Unicorn Overlord: Vanillaware’s Compellingly Distinctive Xbox Debut
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 as we speak. Unicorn Overlord, a brand new fantasy RPG title printed by ATLUS, is out now for Xbox Collection X|S, and it might be the studio’s finest sport 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 Last Fantasy XII, all mixed in a approach that feels fully new, wrapped in Vanillaware’s beautiful, trademark 2D artwork type.
![Unicorn Overlord Screenshot](https://xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net/prod/sites/2/2024/03/P12_3_Free-Stage-Battle-1a88527a114c35c14507.jpg)
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 totally different races and lessons, 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 a substitute of paints.
The true enjoyable is in how these programs mesh collectively; as your military swells, so do your choices to wage battle 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 be capable to area as many as 10 groups of 5 characters directly, all taking part in totally different roles on the battlefield. Hulking Hoplites maintain down chokepoints with huge shields in hand. Flying models, akin 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.
![Unicorn Overlord Screenshot](https://xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net/prod/sites/2/2024/03/Unicorn-Overlord_Battle-Stage-The-Liberation-Army-Advances_Screenshot-626e2adb66efcb9f75ce.jpg)
You’ll have to use your wits and abilities to handle your troops, plan your battles, and make selections that may form the destiny of the world. But – and that is the magic of Unicorn Overlord – the complexity scales so easily, it retains the whole lot 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 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 chunk me.
![Unicorn Overlord Screenshot](https://xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net/prod/sites/2/2024/03/Unicorn-Overlord_Galerius-Event-1_Screenshot-033d4bafe30e966a38ef.jpg)
For all there’s to say in regards to the sport, nothing beats taking part in it your self. Thankfully, you’ll be able to strive the sport without spending a dime by downloading a meaty, free demo from the Xbox Retailer. The demo means that you can 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: it’s also possible to switch your save knowledge from the demo to the complete sport, do you have to select to proceed your quest… and you’ll want to.
Getting Began
Right here’s a number of suggestions I’ve picked up which can provide help to by means of the demo, and past:
Journey in teams – it is perhaps tempting to fan your troops out all around the map throughout encounters, however there’s quite a lot 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 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’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 overlook your particular strikes. You’ll begin every battle with a number of scant ‘ Valor Factors’, which could be spent on deploying your models. However, 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 properly 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 below leveled.
Don’t follow 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 enormous non-compulsory sections that comprise aspect quest battles that may provide help to degree, achieve new allies with talents you gained’t have, and unlock new places with new objects to purchase. It’s astonishing how far you’ll be able to journey with out finishing the primary 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 could have to take Alain the good distance round a shoreline that originally appears impenetrable to get to some caches, however there’s at all times a approach!
![Unicorn Overlord Screenshot](https://xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net/prod/sites/2/2024/03/UO_Aramis-Battle_Screenshot-7e0d059f8d2d7a14d184.jpg)
Don’t miss this chance to expertise some of the anticipated and modern 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.
![Xbox Live](https://assets.onestore.ms/cdnfiles/sfw-service-web-onestore-onerf-2017-11-8-12/store/common/images/xbllogo_black.png)
Unicorn Overlord Monarch Version
SEGA/ATLUS
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 accommodates
– 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 in opposition to 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 type.
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
![Xbox Live](https://assets.onestore.ms/cdnfiles/sfw-service-web-onestore-onerf-2017-11-8-12/store/common/images/xbllogo_black.png)
Unicorn Overlord
SEGA
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 in opposition to 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 type.
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
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 accessible till March 7, 2024
![Xbox Live](https://assets.onestore.ms/cdnfiles/sfw-service-web-onestore-onerf-2017-11-8-12/store/common/images/xbllogo_black.png)
Unicorn Overlord DEMO
SEGA
Demo out now: Take pleasure in as much as 5 hours of gameplay within the Unicorn Overlord Demo! Your progress carries over to the primary sport.
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