Heroes of Might and Magic (Windows)

[Kosta]

Feel free to comment and discuss this game here. Also, if you have any useful tips or tricks don't hesitate to share them with the others! Thanks!

Review & Download (http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/797)

[MrBackAlleySka]

Heee. My collection is now COMPLETE!!


Thhaaannkkk you guys. :3 I love youuuuuuu. ^_^


Most of all you, you know who you are. ~_^

This definately cheers me up from finding out Pirates! I just bought runs sluggish on my computer heh.

[San]

oh my god!
this is such a cool game! thanx for sharing it with us!
btw: abandonia roxxx!
grtz :cheers:

[Klaus]

My game freezes after a few seconds of gameplay. Sometimes it stays normal for up to two minutes, then freezes. Any ideas?

[Glista]

Wow! I lost months of my life 10 years ago playing the game with my friends! A fun game, can't wait to start it again!

[Guest_SeTsU]

Hey I've been reading your review and fear not! HoMM 5 IS coming by the hand of Nival and Ubisoft, due to release in about 10 days if all goes well! :)

www.mightandmagic.com this is the site :P

I'm a huge fan of HoMM myself and though I like HoMM3 the best, I had my bit of fun with the original.

Thanks for this great game! :)

[songnar]

The MM games ARE most excellent...that said, I digress on part 4. THAT was a joke.

[Guest]

If you mean HoMM and not the similarly-named Might and Magic series, I can't agree more. Sure, 3 was annoying at times (I still swear that it was scripted to give the computer's units a defense bonus for larger stacks, but not yours), and the expansions were totally unfair, but 4's use of generals and insipid campaigns just totally sucked.

Of course, you won't like this game if you want a gripping story, either. I got to what seemed to be the final battle against the Humans and still didn't have much better an idea what was going on than I would have if I'd just been playing random missions. This is a strategy game, and made back when keeping it trimmed to bare bones was essential.

[Alja]

Gotta say I highly disagree with the Review on one aspect: The Graphics. The large scale and slightly cartoony style of the battles has loads of character. the way the creatures recoil with fear and pain in their facial expressions and attact with great anger is really memorable, makes the battles actually fun to watch. This aspect got worse and worse during the series, ending with heroes 4 where nothing had any hint of a face.
Seriously i think Heroes 1 looks by far the best in the series and better than many modern games as well.

[Guest]

WOOOOOOOT!!! :w00t:

Cheers to mister Gregor who made it possible :cheers: and of course, everybody else who helped out! :Brain:

:wub: :wub: :wub:

[sboy]

when/if I make money, I'm going to give some to abandonia. I usually work 12-14 hours a day, and the only time games I play are from abandonia. Thank you so much! I love HOMM!!! I'd rather play HOMM than sleep with a girl! HAHA!!!

[Sigil citizen]

Originally posted by Klaus@Mar 24 2006, 10:45 PM
My game freezes after a few seconds of gameplay. Sometimes it stays normal for up to two minutes, then freezes. Any ideas?
I have the same problem.I have this game on cd(it was in the box with HOMM IV) and it freezes all the time.I think the same thing was with II...:help:

[m]

HOMM series are the best games ever! I spent years playing homm3 (imho the best part) but in homm1 also is something that makes this game grrrrreat! :kosta:

[ey]

"IMPORTANT!!!!! In order for the game to run you must mount the ISO image using Daemon Tools. "

I've Daemon Tools but where which *dirty word* ISO image? i can't find one!

[Master MC]

The iso is in the download! Unzip the download, NOT the iso, mount the iso using DAEMON tools. It should work fine!

[ey]

i've mounted it. but now there is an error message that says that i have to insert the heroes win95 cd...

[Master MC]

Hm I get a CD MUSIC ERROR.
How far do you get? Did you manage to install the game?

[ey]

QuoteMaster MC Posted: Mar 25 2006, 09:08 PM
The iso is in the download! Unzip the download, NOT the iso, mount the iso using DAEMON tools. It should work fine!

ehm.. if i unzip the download there is only the iso file...

[Master MC]

Yes, that is correct, mount that ISO.

[ey]

and then?

[Master MC]

Autorun should start. If not, go to 'My Computer'. Start up the "cd", install the game and have fun! Unless you encounter the same music error...

edit
o, wait, just skip the intro

[songnar]

Personally, I blame Ubisoft for the utter *edited word* that describes HoMM 4. They did buy out the title, look on the CD if you aren't sure...

The descriptions for spells and things were crap, gave no info and were often just gags!!! soetimes you could even see where the code fell through and where your hero's name was supposed to be there was %t instead... hehe, then again, I bought my copy out of a Fry's bargain bin for $4. However, 1, 2, and 3 were absolutely great.

<whew> all this typing has got me winded.

[Master MC]

I don't think IV is bad. It is quite nice actually. Just like the older versions, only somewhat more advanced and elaborate. I don't know whether the even newer versions are nice. How many parts are there, actually?

[Sans]

:help:

After I mount the iso, I have a error message that says " C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. "

I am using window xp.

Thx!

By the way I love this site.

[Master MC]

You're sure you mounted the correct iso?

With that, I mean: you mounted the iso in the zip, and not the zip itself?

[BeefontheBone]

That error's covered in the Troubleshooting Archive, possibly as a sticky - it certainly used to be a sticky in the Troubleshooting section. It's not game-specific, incidentally.

[songnar]

Currently, as of today and not counting expansions, there are four HoMM games, respectively labeled HoMM1, HoMM2, HoMM3, and HoMM 4. (In my own opinion, 2 and 3 were the very best, though it's difficult to pick either of the two as the best...)

[Guest]

Originally posted by Master MC@Mar 25 2006, 09:37 PM
Hm I get a CD MUSIC ERROR.
How far do you get?
Woot, i get far enough :ok: , in the beginning i also got an music error, but i got a message the musicquality or something had been altered, and then the game just runs fine :w00t:

However, sometimes it seems as if the game needs some time loading because it freezes up for a few seconds.

