes were lacking specialization. I was informed that they wanted to add them but had been busy with other aspects of the game. Now I find that good cause if we consider recent articles about heroes and their specializations- it is clear that all of them need to be changed!
But if You think that specialization is bad and is too light, not spicy enough and due to it the game, especially in the later stages, will be to faint and without character, then skillwheel is even bigger disappointment.
As You might have seen in some pictures, not it is really a wheel. How it works? As I have understood, hero starts with primary skill rays (not certain if also with others all it was just in campaign that the hero had all slots fulfilled)- knight with righteousness, economy and the third one. Those he can maximize to the highest level. Secondary skills can be only to some certain level. In order to unblock some skills it is needed to level up the ability- so to invest points. To be honest- I do not know if there are only secondary skills in the game
The problem is that all skills are so dull and lacking character that it was the first time in my Heroes experience that I have had no joy with developing my hero and gaining new levels. There is no synergy between skills or fun, nor other requirements- I have rushed blood rages and quickly have almost gained highest skill level of it. It looks weird…
In this system I do not find random skill system useful or needed…
Some positive information: Team is that this wheel need to be redone and some skills balanced, changed a bit so it can be way better and more interesting. Same with specialization- there is hope that those will be way better!
8) AI
Honestly - it is really hard to evaluate AI cause we have just played two scenarios without possibility to choose the difficulty level (and I do not know how the difficulty level will work or how it will look). What I have observed is that AI is fine, not great but not bad or disappointing. On the battlefield I have not noticed anything that would be considered dumb or pointless (unless some glitches made it so). I liked that AI has not played with the player- it attacked shooters and flyers of only possible, used most powerful spells… at the same time, I was not surprised by it. But, to be fair, the enemy has not had any possibility to do so.
On the strategic map computer in the second map (in the first the his movement was way too scripted) was doing fine… until his main army was slaughtered by neutrals. After that he was… more passive. So it is hard to say. Besides, it was just 2nd mission of the campaign (I was informed that each campaign will have 4- 5 missions).
9) Units and abilities
It is really hard to evaluate their strength and power due to the fact that stats will be definitely changed and tested so it would be unfair and not possible to judge them right now.
But some of them can be reviewed based on their abilities and what they were doing… and here is the problem we all know- there are too little abilities and most of them are some passives or just random abilities. In some circumstances they are very useful and give a lot of fun, but when facing unit alone… they are boring. What is more, even without units from their faction- they are boring. Just walker, just shooter…
The best example is Cabir that is… well, shooter. Without golems and Academy army he is… just is. And that can be said about most of the units.
Djinns and mages are flyers and shooters- so Academy is overall… not that exciting. Not bad, together with spells and hero should be great, but when facing as neutral- no.
Same can be said about Necropolis- skeletons are just mass, ghosts are so so…
Elementals are cool, solid abilities and fun to play (I have had the opportunity to use them).
Griffins are, as always decent. They looking the same as in the previous game or as in DoC arts.
Wolves… are wonderful, without a doubt one of the best creatures- and here I do not mean their stats (that were really solid, way higher than all other units). Their speed and abilities (both normal and upgraded version) make them just great to use and fight against!
Same can be said about bone dragons- they look really good, from above they are presenting quite nice… and they can bite quite hard- now champions seem to be much stronger than in M&M: Heroes 6!
Unfortunately, very disappointing was Haven cause so weak stats… and abilities. The aura of abbots affects nearest units- it is good cause forces player to place them correctly. The problem is that the pace of the battle and how it evolves forces her/ him to move forward and the ability is less useful. Here I especially have in mind pretorains that were moving towards me- cause I have really quickly slain his fellows… and when rushing, they are just boring stats. What is more, it is hard to make use of their abilities cause they move straight, not protecting themselves.
2 important news- SKILLS MIGHT BE CHANGED. If dev will see that the army is not as strong, that there is need to make it more interesting or just the faction is not as is should be (not following its nature and so)
What is more, they will consider not only changing some abilities but also EVEN adding NEW ABILITIES to some units. I must add here that I have asked if they will add lich dispel ability. They have answered that they do not exclude this but first all tests and balancing must be made and then they will see what need to be redone.
Unfortunately, there will be no spellcasting abilities.
I was informed that some abilities (one of them may be the gaze of the basilisk) has % chance of activating as t is in HoMM 3- in my opinion that is great!
