However, unlike its prequel, the game's ending sequence is not affected by the outcome of these choices. This choice is permanent and affects several quests, NPC reactions and available recruitable characters. Throughout the course of the storyline, the player is given opportunities to side with either dragons or dragon hunters, and either the Temple of the Sun or the Necromancers' Guild. Like Might and Magic VII, the game includes a system of choices which affect fundamental aspects of gameplay. Also, promotion quests can increase the capabilities of particular classes of character. In addition, side quests and dungeons can warrant rewards if completed, but are not vital to the main storyline. Dialog, lore and exploration are important to progression in the game, with some dungeons involving relevant puzzles. In typical Might and Magic fashion, the game is fairly non-linear, so quests can be completed at the player's own leisure, though the completion of storyline quests is essential for progression. Quest system Main article: List of Might and Magic VIII quests Enemies are fought in either real-time or turn-based combat, depending on the player's preference. As with its two predecessors, the game world is divided into fourteen 'regions', including five Elemental Planes, each of which contains a varying mix of explorable towns, dungeons and wildernesses. Aside from human knights, clerics and necromancers, available classes include minotaurs, dragons, vampires, dark elves, and trolls, each of whom possesses traits unique to their particular race. In place of the traditional class system, Might and Magic VIII features non-archetypical playable races. Main article: List of Might and Magic VIII skills The experience, spells, levelling and skill system present in both previous Might and Magic titles is retained, with only minor updates. The character class system used in the previous two games has similarly been overhauled, with only the cleric and knight classes remaining. Unlike the previous two games, however, Might and Magic VIII introduces a new party management system that allows all but one of the five possible player characters to be hired, dismissed or re-hired at any time during gameplay. Might and Magic VIII is based on the Might and Magic VI engine, and many of its elements are strongly similar to the previous two titles in the series.

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