Heroes of Might and Magic 2 - Review

[@CidiusPsychopaticus]

Halflings are in Wizard army, because Bilbo was hanging out with Gandalf, not with Legolas.

[@taggebagge]

Heroes II is the best Heroes game, by far in my opinion. 3 and 5 are also very good.

[@jointhe6461]

Correct answer! 2, 3, and 5.

[@taggebagge]

The fourth (allthough dysfunctional in general) had some good perks though, for instance a very good soundtrack and the concept of caster units. Heroes 5 adopted this concept though, but otherwise reverted to the similarities of Heroes 3 with buffed up graphics and different towns. I think that really is a winning concept when making sequels, a shame that they derailed from the main theme with the sixth one and onwards.

[@michaelzindo163]

3 >>> 2 > all

[@wickspg]

I agree. Most people seem to think Heroes 3 is the best, and in many ways it surpasses 2. But the one thing I don't like about Heroes 3 is the way the puzzle artifact petty much makes the rest of the game boring because victory (if you found it) or defeat (if an enemy found it) is certain. The artifact in Heroes 2 is powerful and beneficial, but you still have to go and win the game.

[@michaelzindo163]

but you can take the city with graal, usually its a close castle

[@HellionPL]

U can speed up the battle animations if U like ;-)

[@alexanderv.8961]

Yes. Seems like he didn't play this game for that long.

[@1wing1]

all clips are from like mission 1 and 2 from both respective campaigns so he probably played it for 4h max. doesnt make sense to make a review then but hey patreons gotta pay

[@bensosnowski1128]

How?

[@KGSKGSKGSKGSKGS]

man why have you not increased the animation speed.. it hurts it being so slow

[@bensosnowski1128]

How do you do that?

[@somebody2344]

@@bensosnowski1128 in settings🤦

[@Daindeer]

I've had heroes 1-3 since I was a kid, and I still come back to them every once in a while. I'm really glad to see 1 and 2 getting some recognition. People are always praising homm3, but 1 and 2 are just as good in their own ways.

[@redalert6684]

It's bad that people don't mention 1 and 2. They also deserve it like 3.

[@Celeb55]

Wizard's lineup makes more sense than you think. Golems and titans are wizard's constructions. Boars, Halflings and Rocs are wizard's allies (maybe referencing Gandalf and his relation with Eagles+Hobbits?). I can't wait until you see Heroes III's Dungeon town. This one is crazy when it comes to creatures. Increasing combat speed would make the game more enjoyable btw.

[@KingOfMadCows]

The Dungeon is basically warlords and crazy warlocks. Their units are either mercenaries hired by the warlords, like minotaurs, or monsters created by the warlocks, like beholders.

[@yosefyonin6824]

titans created by wizards? WUT? how is giant lightining-shooting demigods a creation of mere mortals? (btw, the dungeon is basically evil/underground creatures

[@barbaron123]

Wow Celeb here how unexpected.

[@johannaderee4763]

Yosef Yonin, created by the wizards is perhaps indeed a bit of a strange proposition, but allied with the wizards is a lot more logical if you take ancient Greek religious practice into account. unlike christianity or islam, the ancient greek religion functioned more like the church of scientology. you could join a cult, and be initiated into it's 'higher mysteries' through years of devotion and sacrifice. this would in return would give you powers, like a wizard, if you did it right. so maybe it's more that the wizards have a natural allience with the titans because the titans taught them how to wizard

[@yosefyonin6824]

that makes more sense, especially considering that the titan residency is called "cloud temple"

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

The music in all of the games was *SO* gorgeous all on its own... it was a WONDERFUL treat that the gameplay was outstanding from day 1. Heroes III is probably the best mix of 'everything you want to see, feel, and hear', but each game was wonderful. IV seemed like a step backward (with some interesting innovations), and frankly, I just didn't enjoy HoM&M V, so... I stuck with III for bloody 20+ years. Teaching my daughter now. SHE LOVES IT. 💪😎🤟

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Check out "Heroes Orchestra", you'll love it if you don't know it already :)

[@Zhuravliov]

Actually this "rustic screens" ARE video files. Technically. Mostly it is a single 3d background compressed to .SMK video file and a single animated gif with a transparent background compressed to .SMK video files where both shows at the same time. Every "voice-medallion" cutscene is made this way. 3d-background video and animated medallion video placed on the top of it. I don't know how to explain it better.

