Unveiling the Origins: A Look into the Making of the First Might and Magic Game

The first entry in the Might and Magic series was a significant milestone in the role-playing game genre. Developed by Jon Van Caneghem and his company New World Computing, the game was released in 1986 for the Apple II and was later ported to other platforms. Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum introduced players to a vast and immersive world filled with adventure and exploration. The game featured a party of characters who could be customized with various classes and skills, allowing for different playstyles and strategies. The game's open-ended nature and non-linear gameplay set it apart from other RPGs at the time. One of the most notable aspects of the game was its unique combination of turn-based combat and first-person exploration.

The majority of the gameplay takes place in a medieval fantasy setting. The player controls a party of player characters, which can consist of members of various character classes. The game world is presented to the player in first person perspective. In the earlier games the interface is very similar to that of Bard's Tale, but from Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven onward, the interface features a scrolling three-dimensional environment similar to that of Doom. Combat is turn-based, though the later games allowed the player to choose to conduct combat in real time.

Might and Magic II Gates to Another World 1988; Apple II, DOS, NEC PC-8801 Starcraft , NEC PC-9801 Starcraft , 1989; Commodore 64, MSX Starcraft 1990; Amiga, Mac, 1991; Sega Genesis Electronic Arts , 1993; SNES Elite Systems, Europe only , SNES Japanese version. Inside Castle Alamar, go to the Throne Room and if you have the Eye of Goros, the impostor will be revealed and you ll be transported to the Soul Maze.

One of the most notable aspects of the game was its unique combination of turn-based combat and first-person exploration. Players would navigate through a grid-based world and encounter enemies in combat, where they could strategically plan their moves. The game also featured a wide variety of enemies, items, and quests, providing hours of gameplay and replay value.

Interested in getting into The Might & Magic series

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BasilZero

Now I'm still new to Western RPGs.

Been playing jRPGs for all the years I've been gaming.

I did play and finish Torchlight 1 and 2 - enjoyed both games.

Outside of that I did play Mass Effect Trilogy which was amazing.

I am interested in getting into the M&M series especially since there's a Steam sale for Ubisoft IPs one of which is M&M.

Now, I know the series has been on consoles and has been out for years but any recommendations for a newbie player for the series to start the series?

I see the oldest game (on Steam) is Dark Messiah which reminds me of Bioshock (which I also love) however I notice the rest of the series is more of the standard WRPG.

Should I start on one of the titles on Steam or should I look elsewhere to start the series?

What are your opinions ERA?

Edit: Also story order or does it not matter?

Warrior of Light

Might & Magic isn't my cup of tea, but Heroes of Might & Magic (or Might & Magic Heroes as Ubisoft now calls it) definitely is, especially 3 and 4.

BasilZero

Might & Magic isn't my cup of tea, but Heroes of Might & Magic (or Might & Magic Heroes as Ubisoft now calls it) definitely is, especially 3 and 4.

Calibro

BasilZero

Sorry, I meant oldest released on Steam lol - I know the series originated in the 1980s lol.

I've seen videos of the old games. though it looks dated, wouldnt mind playing it, I mean if I survived playing Dragon Quest and FF games on the NES, I'm sure I can with this series :P.

Calibro

I'd recommend starting with Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven if you want to get into M&M RPGs specifically. Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is also really good. Heroes of Might & Magic is a turn-based strategy series, far from an RPG (II / III are still legendary though).

RockyMin

Played those games since the first one. Great series. GOG has a bundle of the first 6 games for 10 bucks. And the others are pretty cheap as well. They are all in my GOG library lol.

Elandyll

I have good memories of World of Xeen (M&M 4 and 5 combined), but that was a loooong time ago, not sure how it holds up.

Skittzo

Might and Magic 7 is my favorite. The main series is very different from heroes and Dark Messiah though, it depends on what kind of game you want.

cake

If you don't mind looking outside of Steam, GOG has all the older games (6-8 are all fantastic, 6 especially is one of my favorite games; I vote it each time the Best RPG voting pops up) The main series and Heroes are different (as is Dark Messiah), with the main ones being first person freeform (with pause, more rpg focused) and heroes being more turn and tiles based (more strategy games), while Dark Messiah being it's own thing.

BasilZero

I'd recommend starting with Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven if you want to get into M&M RPGs specifically. Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is also really good. Heroes of Might & Magic is a turn-based strategy series, far from an RPG (II / III are still legendary though).

I'm guessing I should get the Complete editions for both of these games?

