Heroes of Might and Magic fans finally have something tangible to play. During the franchise’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on October 8th, Ubisoft and developer Unfrozen released a free demo for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era on Steam. The demo features four complete factions, multiple game modes, and unlimited playtime. The catch? The Early Access release is now delayed to 2026, making this the second postponement for the nostalgic turn-based strategy revival.
What’s in the Demo
Unlike typical demos that limit playtime to a couple hours, the Olden Era demo has no time restrictions whatsoever. Players can explore the mystical lands of Jadame to their heart’s content across three distinct single-player modes and four very different factions.
Four Playable Factions
The demo includes four of the six factions planned for Early Access, each offering unique units, heroes, and strategic depth. Temple represents the classic human faction with sacred warriors. Necropolis commands undead legions and vampiric lords. Dungeon controls underground creatures and dark elves as the native rulers of subterranean realms. Most intriguing is Schism, the recently revealed faction featuring altered elves and eldritch abominations that lean into weird cosmic horror aesthetics.
Two additional factions, Sylvan and Hive, will appear in the full Early Access release. Hive represents a swarm of insectoids led by an Inferno demon lord and serves as the primary antagonist in the campaign narrative.
Three Game Modes Plus Tutorial
The demo offers three distinct ways to play beyond the introductory tutorial. Classic Multi-Hero mode represents the traditional Heroes of Might and Magic experience where players manage multiple heroes, armies, and castles simultaneously. Single Hero mode focuses survival and success on keeping your lone hero alive, creating higher stakes and more focused strategic decisions. Arena mode strips away exploration and kingdom management entirely, offering direct tactical combat for players who want to jump straight into hexagonal battlefield action.
Each mode includes three different map templates to explore, providing variety in terrain, resource distribution, and strategic challenges. The combination of modes, factions, and maps creates substantial replay value for a free demo.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Playable Factions | Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, Schism (4 of 6 total) |
| Game Modes | Classic Multi-Hero, Single Hero, Arena, plus Tutorial |
| Map Templates | Three different templates per mode |
| Time Limit | None – play as much as you want |
| Availability | Free on Steam right now |
| Platform | PC (Windows) via Steam |
The Delay to 2026
This marks the second time Olden Era has missed its release window. The game was originally announced in 2024 with plans for a Q2 2025 launch. In June 2025, very near the end of that target, Unfrozen announced a delay to later in 2025 to ensure they gave the game the care it deserves. Now, as 2025 winds down, the team has pushed Early Access all the way to 2026.
Why the Extra Time
According to Unfrozen’s announcement, the additional development time will allow for more extensive testing, user interface improvements, and unit redesigns based on community feedback. This last point is particularly significant. Many longtime fans voiced concerns about certain unit designs shown in earlier trailers, feeling they didn’t quite capture the spirit of classic Heroes of Might and Magic aesthetics.
The delay also acknowledges that Early Access launches carry high stakes. Players have long memories when it comes to buggy or incomplete releases. Given the franchise’s legendary status and rabid fanbase, Unfrozen and publisher Hooded Horse seem determined to launch Early Access in the strongest possible state rather than rushing out a rough version.
Early Access Plans and Full Release
When Early Access finally arrives in 2026, players will experience the core campaign set on the continent of Jadame, multiple game modes, and both solo and multiplayer options. The package will include branching missions, fast-paced arena battles, and a detailed map editor for creating custom scenarios.
The full release is planned roughly one year after Early Access begins. That version will expand with refined visuals, additional content, enhanced strategic systems, and presumably the polish expected from a final release. This timeline suggests the full game won’t arrive until sometime in 2027, a far cry from the original 2025 target.
A Return to Enroth and Jadame
Olden Era serves as an official prequel to the classic Heroes of Might and Magic trilogy, returning to the world of Enroth that millions of fans grew up loving. Specifically, the game takes place on Jadame, a continent featured in Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer but never explored in any previous Heroes game.
The Story Setup
The campaign centers on rival factions that must unite against a common threat, the Hive. This swarm of insectoids led by an Inferno demon lord threatens to overrun Jadame, forcing traditional enemies to cooperate or face extinction. Players can choose whether to act as saviors, conquerors, or corruptors as they uncover Jadame’s long-lost secrets.
The setup provides narrative justification for the diverse faction roster while giving players freedom to approach the campaign from different moral perspectives. This flexibility in role-playing aligns with classic Heroes of Might and Magic design philosophy.
Gameplay That Honors the Classics
Based on early impressions from the demo, Olden Era faithfully recreates the measured, deliberate pacing that defined late 90s classics like Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia. Polygon’s preview described it as a comforting nostalgic experience with just enough modern refinement to ensure smooth gameplay without stripping away its charming vintage feel.
