Czech Studio Oxymoron Games Revives Heroes of Might and Magic Spirit with ‘Heroes of Science and Fiction’

For fans of the classic turn-based strategy series Heroes of Might and Magic, a new contender has emerged from the Czech Republic. Oxymoron Games, a Prague-based studio, has released the full version of Heroes of Science and Fiction on Steam, a game deeply inspired by the beloved third installment in the Heroes franchise.

From Hospital Simulator to Fantasy Strategy

Oxymoron Games’ journey to creating Heroes of Science and Fiction was funded by the success of their previous title, Project Hospital. The hospital simulator garnered over 110 million Czech crowns in sales from nearly 900,000 copies of the game and its expansions, providing the financial foundation for their ambitious new project. Co-founder Igor Janečka stated, “Six years ago, we never thought we’d be releasing the full version of Heroes until now. So the budget has ballooned. But thanks to the income from Project Hospital, we’re able to fund the development.”

Gameplay and Design

Heroes of Science and Fiction retains the core mechanics that defined the Heroes of Might and Magic series. Players will improve fortresses, explore surrounding territories, recruit troops, and engage in tactical battles on hexagonal battlefields. The game was initially available in early access, allowing for ongoing development and player feedback. However, Janečka noted that early access sales were “way, way below expectations,” and the studio hopes the removal of the “unfinished product” label will boost sales.

A Name Change and a Clearer Identity

The game underwent a significant change during development, initially launching under the name Silence of the Siren. However, the release of a competing title, Songs of Silence, prompted a reevaluation. “We tried different forms of marketing and paid cooperation, but nothing brought the expected effect,” Janečka explained. The developers ultimately decided to embrace the game’s clear inspiration and rebranded it as Heroes of Science and Fiction, a move they believe will resonate with fans of the original series.

Embracing the Legacy

Janečka emphasized the studio’s pride in the game’s connection to the Heroes of Might and Magic legacy. “If we have the label ‘Czech Heroes,’ we are rather proud of it. Yes, there were periods when we tried to differentiate ourselves. However, we cannot deny that we are strongly inspired by the classic Heroes series, to which we tried our best to bring our own perspective, new improvements, and our enthusiasm and nostalgia.” The development team, consisting of Jan Beneš, Ondřej Melkus, and Roman Pítr, likewise draws inspiration from other sources, including the book Mycelium and the Warhammer universe.

The Future of Turn-Based Strategy

Despite the genre being sometimes perceived as niche, Oxymoron Games remains optimistic about the future of turn-based strategy games. Janečka pointed to the recent return of the Heroes of Might and Magic brand with Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era and the continued active communities surrounding the classic Heroes titles as evidence of the genre’s enduring appeal.

Recent Gaming News

• StarCraft Remastered: The StarCraft franchise is making a comeback with a focus on collectible figurines, rather than a traditional PC or console release.
• Bohemia Interactive Launches Everwind: The studio behind the ARMA series has published Everwind, a game blending elements of Minecraft and Skyrim.
• Gamebaze Educational Program: Brno-based game incubator Gamebaze is offering a new educational program for game developers, with mentorship from industry veterans.
• Crimson Desert Release: The highly anticipated fantasy action game Crimson Desert has been released.
• PC Gaming Revenue: Analysts predict that PC gaming revenue will surpass console revenue by 2028.
• Defender of the Crown Remaster: A modern remaster of the classic 1987 game Defender of the Crown is now available.
• Starfield Expansion: Starfield is coming to PlayStation 5 on April 7th, accompanied by the Terran Armada and Free Lanes expansions.
• BattleSail Demo: A Czech-translated demo of the turn-based boat strategy game BattleSail is available.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Soundtrack: The official soundtrack for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will be released as a four-vinyl set.