There are few names in strategy gaming that carry the same weight as Heroes of Might and Magic series, and now Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is stepping onto the battlefield in Game Preview and Early Access.
Available right now on PC via the Xbox Store (and also on Steam), and launching Day One on Game Pass (Ultimate and PC tiers), this is a comeback that leans heavily into what made the series legendary – while opening the gates for a new generation of tacticians.
Just don’t go firing up your console yet – this one is PC-only for now, even if it’s sitting within the Xbox ecosystem.
At A Glance
- Title: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
- Publisher: Hooded Horse
- Developer: Unfrozen
- Platforms: PC (Xbox Store, Steam)
- Availability: Game Preview / Early Access, Game Pass (Ultimate & PC)
- Price: £34.99 (Xbox Store)
- Playable On Console: No (PC only at present)
A Classic Reforged For A New Era
Olden Era doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but that’s part of the appeal. Instead, it doubles down on the pillars that built the franchise: turn-based tactical combat, empire management, and RPG-style hero progression.
You’ll recruit heroes, raise armies of mythical creatures, and expand your territory across maps packed with opportunity and danger. Whether you’re following a narrative campaign or diving into procedurally generated worlds, every move matters – and every mistake can cost you dearly.
Choose Your Faction, Shape Your Strategy
At the heart of Olden Era are its six factions, each offering a distinct way to play. From noble knights and griffins to undead legions and fire-breathing horrors, your choice dictates not just your army, but your entire approach to battle.
Some forces thrive on raw power and resilience, while others lean into fragile-but-deadly tactics, draining life or overwhelming enemies with sheer numbers. Add in a roster of over a hundred unique heroes, each with their own abilities and starting setups, and the strategic possibilities quickly start to stack up.
No two campaigns play out the same. Thankfully.
A World Built For Exploration And Risk
Beyond the battlefield, Olden Era thrives on exploration. You’ll begin with a single settlement, slowly expanding your influence by capturing towns, securing resource nodes and uncovering hidden treasures.
But progress isn’t just about growth – it’s about risk. Every turn forces decisions. Do you chase resources, hunt artefacts, or push aggressively toward enemy territory?
With limited movement and dangerous chokepoints scattered across the map, each choice carries weight. Push too far, too fast, and you may find your army outmatched. Play too cautiously, and your rivals will outpace you.
Battles Where Every Decision Counts
Combat remains the series’ beating heart, and Olden Era delivers the kind of layered, turn-based encounters fans expect.
Armies clash across grid-based battlefields, where positioning, unit abilities and spellcasting all intertwine. Heroes influence the tide of war with powerful magic drawn from multiple schools, while units gain access to unique abilities through a Focus system that rewards aggressive play.
Even the most basic troops can become formidable when paired with the right strategy, and equally, a powerful army can crumble under poor decision-making.
Early Access With Big Ambitions
It’s worth remembering that this is still a work in progress. As a Game Preview and Early Access title, Olden Era may evolve significantly over time, with new features, balancing tweaks and content updates expected as development continues.
But even at this stage, there’s a clear sense of direction; one rooted in celebrating the past while building something that can stand alongside modern strategy heavyweights.
A Kingdom Worth Watching
For long-time fans, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era feels like a long-awaited return to form. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to step into one of strategy gaming’s most influential series at a fresh starting point.
With Game Pass lowering the barrier to entry on PC (here’s your Xbox Store link!), there’s little reason not to at least test the waters – just be prepared to lose a few hours… or entire evenings…