The Core Loop
Players spend movement points guiding heroes across fog-covered maps, gathering gold, capturing cities and mines, and encountering adversaries. Combat unfolds on zoomed-in tactical hexagonal grids where units vie for advantageous positions and turn orders. The new combat mechanics include active abilities that add depth beyond the purely stat-based battles of earlier entries.
Between battles, players level up heroes, equip items, select new abilities, recruit additional heroes and units, and enhance their home city to unlock benefits and better recruits. Castle upgrades embrace faction-specific laws that create unique playstyles for each civilization.
Modernizations Without Compromise
While the core remains faithful to the series roots, Olden Era incorporates contemporary quality-of-life features. The UI has been updated for modern displays and sensibilities. Multiplayer includes matchmaking with separate ratings and leaderboards, all fine-tuned for modern strategy players who expect robust competitive systems.
The easy-to-use map editor allows players to create and share custom scenarios, extending the game’s longevity well beyond the official campaign. This feature proved essential for Heroes III’s decades of community support and will likely play a similar role here.
The Hooded Horse Partnership
Olden Era represents a fascinating collaboration between Ubisoft, which owns the Heroes of Might and Magic IP, and Hooded Horse, the publisher that’s become synonymous with quality strategy games. Manor Lords, Falling Frontier, and other Hooded Horse titles have earned reputations for deep mechanics and respectful treatment of classic genres.
According to Unfrozen’s July 2025 announcement, Ubisoft and Hooded Horse are coordinating to deliver Olden Era to as many players as possible and breathe new life into the franchise. The partnership suggests Ubisoft recognizes they may not be the best stewards for a project targeting hardcore strategy enthusiasts, while Hooded Horse gains access to a beloved IP with built-in nostalgia appeal.
30th Anniversary Celebration Extras
The demo release coincided with the Heroes of Might and Magic 30th Anniversary Celebration livestream, which included announcements beyond just Olden Era. A 30th Anniversary Retrospective book is coming along with Legacy of Heroes, a documentary exploring the franchise’s history.
Community features took center stage with showcases of fan artwork, tournaments, and even concerts. Board games, card games, and tabletop adaptations were highlighted, demonstrating how the franchise has expanded beyond video games.
Perhaps most exciting for some fans, Heroes of Might and Magic II: Gold Edition and Heroes of Might and Magic III: Complete Edition are now available with PC Game Pass and Ultimate Game Pass subscriptions. The Ubisoft Store, Steam, and GOG.com are also running deep discounts on classic franchise entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era release?
Early Access is now planned for 2026, with full release approximately one year after that, likely in 2027. The game was originally targeted for Q2 2025 but has been delayed twice.
Is the Olden Era demo free?
Yes, the demo is completely free on Steam with no time limits. You can play as much as you want across four factions and three game modes plus tutorial.
How many factions are in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era?
Six factions will be available in Early Access: Temple, Necropolis, Sylvan, Dungeon, Hive, and Schism. The demo currently includes four of these: Temple, Necropolis, Dungeon, and Schism.
Is Olden Era a remake or a new game?
Olden Era is an official prequel to the classic Heroes trilogy, not a remake. It’s a new game set earlier in the timeline on the continent of Jadame in the world of Enroth.
Who is developing Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era?
The game is developed by Unfrozen studio and published by both Hooded Horse and Ubisoft in partnership. Unfrozen previously worked on the community-supported Heroes III mod before creating this official entry.
Does Olden Era have multiplayer?
Yes, the full game will feature multiplayer with matchmaking, separate ratings, and leaderboards. The demo is single-player only, but three modes are available: Classic Multi-Hero, Single Hero, and Arena.
What platforms is Olden Era coming to?
Currently, Olden Era is only confirmed for PC via Steam. No console versions have been announced.
Conclusion
The delay to 2026 stings for Heroes of Might and Magic fans who’ve been waiting years for a proper return to the series’ glory days. But the unlimited demo softens the blow considerably, offering substantial content to explore while Unfrozen polishes the Early Access build. The four playable factions each feel distinct, the three game modes provide variety in pacing and strategic focus, and the faithful recreation of classic Heroes gameplay mixed with modern quality-of-life improvements suggests Unfrozen understands what made the originals special. Early impressions from players diving into the demo have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the nostalgic feel and depth of tactical combat. The hexagonal battlefields reward positioning and timing, unit variety creates interesting army compositions, and hero progression feels meaningful. Whether Olden Era can truly capture the magic of Heroes III remains to be seen, but the demo proves Unfrozen is on the right track. For a franchise that’s stumbled repeatedly since Ubisoft acquired it, this collaboration with Hooded Horse and a passionate development team might be exactly what Heroes of Might and Magic needs. Download the free demo on Steam and judge for yourself. With unlimited playtime and four complete factions to master, there’s plenty of Jadame to explore while waiting for 2026.