Played those games since the first one. Great series. GOG has a bundle of the first 6 games for 10 bucks. And the others are pretty cheap as well. They are all in my GOG library lol.

Oooh, forgot about that, I should get those on GOG.

Might and Magic 7 is my favorite. The main series is very different from heroes and Dark Messiah though, it depends on what kind of game you want.

To be honest, I dont mind trying them all out.

So the main series is a RPG.

Heroes is Strategy RPG

And Dark Messiah is. action?

Warrior of Light

I honestly don't remember that much about the plot, but 1-4 were made by New World Computing / 3DO. I believe the latter two have connected storylines. 5-7 were made by Ubisoft and never really appealed to me, and I think they also rebooted the whole universe.

1 and 2 haven't really aged all that well, to be fair. 3 and 4 still hold up, imo. There's an HD edition of 3, but it does not contain the expansion packs. Honestly, my advice is to get these games (with expansion packs) on GOG, cheap and DRM free.

BasilZero

If you don't mind looking outside of Steam, GOG has all the older games (6-8 are all fantastic, 6 especially is one of my favorite games; I vote it each time the Best RPG voting pops up) The main series and Heroes are different (as is Dark Messiah), with the main ones being first person freeform (with pause, more rpg focused) and heroes being more turn and tiles based (more strategy games), while Dark Messiah being it's own thing.

Yeah I dont mind using GOG, so I'll check those out too, completely forgot GOG had the older titles. Would prefer to play the games on PC rather than consoles.

Warrior of Light

I don't think any of these games are currently on sale via GOG though, but I'm sure they'll be soon enough.

Jiggy

Might & Magic VI and VII are two of the best RPGs ever made.

Dark Messiah is an okay first person action game.

Heroes of Might & Magic is a turn based strategy spinoff. The recent Heroes titles aren't very good, but the classics (II and III) are amazing.

Really, I'd recommend starting with VI.

BasilZero

I don't think any of these games are currently on sale via GOG though, but I'm sure they'll be soon enough.

I've added them all on my GOG wishlist!

Might & Magic VI and VII are two of the best RPGs ever made.

Dark Messiah is an okay first person action game.

Heroes of Might & Magic is a turn based strategy spinoff. The recent Heroes titles aren't very good, but the classics (II and III) are amazing.

Really, I'd recommend starting with VI.

When you mean the classics for II and III, do you mean Hero titles II and III or the original series II and III?

2+2=5

M&M6 and HoM&M 2 and/or 3 are absolute must have, i heard that people hate HoM&M3 HD graphics, so you may want the original from GOG.
IIRC the recent M&MX gives you M&M6, while on GOG there's a bundle with M&M from 1 to 6

Brinksman

Dark Messiah is an alright standalone game, but beyond some minor story points it doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of the series.

All of the original RPGs are extremely dated by now, but the charm is still present. Might and Magic VII is probably the best entry point. If you have a lot of time and feel like following a narrative then maybe try completing Might and Magic III, V, VI and VII in that order. There is an overarching plot, but it's rather loose beyond those four games.

Heroes of Might and Magic III is one of the most fun and accessible TBS games ever made, and is still being actively updated on by fans.

If you feel like reading a pretty well-written story while playing a TBS then get Heroes of Might and Magic IV.

There are many spinoffs, which range from decent to shovelware. The Ubisoft games (2006-2015) are extremely hit and miss, some very much worth looking into and some flat out crapware, and feature a bizarre, rambling narrative with no connection to the NWC era.

Warrior of Light

I'd replace HoM&M2 with HoM&M4. I feel like the former is basically just an inferior version of HoM&M3 whereas the latter is different enough while still retaining the basics to warrant a purchase (it's also the prettiest game in the series, imo).

fireflame

Sorry, I meant oldest released on Steam lol - I know the series originated in the 1980s lol.

I've seen videos of the old games. though it looks dated, wouldnt mind playing it, I mean if I survived playing Dragon Quest and FF games on the NES, I'm sure I can with this series :P.

Messiah is accessible and action centered i enjoyed it. It is very fun to us emind control and kick enemies in this game. Game has sometimes issues on some computers so you may need tweaks.

Stencil

Jiggy

When you mean the classics for II and III, do you mean Hero titles II and III or the original series II and III?

Pre-VI mainline entires are incredibly dated and kind of hard to recommend nowadays, even if they were amazing RPGs back in their day

BasilZero

Pre-VI mainline entires are incredibly dated and kind of hard to recommend nowadays, even if they were amazing RPGs back in their day

I wishlisted them already.

Wish there was a bundle of all the games though lol.

jotun?

