Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition
Before we begin, I like to give a quick thanks to Dotemu for showing us some love by not only giving us a review code but also being very understanding of our previous predicament! For the month of July, our website was noticeably off the airwaves but we are back! What better way to make our return known than with the return of a cult classic Puzzle RPG hybrid, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes Definitive Edition!
The original Clash of Heroes was released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, developed by Capybara Games, with an HD remastered port released in 2013. Ten years later, the game was remade from the ground up to match the expectations of modern consoles. Clash of Heroes was often regarded with fondness in combining RPG gameplay with the tactical brain-numbing action expected in puzzle games. Long before the days of Puzzles And Dragons, Capybara Studio had done the impossible, and Dotemu had done a fantastic job at replicating their success.
What makes Clash of Heroes a puzzle game is its core gameplay as it's a "match 3" game on the most basic level. Matching three of each color will queue an attack from that specific unit aimed at the designated lane. If enemy units are also within that lane, they will be dealt damage accordingly. Any lane without any enemies that are dealt damage will attack the summoner directly.
Each character has a specific set of units that they can control, with examples being archers, fairies, and bears. Each unit represents a different color and attack after a certain number of turns have passed. Archers may deal the least damage but they attack the following turn while stronger units will require more turns to deal damage.
Stronger units, including champions, will require a certain number of units of each color in order to activate. This is also where the RPG element comes into play as each special unit has unique abilities that set them apart from the normal units.
The druid for example can attack enemy units that are preparing an attack and add to the number of turns required to initiate their attack. If there is a heavy-hitting unit that must be delayed, then having a druid unit on your team can be beneficial.
Another good unit is the deer, which can leap over tier-1 walls without fail. Not only does this thin out the defenses of the opponent, but it also allows a sturdy unit to deal damage and close out clutch battles.
The champion units include dragons, trents, and other larger-than-life spirits that deal a considerable amount of damage to enemy units and the enemy themselves. Gameplay reminded me a lot of Magic The Gathering in the sense that each unit protects the player from direct damage. The best way to consider each battle is that every matching unit has the ability to trample damage to deal direct damage to the summoner.
This leads to the RPG element of Clash of Heroes as each unit has a unique ability to limit the win condition of the opponent while also securing a win for the players themselves. There are also puzzle side quests that act as the game's "trial" mode. Players can remove units and earn bonus turns by causing formations in this way. Certain win conditions involve avoiding attacking certain lanes as well as attacking targets from certain lanes.
If one mission requires the player to avoid attacking a civilian, then it's best to avoid building attack units in the lane you suspect the civilian to be in. Likewise, there's a mission that requires the player to defeat a foe that constantly moves. Attacking the defending units doesn't matter as much as attacking those harming a sacred tree.
The Clash of Heroes campaign lasts for as long as other RPGs, with each region representing a central character and each having its own unique units to command. This also helps to keep the gameplay feeling fresh as the "match three gameplay" can only be utilized so many times before it feels overly familiar.
But this is what made this game a surprise hit for me, as there's just as much importance in strategy as there is in making enough chains to take enough turns. It may seem overwhelming at first but difficult battles became a concept of trial and error. Losing your most important units and having to replace them by spending hard-earned coins always sucks, so learning how to make the best of a bad hand is important.
Overall, Might And Magic: Clash Of Heroes Definitive Edition is, no intended pun, the definitive edition in terms of comparing it to its origins on the Nintendo DS. The higher resolution and updated art design certainly help as well as the resolution in the game. The lack of a need to convey two actions on two different screens means that players can see a more refined user interface while also making it easier to see the action. This hybrid RPG Puzzler may not be for everyone, but those who give this a chance may find a surprise waiting for them despite its challenge.
Might And Magic: Clash Of Heroes Definitive Edition is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4