Class: Video 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 recreation for Xbox consoles. That’s, till as we speak. Unicorn Overlord, a brand new fantasy RPG title revealed by ATLUS, is out now for Xbox Collection X|S, and it could be the studio’s finest recreation but.

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

You play as Alain, a younger chief of a resistance motion that goals to overthrow the tyrannical Zenoiran empire that has enslaved the world. Alongside the way in which, you’ll recruit so many allies from completely different races and courses, every with completely different strengths, aversions, and their very own causes for preventing. 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 a substitute of paints.

The actual enjoyable is in how these techniques mesh collectively; as your military swells, so do your choices to wage conflict with the empire. Issues begin easy and approachably, with gamers commanding a couple of groups of two round small maps. As you construct your renown by victory, you’ll have the ability to area as many as 10 groups of 5 characters without delay, all taking part in completely different roles on the battlefield. Hulking Hoplites maintain down chokepoints with huge 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’ll have to use your wits and abilities to handle your troops, plan your battles, and make selections that can form the destiny of the world. But – and that is the magic of Unicorn Overlord – the complexity scales so easily, it retains all the things 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 enhancing cities, and talking with townsfolks and troopers. There are additionally key selections to make, as you’re typically given the choice to recruit an enemy you’ve simply defeated, or put them to the sword for his or her crimes. A few of these selections are agonizing to make, with no clear proper reply. For instance, I made a decision to spare a reasonably unlikeable mage as I knew I’d want his (literal) firepower for an upcoming siege. One other stage boss I turned over to the city guard for judgement, just for him to shortly escape the brig. Nonetheless ready to see how that comes again to chew me.

For all there may be to say in regards to the recreation, nothing beats taking part in it your self. Thankfully, you may attempt the sport at no cost by downloading a meaty, free demo from the Xbox Store. The demo permits you to expertise a number of hours of the marketing campaign, the place you’ll develop a really feel for the core gameplay mechanics and options. Better of all: you too can switch your save information from the demo to the complete recreation, do you have to select to proceed your quest… and also you will wish to.

Getting Began

Right here’s a couple of suggestions I’ve picked up which can enable you by the demo, and past:

Journey in teams – it could be tempting to fan your troops out everywhere in the map throughout encounters, however there’s lots of worth in having a bunch of two (or extra) models journey collectively. As soon as fight is initiated, you need to use the controller’s bumpers to cycle by these close by models to see which is more likely to have the most effective leads to a battle.
Don’t simply deploy everybody on the beginning base – typically it’s finest to have a swift unit like a gryphon rider or knight take over a ahead working base so you may 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 overlook your particular strikes. You’ll begin every battle with a couple of scant ‘ Valor Factors’, which will be spent on deploying your models. However, constructing them up by capturing goals or defeating enemy models, you may start to spend them on particular strikes (one for each fighter in your military) or on deploying extra troops. Spending factors properly can change the tide of battle, and later in a stage, 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 bunch, particularly if one of many members of mentioned group is a bit underneath leveled.
Don’t follow the story – Within the early a part of the sport, you’re given one, very clear goal – and I’d suggest avoiding it for a couple of hours. Exploring the world map reveals enormous non-compulsory sections that comprise aspect quest battles that may enable you stage, achieve new allies with skills you gained’t have, and unlock new areas with new gadgets to purchase. It’s astonishing how far you may journey with out finishing the primary storyline – and what number of different storylines you’ll discover by doing so.
Search excessive and low – there may be 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 could have to take Alain the great distance round a shoreline that originally appears impenetrable to get to some caches, however there may be all the time a method!

Don’t miss this chance to expertise one of the vital anticipated and revolutionary video games of the 12 months, from one of many business’s most celebrated builders. Unicorn Overlord is out now for Xbox Collection X|S.

Unicorn Overlord Monarch Version

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 Military’s flag with
emblem designs from "Odin Sphere," "Dragon's Crown," and "13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim".

Pre-order accessible till March 7, 2024

The Unicorn Overlord Monarch Version incorporates
– 16-bit Organized Music Album (20 tracks)
– Digital Artbook (132 pages)

Liberate Your Kingdom, Reclaim Your Future

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. Battle 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 revolutionary battle system for a singular epic fantasy expertise within the iconic Vanillaware model.

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