Hero Mages a Brave Multi-player Online Fantasy RPG Game
by Paul Wilks
Nov 21, 2011 11:35 AM –
Install
Hero Mages is a brave and subsequently rather exciting new game that blends online fantasy RPG with the turn-based strategy formula. Anyone with enough hard-core geek points to enjoy the old board games such as Dungeons & Dragons should rightly revel in what this game aspires to do, so roll those dice and read on…
Price: ~$2.99
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Low maturity
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Multi-platform, online gameplay!
- Intensive tutorials!
- Good storyline!
- Immersive gameplay!
Cons
Features:
Hero Mages is a hugely ambitious game that quenches the thirst for interactive fantasy games. You have a very old-school feel about it in that you have to play certain cards, roll dice, etc. yet it has the contemporary multi-platform approach to gameplay. So, you can play with your friends regardless of whether they have an Android, an iPhone or even a Mac or PC!
Graphics have to obviously work with all platforms, so they’re not perhaps exceptional, but they are detailed, well rendered and look colorful. The screen is essentially a top-down aerial view 2D game board which lets you move freely on an invisible grid. There are often all manner of structures or obstacles in the way for hiding and such. There is also a map editor function so you can alter these however you wish. The stand out feature for me as far as graphics were concerned was the way the characters will occasionally look up at you, the gamer, talk about engaging!
Gameplay initially consists of 5 tutorial missions which gradually introduce you to various controls; movement, spells, cards, attacking and so on- in addition to an immersive storyline. There are all manner of characters to meet along the way- many of which you have to fight, but it all makes for an enjoyable experience. This is good because there’s a lot to learn for a beginner. Maybe seasoned players of such strategy games will take to the game easier, because it does require a little patience to learn how everything works.
There is incredible depth here, it’s quite an achievement and the developer is clearly very dedicated to replicating the experience of such games on up-to-date platforms. It really works too. Once you complete the tutorial you should feel more than ready to get stuck in online, and here too there are a multitude of options. You can engage in a dramatic free-for all mode, as well as more cooperative and team modes. You can play with/against up to 8 players at any one time so things can get quite tasty.
One last thing of note, the game requires you have Adobe Air Android app installed on your device to play.
Watch on Mobile
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Hero Mages – Splash page
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Hero Mages – In-game view (1)
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Hero Mages – In-game view (2)
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Hero Mages – In-game view (3)
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Hero Mages – In-game view (4)
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Hero Mages – In-game view (5)
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Hero Mages – Battle victory!
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Hero Mages – Initial menu
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Hero Mages – Second menu
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Hero Mages – First tutorial
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Hero Mages – Tutorial level select
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Hero Mages – Game overview
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Hero Mages – Dice roll
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Hero Mages – Simple explanations
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Hero Mages – Lets you choose your own way
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Hero Mages – Regular instances of help and suggestions during tutorial
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Hero Mages – Regular instances of help and suggestions during tutorial
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Hero Mages – Game log
Fun Factor:
I think that if you are a fan of fantasy and RPG’s you’ll take to Hero Mages like a duck takes to water. For these people the game should be loads of fun. It might not be for everyone though as there is a lot to learn initially and turn-based games often mean waiting a while while other players do their thing.
Addictive:
For fans of the genre, Hero Mages is a superbly immersive game that will quite probably invoke oxygen-level addiction. For others it might seem a little on the slow side and thus not so compelling.
Graphics:
The graphics are very good, especially as they need to be able to work on all platforms. It perhaps doesn’t dazzle, but still looks very good indeed for a mobile gaming format.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
The sound is typically medieval, orchestral and immersive- complimenting the game well.