The Might and Magic franchise has been around for decades now. Since its dawn in 1986 the franchise has seen dozens of games and multiple spin-offs, and while hardcore gamers agree that it's a powerhouse in the realm of strategy games it's safe to say that for most gamers out there the series has lost some serious steam as years go on. For that reason alone I'd expect some gamers to roll their eyes at a Might and Magic DS release; especially one that dons a new anime-influenced look. I picked the game up for the first time at this year's E3 with a common notion: "Well, this is some spin-off Might and Magic game...looks nice, but not sure I care." The end result: my preconceptions couldn't have been farther from the truth. Ubisoft and independent developer Capybara Games (known best for its work on the award-winning puzzler Critter Crunch) have put a surprising exclamation mark on the end of DS's 2009 with a game that screams "sleeper hit of the year." DS is a crowded market filled with some seriously top-notch games, but there's no doubt Might and Magic deserves to sit with the best of the best.

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First things first, though. Might and Magic isn't a traditional game within the series, and as such it's a game that doesn't expect you to know or even care about Might and Magic's illustrious past. This is the first game in a new franchise, titled Clash of Heroes, and if it wasn't for the marketing power behind the Might and Magic name players would have no idea it was even taken from the same concepts. In every way, shape, and form, Clash of Heroes is an original IP. It's new for Ubisoft, it's new for Capy Games, and it's new for gamers. In all honesty I actually wish it didn't hold the Might and Magic name, as that implies something other than what it is. Toss out all those preconceptions though: this is a must-play strategy game on DS.Clash of Heroes could best be described as a mix of role-playing game and card battler elements, mixed with some seriously strategic unit movement and open-ended customization. The battle mechanic has two players facing each other, with the front lines pointing towards the gap between the DS's two screens. Each player alternates by taking their turn -- usually allowing for three "moves" -- and then control is passed over to their opponent. Battles kick off with each set of armies rushing into place in a random formation, but from there it's all up to how you want to play the game. A horizontal connection of three like-colored units results in a wall, whereas vertical stacking -- almost like a game of Solitaire -- connects the units into a formation. Each type of unit has different stats and limitations, including a specific charge time before their attack (measured in turns) and attack power. As turns go on formations tick down in charge time while building up power, eventually attacking up towards the other army in an attempt to breakthrough and deal damage to the opposing hero.It's a bit much to take in at first, but after seeing the game of attack and counter-attack begin to build up an endless amount of strategies emerge. Even within just one of the game's races there's a huge level of strategy and customization. Take the humans, for example. Do you bring only bow-wielding rangers to the fight, relying on their quick charge time despite their weak attacks? Do you invest in spearmen who have longer reach and can actually take out enemy units without hurting their own attack in the process? Or do you dive deeper, bringing in expensive elite units like knights or priests for added attack power or healing during the heat of battle? These are choices that'll make each player's experience unique to their play style, while also keeping things surprisingly balanced along the way.Clash of Heroes includes a wireless multiplayer mode for local battles, and once you really get the feel for how matches carry out you will -- like me -- be out to convert DS-owning buddies to pick the game up just so you can test your strategies. There's unfortunately no online mode included, but that doesn't mean you'll be short-handed as far as overall depth to the game. Might and Magic's campaign mode is no joke, spanning the game's five alignments -- Haven (human), Inferno (demon), Sylvan (elf), Academy (mage), and Necropolis (undead) -- and lasting well over 30 hours to complete the main quest, side quests, and puzzle battles. In fact, I've put in over 45 hours on the game spanning both single-player and multiplayer battles, and there's still secret units I haven't found, bounties I haven't completed, and puzzle battles left to conquer. The game is massive.