My dreams have come treu since i can create my own maps now, however, i expected the mapeditor to be more easy to use. Creating landscapes requires a lot of time. Also, impasseble mountains are hard to make, my first mountain had many loopholes and the enemy attacked me sooner then I expected :w00t:

Still, I'm very gratefull for this gift! :drunk: :monkey_dance:

[Guest]

THe only one I played was HOMM3 Complete. It was a huge game. I probably only played a small fraction of it. It was cool though. Like an updated version of King's Bounty. But I just didn't get into it that much since I was busy with college. I loved the original M&M series. One of those great classic RPG series. And I thought World of Xeen (M&M4 + M&M5) was excellent. I have the entire M&M Collection on CD now. I tried VI but it just feels outdated now, although it seems to be a lot of people's favorites. I haven't tried the later ones yet.

[gregor]

HOMM2 is also good. it is better balanced than the first series. only the warlock is still quite strong if you don't have dragon slayer spell. but i liked sorceress a lot. dwarfes rule (in homm2 at least) & phoenix give you first strike.

Oh and offocurse necromancer with good necromancy can get you legions of skeletons fast. terror of the undead.

HOMM1 is also good. maybe the spells should be bought instread of automacally added into the book. on the other hand HOMM2 has mana system and i didn't use many high level spell just because of it. they are too "expencive" = usually you run out of many before you can use it. so lightning is by far most efficient spell in HOMM2. while in HOMM1 you can use magic for quite long time and evn low level spells prove worthy because of that sytsem.

[Osk]

the imbalance in HoMM 2 was in the difference between ranged, flying and melee strength
with 3 ranged units (elf archer, druid, mage, titan) and 2 flying (faerie, roc phoenix), you were pretty much unbeatable
Also, spells were way more powefull in 2, dont know 1

[SirPeter]

Well done abandonia!
Great adition.

Does this mean that HoMM2 is abandoned also?

[songnar]

LOL, If HoMM2 still exists anywhere!! But, I digress, part two was GREEEAT as soon as "the price of loyalty" expansion came out. mmmmmm, opera.

[gregor]

Originally posted by songnar@Mar 29 2006, 03:56 AM
LOL, If HoMM2 still exists anywhere!! But, I digress, part two was GREEEAT as soon as "the price of loyalty" expansion came out. mmmmmm, opera.
it exists safelly stashed in my closet along with HOMM1.

i don't think it is abandonware. i never saw they are giving it away for free.

and it has great music. relax...kind of good if you study... :ok:

[cyzian]

Great game, nice work.
But, is it possible to play it online with others players or is it too outdated? (I'm on dsl)

[gregor]

it should be possible to play it in a network.

i am not sure about tcp/ip protocol, but i think it might support it.

[Uncle]

So, I loaded the ISO into DeamonTools, but when I click on the newly-created drive F:\, I get an Insert Disk dialog. Do I need to turn on specific options before it will load properly? The DaemonTools help isn't helpful.

Thanks!

[NightOwwl]

I love this game but I am totally lame!

I am ashamed to say I can't even win the first map. :crazy: Every time I try to beat a hero he runs away, then when I attack him again (usually the very next move) all his troops have multiplied like crazy. What gives? My hero doesn't have the capability to instantly increase his/her number of troops.

I even have the game set to easy and opponents set to dumb mode. Does anyone have any tips? Am I trying to win too fast? Is it better to stay in your castle and build up troops until they are in the hundreds?

Aaargh! I am pulling my hair out. :wall:

[gregor]

he can't do it either. i mean instantly boost them up. so a few tips/hints:

1. you proably noticed that only when the new week starts you can buy new troops. well so does the computer. This is important information, because if you take his caste at the last day of the week you will have fresh units next turn to refill you army. and same goes for destroying him. if you destroy him in let's say midlle of week and he then returns (runs away) to the castle he might now have any armies at his dispousal).

2. use more heroes. the week ones are for exploring or can also be used as carriers. what do i mean by that? well your herro will attack the opponent and he will escape from battle to get new armies in his castle. the carrier will take the units to your battling hero and he may continue pursuit. that way you will have the armies available for battling annother battle. make sure they are all from same kind. let's say all come from the knight's castle. that way your morale will be higher. if you defeat the her while he is in the castle he cannot run from you. and he will "dissapear" and might even reapear later at your recruiting list. it is a bit annoying when computer does that. but you can do it too. just remember to buy the herro immediatelly after you do that.

3. use multiple heroes to defeat the stronger opponent. use a few weak heroes and try to inflict as much damage to opponent as possible. sacrifice your units to lower his army. and i know this is a bit hard in HOMM1 but still try to get the best spells "out of him". make him use them. then just before your armies run out, run away with the hero. and then do the same with the next one. repeat this untill he is exhausted enough to be taken over by the strongest hero. who will easilly crush him and he might not even have a chance to escape. also your strongest hero will gain the opponents possesion.

4. the one with the fastest unit starts first. so make sure you are the one with the fastest unit. that way even if your hero sucks you can do to him damage by using magic and using one strike with the fastest unit.

5. if you corner them (to a mountain or some dead end path) they can not run from you (ie. same as if they were in castle). use that to your advantage when taking them out.

6. i know the running away is annoying (especially since they dont' get their mana exhausted in a fight in HOMM1). however if you corner them they can not run and that is how you destroy them.

7. try to get as many mines as possible and as many castels as possible. use weak and fast heroes (heroes with fast units move further) to take over enemies mines. then use marketplace to sell stuff if you need more gold to raise larger army.

that's all i can remember for now. time to go back to work. :Titan:

[NightOwwl]

Thanks for the tips gregor.

It never even occurred to me to use the days of the week as a strategic manuever. And I never thought about cornering the heroes, either.

I'm still wondering about my timing, though. I think I may be waiting to long to attack. How many weeks (in general) would you wait before you started attacking castles?

[gregor]

well i dont' know specifically hwo long. but usually sooner is better. make an army and try to take it over. but save before the attempt. that way you can see approximate strenght of opponents army. Later on you will probably develope one fo the skills that help you see the opponents strength by right clicking him. you will egt some roug data on his strength.

In HOMM1 attacking the castle is much easier. there is no moat, there is only one balista in the castel. so you can go on it quite early. also usually when opponent leave the castel he buys his units and goes adventuring. that would be a good time to attack it, because chances are there aren't many units left in the castle to guard it.

as soon as your armies feel strong enough. let's say you have about double figures of some main units (eg. knights, pikemen, showrdsmen, archers...) you should try to attck him. chances are (unless there is some specific mission goal) that he won't have much stronger army. and with the propper use of spells you have a good chance of victory.