Some abilities are passive, active abilities are on the left side of the screen. Passive will be for example pierce shot. Also harpy attack & return ability is active. To be honest, I am used to hoMM 4 system- that it is passive and the possibility to stay is active.
Finally some special mention deserves… spider. Surprisingly, this unit looks and moves really nice and…suits the army. Then looking on it from above, together with other Necro army friends, this is really well made unit. Simply. What is more, it was one of the most interesting enemies that I have encountered. Way more than dull skeletons!
10) Mechanics and economy
The game is much deeper and more complicated than its predecessor. There are many mechanics that really vary the gameplay and differ each faction.
The return of caravans s good to see, they seem to be really fine. What is more, the moving transport is visible on the map and the enemy can ambush it and destroy it as it was in HoMM 4. Great feature!
As in HoMM 3, each castle has its own mine within the town. But now it does not simply produce the resource that is used for hiring a champion.
What is more, the amount of resources is not only higher but player is forced to use all of them in order to expand the town- all are needed to hire troops and develop the town. No longer all others beside one are traded in marketplace- and this is still needed due to needs.
Now each champion has other requirements- behemoths required only crystal or sth like that but cyclops at the same moment required 1 resource and the other 1 that was completely different. Not only that- now also the upgrade of one of the elites creatures require special resources. In the case of the Stronghold it was basilisk that required this orange resource (I do not remember the name). Now there is constant need of resources and expansion!
The other great feature that I find insanely good is the possibility to buy building increasing amount of one of the creatures- but player has to choose which one between two creatures- one was harpy/ centaurs and the second was the choice between wyverns and basilisks. Really great feature!
Same choice has to been made between some special building in the towns- some defensive, some support and so. Thanks to that feature each time the tactics an the strategy should look different!
Once again, there will be possibility to sabotage enemy’s mines and it works properly. It gives the player additional resources for doing so.
Forts work quite nice, they are a lot better and more interesting than in M&M: heroes 6! Now player is forced to expand the territory and care about the whole area.
Other feature that I really like is the fact that now neutral very often consists of varied units- and often from those from other factions. Thanks to that battles are way more interesting and varied!
The features that I did not like that much are… possibility to build bridges and objects on the strategic maps. It sounds cool but in reality I felt that it is just some new sort of garrison or obstacle like a quest or a mission- just with other look. Scripted and not very fancy. Player has to wait one turn in certain spot after paying X resources. No one would notice if it would be replaced with just a quest building or color tent.
In adventure map I have seen not so many adventure structures and all of them are known to everyone (adding X stats, some stable and so).
In one of the dwelling I could buy cyclops so probably there will be dwelling in which we could buy only certain type of unit (but this is only what I think- do not take it for sure).
Towns development is similar to the one in HoMM 5- there is town level that can be achieved after building more structures. Town economy has not changed… but if I am not mistaken, the grail is can be now build… as all other structures- just all other building must be built. I personally prefer to find grail/ tear of Asha on the adventure map… but maybe I am wrong (hope so).
On the adventure map it is possible to find treasures after discovering the oracles (I have not seen any puzzle map).
And now heroes can move… without any army. Here I am quoting Oakwarrior: “It is indeed designed for heroes to be able to move without units. If an enemy attacks an empty hero, he gets defeated and sent to the hall of heroes instantly. If an empty hero tries to attack an army, he will not be able to enter combat. If 2 empty hostile heroes meet, nothing will happen.”
11) Stronghold
This faction is really well made, has very good and well balanced line- up. I have never been a huge fan of it but this on is just so fun to play and so awesome!
Town screen is quite beautiful and has some special atmosphere in it… Music is very pleasant (the best piece I have heard in the part I have witnessed) although, as always, it is very…. Happy tune. Why Stronghold is so… relaxed and fancy nad not savaged, wild- I have no idea 
The only problem I see is that buildings look almost the same and it is really hard to say what type of creature can be recruited in this one or what this building is for (there are some exceptions)- but preferred more the one from HoMM 3 where each building was easy to recognize. Also there are too many horns/ decorations. But overall- it is really good looking!
The army looks amazing. Gnolls are decent shooters but basically theey are the same as goblins form M&M: Heroes 6. Harpies are the same. Orcs are solid melee unit.
Centaur is solid shooter but their ability is more annoying cause plyer is forced more often to skip her second action and after army battles it is irritating and lengthens the game. But basilisks and wyverns are just magnificent. They look really well and have cool abilities that give Stronghold varied possibilities and provide many options. Wyverns has some protection against earth or acid magic and can poison the enemy. And it is a flyer that look like a dragon- very elegant and mighty dragon. It is no long some abomination without eyes… and looks way better than M&M: Hereos 6 black dragon. I hope that bd will be looking as good as the wyvern
Basilisk is fast walker that can petrify the enemy, strong and useful.
