Sparkling gems and new releases from the world of Free and Open Source Software
Heroes of Might and Magic
fheroes2
Heroes of Might and Magic was a brilliant series of games that were developed from the mid-1990s into the modern era. They were turn-based-strategy games with mission-based objectives. Depending on the character you started as, you'd get an assortment of artifacts, spells, and capabilities that shaped your approach to the game as you fought, developed resources, and adventured across the landscape in the hope of fulfilling your prophecy. The early games in particular are steeped in the pixelated minimalism and uncompromising gameplay that has become popular recently, especially when the teenagers who grew up playing the originals are now fully fledged software developers. Which of course makes them perfect targets for open source reinvention.
Open source reinvention has happened twice with Heroes of Might and Magic, and there was even a native Linux version of Heroes of Might and Magic III developed by Loki. This game can now be played with a modern open source engine called VCMI, although you'll need the original data files from the original Heroes of Might and Magic III: Shadow of Death or Heroes of Might and Magic Complete Edition, and not the files from the Loki version. Heroes III is a good place to start because it adds gameplay elements such as "waiting" and a more refined user interface, but its precursor, Heroes of Might and Magic II has its own open source engine too, called fheroes2. This is a great place to start if you've played Heroes before and intend to revisit Heroes III later. As with later titles, the game is split into strategy, exploration, and a combat mode that's similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, albeit across a hexagonal chess board. Thanks to this, it's still a lot of fun and definitely worth playing today.
Project Website
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.