[@Ploulaf]

Oh boy I can't wait to see what cool stuff he's got to say about HOMM3!!

[@Xsikss]

It's really nice to see a perspective of someone who isn't in love with the series to begin with. Take your time while playing each of the games .These are my favorite strategic series which i've played since i can remember

[@alexanderrahl7034]

The campaign was in depth because it ties in with the RPG might and magic 6

[@bingobongo1615]

Judge Tater However HoMM1 has a campaign story but its in the manual. Its actual super cool though a bit short

[@nakenmil]

"Dey have de things about them that I like, I like the both of them. Good on them." - HippoCrit, 2018.

[@smokapopierdolio1157]

Finally ! i've been waiting for days, i love a concept of you playing games as new player, watching it from perspective of old player makes these games feel so fresh.

[@SemaphoreNewgrounds]

the music on that game is outstanding

[@dontghostbanmeplz8788]

Besides more stuff compared to Homm1, you forgot to mention 2 important gameplay changes. - In Homm2 you can now divide your stacks of monsters into smaller stacks. Very handy if your 1 stack of dragons is way to overpowered for the opponents you are facing. - The magic system in Homm2 is a lot better. Where in homm 1 your knowledge equals the amount of times you can use a spell untill you revisit the mage guild, in Homm 2 you get 10 magic points for 1 knowledge. Each spell requires a certain amount of manapoints (the stronger it is, the more mana it requires). So in Homm 2 you need to take better care of how you use your spells, since you cant cast anything once you run out.

[@pavlezoranovic1859]

Heroes III is gonna blow you away my dude. It's undescribable how perfect that game is.

[@redalert6684]

Yeah, personally, I love it more than II. But anyway H2 has a spirit of fairy tale. And even now there are people who love more II than III.

[@XfStef]

Wow this was actually a pretty good video. Small tip on HoMM2: Don't put yourself in the situation of having to turtle up. Get out there on the map and pick it clean. Also HoMM3 is good, but it's not better than 2, just my personal preference.

[@blabla-rg7ky]

better than something AND personal preference are 2 entirely things.... Also, how can a strategy game that is more complex (therefore, more strategic) not be better than one that is less complex (therefore, less strategic)? That's illogical, therefore you are illogical, therefore heroes 2 is NOT better than heroes 3. You simply like it more, which is understandable and the correct statement since everyone is entitled to their personal preference

[@Mikebrowski]

I acutally like but the depth third offers is amazing

[@Unstable_constant]

bla bla God, you are so triggered xD so many logical fallacies

[@blabla-rg7ky]

I admit: manipulative bias triggers me xD .... Also, I would LOVE to know what those "logical fallacies" are, so care to mention them?

[@Unstable_constant]

bla bla 1. Assumption that less complex strategic game cannot be better than more complex one (chess is a pretty simple game compared to modern board games, yet it is widely held in extremely high regard) 2. Assumption that something less fitting into its genre (or a class) cannot be better than a thing that fulfill requirements of its class more ideally (muh platonism, a chair with more chairness might be better in its context than a chair with less chairness, but the chair with less chairness can still be better when considered in context of the parent class: as furniture) 3. Assumption that sentence "x is better" is actually something different than "I like x more" is highly debatable, especially concerning art/form of entertainment (that's why you don't see this word that much in science articles, and if so, usually as "better FOR blabla" or "better WHEN blabla" in summary sections)

[@Aeroldoth3]

+HippoCrit The difficulty issues you have are just the learning curve. As you play more, you'll figure out strategies, tactics, and things you have to do in certain ways that will make wining much more likely. Figuring out these things was part of the fun for me.