[Knug]

Anyone know where I can get maps for HoMM 1?

[Guest]

Originally posted by Knug@Apr 2 2006, 02:51 AM
Anyone know where I can get maps for HoMM 1?
http://members.tripod.com/quebecdragon/homm1.html

Here are a few maps to download (scroll to the bottom)
Dont know if they still work, its an old site you see!

[Guest]

Originally posted by Guest+Apr 2 2006, 08:34 AM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Guest @ Apr 2 2006, 08:34 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-Knug@Apr 2 2006, 02:51 AM
Anyone know where I can get maps for HoMM 1?
http://members.tripod.com/quebecdragon/homm1.html

Here are a few maps to download (scroll to the bottom)
Dont know if they still work, its an old site you see! [/b][/quote]
The crusades and island of doom are pretty maps :D

[B@F]

IMHO Heroes 1 has the prettiest graphics I had ever seen in a strategy game. The sounds and music are excellent too - sometimes I play the original CD just by the CD player :-).
It's a pity there's not an editor here - creating the maps is almost as funny as playing (although HOMAM 2 is better for that).
I recommend buying the full version - it's not too expensive today and it surely worths it!

THE CAMPAIGN IS THE BEST PART OF THE GAME!

Btw., the strongest and most easy to play sort of creatures are barbarians (trolls!), then knights (not too strong, but cheapest), then elves and warlocks (expensive and so slow at the beginnings).

Enjoy :Titan:

[velik_m]

Originally posted by B@F@Apr 7 2006, 01:39 PM
IMHO Heroes 1 has the prettiest graphics I had ever seen in a strategy game. The sounds and music are excellent too - sometimes I play the original CD just by the CD player :-).
It's a pity there's not an editor here - creating the maps is almost as funny as playing (although HOMAM 2 is better for that).
I recommend buying the full version - it's not too expensive today and it surely worths it!

THE CAMPAIGN IS THE BEST PART OF THE GAME!

Btw., the strongest and most easy to play sort of creatures are barbarians (trolls!), then knights (not too strong, but cheapest), then elves and warlocks (expensive and so slow at the beginnings).

Enjoy :Titan:
there is an editor here.

[Guest]

Originally posted by B@F@Apr 7 2006, 01:39 PM
IMHO Heroes 1 has the prettiest graphics I had ever seen in a strategy game. The sounds and music are excellent too - sometimes I play the original CD just by the CD player :-).
It's a pity there's not an editor here - creating the maps is almost as funny as playing (although HOMAM 2 is better for that).
I recommend buying the full version - it's not too expensive today and it surely worths it!

THE CAMPAIGN IS THE BEST PART OF THE GAME!

Btw., the strongest and most easy to play sort of creatures are barbarians (trolls!), then knights (not too strong, but cheapest), then elves and warlocks (expensive and so slow at the beginnings).

Enjoy :Titan:
Hmmz, in my opinion, the elves and warlocks have the best army's in the end. It is easier to fight a battle without losing a single monster with these army's. But then I am talking about an army wich contains over 100 units of the strongest monsters wich can fly and can attack 2 squares. Adding the right use of magic, you can prevend a serious counterattack of the enemy ( spells like paralyse or blind). Even if you have sustained any damage, just paralyse or blind the LAST unit of the enemy, and skip a few turns and use ressurect to heal your damaged unit.

And voila! A battle without a loss!

Tip: You cant use ressurect ont dragons! (or any other spell)
Furthermore, you'll have to think wisely wich units you attack, and wich you will paralyse! (Or in other words, use a water proof strategy!)

[Droopinho]

Hi guys! I just have a little problem. I have launched the game. Everything is ok but I have no sound... what can i do to get it back?

[The Fifth Horseman]

There should be a configuration menu in the game - have a look inside.

If that doesn't work, try using compatibility modes.

[dr_st]

Originally posted by B@F@Apr 7 2006, 01:39 PM
Btw., the strongest and most easy to play sort of creatures are barbarians (trolls!), then knights (not too strong, but cheapest), then elves and warlocks (expensive and so slow at the beginnings).
But get Dragons and everyone is dead. HoMM1 is really unbalanced in this sense. In HoMM2 at least had Titans that were closely matched to Black Dragons.

[Guest]

Can you play online with this game?

Thank you :)

[pain]

Hi there
When I download the zip-file I can't open it. Every programm I used to dezip it told me that the file is damaged. :help:

Besides that I would like to thank everybody who made this side possible. Wasting time never felt so good! :ok:

[The H Maister]

Originally posted by pain@Apr 14 2006, 05:13 PM
Hi there
When I download the zip-file I can't open it. Every programm I used to dezip it told me that the file is damaged. :help:

Besides that I would like to thank everybody who made this side possible. Wasting time never felt so good! :ok:
I'v been looking for this grand old game forever..... :w00t:

Now that found it i can't unzip the .iso file.

It's a sad day for mankind :cry:


SO PLEASE HELP!!!

[Master MC]

ISOs are not opened - they are emulated, using Daemon Tools etc.

[velik_m]

Originally posted by Master MC@Apr 16 2006, 10:17 AM
ISOs are not opened - they are emulated, using Daemon Tools etc.
or you can burn them on CD with programs like Nero or CloneCD...

[The H Maister]

Originally posted by velik_m+Apr 16 2006, 12:09 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (velik_m @ Apr 16 2006, 12:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ******QuoteBegin-Master MC@Apr 16 2006, 10:17 AM
ISOs are not opened - they are emulated, using Daemon Tools etc.
or you can burn them on CD with programs like Nero or CloneCD... [/b][/quote]
I installed the daemon manager, unziped the .iso and burned it.

I can run autoplay but not install it, the only way i can play i by the the heroesw.exe, but the screen is very small...

:help: :help: :help:

[gregor]

Originally posted by Guest@Apr 14 2006, 12:18 AM
Can you play online with this game?

Thank you :)
you need to setup a server and then use one of the available protocols to play with your friend who will have to connect to your game.

But the game doesn't have any server network like HL or Diablo and such.

