The wait is nearly over for strategy fans. After a decade-long hibernation, one of the most storied franchises in PC gaming history is officially returning to its roots. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is set to launch into Early Access on April 30, 2026.

Developed by Unfrozen Studio (the team behind Iratus: Lord of the Dead) and published by the strategy specialists at Hooded Horse in collaboration with Ubisoft, Olden Era isn’t just a new entry—it’s a prequel. We’re heading back to the world of Enroth, specifically the continent of Jadame, to witness the origins of the legend.

---

A Modern Take on the Golden Age

For many, the peak of the series remains Heroes III. Olden Era leans heavily into that nostalgia while bringing the mechanics into the modern age. You can expect the classic loop: explore a vibrant world map, gather resources, build up your capital city, and lead massive armies into turn-based tactical hex combat.

Key Features at Launch:

• Six Unique Factions: Explore diverse playstyles with the Temple (Classic Knights), Necropolis (Undead), Dungeon (Dark Elves), Hive (Demonic Insectoids), Grove (Nature), and the mysterious Schism.
• Non-Linear Campaign: Shape the history of Jadame through a narrative-driven story.
• New Multiplayer Modes: Beyond the “Classic” mode, players can try the Single Hero mode (perfect for faster sessions) and Arena mode for those who want to jump straight into tactical drafting and combat.
• Faction Laws: A new layer of strategy that allows you to customise your kingdom’s development and hero progression.

---

Why the Early Access Approach?

The strategy genre thrives on balance, and the developers are keen to get this right. By launching on Steam Early Access, the Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass on day one, Unfrozen Studio aims to fine-tune the competitive meta and polish the procedural map generation based on community feedback.

The inclusion of a powerful in-game editor at launch is also a massive win. The Heroes community has kept the franchise alive for 30 years through fan-made maps and mods; giving players the tools to create from day one ensures the game will have legs.

---

The Verdict So Far

Recent hands-on previews and the Steam demo have shown a game that understands its identity. It looks crisp, the UI is significantly more intuitive than the later Ubisoft-era entries, and the tactical depth feels “just right.”

Whether you’re a veteran who can still hear the Heroes III town music in your sleep or a newcomer looking for a deep strategy title to sink 100 hours into, Olden Era is shaping up to be the comeback we’ve been waiting for.

Release Date: April 30, 2026

Platforms: PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, PC Game Pass)

Developer: Unfrozen

Publisher: Hooded Horse / Ubisoft

Are you ready to lose your weekends to “just one more turn” again? Let us know which faction you’ll be maining in the comments!

Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/i3g1M

#heroesofmightandmagic #hommoldenera #hoodedhorse #ubisoft #unfrozen #knights #battles #combat #games #gaming #gamers