[@hetothet7605]

I played this game since I kindergarten, when I started I couldn't play it properly so my father made saves for me when he had a big enough army(from dragons ofc because dragon are the fucking best) and had contained the enemy for me so I could win. I'm 19 now and I just love playing this game, I had my finals this month and it helped me through the stress and anxiety or when I feel lonely or some shit I just play with this, I used to play this with booth of my uncles (who had shown me the game in the first place) and with my mom, funny thing is her favourite castle was the necromancer, I prefer the sorceress perosanaly. This game would deserve some kind of an award, not Unisoft tho the people who made it in the first place.

[@vianenhive]

I am so glad you decided to continue with these.

[@BobbyNeverdie]

Just watched both your reviews and it super nice to see a younger dude play these games. Its a huge nostalgia for me. Cant wait for the HOMAMIII review. See ya on twitch! :)

[@niboe1312]

Ah, this is the one. This is the first video game I ever played. This was my dad's favorite game when I was a baby boy, so that's how I got to play it. It's a pretty obscure game otherwise, so I never saw any YT videos about it. It's still almost unreal to watch a video by one of my favorite channels reviewing the darn thing! I love ya gibbo. Keep it up

[@zenithquasar9623]

Omg, when you say "rustic"! That is exactly how I define the 90s gfx!!! Think of blockiness and overuse of brown and gritty textures in many games.

[@finnarmstrong2359]

This is perfect. I subscribed to your channel yesterday after seeing your HoMM1 review. Two was my personal favorite, but I think three is probably the best overall. Good luck with the channel.

[@HajduDIGITAL]

I'm a sucker for the atmosphere of this game. Dat music too.

[@Sean-ft7ys]

Nice review- I got the same collection you did a couple of years ago. If you’re like me you’ll play through the main campaigns of 1 and 2 and mayyybe some of the expansion of 2 (I dont think I did) before you’ll be hero’d out for now. As you said. These games take a lot of time. But when you come back heroes 3 should be a fun one to get into. It’s a fine game but don’t let folks blow it up to godly levels for you, as that’s the best way to be disappointed, which makes for an uneven review. Most don’t like 4... I just got through it recently for the first time and found it to be quite enjoyable. After beating 4 I finally went back to the 2 expansion. Saving the expansions for later replays is a nice way to revisit the old games but with “new” content. Happy gaming!

[@mjd3879]

Came to this channel because of HoMM1 and 2. Hope you review 3 soon!

[@mateuszjarzembinski3d]

you can change animation speed of units :) you have it set to the lowest it seems. Same for your here on the map, you can change how fast he moves

[@jemperdiller]

In the defence of the flat good vs evil narrative - there is a Sphinx in one of the missions that will ask you "Who is the true King?" - and the true answer is "Archibald"... Maybe, Roland is not as good and pure as it looks from the beginning?

[@GepardenK]

Archibald also helps you save the world in Might and Magic VI after you free him from his stone form in the library that Roland put him in at the end of Heroes II

[@jpbd7574]

@2:33 Why would you take eagle eye NOOOOOOOO EAGLE EYE IS THE WORST SKILL IN THE GAME OMG

[@dicio4001]

Never really thought about the Wizard castle creatures being strange. Kind of accepted that they adopted these guys. Like the rocs and pigs where just living in the desert area and the half-lings feel magical anyway, "wizard peasants" sort of.

[@johnmurdoch8534]

Heroes 2 is my favorite of the three. Heroes 3 was first i played but heroes 2 has such a great aesthetic. Perfection. Heroes 1 is also wonderful.

[@masterexploder9668]

Speed up the battles and explore faster in the early game. It's useful to hire extra heroes to help with resource gathering and transporting extra troops to your main fighting hero, who won't waste move points on picking everything. Don't carry along very slow units, because they also slow hero on world map. Peasants are useless anyway, don't bother buying them. Basic dwarves and iron golems are also bad to carry. There is really a lot of little tricks in Heroes games. It also depends on player experience, but some missions are easier, some are balanced but there are really hard missions as well.

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Peasants are useless? I think the necromancers would like to have a chat with you... :D

[@masterexploder9668]

@@CakePrincessCelestia If you don't play necromancer then yes they are pretty useless. Also don't bring them (or weak units in general) next to enemy ghosts.

