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The year of peak might and magic

(www.filfre.net)
112 points cybersoyuz | 20 comments | 18 Jul 25 17:21 UTC | HN request time: 0.808s | source | bottom
1. GeekyBear ◴[18 Jul 25 20:44 UTC] No.44609626[source]▶
I keep a Windows 2000 virtual machine with no network access around just to occasionally play HOMM 3.

There aren't many games from that era that are as infinitely replayable. Command and Conquer: Yuri's Revenge and Starcraft come to mind.

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2. Mars008 ◴[18 Jul 25 21:10 UTC] No.44609863[source]▶
> I keep a Windows 2000 virtual machine with no network access around just to occasionally play HOMM 3.

according to wiki there should be an easier way:

Platform(s) Windows, Macintosh, Linux (PowerPC/x86), iOS, Android

Release March 3, 1999

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3. 0cf8612b2e1e ◴[18 Jul 25 21:14 UTC] No.44609897[source]▶
I would be quite surprised if a modern Linux could run the original binary without gymnastics. Windows is the only OS which prioritizes backwards compatibility.
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4. GeekyBear ◴[18 Jul 25 21:32 UTC] No.44610069[source]▶
The Windows version is no longer compatible with modern Windows versions.

The Mac version (I own both) was for PowerPC Macs.

I've already paid for it a third time, as part of a HOMM box set for Windows.

Good Old Games has produced a fixed version, so I could pay for it a fourth time, but running it in the VM still works.

replies(1): >>44612212 #
5. GeekyBear ◴[18 Jul 25 21:35 UTC] No.44610095{3}[source]▶
The game isn't stable under modern versions of Windows.
6. morsch ◴[18 Jul 25 21:45 UTC] No.44610161{3}[source]▶
You're probably right about the native version, but the Windows version works fine: https://www.protondb.com/app/297000?device=pc
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7. ◴[18 Jul 25 21:50 UTC] No.44610200{4}[source]▶
8. 0cf8612b2e1e ◴[18 Jul 25 21:53 UTC] No.44610224{4}[source]▶
Heh. Which is why the only stable Linux ABI is Win32.
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9. GeekyBear ◴[18 Jul 25 22:17 UTC] No.44610380{4}[source]▶
That report is for the fixed version of HOMM 3 from GOG, not the original version of the game.
10. ktallett ◴[18 Jul 25 22:34 UTC] No.44610523[source]▶
https://vcmi.eu/

There is also a great remake with a new engine, that of course requires the original assets.

11. yownie ◴[18 Jul 25 23:15 UTC] No.44610865{3}[source]▶
there's a linux version off archive.org I managed to get running last year. this is a perfect problem for a flatpak to solve however.
12. bigstrat2003 ◴[19 Jul 25 00:12 UTC] No.44611273{5}[source]▶
And even then not always. For example, Rome 2 Total War crashes in Proton, but works just fine on actual Windows.
13. ◴[19 Jul 25 00:21 UTC] No.44611324[source]▶
14. IG_Semmelweiss ◴[19 Jul 25 00:42 UTC] No.44611460[source]▶
Try playing the HD add-on with the HotA (horn of the abyss) espansion! There are 2 new factions now which are well balanced.

And, they look beautiful.

Its wonderful what a dedicated community can achieve. Kudos to all of them!

TIP: if you get the game on GOG. It will run just fine in any modern Windows setup (even MAC OS i believe)

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15. dfex ◴[19 Jul 25 01:22 UTC] No.44611671[source]▶
Yuri's Revenge never gets old - it's just the right balance of RTS with a bit more of an arcadey feel. Sadly I missed the original Starcraft train (finished Starcraft II), but one of these days I'm going to sit down and work my way through it.
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16. ptero ◴[19 Jul 25 02:42 UTC] No.44612101[source]▶
Another vote for the Horn of the Abyss! It is a community pack that keeps the HOMM3 gameplay spirit but adds a lot of minor UI enhancements fixing various pain points.

And if you like insanely complex scenarios, check out HotA user maps on maps4heroes.

17. thaumasiotes ◴[19 Jul 25 03:06 UTC] No.44612212{3}[source]▶
> Good Old Games has produced a fixed version, so I could pay for it a fourth time

It probably wouldn't cost more than $1, given that you're clearly willing to wait for a sale.

Advertised price right now is $5 with "lowest price in the last 30 days" of $2.50. The bundle of all 8 expansion campaigns shows the same current and recent pricing.

18. ksec ◴[19 Jul 25 03:55 UTC] No.44612456[source]▶
>There aren't many games from that era that are as infinitely replayable.

I think A lot of games from that era were infinitely replayable. Diablo, Sim City. It really is the case we dont made them like that any more. The amount of small details that goes into it. Not just the games itself, but also the packaging, manual and things surrounding.

It is somewhat strange that group of people grow up and start producing in the 90s still have the attention to detail mind set. This is mostly gone in modern Gen Z generation.

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19. ktallett ◴[19 Jul 25 08:01 UTC] No.44613506[source]▶
The story still holds up really well. Plus if you can't deal with the classic graphics there is StarCraft remastered.
20. jajko ◴[19 Jul 25 08:17 UTC] No.44613591[source]▶
The market has evolved, thats true but you have whole indie scene which is close to those values. Ie for management strategies there is Factorio.