I have fond memories of the very first one

But if you play that, be prepared with graph paper and a pencil to draw maps of everything

BasilZero

I have fond memories of the very first one

But if you play that, be prepared with graph paper and a pencil to draw maps of everything

Tebunker

I like/liked MM Legacy X and would rec it for sure. Maybe not the best starting point but it was a solid throwback when no one was making these kinds of rpgs. Now it seems like there has been a renaissance

hutna

I have good memories of World of Xeen (M&M 4 and 5 combined), but that was a loooong time ago, not sure how it holds up.

Same. Played these as a teen when they first came out (I’m old I know) and the way they connected was so cool. I still think they hold up depending on your expectations on the visuals. Never played any of the mainline M&M games after the Xeen games. HoM&M 2 and 3 are both amazing classics and probably my favorite “hot seat” multiplayer games, but are completely different to the main game series.

Deleted member 37233

Don't forget Heroes of Might and Magic V! It's the last good one, but it's really good!

I really liked Might and Magic VI, but I don't think it's aged that well unfortunately

Skittzo

I wishlisted them already.

Wish there was a bundle of all the games though lol.

I'm pretty sure there are bundles on Gog.com for the mainline titles at least. I think I bought a MM1-6 bundle, then 7 and 8 standalone.

Damaniel

I've played most of the mainline M&M games (2, 3, the Xeen games, 6, 7, 8), and for most people I'd recommend going straight to 6/7/8.

BasilZero

I'm pretty sure there are bundles on Gog.com for the mainline titles at least. I think I bought a MM1-6 bundle, then 7 and 8 standalone.

anthraxus

Great series with tons of charm. (9 sucks though and 8 isn't nearly as good as 6 or 7)

The early ones (1 & 2) are awesome and offer a more hard core traditional CRPG experience with a different combat (menu driven) and item system. Gates to Another World might be my favorite from the entire series it's so good.

(of course on a site like this you're gonna have a lot of ppl telling you to start with the later ones, but don't listen to them)

Rei dos Vermes

I believe Might and Magic VI (RPG) and Heroes of Might and Magic V (Strategy) are the best entry points in each series.

For Might and Magic VI, just buy the game on GOG and install the unofficial 1.7 patch: https://www.gog.com/forum/might_and_magic_series/mm6_unofficial_patch_1_7

For Heroes V, buy the stand-alone expansion pack Tribes of the East and download a mod that adds the original campaigns to it. It's nice to play the original campaigns with proper widescreen resolutions, more units, and improved gameplay: http://heroescommunity.com/viewthread.php3?TID=41303

MrDoctor

heroes iii is an all-time pc classic and one of the best srpgs ever made. heroes ii is widely considered to be even better in some ways, so don’t miss that.

as for the main series, the early games are extremely archaic for most people to put up with beyond a brief curiosity. i suggest starting with the nes version m&m1 for a more welcoming visual presentation, as well as an amazing soundtrack.

Robin

Restless Insomniac

qaopjlll

BasilZero

Minsc

Also consider HoM&M V as well. The campaign is fun to play through, the 3D towns are a really fun addition the series, and the 2nd expansion adds so many unit variations it gives a lot of tactical depth in upgrade paths and gameplay variety. It's defintely underrated and I would not skip it if you enjoy the gameplay.

IlGialloMondadori

Go for Might and Magic World of Xeen. It's super fun, has great music, and a great sense of adventure. It's the best of the early games.

Knight in Shining Armani

Don't sleep on Dark Messiah. It makes Elder Scrolls and Dishonored (a game series by the Dark Messiah devs themselves) look bad in terms of combat.

JTyrmi

I recommend playing from VI to VIII. They're all great games with VII being the best IMO. For the older games, they can be a bit too old for a newcomer, but VI to VIII offers great gameplay, story, quests, secrets, loot, classes and challenge for any player even today.
Haven't played X yet, but would like to.

Lux86

mclem

For what it's worth, I actually played M&M1 fairly recently (2013), and I genuinely think the design holds up pretty well, considering. My comments from the completion threads at the time:

Now, I've tentatively started Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum. Yup, the very first game in the series. Given the length I'm hearing about for the game, I'm sceptical if I'll finish that in time (or indeed retain interest in the game - it's at the limits of my patience, and I've already hex edited once to resurrect some characters because money was just so scarce. although I don't intend to make a habit of that!), but it's on the go.

I'm really enjoying M&M1, but it's a gargantuan game and the chances of me finishing it this (or even next!) month are slim.

