Ubisoft's new free-to-play Might & Magic TCG trends on Steam despite mixed reviews

A new entry in Ubisoft's long-running Might & Magic universe, Fates - Heroes TCG, is currently trending on Steam. This free game was released as an early-access title on February 16, 2026, and it has secured one of the top 5 positions on the "New & Trending" list.

However, early player reception paints a far more divided picture. Currently, there are over 400 reviews, and among them, only 58% are positive, making this free game on Steam hold the "Mixed" overall rating.

On paper, Fates has strong foundations. It's a free-to-play strategy card that lets players take command of iconic factions like Inferno, Haven, and Academy. There's an RPG-style leveling up system for the heroes, and players can build decks from hundreds of collectible cards.

As many early player reviews point out, the mana system of this early-access free game is quite unique, and the back-and-forth combat phase structure is implemented well. Moreover, it's praised for the hero-on-board mechanics, and while it may not seem like it, the core gameplay is deeper and more strategic than what the trailer might suggest.

While these strong aspects make Might & Magic Fates - Heroes TCG look like a great free-to-play strategy card game, its monetization model is dragging it down. As mentioned in many of the negative player reviews, legendary drop odds are very low, and the pack acquisition rates are slow.

Moreover, the current progression loop relies heavily on random booster backs, and to acquire one, you would need to do a lot of grinding. Fates also come with an NFT-linked layer, allowing certain cards to be traded externally. While this system is optional, some are pointing out that it's creating a perceived imbalance.

Despite the criticisms, the performance of this free game on the Steam chart suggests that its gameplay foundations make it worth trying. Of course, this level of visibility might also be because of the weight that the Might & Magic name carries (Heroes VII – Trial by Fire curr. $7.49 on Humble Bundle). Check out the trailer below to learn more.