Techmash

Tag: #OldenEra

  • Deep in the Depths: Exploring the Dungeon Faction in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

    Deep in the Depths: Exploring the Dungeon Faction in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

    The strategy world has been buzzing ever since Ubisoft and Unfrozen announced Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era. As we head deeper into 2026, anticipation for the Early Access launch is reaching a fever pitch. While the game pays a massive “love letter” to the legendary Heroes III, it isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a mechanical evolution.

    Nowhere is this more evident than in the Dungeon Faction.

    Traditionally, the home of Warlocks and subterranean terrors, the Olden Era incarnation of the Dungeon is looking to be one of the most versatile—and lethal—factions in the game.

    The Return of the Overlords

    Dungeon has always been about power, but in the Olden Era, that power is more tactical than ever. Following recent developer updates and player feedback from the demo, the faction has seen some significant “polishing” to ensure their units aren’t just fodder for the surface dwellers.

    The aesthetic remains true to the classics: shadowy caverns, glowing crystals, and a roster of creatures that look like they crawled out of your worst (or best) nightmares.

    The Roster: Claws, Eyes, and Fire

    The Dungeon lineup balances high-initiative glass cannons with some of the sturdiest tanks in the game. Here is a look at the stars of the show:

    Minotaurs (Tier 4): A fan favourite, and for good reason. These guys are the backbone of your mid-game. Their ability to retaliate before being hit makes them an absolute nightmare for melee-heavy opponents.

    Onyx Dancers: These aren’t just shooters; they are debuff machines. Their ranged attacks can strip enemy armour, making them essential for taking down high-tier “tank” units.

    Medusas: Occupying a solid Tier 5 slot, they bring the classic “petrification” vibe, providing crucial crowd control when the battlefield gets crowded.

    Hydras: The ultimate area-of-effect (AoE) defenders. With no retaliation from enemies and the ability to strike multiple hexes, a well-placed Hydra can hold a chokepoint indefinitely.

    Black Dragons (Tier 7): The undisputed kings of the underground. High initiative, magic immunity, and a breath attack that can melt two stacks at once.

    New Mechanics: Faction Laws and Hero Skills

    What sets Olden Era apart are the Faction Laws. As you develop your kingdom, you’ll unlock unique laws that define your playstyle. For Dungeon, this often translates to:

    Versatility: Dungeon heroes often have abilities that aren’t strictly tied to their own faction units, allowing for incredible synergy if you decide to play a “mixed” army.

    Focus Generation: Many Dungeon units and heroes excel at generating Focus Points, the new resource used to trigger powerful active abilities during combat.

    Techmash Tip: Keep an eye on the “Infiltrator” units. Their ability to bypass obstacles and strike without retaliation makes them the perfect “assassin” unit for taking out pesky enemy casters.

    The Verdict So Far

    Unfrozen has clearly listened to the community. After early feedback suggested the Dungeon felt a bit “under-baked” compared to the Necropolis, the recent March 2026 updates have overhauled unit models and tweaked the Mage Guild research to give Warlocks the destructive edge they deserve.

    Whether you’re a veteran of the 90s era or a newcomer looking for a deep strategy fix, the Dungeon faction offers a high-skill, high-reward experience that rewards aggressive positioning and clever spellcasting.

    Are you planning to conquer Jadame from the shadows, or are you more of a “Knight in shining armour” Temple player? Let us know in the comments!

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/Yu1k8

    #HeroesofMightandMagic #OldenEra #DungeonFaction #Unfrozen #HoodedHorse #Ubisoft #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • The Strategy Saga Continues: A Look at Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

    The Strategy Saga Continues: A Look at Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

    For many strategy fans, the very mention of Heroes of Might and Magic conjures images of powerful heroes, fantastical armies, and countless hours spent traversing a richly detailed world map. After a long wait, the franchise is making an official, and very promising, return with Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era.

    Developed by Unfrozen (known for Iratus: Lord of the Dead) and published by Ubisoft and Hooded Horse, Olden Era is an official prequel that aims to recapture the magic of the series’ most beloved entries, particularly channelling the spirit of Heroes of Might and Magic III.

    A Return to the Classics, with Modern Flair

    The core of Olden Era‘s appeal is its commitment to the classic turn-based strategy and RPG hybrid gameplay that made the series a legend. Players will once again:

    • Command Heroes: Control powerful heroes, level them up, equip them with artefacts, and utilise their unique skills and spells.
    • Build Your Kingdom: Manage and upgrade your towns to recruit mythological creatures and soldiers for your growing armies. A new feature, Faction Laws, will allow you to embrace unique, faction-specific bonuses that dramatically alter your playstyle.
    • Explore and Conquer: Traverse a vast overworld map, gather resources, discover powerful secrets, and engage in tactical turn-based combat on a hexagonal grid battlefield.

    Long-time fans will be pleased to know that the game is set on Enroth, the world of the first three games, but expands the lore by setting the action on the continent of Jadame, which was previously only explored in Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer.

    Factions and Features

    Olden Era will launch with six unique factions, each offering a distinct aesthetic and playstyle:

    1. Temple
    2. Necropolis (Revealed on Halloween with a gameplay showcase!)
    3. Sylvan
    4. Dungeon
    5. Hive (A new insectoid swarm led by a demon lord)
    6. Schism (A mysterious, new Cthulhu-inspired faction with an eldritch theme)

    In addition to a promised non-linear single-player campaign, the game is set to feature multiple game modes, including:

    • Classic Mode: The traditional Heroes experience of managing heroes and castles.
    • One-Hero Mode: A more streamlined, fast-paced strategy focused on the survival of a single hero.
    • Arena: A combat-focused skirmish mode where players draft armies and jump straight into battle.

    And for those who love competitive play, developers have confirmed multiplayer with matchmaking, ratings, and leaderboards. Plus, a built-in map editor will allow the community to create and share their own scenarios.

    The Sound of Nostalgia

    No Heroes of Might and Magic game would be complete without an epic soundtrack. The good news is that the new instalment will feature music from legendary series composer Paul Romero, alongside Cris Velasco. Even better, the Heroes Orchestra, famous for their live performances of the series’ music, is also involved in creating the in-game orchestral tracks, ensuring the score captures that iconic sense of heroic fantasy.

    A Highly Anticipated Release

    The public has already gotten a taste of the action with a recently released free Steam demo, which has garnered a “Very Positive” reception from users. While the original target for Early Access was 2025, the developers have confirmed that the full Early Access launch will be in 2026 on PC via Steam, giving them extra time to polish the game and ensure it lives up to the high expectations of the community.

    Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era looks like a true passion project from a team who are clear fans of the franchise, aiming to deliver a modern revival that still feels like a classic. For veterans and newcomers alike, the continent of Jadame is waiting to be explored, and the call to war is about to be sounded.

    What are you most excited about in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era? Let us know in the comments!

    Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era https://unfrozen.studio

    #HeroesofMightandMagicOldenEra #games #gaming #gamers #Ubisoft #HoMM #OldenEra #demogame #Unfrozen #turnbasedstrategygame