Might and Magic: Heroes VI Previews

A few major sites have new previews available for the upcoming strategy-RPG Might and Magic: Heroes VI. PC Gamer.

New to VI is the reputation system, designed to boost role-playing in a Mass Effect Paragon-Renegade way. Value-burdened actions will add to your Blood or Tears reputation. Blood is the path of strong attacks and retribution, the kind of person who negotiates with his sword, and seals the deal with a kick to the downbelows. Tears is the kind of path that will let a fleeing army escape, and spend its Hero’s mana on healing, and spells like Martyr a passive-aggressive buff that increases the fighting power of your stacks as they’re whittled away. Missions you’ll find on the map will also have (negotiate/fight) options, giving you another chance to up your Blood or Tears stat.

GameSpot.

If you’ve been following the Heroes series up to the present day, you’re already aware of Ubisoft’s decision to make a clean break with the world and lore of Heroes I-IV and to create a new world, Ashan, with a new story and new characters. This world was the stage for Heroes V, as well as for the first-person action game Dark Messiah, and even for the Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes DS puzzle game. Heroes VI also takes place in this new world, but the campaign’s story takes place decades before the events in Heroes V and details the founding of some of its factions, such as the undead armies of the necropolis lords, who will build their new nation over the course of the single-player story.

IGN.

Depending on your play style, you will snag Blood points or Tears points that are added to a meter with Blood and Tears at opposite ends. As you progress through the game, you will have the opportunity to move from a neutral force, such as a Cleric, to something on either end of the spectrum — a Confessor for players who take the path of Tears, or an Inquisitor down the path of Blood. Points are awarded from your actions on the overworld, such as whether or not you pursue a fleeing enemy (Tears if you don’t, Blood if you do) and how you complete certain quests. Interestingly, they’re also awarded for how you perform within each tactical battle.