Might and Magic is *huge*, but I'm really enjoying it. Should reach a conclusion sometime in late October, I suspect, if I keep at the same pace

Finished Might & Magic 1. Thoroughly enjoyed it, too; it's much deeper than I was expecting for 1986. There's no ingame timer, but I'd estimate around 75 hours or so of play. That said, the last week was a bit ridiculous; I think I managed to double my levels in the space of one weekend, as various ways to increase core stats became apparent.

I was amazed at how compelling I found that, making pages and pages of maps and notes, piecing together how the world all fit together. I was totally engrossed in it - and found it far more advanced than I'd expect from a game approaching its thirtieth birthday.

One that actually surprised me for how well it aged, though, was Might and Magic, which - graphics aside - felt a lot more advanced than I'd have expected from a 1986 dungeon crawl. To the extent that I would quite happily assert that I enjoyed playing Might and Magic 1 a lot more than I enjoyed playing The Elder Scrolls: Arena, a game a full ten years more recent.

KainXVIII

I really want to replay M&M4-5 (as World of Xeen), not really sure about MM3 or earlier games..
Also really liked MIDI music in this series

Sorel

I just know about the heroes series, and I would neither advise 2 nor 4, 3 and 5 are among the best SRPG ever, with all their expansion they are must have on PC imho.

Fugu

This is a really great series of games. You have probably already realized that the Might and Magic banner is on a lot of different kinds of games; I will attempt to clear things up a bit.

The main two series' within Might and Magic are the Might and Magic games and the Heroes of Might and Magic games. The Might and Magic games are RPGs based heavily around gear and exploration. The combat isn't particularly deep, but there's a lot of variety in the environments, the foes and the puzzles. You have a lot of freedom in these games, and you are really given a lot of leeway to do things on your own schedule. A lot of the fun is gradually becoming the most powerful thing in the universe in your way. If you're expecting some deep role-playing or nuanced plot, these aren't the games for you, but if you like big worlds and having lots of things to interact with in them, there isn't really much better out there.

The Heroes of Might and Magic games are turn-based strategy games with heavy RPG elements. It is difficult to summarize the gameplay, but it is actually quite similar in spirit to the mainline M&M games even though the actual gameplay is entirely different. If you are interested in this series as well, I will elaborate some more, but the short version is this: Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is one of the best games ever made. The complete edition, available on GoG, is probably the best $10 you can spend. Do not buy the Ubisoft remaster.

I would avoid the games outside of these two series'. Dark Messiah is a pretty neat game but it has nothing at all to do with any of the other games in the franchise; the other spinoffs are generally of fairly low quality.

Intellect is what your sorceror, and later on your archer need to make their spells more effective. Again, you should have it as high as possible for them. The rest of your guys don’t need it at all.

Furthermore, Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum laid the foundation for the series' long-running mythology and lore. The game introduced the world of Varn, which would become the setting for many future installments in the franchise. It also established several key elements, such as the Ancients and the titular Inner Sanctum, that would continue to be explored and expanded upon in later games. The success of Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum led to numerous sequels and spin-offs, solidifying the series as one of the most enduring and influential in the RPG genre. It also paved the way for other popular RPG franchises, inspiring developers to create their own immersive worlds and gameplay mechanics. In conclusion, the first entry in the Might and Magic series, Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum, was a groundbreaking game that revolutionized the RPG genre. It introduced a vast and immersive world, unique gameplay mechanics, and laid the foundation for a rich and expansive mythology. Its impact on the gaming industry can still be felt today, making it a seminal title in the history of RPGs..

Reviews for "Behind the Scenes of Might and Magic: Unearthing the Development of the First Game"

- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to try the first entry in the Might and Magic series, but I was sorely disappointed. The graphics were incredibly outdated and it felt like I was playing a game from the 80s. The controls were clunky and difficult to navigate, and the gameplay itself was tedious and repetitive. I had high hopes for this game, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

- John - 1 out of 5 stars - I cannot express how much I did not enjoy the first entry in the Might and Magic series. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, the characters were bland and forgettable, and the combat system was frustratingly difficult to master. The game felt outdated and uninspired, and I could not find any redeeming qualities that would make me want to continue playing. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I have played many fantasy RPGs before, but the first entry in the Might and Magic series did not capture my interest at all. The world felt empty and lifeless, with repetitive environments and lackluster quests. The combat system was clunky and unbalanced, making battles more of a chore than an enjoyable experience. Overall, I did not find anything particularly memorable or engaging about this game, and I would not recommend it to others.

A Classic in the Making: The Legacy of the First Might and Magic Installment