The best puzzle RPG ever is making a comeback

My favorite puzzle RPG is Capybara’s Adventure. I think anything that combines puzzle gameplay with storytelling and character progression in role-playing game style games, wins my heart. My favorite of them all is Capybara’s Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, a brilliant blend of RPGs, battle tactics and color matching puzzles that first appeared on Nintendo DS back in 2009.

The last time I saw this song was in an unimpressive mobile version about 10 years back. Clash of Heroes would get another release, especially considering its licensing ties to Might & Magic, Ubisoft’s largely moribund fantasy franchise. I’ve seldom been happier to be wrong.

A surprise announcement was made. Clash of HeroesThis summer will see the release of a Definitive edition on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC. (Oddly, there’s to be no Xbox release, although the 2011 Xbox 360 version of the game is still available to buy and play via backwards compatibility.) Promisingly, the developer of the new Definitive Edition is Dotemu, maker of last year’s superb brawler, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s RevengeThere are many great retro revivals such as Windjammers 2,You can also find out more about the following: Streets of Rage 4..

Image: Dotemu/Ubisoft

Image: Dotemu/Ubisoft

Image: Dotemu/Ubisoft

Image: Dotemu/Ubisoft

Dotemu has updated all Clash of Heroes’ crisp and characterful anime-inspired artwork for the Definitive Edition, and undertaken a complete rebalancing of the online and offline multiplayer mode. The original game’s I am the bossThe DLC is also included along with Euny, the Archdruid, a new, exclusive, multiplayer boss. For the first time, this game will be localized in Asian regions.

“Might and Magic Clash of HeroesIt was my favourite game from its original release. It’s a game design gem,” commented Dotemu CEO Cyrille Imbert, correctly. “I spent so many nights on my Xbox 360 with my friends trying to set up the best, undefeatable strategy, playing for just ‘one more duel’ until the sun rose.”

Clash of Heroes’ core gameplay involves stacking and combining color-coded units to increase their power and neutralize the attacks of an opposing enemy force. “Its battle system can easily rival the likes of Advance Wars for sophistication,” I wrote in my puzzle RPG guide last year. “The simple concept of stacking and combining color-coded units is extrapolated through a beautifully balanced net of rules across five factions and a substantial, 30-hour campaign. It’s a shame publisher Ubisoft is unlikely to give this the full reissue treatment, as it’s a stone-cold classic.” Well, I was half-right!