Released in 1999, Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia is a turn-based strategy game developed by New World Computing and first published by the 3DO Company. It got its gameplay inspiration from what is now considered the forerunner for the whole HoMM series, 1990's King's Bounty - another turn-based game developed by the same company. In the year it was released, the game achieved high marks all around, going as far as almost winning the best strategy game of the year.
Following the same style as its predecessors, the game is all about collecting resources, developing your centre, creating an army full of fantastical creatures and capturing other towns. The game received two expansions - 1999's Armageddon's Blade & 2000's Shadow of Death - which added over five campaigns each and a ninth faction to choose from.
Over the years, there's been endless arguments over which HoMM game is the best in the franchise. Although opinions regarding older games can be heavily influenced by nostalgia, many arguments can be made that the third instalment is the best and most important of them.
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