Hero's Hour (PS5) | REVIEW | A Love Letter To The Golden Age Of Strategy RPGs

Hero's Hour lands on the PS5 today, March 14, 2025, bringing it's chaotic blend of turn-based strategy and real-time combat to Sony's console. Originally a PC indie darling from 2022, this pixel art homage to 'Heroes of Might & Magic' has built a loyal following for it's fast-paced gameplay and deep strategic variety. Now, with it's console debut, it aims to capture the hearts of PS5 players looking for a nostalgic yet fresh strategy experience. Does it succeed? Mostly, though it's not without it's quirks.

At it's core, 'Hero's Hour' is a love letter to golden age strategy RPGs. You pick one of 13 unique factions ranging from the necromantic to the fiery pyre as you set out to conquer procedurally generated maps. The overworld operates on a turn-based system, letting you explore, gather resources, and build your towns at your own pace. Combat, however, flips the script with real-time battles where your units fight autonomously, guided only by your hero's basic commands. It's a hybrid experience that feels like "Heroes of Might & Magic' meets an auto-battler, and it's as addictive as it is chaotic.

On PS5, the controls have been adapted from the mouse-driven PC version to a controller layout. Movement is mapped to the analog sticks, with menus navigated via the D-pad and face buttons. It's functional, but not flawless though as selecting units or targets can feel sluggish compared to the precision of a mouse, especially in the heat of battle. The lack of touchscreen support (unlike the Switch version) is a missed opportunity, given the PS5's touchpad. Still, after a few hours, the controls become second nature, and the game's snappy nature keeps you hooked.

The real star here is variety. With over 170 unit types, 80+ spells, and countless artifacts, every playthrough feels distinct. One session might see you commanding a horde of zombies as Decay, while the next has you releasing dragons with the Wild faction. The procedural generation ensures no two maps are identical, adding replayability that's perfect for quick 1 - 2 hour sessions or marathon conquests. 

Visually, 'Hero's Hour' sticks to it's retro pixel-art roots, which look crisp on the PS5's 4K display. The simplest aesthetic. Think 16-bit sprites with vibrant colors that won't tax the console's hardware. The charm lies in the bustling battlefields, where hundreds of tiny units clash in glorious chaos. The PS5' fast load times (A step up from the Switch) mean you're rarely waiting to jump into the action, and the game runs at a smooth 60 FPS, eve with dozens of units on screen.

The Presentation ...

The soundtrack is a standout composition, blending whimsical overworld themes with tense battle tracks. It's the kind of music that evokes 90's strategy classics while feeling fresh enough for 2025. Sound effects are serviceable, but unremarkable. The swords clash and spells fizzle, but they won't stick with you.

Hero's Hour shines brightest in it's accessibility and depth. It's easy to pick up on as right-clicking is replaced with a button press, and the tutorial guides you through the basics, but master faction strategies and battle tactics takes time. The PS5 version adds local co-op (hotseat mode), a natural fit for the console's living-room setup. Passing the controller to a friend for a turn feels like a throwback to multiplayer gaming's simpler days. 

However, the transition to PS5 isn't seamless. The UI, designed for PC, feels cluttered on a TV screen, with tiny text that's hard to read from the couch. Combat can also be a double-edged sword. Watching your army fight on it's own is thrilling, but the lack of direct control might frustrate micromanagers. There's no campaign mode either, just skirmishes and scenarios, which leaves the experience feeling a tad hollow if you crave narrative depth.

The Verdict ...

Hero's Hour on the PS5 is a delightful strategy romp that captures the spirit of 'Heroes of Might & Magic' while carving it's own niche. It's fast pace, faction variety, and replayability make it a steal, especially for genre fans or anyone seeking a bite-sized yet meaty experience. It's not perfect given that the controller scheme and UI could use polish, but it's still a worthy addition to the PS5 library. If you've got a nostalgic itch or just want to conquer some pixelated kingdoms 'Hero's Hour' delivers a heroic dose of fun.