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tom

Aug 13, 2022 @ 7:03am

The graphical representation is very poor

The gameplay is good, but the graphics are absolutely terrible even compared to the 23 years old version of Heroes of Might and Magic 3.
It's really hard work to recognize individual details and different characters on the map, even on a large screen. Unfortunately, the graphics are a blurry coarse pixel mush.
It's a shame, because Songs of Conquest would have been a really good game with sharper graphics.
A reason for me to play HOMM3 again after many years: together with the Horn of Abyss mod and the HD mod HOMM3 is absolutely perfect and great, the graphics there with the HD mod is a joy.

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Originally posted by Munin:

Originally posted by MeGa:
[...] I recall somebody sharing a screenshot, close to launch, with some reshade technique. It was lil bit blurry but seemed like an improvement. [...]

That was me. Here is the comment.

I haven't found another way to make it less pixelated tho. You sometimes simply have to accept the reality: In this case, you either find a compromise or, as sad as it is, don't buy the game. No game can please everyone, right?

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Showing 1-15 of 184 comments

Ddraig Lleuad has Songs of Conquest

Aug 13, 2022 @ 7:11am

Each to their own I guess, I like the pixel art. It's a nice aesthetic, and aesthetic > graphical fidelity.

Vegetable Vampire has Songs of Conquest

Aug 13, 2022 @ 8:27am

Originally posted by tom:
The gameplay is good, but the graphics are absolutely terrible even compared to the 23 years old version of Heroes of Might and Magic 3.
It's really hard work to recognize individual details and different characters on the map, even on a large screen. Unfortunately, the graphics are a blurry coarse pixel mush.
It's a shame, because Songs of Conquest would have been a really good game with sharper graphics.
A reason for me to play HOMM3 again after many years: together with the Horn of Abyss mod and the HD mod HOMM3 is absolutely perfect and great, the graphics there with the HD mod is a joy.

Okay. So don't play it then. Is that all, Mr. Troll?

Wizard of Woz has Songs of Conquest

Aug 13, 2022 @ 9:38am

Originally posted by tom:
The gameplay is good, but the graphics are absolutely terrible even compared to the 23 years old version of Heroes of Might and Magic 3.
It's really hard work to recognize individual details and different characters on the map, even on a large screen. Unfortunately, the graphics are a blurry coarse pixel mush.
It's a shame, because Songs of Conquest would have been a really good game with sharper graphics.
A reason for me to play HOMM3 again after many years: together with the Horn of Abyss mod and the HD mod HOMM3 is absolutely perfect and great, the graphics there with the HD mod is a joy.

If you can discern what is what in homm 3, then you can easily do it in this game. If not you need to go to the eye doctor.

Vivas Aug 13, 2022 @ 12:20pm

Thats part of the game and its charm, don't like it then just move on.

Cammy

Aug 13, 2022 @ 4:15pm

The graphic is perfect

I <3 this pixelart and well made effects

Octopath Traveler style

Last edited by Cammy; Aug 13, 2022 @ 4:16pm

Toni 'Bō' Jones Aug 13, 2022 @ 11:39pm

I don't believe that OP was trolling. While some of us may disagree with this opinion, it's what we're here for - to discuss things we like and dislike. Considering OP owns the game it's basically a feedback, and I see nothing wrong wrong with that.

Regarding the message: to be humbly honest, with high definition, 'clear' 2D style Songs would look like a modern copy of HoMM game, less original and not that special. While playing Conquest map (the biggest of default ones) lately and waiting for AI to complete their turns, I would zoom out the map and can't help, but notice how Heroes III-alike it appears to be, from far away. Take the pixels away and you will have a shameless copy of third HoMM installment.

I can't answer for all, but I think Songs captured the hearts (and souls

) of the fan-base by being different and taking inspiration from older games, rather than straight copying them.

I do agree, that it's a bit hard to decipher wielders appearances on the map, and I would love to get them to be more 'clearer', since their 2D portraits look amazing, but it's a not a game-breaker for me.

