Might and Magic VIII Coming

Last week we had the opportunity to check out the new products that are pending in both of the Might and Magic and the Heroes of Might and Magic series. Here is the second part of that report, featuring details on Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer:

Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer is also in final play-testing, and it should be available within the next few weeks. New World traditionally recycles the same game engine for multiple products, and Might and Magic VIII will be the last game to use the increasingly outdated engine introduced by Might and Magic VI. There are a few minor tweaks to the engine, including a new panoramic view that lets you see more of the gaming world and the belated addition of mouse-look support. While Might and Magic VIII's outdated engine will likely be a common complaint from gamers, the series will finally go true 3D in Might and Magic IX, which will use the LithTech engine recently licensed from Monolith by The 3DO Company for future New World games.

While Might and Magic VIII's older engine may not entice new fans to the series, veteran players should appreciate some of the gameplay improvements. While you can create characters from traditional Knight, Cleric, and Necromancer classes, Minotaurs, Trolls, Dragons, Vampires and Dark Elves are now also potential player characters. Each of the new monster characters will have powerful innate abilities. A vampire, for example, can acquire the ability to drain life from opponents as a ranged attack, charm enemies, become immune to physical attacks by converting to mist, or levitate over obstacles that would otherwise bar your advance. Like all of the other character skills, most of which are ported intact into the new game, these abilities can be increased in power through expert, master, and grand-master training.