In all honesty, if the game wasn't a part of HoM&M series, people would've liked it much more, without having to compare it to previous sequels (or following ones for that matter). I liked it, but I can't say I loved it. All of you made some valid points.
I also didn't like the whole skill structure and experience system, with your heroes getting new class depending on the skills they choose. Due to some skills being useless (although, that didn't start with this game), I would always end up with the same multiclass for all my heroes of one starting class.
Having heroes directly participating in the battles was somewhat refreshing idea, but all it did was making beginning of the campaign very difficult and end very easy.
I liked caravans for moving creatures, although pool of creatures that you have in part 6 is even better in that regards.
So, in my opinion the worst game in the series, but still a good game if looked on its own.
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