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GamesMarch 8, 2024

Unicorn Overlord: Vanillaware’s Compellingly Distinctive 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’s, till at the moment. Unicorn Overlord, a brand new fantasy RPG title revealed by ATLUS, is out now for Xbox Sequence X|S, and it might be the studio’s finest sport but.

Unicorn Overlord is just not your typical technique RPG. Gamers will discover gameplay parts paying homage 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 Last Fantasy XII, all mixed in a manner that feels totally new, wrapped in Vanillaware’s beautiful, 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 best way, you’ll recruit so many allies from completely different races and courses, every with completely 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 a substitute of paints.

The actual enjoyable is in how these techniques mesh collectively; as your military swells, so do your choices to wage warfare with the empire. Issues begin easy and approachably, with gamers commanding a number of groups of two round small maps. As you construct your renown by means of victory, you’ll have the ability to discipline 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 large shields in hand. Flying models, equivalent to 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 expertise to handle your troops, plan your battles, and make choices that can form the destiny of the world. But – and that is the magic of Unicorn Overlord – the complexity scales so easily, it retains every 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 enhancing cities, and talking with townsfolks and troopers. There are additionally key choices 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 choices are agonizing to make, with no clear proper reply. For instance, I made a decision to spare a moderately unlikeable mage as I knew I’d want his (literal) firepower for an upcoming siege. One other degree boss I turned over to the city guard for judgement, just for him to rapidly escape the brig. Nonetheless ready to see how that comes again to chew me.

For all there’s to say in regards to the sport, nothing beats taking part in it your self. Happily, you’ll be able to strive the sport without spending a dime by downloading a meaty, free demo from the Xbox Retailer. 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. Better of all: you can too switch your save information from the demo to the complete sport, must you select to proceed your quest… and you’ll want to.

Getting Began

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

Journey in teams – it is likely to be tempting to fan your troops out all around the map throughout encounters, however there’s a number of worth in having a gaggle of two (or extra) models journey collectively. As soon as fight is initiated, you need to use the controller’s bumpers to cycle by means of these close by models to see which is more likely to have the most effective ends in 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’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 instances, however it may be straightforward to overlook your particular strikes. You’ll begin every battle with a number of scant ‘ Valor Factors’, which might be spent on deploying your models. However, constructing them up by capturing goals 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 getting 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 staff is a bit underneath leveled.

Don’t persist with the story – Within the early a part of the sport, you’re given one, very clear goal – and I’d advocate avoiding it for a number of hours. Exploring the world map reveals big optionally available sections that include aspect quest battles that may enable you degree, achieve new allies with talents you gained’t have, and unlock new areas with new objects 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 straightforward to seek out, however some are hiding out in forests or in areas seemingly out of attain. You could have to take Alain the good distance round a shoreline that originally appears impenetrable to get to some caches, however there’s all the time a manner!

Don’t miss this chance to expertise one of the crucial anticipated and progressive video games of the 12 months, from one of many business’s most celebrated builders. Unicorn Overlord is out now for Xbox Sequence 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 allows you to customise the Liberation Military’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 Version comprises
– 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. Struggle 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 progressive battle system for a novel 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 large beasts and heavenly angels