[gregor]

Originally posted by The H Maister+Apr 16 2006, 03:47 PM****</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (The H Maister @ Apr 16 2006, 03:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by velik_m@Apr 16 2006, 12:09 PM
******QuoteBegin-Master MC@Apr 16 2006, 10:17 AM
ISOs are not opened - they are emulated, using Daemon Tools etc.
or you can burn them on CD with programs like Nero or CloneCD...
I installed the daemon manager, unziped the .iso and burned it.

I can run autoplay but not install it, the only way i can play i by the the heroesw.exe, but the screen is very small...

:help: :help: :help: [/b][/quote]
That's not the way it works! The iso file is an exact image of CD. Therefore you dont' unzip it and then burn it to CD you have to burn it DIRECTLY. Nero burning rom (for example) has an option burn image CD. you have to use that option and that way the programe will create EXACT COPY of the CD (means it will be a copy with all possible protections and hidden files). Then you will be able to install it. once you do that screen will be normal size for you to play.

[Rob]

I think I already proved that person wrong ;) :P

[nazgulpenguin]

DAEMON tools wont work for me. When installing it, it forced me to install a "bonus" program, which my system identified as malware. After running the install i removed the "bonus" program which was called something like "wereusave". Well DAEMON tools wont work now, the clicking the icon causes nothing to happen, and running the .iso with it gives me: ERROR: error in command line. I downloaded a different program, WinImage. This allowed me to extract the contents of the .iso into a folder on my hardrive, which i did. After trying to run the setup.exe, the one i presume is for windows not the dos based one, i get the following: General file transfer error. Please check your target location and try again. Error number:-1

PLEASE HELP!!!! :wall:

Nazgulpenguin*hotmail.com

[Nazgulpenguin]

UDATE-
i reinstalled Daemon tools (whereusave decided not to come along this time thankfully) and it sort of works. I am able to mount it , but nothing happens. i click on the system tray icon and reselect the .iso to mount it and still nuthin.

:wall: :wall: :wall: :wall:

[velik_m]

Originally posted by nazgulpenguin@May 2 2006, 01:39 AM
DAEMON tools wont work for me. When installing it, it forced me to install a "bonus" program, which my system identified as malware. After running the install i removed the "bonus" program which was called something like "wereusave". Well DAEMON tools wont work now, the clicking the icon causes nothing to happen, and running the .iso with it gives me: ERROR: error in command line. I downloaded a different program, WinImage. This allowed me to extract the contents of the .iso into a folder on my hardrive, which i did. After trying to run the setup.exe, the one i presume is for windows not the dos based one, i get the following: General file transfer error. Please check your target location and try again. Error number:-1

PLEASE HELP!!!! :wall:

Nazgulpenguin*hotmail.com
extracting iso to a directory will definately not work. If you have a CD burner, you can burn the iso to the CD.

I can't offer you any help on Daemon tools as i never used it.

[nazgulpenguin]

i got to work finally. :D i would have posted sooner about it but i have been playing it! its so great, its one of the games that practically defined my childhood. for future refrence for others, when you mount an iso with DAEMON tools, you have to go to "My computer" and the iso is displayed there as if it were a cd in the drive. i felt real silly when i finally figured it out. :blink:

[Guest]

why do i get this message when trying to unzip this game that says the file is password protected?

[velik_m]

Originally posted by Guest@May 15 2006, 02:01 PM
why do i get this message when trying to unzip this game that says the file is password protected?

What tool do you use for unzipping?

[gregor]

ZIP file is not password protected. maybe it was a bad download or something. after oyu unzip it once you will get an ISO image file. this is exact "picture" of CD. you need to use Daemon tools or make a CD out of it (with XP cd bruner or Nero Burning ROM...) in order to propperly install and play the game.

[faralar]

Why isn't HOMM 2 abandoned yet? is it still sold?

[The Fifth Horseman]

Of course it is, Einstein!

[Hamster of Doom]

You can get HOMM 2 if you buy the HOMM 5 Deluxe or Limited Edition. It comes as an extra with these versions. (Of course that isn´t very cheap, if you´re only interested in HOMM 2 and not HOMM 5. :whistling: )


Now to something completely different: I´m a bit confused, that you can download the Windows version of HOMM but the DOS version isn´t available. Ok, this version has an editor, that´s missing in the DOS version, but that doesn´t change the fact, that it´s the same game... :huh:

[Raasted]

Yes it's still sold - actually it's a wonder HoMM I has been abandoned - all of the games in this series are simply :kosta: including all the expansions - Price of loyality, Armageddon's Blade, Shadow of death, etc, etc, etc......Can't wait to get my hands on HoMM V!!

/Raasted

[bert]

Damn

I mounted the iso file, and the screen with play, install and editor appears.. But when I want to install or play it I get a autoex failure... Please help me out, I love this game but the *dirty word* Windows XP system won't let me play it!

[gregor]

if you have a little money to spare i suggest you unpack the ISO on CD. then it should work, ebacuse you would basically have a copy of original CD.

[The Fifth Horseman]

Not so sure about that.

[Bert]

Well, I just try that.. But I don't think it will work. Maybe I have to upgrade windows XP or something?

[The Fifth Horseman]

Wait. Just rememebered something.

Have you tried using Compatibility options?
Context menu-->Properties-->Compatibility, FYI

[another_guest]

Don't think upgrading Win XP will change anything.

Didn't try this game yet, but burning an iso on cd has worked for other games before. But make sure you "create a cd from image" rather than simply burning a cd with that iso ;)

[Bert]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(another_guest @ May 29 2006, 03:23 PM) 233039</div>
Don't think upgrading Win XP will change anything.

Didn't try this game yet, but burning an iso on cd has worked for other games before. But make sure you "create a cd from image" rather than simply burning a cd with that iso ;)
[/b]

Yesss I've found out the solution.. I downloaded this file http://home.versatel.nl/pcclubgog/xp_fix.exe
from a dutch ( my country btw) site, and the problem is fixed! The first time the game was shut down, but when I skipped the intro it works just fine... Everyone who have a error message with autoexec.nt or something like it, should download the file..

Cheerss, Bert

[Guest]

this game used to be free here, now it costs like 20 bucks :( im cheap!! and broke!

[gregor]

Why is it not free anymore? :huh:

[The Fifth Horseman]

Still sold? :whistle:

[gregor]

In package with other games as i see... Is it even legal to bundle them like that?

