HOMM IV Screen Improvements

The graphics in the game are certainly getting better. In this new batch of screenshots of Heroes of Might & Magic IV, an exclusive from Freelancer, the visuals in the game have significantly improved since the last preview I saw. The actual world is looking sparklingly majestical.

On a reviewing-the-shots tangent:
As if they want to hear this but I’ll give it my current evaluation, having played the series to death and currently working on an HOMM III map myself. The snow-covered trees are especially lovely, the objects themselves are looking fantastic, mountains beautiful and the icebergs are a nice touch. I -really- like the 3D-ness of the movement arrow as seen in this pic, overall my favorite pic.

However, there are two art elements that could still be improved from the pictures, and I’m sure they’re probably working on it. Compared with everything else, the castles are looking noticeably plain. Also, there is not enough uniqueness to each one… spikes on the rims of a square is still a square. Each castle in HOMM III had a different look, and I hope they do something like that in this game, even if keeping with a courtyard-like appaearance. Give the Wizard Castle some flambouyant spires, the “Barbarian” Castle a gate between two giant boulders, etc. Also, the hero portraits could have a background behind each to contrast with their face instead of blackness… but that’s a little thing.