Heroes of Science and Fiction Review – A Conservative Sci-Fi Bet on Quality

What exactly is Heroes of Science and Fiction?

After a long eighteen months in Early Access, the full version of the Czech sci-fi strategy Heroes of Science and Fiction has finally arrived on the scene. From the very first announcements, it was clear that a title with the ambition to appeal to a wide range of turn-based battle fans was being born. The creators make no secret of the fact that their main inspiration was the cult Heroes of Might and Magic series, taking its core structure and tastefully wrapping it in a modern futuristic visual.

The game tries to fill a gap in the market where, although turn-based games have increased in recent years, the sci-fi theme remains criminally neglected. Science and Fiction offers classic gameplay built on managing settlements, hiring futuristic armies, and exploring uncharted planets. It is a title that feels familiar from the first moment, yet thanks to its setting, it manages to evoke a sense of discovering something entirely new.

During testing, I had the opportunity to follow the game’s development from early versions, and I must admit that the developers have done a great job. Every new update brought fresh content that pushed the game forward. However, with the release of the full version, the question arises whether this project can stand its ground with its rather traditional approach against strong competition like Songs of Conquest or the new Disciples.

Story & Atmosphere

The story background of the game is spread across four extensive campaigns, each consisting of four missions. The script is written very skillfully – we follow the fates of different heroes whose paths intertwine in one large storyline. There is no shortage of unexpected twists, political intrigues, or personal betrayals, which keep the player’s attention even in moments when the gameplay itself starts to feel repetitive.

The atmosphere is built primarily through excellent audiovisual processing. Each of the five factions has its own character. We find space totalitarian moles who feel appropriately oppressive, anarchist pirates, fascinating organic beings, classic human alliances, and a technologically advanced race of robots. Each side of the conflict possesses a unique visual style and, above all, specific musical accompaniment that perfectly underlines the identity of the given race.

The graphics are less demanding on hardware but instead bet on detailed and colorful models of planets and bases. The environment looks fantastic and is a joy to explore, even if the abundance of visual stimuli occasionally causes you to miss a chest of gold or an important resource mine. Fortunately, the developers thought about practicality, and you can highlight all interactive objects with a single key press.

Gameplay & Mechanics

The core of the game consists of managing your settlements, where you build infrastructure and recruit units. Movement across the map takes place in turns, during which you use your hero to collect resources and capture key points. The battles themselves take place on a separate screen, where your units alternate with the enemy’s. Once per turn, the hero can intervene using a special ability or “spell,” which in this sci-fi context is often represented by advanced technology.

However, it is in the area of mechanics where a certain imbalance manifests. The game contains four skill trees, and the technical branch seems almost unfairly strong. The Orbital Bombardment ability can completely disrupt the course of a battle. If you specialize in this path, you can wipe out most of the opponent’s army right at the beginning, which may please your ego but also somewhat removes the challenge from the game.

Another point of criticism is the hero movement itself. Compared to more modern competition like Songs of Conquest, where movement can be accelerated, here you must patiently watch every tile your hero walks. When controlling five or six characters at once, this detail becomes somewhat annoying. Similarly, the turn pacing of AI opponents and the overall loading of the game, which can take up to a minute, unnecessarily slow down the dynamic of the experience.

Despite these complaints, the gameplay is incredibly addictive. Heroes of Science and Fiction bets on the proven “just one more turn” syndrome. The ability to customize the game in the map generator or dive into dozens of scenarios in Conquest mode on four different planets ensures that you will return to the title for weeks. Furthermore, the presence of multiplayer, even if currently in a testing phase, gives hope for the title’s long-term longevity.

Final Verdict

Heroes of Science and Fiction is, at its core, a love letter to the good old “Heroes.” It is a game that does not strive for revolution, but for a solid evolution in an unconventional setting. If you are looking for conservative gameplay that won’t confuse you with complex innovations, you will be right at home here. The sci-fi setting fits the game incredibly well, and the creators have once again proven that even with a limited budget, a title of world-class parameters can be created.

The biggest asset of the game is its massive content in relation to its price. For this money, you get dozens of hours of fun, sophisticated campaigns, and an editor that allows you to create your own adventures. It’s just a pity about some hesitation in the area of technical polish and the courage for larger innovations. Still, it is a title that should not be missing from the library of any fan of turn-based strategies.

FAQ

Q: Does the game contain localization?
A: Yes, the game features complete and very successful subtitles for all text and the interface in its primary market language.

Q: What are the factions in the game?
A: The game offers 5 unique factions: space moles, pirates, organic beings, humans, and robots.

Q: Is there multiplayer present in the game?
A: Yes, the game includes multiplayer, currently in a testing phase, and a map editor for community creation.

Q: How long does one campaign take?
A: The game contains 4 campaigns with 4 missions each, which, together with side scenarios, takes dozens of hours of time.