Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen
Encyclopedia
Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen is the fourth installment in the Might and Magic
series by New World Computing
.
Might and Magic IV uses a game engine
based on that used by Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
, and the gameplay is almost identical. More emphasis is placed on cutscenes than in the earlier game, possibly due to the availability of larger hard drives.
This game and its successor, Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen
can be combined together to make one large game, World of Xeen. In-game, this is visualised as either game being a 'side' of a flat, rectangular planetoid. In the combined game, areas in both games become available that are impossible to access in the standalone games. Both game's endings can be achieved, after either of which gameplay continues. A third ending is available in the combined games only.
Might and Magic IV and V were some of the very first games to come out on CD. They are also the first games to come out where every character will 'speak' to you via PCM sound that is recorded on the CDs; the software plays the CD back at specific tracks, seeking to the proper second offset within the track.
#191 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.
Might & Magic: The World of Xeen (comprising Clouds of Xeen and Dark Side of Xeen
) was reviewed in 1994 in Dragon
#201 by Sandy Petersen
in the "Eye of the Monitor" column. Petersen gave the compilation 3 out of 5 stars.
Might and Magic
Might and Magic is a series of role-playing video games from New World Computing, which in 1996 became a subsidiary of The 3DO Company...
series by New World Computing
New World Computing
New World Computing, Inc. was an American computer game developer and publisher founded in 1984 by Jon Van Caneghem, his wife, Michaela Van Caneghem, and Mark Caldwell. It was best known for its work on the Might and Magic computer role-playing game series and its spin-offs, especially Heroes of...
.
Plot
Might and Magic IV focuses on the events that had occurred after Might and Magic III. Trouble is stirring on the Nacelle world of Xeen. A mysterious villain by the name of Lord Xeen has claimed ownership of the land and is unleashing havoc throughout the Nacelle. A new band of adventurers must be formed to stop him and save the Land of Xeen.Gameplay
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
based on that used by Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra is the third game in the role-playing game series Might and Magic. Released in 1991, it is the predecessor to Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen and the sequel to Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World....
, and the gameplay is almost identical. More emphasis is placed on cutscenes than in the earlier game, possibly due to the availability of larger hard drives.
This game and its successor, Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen is a science fantasy computer role-playing game, published and developed for multiple platforms by New World Computing in 1993...
can be combined together to make one large game, World of Xeen. In-game, this is visualised as either game being a 'side' of a flat, rectangular planetoid. In the combined game, areas in both games become available that are impossible to access in the standalone games. Both game's endings can be achieved, after either of which gameplay continues. A third ending is available in the combined games only.
Might and Magic IV and V were some of the very first games to come out on CD. They are also the first games to come out where every character will 'speak' to you via PCM sound that is recorded on the CDs; the software plays the CD back at specific tracks, seeking to the proper second offset within the track.
Reception
The game was reviewed in 1993 in DragonDragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#191 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.
Might & Magic: The World of Xeen (comprising Clouds of Xeen and Dark Side of Xeen
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen is a science fantasy computer role-playing game, published and developed for multiple platforms by New World Computing in 1993...
) was reviewed in 1994 in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#201 by Sandy Petersen
Sandy Petersen
Carl Sanford Joslyn Petersen is a game designer.Petersen was born in St. Louis, Missouri and attended University of California, Berkeley, majoring in zoology....
in the "Eye of the Monitor" column. Petersen gave the compilation 3 out of 5 stars.