The appearance of Might & Magic Clash of Heroes
on the iOS platform marks its third transplantation
from the original DS release.
After garnering praise for both its handheld
and console release, mobile gamers can now
experience the wonderfully paced and executed
Tactical-RPG from Capybara Games, the minds
behind Critter Crunch and co-authors of Superbrothers:
Sword & Sworcery EP.
Explaining the mechanics might take a moment,
but those paying attention may already remember
a game or two on the App Store that has mimicked
it.
Once in combat you're faced with a playfield
split in half.
From here the player is given a limited number
of turns to shift units from each column to
create 'formations', either of the defensive
or offensive variety, to deploy against the
enemy.
Advanced techniques allow players to 'chain'
and even 'fuse' formations to create powerful
attacks and blockades alike - and if all else
fails the player can deploy powerful magic
once their power-meter is filled during battle.
It's a surprisingly nuanced combat system
that manages to invoke the strategic play
of the larger 'Heroes of Might and Magic'
series, while remaining entirely unique in
its style and execution.
Players can still use legendary creatures,
each with their own special ability, and thanks
to the relatively short campaigns you'll never
get a chance to tire of the race you're using.
And while the visuals certainly can't compare
to the console and PC releases of the game,
they're still just as crisp and beautiful
as ever... with one exception.
Tapping and dragging is the primary form of
control and both feel sluggish and sticky
respectively.
Holding to delete specific units is also problematic
even with the game placing a highlight over
them.
For those yet to play Clash of Heroes it's
hard to beat the generous entry fee and gameplay
time (clocking in at around 20+ hours).
The fact that you also get online play as
well as pass-and-play multiplayer options
only helps to clinch this as a must have unless
you've played it too many times already.
