March 8, 2024
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 in the present day. 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 will not be 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 Hearth 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 approach that feels solely 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 an alternative of paints.
The true enjoyable is in how these methods 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 couple of groups of two round small maps. As you construct your renown by means of victory, you’ll be capable of subject as many as 10 groups of 5 characters directly, all enjoying totally different roles on the battlefield. Hulking Hoplites maintain down chokepoints with huge shields in hand. Flying items, comparable 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 acquire 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 all the pieces 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 usually 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 relatively 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 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 may be to say concerning the sport, nothing beats enjoying it your self. Thankfully, you’ll be able to strive the sport without 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 knowledge from the demo to the total sport, must you 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 assist you to by means of the demo, and past:
- Journey in teams – it is perhaps tempting to fan your troops out everywhere in the map throughout encounters, however there’s a number of worth in having a bunch of two (or extra) items journey collectively. As soon as fight is initiated, you should utilize the controller’s bumpers to cycle by means of these close by items to see which is prone to have one of the best 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 items 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 straightforward to overlook your particular strikes. You’ll begin every battle with a couple of scant ‘ Valor Factors’, which could be spent on deploying your items. However, constructing them up by capturing targets or defeating enemy items, 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 stage, 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 bunch, particularly if one of many members of mentioned workforce is a bit underneath leveled.
- Don’t keep on 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 couple of hours. Exploring the world map reveals big non-compulsory sections that comprise aspect quest battles that may assist you to stage, acquire 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 may be a lot to be discovered within the exploratory phases after a battle; glowing sparks indicating an merchandise or useful resource are straightforward to search out, however some are hiding out in forests or in areas seemingly out of attain. Chances are you’ll must take Alain the good distance round a shoreline that originally appears impenetrable to get to some caches, however there may be all the time 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 one of the crucial anticipated and progressive video games of the 12 months, from one of many trade’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. 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 progressive battle system for a singular epic fantasy expertise within the iconic Vanillaware type.
Key Options:
· Traverse a vibrant world, assemble items 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. 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 progressive battle system for a singular epic fantasy expertise within the iconic Vanillaware type.
Key Options:
· Traverse a vibrant world, assemble items 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 principle sport.
The publish Unicorn Overlord: Vanillaware’s Compellingly Distinctive Xbox Debut appeared first on Xbox Wire.