Heroes of Science and Fiction

概要

Heroes of Science and Fiction (formerly known as Silence of the Siren) is an ambitious, visually striking sci-fi turn-based strategy game developed by Oxymoron Games that brilliantly resurrects the beloved formula of classics like Heroes of Might and Magic. From the very first moment players boot up the game, they are greeted by a vibrant 2.5D universe dripping with cyberpunk and space-faring aesthetics. It establishes itself immediately not as a mere nostalgic clone, but as a passionate, modern evolution of the genre. Blending deep tactical RPG elements with expansive base-building and 4X exploration, the game hooks players with its beautifully rendered alien landscapes, intuitive UI, and the irresistible promise of epic, hex-based skirmishes across the forgotten frontiers of space. The core gameplay loop is an incredibly satisfying blend of strategic macro-management and tactical micro-execution. Players begin their journey with a humble base and a singular hero commander, venturing out into the uncharted fog of war. Every turn is a delicate balance of decision-making: do you secure a crucial resource mine to bolster your planetary economy, or do you risk your early-game army fighting hostile neutral creatures to claim an ancient, powerful artifact? As resources flow in, you expand your cities, unlocking advanced technologies and training massive armies from seven distinct, upgradeable unit types per faction. When armies inevitably clash, the game seamlessly transitions to a classic hexagonal battlefield where positioning, unit synergy, and the precise deployment of unique commander abilities dictate who walks away victorious. Visually and acoustically, Oxymoron Games has crafted a masterful modern indie experience. The game employs a striking 2.5D perspective that breathes incredible life into the Siren star system. From the rusted, jury-rigged machinery of the Sovereign Fleet space pirates to the imposing, subterranean-inspired architecture of the Fossorians, every faction boasts a completely distinct visual identity. The UI is exceptionally clean, cutting through the clunkiness that often plagues older strategy titles to provide a smooth, modernized experience. The audio design matches this visual excellence, featuring a dynamic sci-fi score that swells into intense electronic anthems during tactical battles, while transitioning into mysterious, echoing soundscapes as you explore the haunting ruins of the lost Primals civilization. While the genetic DNA of legendary 90s strategy games is undeniably present, Heroes of Science and Fiction sets itself apart by abandoning traditional high fantasy for a hard-hitting, mysterious sci-fi universe. It strips away the overwhelming bloat often found in modern grand strategy titles in favor of tight, focused, and deeply tactical scenarios. The inclusion of modern conveniences—such as Steam Remote Play Together, a robust random map generator, and comprehensive map editors—ensures that the game feels distinctly contemporary. The 24 unique skills, 54 active abilities, and sheer variety of equippable gear add a layer of RPG depth that keeps commander progression feeling fresh and highly rewarding across its multiple story-driven campaigns. This game is an absolute love letter to veterans of turn-based strategy and tactical RPGs, yet its modernized controls make it exceptionally welcoming to newcomers looking to dip their toes into the genre. If you have ever suffered from 'just one more turn' syndrome, or if you crave the deep intellectual satisfaction of building an unstoppable army and outsmarting human or AI opponents on a hex grid, this is a must-play title. With three robust campaigns, over 20 intricate skirmish maps, and a thriving community that helped refine the game to a stellar 93% positive rating during Early Access, Heroes of Science and Fiction offers hundreds of hours of captivating gameplay for solo strategists and competitive multiplayer enthusiasts alike.

ストーリー

The narrative of Heroes of Science and Fiction unfolds within the Siren star system, a fascinating and tragic pocket of the universe. Once hailed as the glorious birthplace of a massive galactic alliance and revered as the sacred homeworld of the enigmatic, lost Primals civilization, the Siren system has recently suffered a catastrophic event. It has been entirely severed from the rest of the galaxy, leaving its inhabitants stranded in the dark. This sudden, terrifying isolation shattered the carefully constructed alliance, fracturing it into secluded colonies and bickering factions. Now, these disparate groups wage endless war over the dwindling resources scattered across a few habitable planets, largely ignoring the ancient, silent ruins of the Primals that dot the landscape. In this dangerous power vacuum, several distinct factions rise to claim ultimate dominance. The Fossorians, an evolutionary marvel of space-faring moles, rely on the terrifying brute strength and overwhelming numbers of their subterranean ground forces. Opposing them are the United Nations of Solar System (UNSS), a complex political alliance where humans are controversially ruled over by an alien race known as the Hesperidians. Rebelling against this established order is the Sovereign Fleet, a ragtag but deadly armada of space pirates formed from the marginalized Sovereign Colonies. Further complicating the galactic theater are the mysterious Children of the Source, and the looming, terrifying presence of the Hive Mind. Each faction brings its own deeply ingrained motivations, prejudices, and survival instincts to the battlefield, making every skirmish a desperate fight for survival. Beyond the immediate political strife and territorial conquests lies a darker, more insidious narrative thread. The deeper players venture into the uncharted regions of the Siren system, the stronger an unnatural feeling of endangerment grows. The game brilliantly weaves themes of isolation, the hubris of empire, and the dangers of forgotten history into its exploration mechanics. There is something else lurking in the dark—an entity, a shade, described only as an 'echo of whispers from below.' This Lovecraftian sci-fi element elevates the story from a simple faction war to a mystery of cosmic proportions. Uncovering the secrets of the lost Primals and confronting this creeping dread provides a compelling context to the endless cycle of tactical warfare, ensuring the universe feels alive, dangerous, and steeped in ancient lore.

