Heroes of Science and Fiction – this game couldn't have been given a better name! The strategy game from Czech developer Oxymoron Games is clearly inspired by Heroes of Might & Magic III, but transports the whole thing into a sci-fi setting. And it works really well!
Until mid-2025, Heroes of Science and Fiction was known as Silence of the Siren. Although changing the name of an ongoing project (Early Access) is a critical decision, the Czech studio Oxymoron Games cites two compelling reasons for the change. Firstly, the name was easily confused with those of other games in the genre, and was difficult to remember. Secondly, the new name brings it closer to Heroes of Might & Magic: "The new name should make it much more obvious to HoMM fans that this game is in the same genre as the beloved classic, which is really important when players see it on any list on Steam and decide whether to take a closer look," Oxymoron's statement continues. This name change should attract more attention from the desired target audience because HoMM fans will want to take a closer look at Heroes of Science and Fiction, which draws strong inspiration from Heroes of Might and Magic III but is set in a sci-fi universe.
Base building in Heroes of Science and Fiction © Oxymoron Games
In Heroes of Science and Fiction, players take control of various heroes who lead armies across planetary maps in this turn-based strategy game with strong RPG elements. They explore isolated planets in the Siren star system, securing resources such as biomass and polymer in the process. Players can expand and upgrade their bases with advanced technology, including teleportation between bases, and recruit units to bolster a hero's army. The map contains buildings, points of interest, treasures and items that trigger the exploratory impulses typical of games such as Heroes of Might and Magic III (HoMM 3). However, there are also new features that fit well into the concept: players can build traps, small outposts, and turrets directly on the world map to secure strategically important locations. It is also possible to protect resource buildings with upgrades. Additionally, consumable items that can be taken in the inventory and used at the right time can be useful and can make a difference during turns.
Combat takes place on separate battlefields. The focus is on unit positioning, special abilities, hero skills, and outmanoeuvring foes, even when facing numerical disadvantages. Players who do not wish to fight can automate the battles instead. There is also a hero progression system involving new skills and artefacts, which is much better and more varied than in HoMM 3. At every level, players can choose which of the three main attributes to upgrade: exploration (e.g. more movement points), combat or ability power. Furthermore, players can upgrade and specialise their hero in a variety of ways by selecting from a range of skills.
Combat in Heroes of Science and Fiction © Oxymoron Games
There are five playable factions in Heroes of Science and Fiction: The Fossorians (communist space moles that emphasise overwhelming numbers and brute ground forces); the UNSS (humans allied with the alien Hesperidians); the Sovereign Fleet (space pirates); the Children of the Source (religious insectoid robots); and the Tumori Tribes (intelligent parasitic aliens that possess different hosts). Each faction has its own unique base, heroes, and units. Upgrades for the units are important, too: not only do they increase stats, they also often unlock new abilities. A practical encyclopaedia in the main menu helps players to familiarise themselves with the units and heroes.
The game is being developed by Oxymoron Games, an indie game studio based in Prague that created the successful strategy/simulation game Project Hospital (2018). Unlike Theme Hospital or Two Point Hospital, Project Hospital focuses on medical procedures and management in a more serious manner. Some of the studio's employees have also worked on titles such as Mafia II & III, Quantum Break, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Top Spin 4, Silent Hill: Downpour, and Euro Truck Simulator 2. Heroes of Science and Fiction is the studio's second game.
Heroes of Science and Fiction © Oxymoron Games
Heroes of Science and Fiction was released on Early Access on 30 September 2024. Initially, it featured three playable races, but now all five planned factions are included in the game. There are three campaigns, each comprising four levels, as well as over 20 skirmish maps. Each faction has its own base, seven upgradeable unit types, a special skill, and a selection of commanders. It also features 24 skills, 54 active commander abilities and various pieces of equipment, consumables and artefacts. A map editor and a random map generator have also been added during Early Access. If all goes well, the full version is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2026 and will include an additional campaign, a large map pack, and AI improvements.
Heroes of Science and Fiction brings the classic strategy concept into a modern sci-fi universe, with updated controls and UI, as well as new features that fit in naturally.
