The graphics are pixel perfect, no silly 3D and leaves room for imagination. The fantasy universe is unique, mixing all mythomogies into one coherent world. The music is first class epic.
Similar game for me is Master Of Orion 2 (MoO II)
The 3d rendering in homm4 made the game a significant downgrade (there were no real game changes so the only thing that made a difference were the crappy 3d graphics).
Creatures are no longer upgradable in 4 but have alternate path (so its either Dragon Golem OR Titan). You can caravan them to your towns ibstad of relying on mule heroes.
Heroes are their own units in the battlefield instead of just being abstract generals that sometime cast spells.
One piece of trivia that I learned recently about Heroes II Armageddons Blade: there was supposed to be a race based on high tech, which was ditched, because of the fan's outcry: https://mightandmagic.fandom.com/wiki/Forge_(town)
I really wish they included it.
I think it would have better reaction if it was steampunk instead of outright "random future things in universe of magic"
The thing is, Might and Magic RPG series was always merge of both worlds: creatures looked mystical, but you were made aware that the story takes place on some distant planet (and occasionally you visited a spaceship, and shot a blaster). Having Forge faction in Armageddons Blade would be a direct continuation of the plot introduced in Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor, but I think 3DO did not realize that Heroes series created their separate fanbase, not familiar with the RPG games at all...