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

@@masterexploder9668 Exactly :)

[@Gilgaberry]

During battles go to the bottom left part of the screen to increase the animation speed, so that battles don't suck.

[@elfsings]

As a heads up whenever, Heroes IV is more like Units of Might and Magic I.

[@theonetocomeifyoubelieveit]

Can't wait for your HOMM III review, its so good :) I had a great nostalgic trip watching this. Haven't played HOMM 2 in probably 20 years.

[@n.k.63]

Wizard class is a weird combination of Tolkien and Jewish mythology in a way. Halflings ang giant eagles are clearly taken from LoTR. Golems come from Jewish myths, while Halfling and Giant can be seen as a throwback to David and Goliath. Boars are just for fun, though, guess NWC couldn't think of a better unit, I think originally they planned giant toads. instead..

[@TheRetroRaven]

The 3rd and 4th installments are really good as well. I started playing these games in the 90s with my friends.

[@sclarke6969]

Love this so much! The music was so good, like really good at the time! Worth pointing out mixing different races units reduces your leadership, so at least they tried to stop it

[@Edmasterz]

You can speed up the battle animations in the option menu when in a fight.

[@fet_frug]

3rd game next, oh boy im excited to see what all the H3 game fanatics are gonna write in the comments about your review >.> Looking forward to 4th installment myself as i love to hear others opinions on it.

[@Seth717]

you should increase the animation speed lol

[@bensosnowski1128]

How?

[@Seth717]

@@bensosnowski1128 in game, when you enter the battle, there is battle options, there you can increase the units animations

[@scully00]

I think this video series highlight the best of what "hippocrit" as a channel is

[@GreggyAck]

2 is my personal favourite and a top 10 game of all time.

[@Morokiin]

I agree, I think the first game had much more charm. The real question is... We've all seen it in the background in your vlogs on Gibbontake; when is the Dark Cloud 2 video coming?

[@gulrotderunreine]

Nice review of One of my alltime favourites, and the first video ive seen from you. Instant sub, cause i really like your style.

[@budal15]

I'm explaining magician castle units right now. Haflings because Gandalf recruited them in the Hobbit and LotR. Boars don't make much sense other than being forrest inhabitants summoned by magicians. Golems because they are controlled by and filled with magic. Roks because Gandalf used to summon eagles (different type of bird but still) Magicians is pretty obvious. Giants and Titans again filled with and used by magic giantic statues.

[@TheCitrusPanda]

Song playing at 9:30? I know that song from somewhere, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

[@firstone3289]

TIME FOR NUMBER 3!!!!

[@OnlineVideoSurfer]

I really hope this channel breaks out to a larger audience some day, because these are some really well made, well edited videos that still actually manage to be engaged in the mechanics of the game and how they create/influence player decisions. Even in a video like this, where you're still learning the game and making visible beginner mistakes (you really should not have been turtling in stage 2 of Archibald's campaign, for example), there's still an engagement in the very specific rules of the game and how it innovates and improves (or doesn't improve) on the first game. And you describe your experiences honestly, in an entertaining and concise way (unlike this post, for example!). I guess what I'm saying is keep making stuff, because you're good at this KZbin thing.

[@Nimerkoi]

This one actually got me hooked into Homm series, but i still think 3 is better of the bunch.

[@GarielBee]

That game is so difficult. The AI cheats by observing the whole map from the beginning. The soundtrack of this game is epic.

[@opvask]

OH MY GOD WOULD YOU PLEASE INCREASE THE ANIMATIONSPEED DURING COMBAT THX

[@user-q7e4nbd5mjki8frj]

I use to play this game naked in my adolescence and I would always become very giddy whenever upgrades on my castle were available.

[@toxicitzi357]

Nicely done on that mission, I love those parts in both reviews of you stipulating on the strategic planning of the game. :)

[@thomaseubank1503]

3:09 I know exactly what you mean by that "grainyness to it". I finally found a way to get that effect using the noise filter on an art program.

[@Fingolfin3423]

Heroes 2 will always be my favorite. Heroes 3 is incredible, but I always give the edge to Heroes 2. Heroes 4 has great music, but that's about it.

