The new version features updated graphics as well as widescreen compatibility and was released on January 29, 2015, for Microsoft Windows, iOS and Android.

[6] The gameplay is very similar to its predecessors in that the player controls a number of heroes that command an army of creatures inspired by myth and legend.

The conditions for victory vary depending on the map, including conquest of all enemies and towns, collection of a certain amount of a resource, or finding the grail artifact.

Maps are filled with a huge variety of buildings, treasures, monsters, mines and so forth that reward extensive exploration.

Towns also provide funds, new spells and a fortified location to make a last stand against an invading enemy hero.

Wood and ore are needed for most structures, but more expensive buildings also require rarer resources (mercury, crystal, gems or sulfur).

All factions require a disproportionate quantity of just one of these special resources, making the acquisition of a corresponding mine essential to victory.

The Grail bestows greatly increased creature growth and weekly income, in addition to a bonus unique to the town.

During the campaigns, the story is told from alternating points of view, giving players the opportunity to play as each of the town alignments.

Following the disappearance of King Roland Ironfist of Enroth prior to Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven, his wife, Queen Catherine, is left to rule the realm.

Queen Catherine returns home to Antagarich seeking to rally the people of her homeland and lead them against the evil that has ravaged their nation.

The wizards of Bracada and the elves of AvLee answer her call, and together they push towards Steadwick and eventually retake it, quickly quelling the border war in the west.

Soon after, Lucifer Kreegan, a commander in the Eeofol armies, sends an envoy to Erathia claiming that Roland Ironfist is captive within their territories.

In the meantime, the necromancers of Deyja, having been responsible for the assassination of King Gryphonheart, plot to revive his corpse as a lich.

However, King Gryphonheart's will proves too much for the necromancers even in his corrupted state, and he becomes a rogue lich who seizes rulership of Deyja.

Having little other recourse, Queen Catherine is forced to ally herself with several of the necromancers and together they set out to destroy Lich King Gryphonheart before he becomes too powerful.

A straight Dreamcast port retaining the original title was also developed and completed, but it wasn't released due to technical issues that prevented the console running the game adequately.

The first of these expansions, Armageddon's Blade, introduced a ninth town alignment,[8] the Conflux; a random scenario generator, a variety of new creatures, heroes, and structures; and six new playable campaigns.

He continued to say that the game is "mind-boggling in its depth", but criticized its uneven campaign pacing and "sluggish" connection speeds during online play.

"[19] Next Generation said, "While realtime strategy withers on the vine, with many recent releases lackluster at best, HoMM reminds us that turn-based play is alive and well.