Might and Magic – The MS-DOS Era

This is another one-page site, dedicated to the Might and Magic video game series. I used to be a huge fan—I played Might and Magic VI, VII, and VIII, each of which spanned two discs. I tried out various editions; my brother even had a three-disc collector’s version. However, the first five installments remain a mystery to me to this day. While it’s possible to play them using DOSBox, these earlier titles feature much more complex interfaces and gameplay mechanics. As for the ninth installment—I steer clear of that one—and the strange tenth entry from Ubisoft? I leave that alone, too.

This site is a collection of my memories regarding Might and Magic. The introduction touches briefly on parts VI, VII, and VIII, while the rest focuses on the first five games. What do I actually know about them? Not much—mostly just rumors. It turns out the first game was entirely black-and-white on MS-DOS-based PCs. The second installment featured somewhat better graphics and even saw a release on the Sega Mega Drive, though the primary platform was, of course, the MS-DOS computer—or, as we called them back then, an "IBM-compatible" PC running MS-DOS.

Then there’s the third installment, which boasts very colorful MS-DOS visuals—what I would have called "SVGA graphics" back in the day. Everything is beautifully illustrated, with a wealth of objects and locations. It really makes you want to jump in and immerse yourself in the world of Might and Magic—set on the "Islands of Terra." It’s pure fantasy, with stunning in-game screens that you could spend an entire day off just sitting and admiring. I’ve watched some playthroughs, too—it’s a fantastic game. I’d love to play it. Parts 4 and 5 continue the series' success in terms of both visuals and fantasy elements—though everything looks quite different. The art style has shifted; it’s a bit darker, more neutral, and lacks the bright, vivid aesthetic of the third installment. Parts 4 and 5 feel, perhaps, more serious. Furthermore, these two entries are linked within the world of Xeen—a standalone release designed specifically for fans of role-playing games.

Another surprising discovery: for me, this series has always epitomized the fantasy genre. Yet, as is often the case, you eventually realize that the "fantasy" setting is actually a distinct world—a "techno-fantasy" environment, in fact. These worlds drift through space, governed by computers and overseen by cyborgs; technology plays a very real role here.

I’ve put together a website—aptly titled "The Unknown"—covering what I’ve gathered about these first five installments, exploring what came before the legendary entries: 6, 7, and 8. I’ve heard that part 9 didn’t turn out very well; it featured 3D graphics, but apparently, only 10 percent of the game was actually finished by the time it was released. Part 10 also feels a bit off—it probably should have been given a different name entirely.

Then there’s the "legendary" era—my era—back when I had a Pentium 2. That’s when I played Might and Magic 6, 7, and 8. They were released in quick succession, marking the golden age of the series, and they offered an immense amount of gameplay. As for the first five games, I only encountered them later, in the context of "retro gaming"—especially once DOSBox came along.

For a fan of the series, it’s a shame to only know or have played parts 3, 4, and 5 (and perhaps 2, whether on the Sega or MS-DOS). The first installment really belongs to the era of retro computing, featuring very basic, primitive graphics—yet it’s still quite interesting. There’s also the option of the Might and Magic game cartridge for the Dendy (NES).

I really wanted to dedicate some time to this series; it’s an excellent collection of role-playing games that, from the very beginning, saw a steady rise in popularity. If you’re a fan of the MS-DOS era, you absolutely have to play these! Even if you own a Dendy or a Sega, it’s worth giving them a try just for the experience—though, in truth, these titles are the true gold of the MS-DOS age: Might and Magic II, III, IV, V, and World of Xeen.