[@jeradpaulson771]

Definition dynamo (Wordgirl and captain Huggyface Battle theme) 9:27

[@7000_Skeletons]

I appreciate choosing a picture of my more youthful face for the thumbnail. That turquoise cloak really captures the colour of my eyes quite well.

[@RalfsBalodis]

10:20 Just put the combat speed on very fast Hint: use little computer button down left corner....

[@sillyfly9530]

^ This. First thing every HoMM player should do is set combat animation speed to the fastest option.

[@willlynott5681]

Even after playing a thousand of hours playing Skyrim, i still like playing Heroes of Might and Magic II. Have you tried the editor ? It allows you to create an entire map with different environments, castles, resources, monsters, and magic portals. I've spent hours creating it, then networking my computers and inviting friends to play- for hours on just the one map. I've even played my created maps on my own, even though i know the map, it still is challenging.

[@jeru_jj1161]

Wait till you play 4. you either love it or breaks your heart.

[@justchill4297]

i want Heroes of Might and Magic 3 - Review its the best game of his series

[@randommz60]

The series is a spinoff of the might and magic games. So if your unsure about something just remember almost everything is borrowed from that set of games and its lore.

[@Szkieletor2160]

8:08 where is that skeleton animation from?

[@Qwufi]

Nice video! I loved it. Also at "that" map where you had to buy crystals one by one I had the same experience. I took me ages to get through that level.

[@hisato1998]

10:14 you have normal speed of battle but i always prefer very fast and you can see the number of enemy just by clicking on them right click and you can see how much hp they have left :)

[@xheezy]

And that is why you set the battle animations to very fast. The game shouldn't feel sluggish afterwards

[@Potapes]

Sandro will transform in Heroes of M&M III. In one of the expansion campaigns. That picture on wiki is from one of the latest games.

[@TAVIII]

Heroes 3 is a lot better, it's the best one by far although the music and general game of heroes 2 is very nostalgic

[@1wing1]

i really like this channel, gonna sub and see where it goes

[@frawding9438]

you wont regret it, all his videos are hilarious

[@1wing1]

thanks :) only really watched the two heroes reviews yet, as i am a big fan of the game series and its series musical genius paul romero; lets see where this channel goes. i like the guy, good quality videoes and pretty good banter. H3 is a pretty good game so cant wait for that review, even tho i think it is overvalued due to nostalgia, H5 is imo the best game of them all.

[@DajJednego]

Yes! Review of HOMMII. I've been waiting! Watching, be back in 12 minutes! :D

[@Dionysus24779]

Play HOMMIV, V and VI as well, IV is like an awkward experiment, V contests with III to be the best and VI is kind of a mess as far as I can tell, but has some good ideas. Also check the King's Bounty games too at some point, they're pretty much exactly like HOMM but more of an RPG with focus on a single hero in such a world instead of you controlling an entire faction.

[@Aldrahill]

Found your channel recently, these are really good man. I love the humour and it's nice to see reviews of stuff I played years ago. I think your primary audience is coming to you from the recommended tab of SsethTzeentach videos so... use that information how you wish.

[@DoctorEviloply]

Chill dude. Just means HippoCrit will get more conflict diamonds for his patreon.

[@Aldrahill]

I didn't mean that as a bad thing at all, I goddamn love Sseth videos.

[@joeschmoe3665]

Heroes II or Heroes III is mostly a choice of preference however I can't get over that in heroes II wait does not exist, either move or defend which kind of makes unit speed less useful, also no range penalty which makes ranged units more powerful. These two things really alter the combat dynamics compared to the third. < Heroes 3

[@bubumic2971]

The game was amazing !! I remember playing it the first time and the feeling it gave me (yes i-m THAT old !)

[@willlynott5681]

Still gives me that feeling, even though i'm a flower child(old), and have played Skyrim.

[@gabfortin1976]

Your channel is a beautiful rare gem.

[@Kylo_Ren_2033]

I didn’t play campaign, but the random map is okey. I found the differences between towns are quite big

[@art-familylife2028]

Can we still play this game? Now?

[@Drachenhannes]

8:36 Did the Vampire just feel the archer up? Well that'S certainly an interesting attack.

