A game is only as good as the ones you compare it to. Nothing could be truer for Might and Magic IX, a game I nearly overlooked due to overwhelmingly negative reviews. I'm glad I didn't!

To be clear: M&M9 is by no means the best game in the series. Nearing bankruptcy, 3DO rushed out of the door what lead designer Timothy Lang himself described as “pre-alpha at best”. Bugs and crashes were so frequent that it was almost unplayable, while the game's shift to fully 3D graphics lacked polish and detail, with repetitive models and weird mirrored textures. Nevertheless, it did many things right.

First thing you'll notice is the new class system. At character creation you can only choose between Fighter or Adept, but 12 specialised classes are later available by completing special quests. Skills and abilities are still acquired via trainers scattered around the world, but now some spells require two (or even three!) different skills to be cast. Although the levelling system is artificially capped at around Level 140 (as training becomes too expensive), it worked well enough to keep me motivated to grind on and reach insane levels of power, Might and Magic-style.

Combat was likewise overhauled. Gone are the legions of goblins and other critters forming lines to kill you. M&M9 focuses on smaller encounters, with fewer enemies. As such, the AI is vastly improved: flying enemies will circle around you, Grunts will throw daggers, while stronger enemies revive their fallen comrades. Most are simple, but still distinctive.

While the initial dungeons are forgettable, later ones range from good to borderline great. One late-game dungeon is especially memorable, with armies of liches giving you a run for your money. Also, the game features a huge array of new weapons, with all kinds of status effects to equip and use.