And the champions Both are great- upgraded cyclops have some nice active ability that allows them to have area damage. Really cool- but not have tried it, just faced them. But they are lot better and more interesting than in previous games!
The behemoth looks insanely good and is insanely strong- he reduces the enemy’s defence by half! And upgraded version has active ability to charge and deal massive damage.
The all Stronghold is coherent and looks mighty, everything works like in the clock-it just fits perfectly. It is my second or third favorite Stronghold in Heroes universe- just after the one from M&M:Heroes 6 (yeah, I am one of the few people that like jungle themed Stronghold) and on pair with the one from HoMM 2. The only thing I can complain about is that the chaces that Lizardmen faction will appear in Ashan are way lower….
The grail provides Stronghold +50% higher growth of creatures (and maybe some other additional perk, I do not remember).
12) Miscellaneous
- Haven ts is remodeled- I was informed that te wall has been changed and it will surround the whole town!
- About male druid heroes (I have promised Jeremiah that I will ask about it)- here is the answer given by OakWarrior: “You can tell Jeremiah that, like all factions, you will have male and female might and magic heroes”
- There are little chances that next M&M rpg game will be made. It is due to very low sales of M&M X. In spite of the fact that it was quite cheap in production due to reuse of some features and arts, the game has not made profit
- To my own surprise, Ubisoft is… much more warm and nice than it seems to be. It is not a company obsessed just with money, the atmosphere of it is great and it is so… kind. I have never been in company producing computer games and only have seen some photos. I have always thought that it is stuffed only with computers, some special and very expensive machines and so. To my own surprise, the building to which we have been invited is much nicer place!
- Limbic was thinking about adding some living creatures n the ts but it was too weird and artificial- the idea seems nice but is way harder to make real
- I have no idea how morale/ luck system works. It seems to be more like the one from hoMM 5- but it is only my guess
- Artifacts- should be decent. There were not many of those that I have found and seen but all of them looked fine and useful. I was informed that there will many of them and that they will be giving some additional perks and special effects (like orb of inhibition or shackles of war in HoMM 3)
13) People
Here I must say some words about all those magnificent people that I have met- they deserve it and am not exaggerating anything or saying anything oppose to the truth. Sorry for not including all the people on the list and writing so little about some of them but I have not had enough time to talk to everyone!
Especially I want to thank:
- Ubi-Nox for all the time I have spent with him a t the Airport, patience and work he has done in order to take care of everyone. He is very friendly and nice person, mindful and clever
- EmeraldPhoenix, Roch- Silverfand, Bey_Ond & his brother and Galaad- all of them are really nice and intelligent people and it was just pure pleasure to meet them, not to mention even discussing with them. And believe it or not- Galaad is one of the most polite and elegant persons I have met. Seriously. T was pure pleasure to meet them
- Alexis for being so mindful and taking care together with Ubi- Nox for the organization, great guy
- Francois and OakWarrior- for all the time spent together, patience to my person and just for all the event. They are really awesome people
- Erwan Le Breton- this guy is awesome. He always smiles, veryo tolerant and always has proper approach to people, with great knowledge of the gaming industry… not to mention that he is very meticulous, so well organized…. Seriously, it is blessing that this person is involved in M&M franchise. And he decisively does not deserve all those bad opinions
Here I want to share what I have heard from Erwan Le Breton about some aspects of gaming industry (those are not exact quotations cause I do not remember all the words):
- About overhyping games by Ubisoft: the problem is that the games made by Ubi are good. They are not insanely good, they have flaws as all other games but they are not disaster either. Ultimately, they are only games. People responsible for the marketing say just things that are impossible to make real, they promise sth out of reach, sth eyon imagination and do not even consult it with all the people who actually make the game. As the effect people are disappointed cause they get just “good” game. Ub has to improve communication within the company, especially between units producing games and those responsible for marketing
- About reuse of some older concept, arts and even models: production of games is nowadays much more expensive than it was several years ago. No longer games are made in garages without access to modern computers. /now it is much more difficult, 3d models, unlike 2d graphics in previous heroes, take a lot more time. What is more, if cost of the production of the game 10 years ago was 10 mln and it was a lot, nowadays, due to changes in the market, technology and imply in salary- it is normal that games cost 100 mln. 10 years ago it was quite cheap to make a game in Russia but since then everything has changed. That is why HoMM 5 has 3d towns- cause the financial situation allowed that. Hat is more, in order to make a game, there is needed a strict plan to do so, schedule showing that the proft will be made. It must be proved that game will sell- and prove why. One of the main aspects that is are responsible for the success is the visual one. If sth was popular and has sold well- then using it once again van be used as argument to give the project green light and allow to make it by the Headquaters/ producers. Besides, reusing some stuff means also lower costs- this is also an important argument