Gameplay

The moment-to-moment gameplay of Heroes of Science and Fiction masterfully divides your attention between the strategic overworld map and the tactical battlefield. On the beautifully rendered, grid-based overworld, players guide their hero commanders to clear the fog of war, flag resource-generating structures like automated mines, and gather loose alien materials to fund their war machine. Every single movement point matters in the race against rival factions. As you explore, you will inevitably encounter roaming bands of hostile creatures and enemy heroes guarding valuable artifacts or strategic choke points. Interacting with these threats initiates combat, seamlessly pulling you out of the exploration layer and plunging you into meticulously designed tactical arenas. Back at your planetary home base, the game shines with a robust and satisfying city-building mechanic. Using the resources gathered by your heroes out in the field, you construct and upgrade various specialized facilities. These structures are vital, allowing you to recruit from seven distinct, upgradeable unit types per faction—ranging from Fossorian heavy shock infantry to highly mobile Sovereign Fleet hovercrafts. Parallel to your city's technological growth is the deep RPG progression of your commanders. As heroes win battles and gather experience, they level up, allowing players to choose from 24 diverse passive skills. You can equip your commanders with weapons, armor, and powerful ancient Primals artifacts that drastically alter their stats, transforming them from vulnerable scouts into terrifying forces of nature that dictate the flow of the late game. The undeniable crown jewel of the gameplay loop is the turn-based combat, played out on a classic hexagonal grid. Here, initiative, terrain mastery, and precise positioning are everything. Players must leverage the unique moves and attack ranges of their varied units, perhaps using heavily armored mechs to block choke points while positioning fragile, long-range snipers safely in the backline. What elevates this system are the 54 active commander abilities. Even though the commander doesn't physically stand on the hex grid, they can cast devastating orbital strikes, deploy healing nanobots, or warp the space-time fabric to buff their troops. This interplay between unit positioning and timely ability usage means that a clever tactician can consistently outsmart and defeat vastly superior enemy forces. The game offers a staggering amount of content and ways to play, catering to every type of strategy fan. Solo players can dive into three sprawling narrative campaigns—including the Fossorian and UNSS campaigns—spanning four massive, objective-rich levels each. For those seeking endless replayability, the game includes over 20 standalone skirmish maps set across diverse planetary environments. Furthermore, the inclusion of a robust Random Map Generator and a comprehensive Map Editor hands the keys of the Siren system over to the community. Multiplayer is also heavily supported, featuring traditional PvP, Shared/Split Screen hot-seat action, and Steam Remote Play Together, allowing groups of up to 8 players to battle for galactic supremacy in custom scenarios.

Key Features

• 1Hex-Based Tactical Combat: Engage in deep, strategic battles on hexagonal grids where positioning, unit synergy, and terrain mastery dictate the victor. Overcome overwhelming odds through clever maneuvering rather than just brute numerical superiority.
• 2Deep Faction Diversity: Take command of five wildly different sci-fi factions, including the space-faring mole Fossorians and the pirate armada Sovereign Fleet. Each faction features entirely unique base architecture, tech trees, and 7 distinctly upgradeable unit types.
• 3Robust Commander RPG Systems: Transform your heroes from basic scouts into legendary warlords. Customize your commanders with 24 distinct passive skills, equip them with powerful alien artifacts, and unleash 54 game-changing active abilities on the battlefield.
• 4Expansive Base Building: Manage your planetary economy by capturing resource nodes and developing your central hubs. Strategic base-building allows you to unlock advanced alien technologies and recruit massive, unstoppable armies.
• 5Dynamic Map Editor & Generator: Never play the same game twice thanks to a powerful Random Map Generator and an intricate Map Editor. Create your own sprawling sci-fi scenarios or download community creations for infinite replayability.
• 6Rich Single-Player Campaigns: Immerse yourself in the lore of the Siren star system across three massive story campaigns. Experience the fracturing of the galactic alliance from the perspectives of different races, each with four sprawling, objective-rich levels.
• 7Comprehensive Multiplayer Support: Challenge friends and rivals alike with robust multiplayer options including 8-player custom scenarios. Support for Hotseat PvP, online multiplayer, and Steam Remote Play Together ensures you can conquer the galaxy with anyone, anywhere.

Highlights

Pros & Cons

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Scores

“Explore what's left on the planets and secure important resources... The deeper you venture into the uncharted regions, the stronger the feeling of endangerment grows.”— Game Description

“A brilliant, modern sci-fi evolution of the classic Heroes of Might and Magic formula that strategy fans have been waiting for.”— Strategy Gamer

“The 2.5D art style and deep tactical combat make every single turn an absolute joy to plan and execute.”— Early Access Review

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