[Guest_Tom Henrik]

Of course it is. Games have been bundled together ever since the first series and game add-ons were made ;)

[Tom Henrik]

The above was me. Just testing something - and yeah. It still is legal :bleh:

[heLL0]

I like Heroes of Might And Magic even though I was never so much into the series.

[Guest]

the review says its compatible with xp, i already have the cd-rom for it from yrs ago. but it doesnt work, is there anyway for it to work on my xp? do i need to install or download anything?

[The Fifth Horseman]

Try using Compatibility Modes.

[Guest]

Is anyone playing the campaign game=? Im currently on scenario4 in the camnpaign and its just very hard. Thers very little time to do anything before the AI rushes to crush you. Any help you can give is much welcome.

[Vendermarch]

Just go for crucial resources, and have your cities defended. There's no better advice than that :)

[Patrunjelu]

I simply love this game and my collection is almost complete! I have now: HOMM1,H3,H4,H5 and i need H2
THANK YOU ABANDONIA !!

[julealgon]

Hi there.

First, sorry for almost necroposting here... seems it is almost 2 months old. I apologize about that.


Well, as you can see, this is my first post here. I registered to ask something:
- Is it possible to run with the CD music option at all, using Windows XP?

I managed to get it running with midi, as it is very simple (the game does it by itself). When I try using CD music, though, I get the infamous CD MUSIC ERROR. I've tryed things like using the compatibility options on the .exe but it seems to have no effect on the problem.

I see a lot of people here didn't even mention this, so I wonder if those were able to run it like that?

Any help will be tremendouslly appreciated.


On a side note, I'm very impressed by this game. Firstly, I never knew there was a Windows version. Second, this game is very close graphically to Heroes 2, which is surprising, in a good way.

Thanks for your time,
Juliano Goncalves

[The Fifth Horseman]

First, sorry for almost necroposting here... seems it is almost 2 months old. I apologize about that.[/b]
Actually, this term doesn't apply at all to Games Discussion forum. No reason to apologize.

[Johnny]

Does Anybody Know Where I Can Download Might and magic 6 - Mandate of Heaven? I Have The Game, But I Lost The Disc, And Cant Find It On Stores Around Here. Let Me Know, Thanks!

RodimusPrime118

[gregor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(julealgon @ Jan 31 2007, 11:39 AM) 277264</div>
Hi there.

First, sorry for almost necroposting here... seems it is almost 2 months old. I apologize about that.


Well, as you can see, this is my first post here. I registered to ask something:
- Is it possible to run with the CD music option at all, using Windows XP?

I managed to get it running with midi, as it is very simple (the game does it by itself). When I try using CD music, though, I get the infamous CD MUSIC ERROR. I've tryed things like using the compatibility options on the .exe but it seems to have no effect on the problem.

I see a lot of people here didn't even mention this, so I wonder if those were able to run it like that?

Any help will be tremendouslly appreciated.


On a side note, I'm very impressed by this game. Firstly, I never knew there was a Windows version. Second, this game is very close graphically to Heroes 2, which is surprising, in a good way.

Thanks for your time,
Juliano Goncalves
[/b]

Did you create a CD from image, install it and you are now running it from a CD? Do oyu have FAT32 or NTFS partition?

Just curious. Cause i haven't tried it in XP yet. I do know that previously i used to use midi on 1&2 because it would take too long fo the game to change music (CD would have to start up, search for the song and then start playing it each time you entered new type of territory). So i usually played with midi. too bad cause music is really good.

[The Fifth Horseman]

Does Anybody Know Where I Can Download Might and magic 6 - Mandate of Heaven?
I Have The Game, But I Lost The Disc, And Cant Find It On Stores Around Here. Let Me Know, Thanks![/b]
It's sold, allright. Here. (http://www.cdaccess.com/html/pc/m&m6.htm).

Therefore we cannot:
1. put it up for download on Abandonia
2. provide you with links to any source of download
3. send you the archive through e-mail or any messenger programs

If you want it... buy it.

[julealgon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gregor @ Feb 1 2007, 07:26 AM) 277446</div>Did you create a CD from image, install it and you are now running it from a CD? Do oyu have FAT32 or NTFS partition?
[/b]
Hmm, I'm using a mounted image on Daemon (i.e. no burnt CD), and I'm running my HDs in NTFS. I wonder, does it make a difference to actually burn the CD and use it? I suppose not?

Also, the_fifth_horseman, thanks. I just thought maybe you guys wouldn't like this thread to be bumped that way, good to see it is not a concern.

[The Fifth Horseman]

I wonder, does it make a difference to actually burn the CD and use it? I suppose not?[/b]
Shouldn't, and transfer rates from the hard drive should actually be better then from CD drive (even when talking about IDE harddisks). Unless your virtual image drive is suffering from some compatibility issues (urgh, stutterrr!)

[julealgon]

Is all this silence a resounding "NO" to my original question? I thought more people had the same problem...

[nikalaidas]

HoMM is the best series of strategy games EVER, i've played a lot of strategy games and none is sooo challenging as Heroes. I agree with unbalance with dragons in 1, with titans in 2, with angels in 3... but it's still the best turnbased game ever.

IMHO the best and original is the 1, the campaing is so difficult i never get tired of playing it again and again each year, with the 4 races, the lack of story is no big deal, the battle against the knights is really difficult is the best ever, when u get to the castle of Lord Ironfist the sob has a huge army at disposal.... I still have the old cd, my first game, i got a demo of the first level which i played for months till i convinced my parents to buy me the game :ok:

The Heroes 2 is also pretty good, following the one with not so many changes, some new races, better grappics still very playable but the campaing is not that good, very short and easy.

Heroes 3 is also very good, with angels taking the lead and the underground maps, the campaing is like in heroes 2 also short, i'm afraid u need in both some expansions to make it right.

Heroes 4 is the worst by far, changing the basis of the game, the outlook of the battle is turn upside down, with the hero involved directly in battle, with very ugly and stupid creatures, also the maps are very confusing and complicated, being mad about the series of HOMM i couldn't play this sh1t so i suggest to not even try it. :ranting:

Heroes 5, i got it too but i hardly played because my old pc's won't support it, but i will, i f4ck1ng will... :wallbash:

[Hesu]

Where could i get the Heroes might and magic III ?