- Why game looks as it looks- game must be selled properly so its design must guarantee it. Heroes series is the bestselling turn- based strategy game so it can be considered as prove that the series evolves as it should. It was sold in 1,5- 2 mln copies but here must be taken into account differences in prices between all the countries. In West games costs usually 30- 60 $ or euro (sometimes 2x), in Eastern Europe- 3x lower and in China 3 $ or euro. In order to interest new people and make the game the most interesting Dev has to model on the most popular Developers and branches. And by that natural model to follow is Blizzard with its WoW
14) Gameplay & Conclusion
The game is fun to play, it has decent pace and the gameplay and the story developes just as they should. The first mission was a bit too scripted but the second was a game I want to play. It was neither too fast or too slow. Mechanics and interface are easy to understand but the game offers decent challenge. There are some featuers that worry me a bit- like skillwheel and specialization and some abilities of the units- cause they can make the game a bit faint and not juicy enough, especially in the late game. I hope that those will be changed-and the team has said that some changes and new things will be included in those areas.
The plot is nice, nth original or spectacular but also nth bad or boring. It is interesting enough to follow it and get into it. I am not saying that it is the best in the series- especially that I have seen only 2 missions. Dialogues seem to be fine.
The game can be described as mix of both hoMM 5 and M&M: heroes 6- it looks and feels a bit like the second one but the depth of the game, its mechanics and overall fell resembles more the first one. I have the feeling the game that M&M: Heroes 6 tried to be- just deeper and more complex.
All in all, I have spent great time while playing this title. The game is already really good and enjoyable. It has many interesting ideas, good pace and very likeable world worth exploring and discovering. If all the problems that I have mentioned above will be eliminated and the game will be given proper skillwheel, some abilities added and specialization changed- it clearly can be one of the best Heroes games. Maybe not the best- just cause it is extremely high quality game series- but still amazing.
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Dies_Irae
Supreme Hero
with the perfect plan
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posted March 30, 2015 06:46 PM |
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You could put this in a new thread, perhaps .
Good to hear or...read, that they've decided to remodel at least one Town Screen, which shows that they were receptive to the community's feedback.
Hehe, male druid heroes ...I wonder if JEmo is going to read this anyway, haven't seen him around for a while.
So, upgrading a creature dwelling won't increase production anymore, this time it is done through a special building which provides you with a choice between creatures. That sounds interesting! You may have posted this, but do fortifications also increase creature production like they used to?
Changing and adding creature abilities. Well, I know a few they could add or change  . Death Cloud for the liches, defense-reduction for Behemoths etc....
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The_Green_Drag
Supreme Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:49 PM |
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So the animations from the website is their attack animation...? Given the 'Piercing Claws' ability, why would ancient behemoths slam the ground instead of attacking with their claws? 
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JotunLogi
Known Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 06:50 PM |
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there are already too many threads, I could add this to Stevie's feedback thread or some other
I also have not seen him for a while
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Kimarous
Supreme Hero
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posted March 30, 2015 07:15 PM |
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https://mmh7.ubi.com/en/blog/post/view/necropolis-vote-results
Necropolis votes verified - and yes, those WERE the actual results.
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OmegaDestroyer
Hero of Order
Fox or Chicken?
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posted March 30, 2015 07:19 PM |
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Too bad the website is so laggy.
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The giant has awakened
You drink my blood and drown
Wrath and raving I will not stop
You'll never take me down
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Pawek_13
Supreme Hero
Maths, maths everywhere!
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posted March 30, 2015 07:20 PM |
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Kimarous said:
https://mmh7.ubi.com/en/blog/post/view/necropolis-vote-results
Necropolis votes verified - and yes, those WERE the actual results.
I am quite sattisfied with outcomes of these votes. Sure, Undead Sorcerer didn't win but the Priest of Death is also decent. He has a cool-looking book. 
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This MEGA THREAD is pages long: 
