Launch the game via the new HD Launcher, not the original .exe. Start a quick skirmish. Look at the top right resource bar. Look at the combat queue. If everything is sharp and aligned, you have succeeded.
: Start the game and verify the video settings menu displays your native resolution.
Below is the comprehensive guide to achieving the perfect, unstretched Heroes 5 widescreen experience, ranked from the easiest community-approved mod method to manual configuration files. Method 1: The Ultimate Engine Port (Best Choice) heroes 5 widescreen fix best
: Save the text file and set it to "Read-Only" via right-click properties if the game keeps resetting your changes.
without mods and avoid a stretched image, you have two main options: Launch the game via the new HD Launcher, not the original
If the game does not show your resolution in the menu, you can force it using third-party tools. Rivatuner (a free utility for display manipulation).
Note: This doesn’t fix FOV or UI scaling as well as the dedicated fix. Look at the combat queue
This tool properly adjusts FOV, UI scaling, and removes black bars – no stretched graphics.
Note that this may still result in a stretched UI unless you use a 4:3 resolution. Comparison of Versions Widescreen Support UI Scaling No (Native) Requires mods or manual tweaks. Hammers of Fate No (Native) Same engine limitations as base game. Tribes of the East Yes Proper First version to officially support 16:9.
If the game appears stretched (characters look short and fat), you can force your graphics card to handle scaling rather than the game.
As you increase your resolution and install HD textures, the game's default 32-bit executable can run into memory limitations, leading to crashes—particularly on larger maps or during extended play sessions. The 4GB Patch (available from ntcore.com) removes this memory ceiling by allowing the executable to access up to 4GB of RAM instead of the standard 2GB. This is a highly recommended companion to any widescreen fix.