[@Terrgore]

These are games made for when you have a lot of free time. I was never able to finish the next one in the series, and God knows It tried. Can't wait to see the review of 3 and 4.

[@jason8304]

review my favorite, the third one! i'll be patiently awaiting your review, squire.

[@YEUWYU]

reviewing these games earned youa new sub, I love your HMM 1 review and IDK why I didnt subbed but I fixed that now, thanks for your job, have any plans to review the normal spinoff series Might and Magic?

[@MrIronJustice]

Great review man! I grew up with H2 and H3, I love seeing them properly appreciated.

[@timothyrockwell5742]

Can't wait for your review of 3! I played the crap out of 3!

[@SchazmenRassir]

For nostalgic and aesthetic reasons, this is my second favorite of the series. For everything else, my personal favorite is V. I will say, though... I can't stand 3. I don't know why, maybe it's the look of it. And it looks like I'm alone in it, but I just can't stand playing 3. If I'm completely honest, while I do think it has good things about it... I can't even really understand WHY people think it's the best. And that's a rarity for me. I'm pretty good at seeing other people's views, but this one... I just don't get it.

[@siejac7894]

I have same feeling about Heroes 3, graphics are awfull, very artifictional, like they want to be realistic but something plastic came out.

[@SchazmenRassir]

Oh thank god, finally someone who agrees with me... Thank you, Sie Jac. You are literally the first one to agree with me. Or at least admit it.

[@siejac7894]

For me best is 2 and next 5, 3, 7, 1, 4, 6. I like fairy tail graphic of first Heroes but is very boring, easy, 4 castles only, no upgrades and no skill trees.

[@SchazmenRassir]

I actually haven't played 4 or 7 yet. But what I saw of 6, I'm not impressed.

[@alexoelkers2292]

Heroes of Might and Magic 2 has always been my favorite from the series if you missed the colorful fairy tale look from the first game then you would really miss it by the third game which is generally a fan favorite.

[@mikepliek]

1:55 oooh that song, i can feel the nostalgia feels coming up

[@lechgolas6400]

Heroes 2 is perfectly ballaced under condition you know every faction very well and you play with real people. In games with pc, of course some fractions are better than others, but it depends on the map size and structure. Imo the ballance goes like this: S: Bar > Sor > Knight > War > Mage > Necro M: Sor > War > Bar > Necro > Knight > Mage L: War > Mage > Necro > Sor > Knight > Bar XL: Necro > Mage > War > Knight > Sor > Bar It's not true that warlock is always the best. And in a game with real people, they should be aware about his advantages and attack him first.

[@ratix98]

I really enjoy heroes 2. Its pretty damn good. What I like about 2 is its using the same engine as heroes 1 but upgraded and works in dos if you want to stay out of windows 95

[@LuLzezRoflcopter]

Only played when I was young, I'm biased but Heroes 2 looks better than 3. I love the cartoony colorful art

[@justincase6655]

You can always speed up the gameplay so the Sprites move faster

[@jakubjanicki3989]

I spent soooo many hours at this game as a kid... So many. As for the theme of the Magi castle, it's made of creatures vaguelly atributed with mages in myth and fantasy. Magi, rocks and halfings, because Lord Of The Rings. Golems, because magical consructs made by wizards. Titans because... Better golems I guess? And boars because... Ok I got nothing.

[@ettaniel]

There is a setting that makes the animations move faster and they are not anoying anymore.

[@jaredc3711]

The cheat codes make this game far more entertaining. Nothing like dominating a map with a single hero mobbing deep with every dragon color.

[@piip4]

The 2nd game is my all time favourite Heroes game. Only one to come close is the 1st.

[@Zooooch1989]

Dude, turn up you animation speed

[@Sethasss]

SPEED UP THE ANIMATIONS !! thats a option frm the 2nd part ...

[@Slaxbox]

2:55 - Are you kidding me? Of course that's pre-rendered.

[@viking_II]

I've started with the best in the saga, Heroes 3! But playing 1 and 2 later I've noticed that they are very enjoyable. The best in the entire saga probably is the 4th, and with mods, well...