Heroes of Might and Magic was the strategy game of the year in 1995 and Heroes of Might and Magic II is its most worthy successor.
   There are more characters, more monsters, more spells, more buildings and more of everything in this outstanding offering which will tie you up for days and days of play. The interface is better but, frankly, the eye candy is one of the things which makes this game so much better than the previous version.
   We're talking animations here. The battles animate, the spells animate, the weapons animate and, even on the adventure screen, the animation gets you into the game in a major way.

   Check out the fire-breathing dragons (and there are more dragons) on the battle screen at the left. Note the drawbridge over the moat (and the moat itself) which gives the defenders more options than they had before.
   All of these creatures move (and have sound associated with those moves) and each spell you can learn has a different visual effect.
   The game can be

played as a campaign – and the video introductions to each part of the campaigns are first-rate – or as scenarios. In addition, of course, up to six persons can play via cable, modem or the net.
   The interface, which was excellent before, is even better. A mouse right-click will bring up all sorts of information about different locations. The path command has been retained, so you can see where your hero is going to go on the next turn. Also, there is an editor so you can make up your own games. It is easy to use.
   Heroes of Might and Magic II is a fun game which is easy to play in terms of the physical playing of the game. At the same time, there are enough frustrations, challenges and problems to solve to keep you busy for a long, long time.

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