I would really need that one.

[Guest]

You can buy Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete for 10 Euros ;)

[velik_m]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Guest @ May 2 2007, 12:44 PM) 289044</div>
You can buy Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete for 10 Euros ;)
[/b]

That's a good price, well worth it.

[velik_m]

I just notice the boxscans here are for HOMM2 not HOMM1.

[Sathanas]

Love this game, had lots of fun with it years ago :3

[arlesya]

I absolutely love the HMM series. It reminds me of my eraly teens. I'd go to a friends place to play the HMM2 he had bought. We would spend hours playing the hot seat multiplayer games. I was terrible at it... :whistling: One day he lended me the game when he went in vacations. I played it so much that, when he was back, I actually won most of the times we played together. He was really angry to have lended it to me :max: I think he didn't like losing to a girl.

I bought the HMM3 complete years later in New York for a very cheap price. I guess it was less than 10 euros. By far, it's still my favorite of the series.

Btw, I liked a lot to play this HMM as for the classic it is. But I missed the necromancer and wizard a lot...

[velik_m]

Homm2 has more balanced troops, but i like the spell system of homm1 more. In homm2 all you cast is lightning.

[arlesya]

ah, not really. there are many other fighting spells

but the metod of "expert earth magic" etc. from the hmm3 is the coolest to me

[Guest]

Well, I first got this from a friend of a friend, who in fact got it for my kid sister, when it first came out, and then we burned a copy and had this. What I loved the most about this were the funny ways that everything looked. Purple dragons used to make me laugh every time I saw them. There was something majestic about it all. The fact that your knowledge determined how many spells you had, and you had to keep going from castle to castle to get spells was really fantastic.

Okay, admittedly when I played it I sucked at heroes. But it was the perfect game for the beginner. I could play The Claw (the easiest map), turn off all other heroes, except for one who I made Dunce, and the difficulty was 5%. I could then restart until I got a Warlock, which was by far the best creature, and bingo I've made it ultra easy.

I want this game again so that I can go back through and NOT play the Warlock.

HOMM 2 was much harder, but also more balanced, as Sorceress became more powerful, and Wizard and Necromancer also became closer to equal with the Warlock (of course, having 3 types of Dragons still gave Warlock an advantage). There still existed the problem with the 2 "might" sides, that got no magic. HOMM 2 I can remember the lowest difficulty rating was 30%, and that was much harder than the 5% I was used to. But it taught you to be good.

When HOMM 3 came out I actually didn't get it for ages, as I thought that surely they couldn't improve on HOMM 2. But HOMM 3 was by far the best game. The balance was exact, as all creature types were exactly equal, yet still there was strategy. Nobody could suggest that any type was better than the other. Okay so Necromancer was better if you took the time to fight everything and make 3 million skeletons. And Knight was better because of Archangels. But then there were factors - like Archangels had less hitpoints than some other mobs, and hence spells could seriously hurt them. Black Dragons were still immune to magic, hence you could cast Armageddon with them. But Archangels I liked to use with Regeneration. Also, the addition of "mass" spells as "Expert" spells was awesome. In HOMM 2 mass spells existed as separate spells. Good but not great.

But what was even more awesome about HOMM 3 was the expansion packs. I bought HOMM 3 Complete, the best ever possible rendition of Heroes, of any series. On top of that, you can get Wake of the Gods, but after a while I uninstalled that as most of it doesn't work properly.

Then came HOMM 4.

After the first 3 were so incredibly awesome, I bought HOMM 4 with so much anticipation. Heroes that fought! Wow! Amazing.

And it was a total waste of time. It was a disaster. I soon found myself going back to HOMM 3, and then getting nostalgic for HOMM 2 or even HOMM 1.

And when HOMM 5 came out, well, sadly it was too good for my computer, and while I bought it brand new I haven't played it yet as I need a new computer, or massive upgrades. So I can't say.

So now I want to go back to HOMM 1. Back to the first of the 3 awesome games.

[droma]

I remember waaay back when I got HOMM 1. I had a demo for it in some game magazine that let you play for a month? or so. (game time, not rl months). I cant begin to imagine the amount of time my friends and I played it hot seat. Then came HOMM 2. Holy crap. Compared to the first one it was the greatest game of the century (not that the first HOMM wasnt awesome). The monster models were awesome, upgradeable monsters!??!! Cool! Opera singing when you go to the towns! I still can remember the sorceress operatic song/music, beautiful. For every hour I played as any of the other castles I played 3 hours of Knight and 5 hours of Sorceress. Then came HOMM 3. While the monster models were better graphically I still prefered the more hand-drawn look of HOMM 2. HOMM 3 with its expansions supplied so many hours of hot seat goodness they should have charged 200 bucks a copy. Then came HOMM 4. Now I'll be the first to say its definately the worst in the series but its not too bad. Its still playable...kinda. As far as HOMM 5 goes...eh. It was a real let-down. The city views are cool, but the city views from 2 are still better...that opera music really trumps it all :). The 3d adventure maps take alot of time getting used to and I think I never really got used to it completely. Combat is pretty good, but, well, theres just something about HOMM 5 that makes me rather not play it. Yes. :whistling:

[BranjoHello]

I played 4 and 5 part of HOMM!
4 is my favorite, and I dislike 5 because it's not Heroes(it's bloody Etherlords 3 :angry: )!

I downloaded this recently and I can't stop playing it!
Is't soooooo good!

:ok:

[tlalynet]

I want to say it, HMM5 has BAD graphics. Sophisticated? Yes. Viewable? Mostly no.

The underground is a nightmare especailly, but theres just something about the hivity pivoty wonkity wronkity of it that takes the focus off the feild in most options. HMM is about tactical combat, its like Chess, you need the full feild veiw of the feild availible to you at all times.
Admitedly they are esthetically beautifull and they undoubtedly did a lot of hard work on them, but between the underworld shadeing and the rotation it becomes cumbersome, I prefer to look at HMM2 or 3. If they fixed the camera and layed things out well and brighened a few things up and got the damned stalacties out of the way it would be great....