You have a few choices here. Accept the pixel-art, 'endure' it and enjoy the game play for what it is - eventually your eyes, and more importantly, the brain will adjust and you won't be noticing it as much. As humans, we adapt pretty quickly, good/bad and you will focus on what you like more. Or, move on and play something else, since it is highly unlikely that developers will change the entire game style cos they clearly: like it and good at it. Some minor visual improvements might take place, but pixel art is here to stay.
And, honestly, if you're still having mad fun with HoMM 3, why not sticking to it? To each their own and I think that's the beauty.

Alternatively, why not to give Songs another go some time later? With friends maybe? After 100+ hours myself I still stop here and there and smell digital flowers, look at many things with awe, notice lovely crafted tiny details, be so a world map or a battlefield. Sometimes during adventuring or strategic planning, I stop and say to myself: 'What a Wonderful World

Last edited by Toni 'Bō' Jones; Aug 13, 2022 @ 11:51pm

SquareDildo Aug 15, 2022 @ 5:56am

"This game is one of the prettiest pixel art games I've ever seen."
https://steamcommunity.com/app/867210/discussions/0/3417684796202967800/

hazxan

Aug 15, 2022 @ 9:43am

It's a really nice art style. Looks great on a laptop screen. Not so good on a large monitor, though , especially when zoomed in. The idea is great, perhaps just a bit *too* blocky when zoomed in.

The campaign map itself is fine, I think it's the heroes themselves that are a bit let down by being more blocky than a 1980's game.

If there was a graphics option to double the pixel resolution (i.e. half the pixel size), would you switch it on, or leave it in the current form?

Toni 'Bō' Jones Aug 15, 2022 @ 9:51am

Originally posted by hazxan:
If there was a graphics option to double the pixel resolution (i.e. half the pixel size), would you switch it on, or leave it in the current form?

Personally, I love the entire look as it is now, It's gorgeous and charming, and when zooming in I feel the vibes of Octopath Traveller (which I never played but watched the vids), but I just generally like the world map and the battlefield. I would love to see more details and different landscapes in the future, of course - like a snowy terrain cos I don't think we have it now? Just snowy mountains, but to have a castle, surrounded by snow would be glorious.

I also adore the sounds your wielder makes when walking to a different land, would that be swamps, solid ground or forest and the sound will also change depending on wielders feet. For instance, Gnaw, faey creature, has hooves so you can hear the authentic sounds of those while stepping on a stone path, for example. That's amazing attention to details. I mean it's not much of a visual but still.

I adore the appearance of the world as it is now, but I agree on wielders - I want to see them in a more clear representation, maybe even in 2D if that's even possible? But this isn't game-breaking or something that would turn me off of playing this game, so I'm fine with it.

sandman25dcsss has Songs of Conquest

Aug 15, 2022 @ 11:26am

Yesterday I installed HoMM3 just to compare graphics and that game obviously wins. HoMM1/2 have better look too :(

#10

Toni 'Bō' Jones Aug 15, 2022 @ 11:32am

Originally posted by sandman25dcsss:
Yesterday I installed HoMM3 just to compare graphics and that game obviously wins. HoMM1/2 have better look too :(

The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Very subjective matter.

#11

Wizard of Woz has Songs of Conquest

Aug 15, 2022 @ 4:45pm

Originally posted by sandman25dcsss:
Yesterday I installed HoMM3 just to compare graphics and that game obviously wins. HoMM1/2 have better look too :(

I have own all of those games and declare BS on your statement.

Last edited by Wizard of Woz; Aug 15, 2022 @ 7:37pm

#12

Ddraig Lleuad has Songs of Conquest

Aug 15, 2022 @ 5:55pm

Tbh I always found HoMM 3's look kind of disconcerting. Like, it has higher graphical fidelity, things look closer to 'real life', but that's not the same thing as graphics being better. 'Better' or 'worse' is a subjective assessment about aesthetic, the style of the graphics, and HoMM 3's aesthetic always had a certain plastic-y or playdough-y feel to me.

#13

SquareDildo Aug 16, 2022 @ 7:34am

Fun fact: Heroes of Might and Magic III, Heroes of Might and Magic IV visuals were made using exactly the same technique. 3D models were made and later converted into 2D sprites. It's like making clay models then photographing them, except the models were early 3D technology. Yet most of us probably agree that HOMM3 graphics are much nicer. So, what happened? The difference was skill of the artists.

#14