King's Bounty - Preview @ GamingExcellence

King's Bounty preview code is doing the rounds with GamingExcellence posting the latest article:

The game is divided into two styles of gameplay: the first has you riding around the map on your horse, army in tow. This part of the game feels most like a traditional RPG, as you can talk to people to get quests, shop at various stores for equipment or soldiers, find treasures and other locations of note, and of course fight enemies. This brings us to the other half of the game: the battles.

For anyone who has played any Heroes of Might and Magic titles, the battles are going to seem even more familiar than the overworld map. Like HOMM, your hero doesn’t fight the battles himself, instead delegating the combat to an army that you can gain throughout your adventures. This army is limited only by your funds and your character’s leadership, an attribute that is raised throughout the game, allowing you more numerous and powerful units. As you fight through battles, you gain experience which levels you up and gives you runes. These runes (which ones you get depends on your class) are used to purchase abilities in three categories. You don’t get too many, but then finding them on the ground is just as likely, if you’re willing to fight your way to them.