HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC | OLDEN ERA | DELAY AND DEMO RELEASE
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is the long-awaited spiritual successor to the legendary turn-based strategy franchise. Developed by Unfrozen in collaboration with Hooded Horse and Ubisoft, the project aims to recapture the magic of the early Heroes titles by combining deep strategic gameplay, town building, tactical combat, and RPG progression within a richly detailed fantasy world inspired by Enroth and Jadame.
Originally planned for an Early Access release in 2025, the developers have officially confirmed that the launch has been postponed to 2026. According to multiple sources, including PC Gamer and Gematsu, the decision was made to ensure the game meets fan expectations and maintains a high level of polish. The development team explained that more time is needed to refine the user interface, improve performance, rebalance units, and enhance the game’s visual fidelity. No specific release date has been announced yet, but the team emphasized that quality and player feedback remain their top priorities. Despite the delay, fans of the franchise now have the chance to experience part of the game through a free demo available on Steam since October 9, 2025. The demo introduces players to four playable factions Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and Schism each with distinct units, heroes, and playstyles. It includes three main gameplay modes: Classic Mode, which mirrors the traditional multi-hero campaign style; Single Hero Mode, focused on exploration and character progression; and Arena Mode, centered on tactical battles. The demo also features a tutorial and several maps that showcase the game’s visual direction and mechanics. It is single-player only, with multiplayer content expected to arrive later in the full version. Player feedback on Steam has been largely positive, praising the game’s nostalgic tone, art direction, and faithful recreation of the series’ atmosphere. Many players describe Olden Era as a promising return to form, though some mention issues related to balancing and interface clarity expected aspects in a pre-release build. The developers have openly encouraged the community to share feedback to help shape the final version. While the delay may disappoint those eager to dive into a full release, it ultimately reflects the studio’s commitment to delivering a truly polished and complete experience. The free demo offers an excellent opportunity to explore the foundation of what could become the most authentic revival of the classic Heroes formula in years. Fans of turn-based strategy can look forward to 2026 as the year Olden Era officially begins, hopefully bringing back the golden age of tactical fantasy warfare.