Mechanically the new company did an excelent job, I would say 5 is worthy of 2 and 3 in that respect just by going through all the new statiscics and formulas, its a little more complex and proabalby needs a few tweaks but thats not a bad thing. If i could stomach the graphics I would progbably play 5, but as it sits Ill stick with 3 as my main game and 2 as a very fun alternete. 1 is a great game, i have it in the milenum collection, but I dont play it much as its resource system is a bit cumbersome and two and three are just beter.

4 is that cousin no one wants to talk about, its not for no reason the studio died after releasing that...

And yes, Opera trumps all

[AxL]

Greetings, I too have created an account specifically to talk about HoMM1 at this time. And as a first post I'd like to tackle the sound issue. Has anyone gotten around to finding a solution to this? I've found another iso image of the Win 95 version of this game that was around 650MB in size, *apparently* due to it countaining the CD music. Is it possible that the version present on abandonia might have something ripped from it? In this case, the music?

[AxL]

I'm sorry for the double post, but I could not locate the "edit" button. I forgot to mention that the reason I'm not sure about the validity of that iso is because I haven't downloaded it yet due to it not having any seeds at this time.

[Selene]

I downloaded HOMM 1 and played it for a while. Now I tried to restart it but it says that I have to insert the CD. Could someone help me?

[The Fifth Horseman]

Double-click the ISO file to mount it again.
Then start the game.

[Paco]

the Boxshots of this Game are for Part 2 not Part one, while Dos-Version has the correct Boxshots.

[TheChosen]

Downloaded Heroes of Might & Magic from here? Lucky you, cause its too late now. Its coming up in GOG soon so we've had to remove the downloads.

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/heroes_of_might_and_magic

Thanks to _r.u.s.s. for notifying.

[_r.u.s.s.]

in GOG soon
but up til then we can keep it online..

[red_avatar]

This game is now protected due to it being sold on Good Old Games:

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/heroes_of_might_and_magic/

[Szilvio]

This game is now protected due to it being sold on Good Old Games:

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/heroes_of_might_and_magic/

:wall: I missed the download... :no:
But probably can be find elsewhere...

[red_avatar]

:wall: I missed the download... :no:
But probably can be find elsewhere...
How about on Good Old Games :p

[Unregistered1654324324]

Bonjour,

J'émule mon vieu jeu Heroes of might and magic sur dfend et dosbox. Cependant j'arrive pas à configurer le multijoueur. J'ai un poste serveur et client qui fonctionnent bien en réseau. Donc le jeu me dit de charger le setup pour mettre les bonnes options de réseau dans les deux profils du jeu, sur chaque poste.

Change direct connect/modem config :

Select a com port
1. com port 1 - 0x3f8
2. com port 2 - 0x2f8
3. com port 3 - 0x000
4. com port 4 - 0x000
5. Custom - 0x...

Je mets soit 1 pour les 2 machines, soit l'une sur 1 et l'autre sur 2. (voir config multijoueur doom)

Select a Port Irq
1. IRQ 2
2. IRQ 3
*3. IRQ 4
4. IRQ 5
5. IRQ 7
6. IRQ 9

Je choisir le 3 pour les 2 machines comme il y a l'étoile.

Select a port baud rate
1. 1200 Baud
2. 2400 Baud
3. 9600 Baud
4. 19200 Baud
5. 384000 Baud
6. 57600 Baud

Il conseille 19200 donc je mets 4. sur chaque machine.

Enable music : Non.

Change Modem Init String : Non.

Résultat : le tunnelling marche, les machines se détectent, mais le jeu lui ne détecte pas l'autre machine.
Mes réseaux marchent très bien pour d'autres jeux, donc ça vient juste de la config.
Aidez moi svp !

[El Quia]

Bonjour,

J'émule mon vieu jeu Heroes of might and magic sur dfend et dosbox. Cependant j'arrive pas à configurer le multijoueur. J'ai un poste serveur et client qui fonctionnent bien en réseau. Donc le jeu me dit de charger le setup pour mettre les bonnes options de réseau dans les deux profils du jeu, sur chaque poste.

Change direct connect/modem config :

Select a com port
1. com port 1 - 0x3f8
2. com port 2 - 0x2f8
3. com port 3 - 0x000
4. com port 4 - 0x000
5. Custom - 0x...

Je mets soit 1 pour les 2 machines, soit l'une sur 1 et l'autre sur 2. (voir config multijoueur doom)

Select a Port Irq
1. IRQ 2
2. IRQ 3
*3. IRQ 4
4. IRQ 5
5. IRQ 7
6. IRQ 9

Je choisir le 3 pour les 2 machines comme il y a l'étoile.

Select a port baud rate
1. 1200 Baud
2. 2400 Baud
3. 9600 Baud
4. 19200 Baud
5. 384000 Baud
6. 57600 Baud

Il conseille 19200 donc je mets 4. sur chaque machine.

Enable music : Non.

Change Modem Init String : Non.

Résultat : le tunnelling marche, les machines se détectent, mais le jeu lui ne détecte pas l'autre machine.
Mes réseaux marchent très bien pour d'autres jeux, donc ça vient juste de la config.
Aidez moi svp !

Please, post on the forums are to be only in english. Translate your post or desist of your gallicism! :tongue:

:rulez:

[Unregisteredf]

Please, post on the forums are to be only in english. Translate your post or desist of your gallicism! :tongue:

:rulez:

Hi,

I play Heroes of might and magic with dfend and dosbox.
However I can't play multiplayer.
I have 1 host, 1 client in lan, on a good server.
The game tells to load setup and config options for lan. I do it thus :

Change direct connect/modem config :

Select a com port
1. com port 1 - 0x3f8
2. com port 2 - 0x2f8
3. com port 3 - 0x000
4. com port 4 - 0x000
5. Custom - 0x...

I tried 1&1 or 1&2 (for the 2 pc) (like doom multiplayer config)

Select a Port Irq
1. IRQ 2
2. IRQ 3
*3. IRQ 4
4. IRQ 5
5. IRQ 7
6. IRQ 9

I choose 3 for the 2 pc.

Select a port baud rate
1. 1200 Baud
2. 2400 Baud
3. 9600 Baud
4. 19200 Baud
5. 384000 Baud
6. 57600 Baud

It tells 19200 so I choose 4.

Enable music : No.

Change Modem Init String : No.

Result : tunnelling ok, pc detecting each other... but no lan detected byu the game... host does not detect client...

