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Another preview of Heroes of Might and Magic V has arrived from the PC side, this time from 1UP.com. The latest in the fantasy themed turn based strategy series, HoMM V promises to innovate without losing the distinctive gameplay which made previous incarnations successful.

Hero units participate in combat, but from the sidelines, striking freely or calling down magic. Leveling your heroes precedes at a nice clip, letting you build up elite leaders that suit your ideal of a fantasy warlord precisely. Your hero's integration into the "big important story!" that's going on during the campaign seems adequate, but less interesting then claiming territory, smashing your enemies, and powering up your soldiers. That's not a knock on the story, but a confirmation that the core systems are looking like great turn-based escapism.

The 3D maps are a big improvement over previous series iterations, look great, and haven't changed too much from our last look. Careful, obsessive attentive to the environment is necessary to get every bit of potential from the materials, recruits, and experience-granting enemies in the area as more than a few plums require you to wheedle the camera into just the right position to find them.

1UP.com: HoMM V Preview

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