Category: Games

March 8, 2024

Unicorn Overlord: Vanillaware’s Compellingly Unique Xbox Debut

Jeff Rubenstein

Unicorn Overlord Key Art

For all of Vanillaware Ltd’s storied, 22-year historical past, the Japanese developer of Odin Sphere and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim has by no means shipped a sport for Xbox consoles. That is, till as we speak. Unicorn Overlord, a brand new fantasy RPG title printed by ATLUS, is out now for Xbox Series X|S, and it could be the studio’s greatest sport but.

Unicorn Overlord just isn’t your typical technique RPG. Players will discover gameplay components harking back to beloved classics; the real-time motion of character teams from Ogre Battle 64, the close-up battle vignettes of Fire Emblem, the connection constructing conversations of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the fine-tuning fight gambits of Final Fantasy XII, all mixed in a manner that feels solely new, wrapped in Vanillaware’s gorgeous, trademark 2D artwork fashion.

You play as Alain, a younger chief of a resistance motion that goals to overthrow the tyrannical Zenoiran empire that has enslaved the world. Along the best way, you’ll recruit so many allies from totally different races and courses, every with totally different strengths, aversions, and their very own causes for combating. You’re actually reclaiming the entire world, hearts and minds included, one patch of floor at a time – coloring in a map utilizing your weapons as an alternative of paints.

The actual enjoyable is in how these techniques mesh collectively; as your military swells, so do your choices to wage struggle with the empire. Things begin easy and approachably, with gamers commanding just a few groups of two round small maps. As you construct your renown by means of victory, you’ll have the ability to subject as many as 10 groups of 5 characters directly, all enjoying totally different roles on the battlefield. Hulking Hoplites maintain down chokepoints with large shields in hand. Flying models, resembling Gryphon Knights, soar over obstacles to press a bonus, whereas ranged Hunters and Witches can take over towers to assist these on the bottom achieve a bonus with fight assists.

You should use your wits and abilities to handle your troops, plan your battles, and make choices that can form the destiny of the world. Yet – and that is the magic of Unicorn Overlord – the complexity scales so easily, it retains every little thing manageable.

After every battle, there’s a enjoyable “tidying up” that takes place – with roving enemies eliminated, you navigate Alain throughout the map, harvesting assets, visiting and bettering cities, and talking with townsfolks and troopers. There are additionally key choices to make, as you’re usually given the choice to recruit an enemy you’ve simply defeated, or put them to the sword for his or her crimes. Some of those choices are agonizing to make, with no clear proper reply. For instance, I made a decision to spare a quite unlikeable mage as I knew I’d want his (literal) firepower for an upcoming siege. Another degree boss I turned over to the city guard for judgement, just for him to rapidly escape the brig. Still ready to see how that comes again to chew me.

For all there’s to say in regards to the sport, nothing beats enjoying it your self. Fortunately, you’ll be able to attempt the sport at no cost by downloading a meaty, free demo from the Xbox Store. The demo lets you expertise a number of hours of the marketing campaign, the place you’ll develop a really feel for the core gameplay mechanics and options. Best of all: you can even switch your save knowledge from the demo to the complete sport, must you select to proceed your quest… and also you will wish to.

Getting Started

Here’s just a few suggestions I’ve picked up which can enable you to by means of the demo, and past:

Travel in teams – it is perhaps tempting to fan your troops out all around the map throughout encounters, however there’s lots of worth in having a gaggle of two (or extra) models journey collectively. Once fight is initiated, you should utilize the controller’s bumpers to cycle by means of these close by models to see which is prone to have one of the best ends in a battle.
Don’t simply deploy everybody on the beginning base – typically it’s greatest to have a swift unit like a gryphon rider or knight take over a ahead working base so you’ll be able to deploy slower models nearer to the extent boss or one other key goal.
Spend each level – the sport reminds you a number of occasions, however it may be simple to neglect your particular strikes. You’ll begin every battle with just a few scant ‘ Valor Points’, which may be spent on deploying your models. But, constructing them up by capturing targets or defeating enemy models, you’ll be able to start to spend them on particular strikes (one for each fighter in your military) or on deploying extra troops. Spending factors correctly can change the tide of battle, and later in a degree, an Archer’s ranged assaults or a Knight’s cost can be utilized to melt up bosses earlier than stepping into for the killing blow. At minimal, use Alain’s double XP bonus on groups earlier than they’re about to complete off a gaggle, particularly if one of many members of mentioned workforce is a bit below leveled.
Don’t stick with the story – In the early a part of the sport, you’re given one, very clear goal – and I’d suggest avoiding it for just a few hours. Exploring the world map reveals enormous optionally available sections that include facet quest battles that may enable you to degree, achieve new allies with talents you received’t have, and unlock new places with new gadgets to purchase. It’s astonishing how far you’ll be able to journey with out finishing the principle storyline – and what number of different storylines you’ll discover by doing so.
Search excessive and low – there’s a lot to be discovered within the exploratory phases after a battle; glowing sparks indicating an merchandise or useful resource are simple to search out, however some are hiding out in forests or in areas seemingly out of attain. You might must take Alain the great distance round a shoreline that originally appears impenetrable to get to some caches, however there’s at all times a manner!

Don’t miss this chance to expertise one of the anticipated and modern video games of the yr, from one of many trade’s most celebrated builders. Unicorn Overlord is out now for Xbox Series X|S.

Unicorn Overlord Monarch Edition

SEGA/ATLUS

☆☆☆☆☆
18

★★★★★

Get it now

Pre-order now and obtain unique in-game insignias with the ATLUS x Vanillaware Heraldry Pack, a fan-focused DLC set that permits you to customise the Liberation Army’s flag with
emblem designs from "Odin Sphere," "Dragon's Crown," and "13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim".

Pre-order obtainable till March 7, 2024

The Unicorn Overlord Monarch Edition accommodates
– 16-bit Arranged Music Album (20 tracks)
– Digital Artbook (132 pages)

Liberate Your Kingdom, Reclaim Your Destiny

From the masterminds that introduced 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Dragon's Crown, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight towards destiny and embark on a royal journey to regain your reign alongside reliable allies.

Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG style with overworld exploration and modern battle system for a singular epic fantasy expertise within the iconic Vanillaware fashion.

Key Features:
· Traverse a vibrant world, assemble models and direct them into exquisitely animated battles
· Perform heroic deeds and develop renown all through the 5 nations
· Cultivate a grand military with over 60 distinctive characters, from people and elves to large beasts and heavenly angels