If you can, please, help me !

[kiki123]

Hy! does somebody know where I could download this game, Can I downloaded it form here! I can't find an icon anywhere. Do somebody know???

[TheChosen]

Hy! does somebody know where I could download this game, Can I downloaded it form here! I can't find an icon anywhere. Do somebody know???

From our faq (http://www.abandonia.com/en/faq), in big red bright letters:

THESE GAMES ARE NOT DOWNLOADABLE.
WE WON'T HELP YOU IN FINDING DOWNLOADS OF THEM.
ASKING FOR DOWNLOAD LINKS WILL RESULT IN WARNING / BAN.

[cpt renault]

That was an amusing exchange. Certainly made me smile.
Also, this game was one of the first I ever played, back on my Powermac. Sure brings back great memories--this series has to be one of my all-time favorites.

[RRS]

Additional info regarding the "famous" CD audio error:
http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/showpost.php?p=390333&postcount=8

[IN217]

While it's not my usual habit to reply to some random reviewers from, well, some random sites on the Internet, it was too hard to resist the urge in this case. The author makes two totally ridiculous statements: (a) the graphics are bad, since 3DO failed to hire descent designers (sic!); (b) the game per se, as a strategy, is totally unbalanced, e. g. Warlock creatures (I believe that is what he means by 'mountain species') are superior.
On the first point I've already seen someone answer the author on the first page of this thread. In a nutshell: the graphics are cartoonish, almost child-like, deliberately, that is - by design. Personally, I find this approach extremely fortunate: the graphics have aged well, the game still looks fresh and stylish after all those years.
The second point, however, was not yet addressed here. Well, let's put it this way: either the author has a very, very limited experience with strategy games in general, or something is wrong with his version of the game :) In fact, the game is ideally balanced, with two factions better suited for early game rush (=small/medium maps), namely, Knights and Barbarians -- their units and buildings are dirt cheap and have a better increase per week rate, and two factions better suited for long-term development (=large/XL maps) -- Sorceress and Warlock buildings and units require a lot of gold and resources and have low increase per week rates. By the way, out of the latter, Sorceress is, in the long run, far superior to Warlock, since Phoenixes can be buffed/ressurrected, while Dragons have that nasty mixed blessing - magic immunity. Excuse me for stating the obvious, but the reviewer seems to miss those evident points somehow :)
And one more thing for strategy fans: HOMM1 features the absolutely best AI I've ever experienced over the years. Genius AI + King difficulty setting + hard map = diabolically challenging experience. It will push you to your limits, literally. A pity the same AI was never reproduced later in the series, but fortunately, we still have this gem.

[Oskatat]

HOMM II was unbalanced. ranged units, and flying units and magic were way too powerful (EG wizard, sorceror and sorceres - titans, black dagon and phoenix)

what i played from I wasnt much unbalanced

oh, nice tactic, if your hero can reanimate undead, just drag around those peasants, have em die by the thousands, reanimate and upgrade


keep a slot open for the skeletons tho

anyway, yes, the game is balanced for slow and fast players. Saying one group is stronger is only meaningfull if you let them gain a significant foothold ahead of you

[TotalAnarchy]

Just for the record, if someone wants to buy all the HoMM games, I think Mastertronic (http://www.mastertronic.com/productMastertronic.asp?pid=929&productLabelID=2) offers a better deal than GOG. While on GOG you can buy only 4 games with all expansions for a total of 40 dollars, on Mastertronic the HoMM collection which includes all 5 games plus all expansions costs ~33 dollars, and it's boxed. :mhh:

[MrFlibble]

BTW, do they sell the DOS or the Windows versions of the first two games on GOG.com? I'd assume the DVD collection has the Windows versions.

[Kelvardil]

To download a game from the side? Nowhere do I see the download. Please help

[DarthHelmet86]

That is because there is no download allowed for this game. It can be bought from GoG here (http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/heroes_of_might_and_magic) on that note is the GoG version the same version? Since if it is I will change the protected to a buy link.

[The Fifth Horseman]

To download a game from the side? Nowhere do I see the download. Please help:facepalm: Istnieje coś takiego jak FAQ - po naszemu "Często zadawane pytania". Gdybyś je przeczytał miałbyś od razu odpowiedź.
A tak, drogi rodaku, pomagasz rozpowszechniać mity o tępych Polakach... hańba, waćpan, hanba po prostu. :)

[hicks]

I like to play this game on DosBox but can't save.It says always insufficient save space:unsure:

[The Fifth Horseman]

You probably have too much available space. This causes an integer overflow and consequently the behavior you're describing. Are you playing the Windows version or perhaps the DOS version in DOSBox?

[hicks]

You probably have too much available space. This causes an integer overflow and consequently the behavior you're describing. Are you playing the Windows version or perhaps the DOS version in DOSBox?

The DosVersion on Dosbox.With HoMaM2 I have the same problem.Thanks

[The Fifth Horseman]

There's an easy solution, then. When mounting, use the -freesize parameter followed by a number specifying how many MB DOSBox is supposed to report to the games. (700 will do fine)
http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/MOUNT#Mounting_a_specific_folder_and_setting_the_a mount_of_free_space_for_a_drive

[hicks]

There's an easy solution, then. When mounting, use the -freesize parameter followed by a number specifying how many MB DOSBox is supposed to report to the games. (700 will do fine)
http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/MOUNT#Mounting_a_specific_folder_and_setting_the_a mount_of_free_space_for_a_drive

No,won't work

My command:mount c c:/dosgames -t cdrom -ioctl dx -freesize 700

when I want to save the game goes back to the DosBoxMenu with
following written:Error opening File/games/newgame.GM1:wacko:

[The Fifth Horseman]

You should not be using -t cdrom -ioctl dx in this command in the first place!
By mounting anything as -t cdrom you're mounting it as read-only - games can't save anything there!
mount c c:/dosgames -freesize 700 is all you're supposed to be entering.

[Phreeze_lu]

yes as stated, mount c C:\games lets you mount your PCs folder to a "drive that exists in dosbox", in this case C
if you want to additionnaly mount your PCs DVD-ROM, and your windows tells you that it is F:\, chose a letter you want it to have in dosbox, for example D, and type: mount d F:\ -t cdrom [plus other options]