Unicorn Overlord - Tactical RPG by Vanillaware

[Zombra]

I loved the first Ogre Battle and liked the general vibe of Disciples gameplay (Disciples all got boring pretty fast for me though). I do own a Switch, I wonder if I would actually make time for this. Guess I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Abu Antar]

-Hey, George, can you skip the jiggling breasts in this game?

-Sure thing, boss!

Meanwhile ESRB rating (It has a T rating, but still):

This is a strategy game in which players assume the role of a prince trying to liberate a fantasy kingdom from evil. From a 3/4-overhead perspective, players traverse lands while building an army and liberating areas (e.g., towns, fortresses, cities). Players can deploy and move military units (e.g., archers, knights) to battle enemy soldiers and mercenaries in turn-based combat.

Players can choose various actions (e.g., Attack, Defend), which are depicted in short animated sequences: units shooting arrows, slashing swords, casting magic spells. Battles are highlighted by cries of pain, impact sounds, and blood-splatter effects. Some female characters are designed with low-cut outfits (e.g., deep cleavage) and jiggling breasts. The word “bastard” appears in the game.

 

[Lord of Riva]

-Hey, George, can you skip the jiggling breasts in this game?

-Sure thing, boss!

Meanwhile ESRB rating (It has a T rating, but still):

This is a strategy game in which players assume the role of a prince trying to liberate a fantasy kingdom from evil. From a 3/4-overhead perspective, players traverse lands while building an army and liberating areas (e.g., towns, fortresses, cities). Players can deploy and move military units (e.g., archers, knights) to battle enemy soldiers and mercenaries in turn-based combat.

Players can choose various actions (e.g., Attack, Defend), which are depicted in short animated sequences: units shooting arrows, slashing swords, casting magic spells. Battles are highlighted by cries of pain, impact sounds, and blood-splatter effects. Some female characters are designed with low-cut outfits (e.g., deep cleavage) and jiggling breasts. The word “bastard” appears in the game.

The word bastard is both a slur and a necessary word for a specific meaning in a fantasy context. I can't even, why are they mentioning it? Why are they retarded.

 

[Reinhardt]

Why are they retarded.

The word retarded is both a slur and a necessary word for a specific meaning.

 

[Cheesedragon117]

Unicorn Overlord?? Really, Kanitami-san? That's be best name you could come up with? Let's just go the whole hog and put some licensed Erasure songs in the soundtrack too!

Regardless, I'm disappointed to find Vanillaware making another strategy game. I've been waiting for a sequel to Dragon's Crown, or another game like it, for a decade now. Some would call the beat-em-up gameplay shallow, but I found it to have quite a bit of depth once you peel the layers back. A sequel with a third-or-so more content and a properly-finished endgame? Please, Vanillaware, please.

Well, picking up my copy of Odin Sphere Leifthrasir was an errand I meant to complete about 2 or so years ago that slipped through the cracks of my busy schedule, so I guess it's time to get on that, now that I have some money to blow. Then I'll have more than enough to tide me over.

 

[Abu Antar]

I think that these are new screens.

 

[Abu Antar]

Famitsu scans. Posting scans reminds me of ten years ago.

 

[Abu Antar]

Tr-Tr-Triple Post!!!
https://www.rpgsite.net/news/15121-...erworld-liberating-towns-additional-mechanics

There's a lot of text, character art, and screens. Looking really good. Not counting crowdfunded games, this is the only game worth my pre-order.

A few of screens (there are MANY more at the link, with a bunch of info):

 

[Crayll]

The more I see of this the more excited I am, can't wait. From all the stats and mechanics it seems like it should have some decent depth, hopefully it's challenging enough. 13 Sentinels was pretty easy even on Intense.

Also glad to see Vanillaware is still allowed to create risque designs in the current year.

 

[Rean]

Tr-Tr-Triple Post!!!
https://www.rpgsite.net/news/15121-...erworld-liberating-towns-additional-mechanics

There's a lot of text, character art, and screens. Looking really good. Not counting crowdfunded games, this is the only game worth my pre-order.

I want to know what this one is about.

 

[Abu Antar]

8 minutes of gameplay.

 

[Abu Antar]

16 minutes of gameplay.

 

[Crayll]

8 minutes of gameplay.

I'm guessing most of the strategy will be in organizing and deploying your units, but I'll be curious to see if you have any input over what happens when a unit-to-unit fight starts. Looks like there's also abilities that can be used on the strategic map during a battle.
Seems to be some form of choices and consequences, video had the choice between letting a repentant brigand go or turning him in after defeating him.

Also very important animation:

 

[Modron]

I'm guessing most of the strategy will be in organizing and deploying your units, but I'll be curious to see if you have any input over what happens when a unit-to-unit fight starts.

Nothing wrong with strategy consisting of organizing and equipping troops with battle commands being limited to directing movement, Ogre Battle 64 was like this and it was pretty great.

 

[Dadd]

The more I see of this the more excited I am, can't wait. From all the stats and mechanics it seems like it should have some decent depth, hopefully it's challenging enough. 13 Sentinels was pretty easy even on Intense.

Also glad to see Vanillaware is still allowed to create risque designs in the current year.

Pancake tits. A total downgrade from Dragon's Crown.

 

[Elttharion]

Sigh... The game will have dating/romance elements and the romance will not be locked by gender.

 

[Abu Antar]

More stuff in general: https://www.gematsu.com/2023/12/unicorn-overlord-details-more-ally-characters-social-activities

Click the images for better quality.

Unicorn Overlord details more ally characters, social activities​

Meet Gilbert, Virginia, Berengaria, and Aramis.
Sal Romano
Dec 14 2023 / 11:01 AM EST

Publisher ATLUS and developer Vanillaware have released new information and screenshots for tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord introducing ally characters Gilbert, Virginia, Berengaria, and Aramis, as well as social activities.
Get the details below.
■ Ally Characters
Gilbert (voiced by Mitsuki Saiga)
“You’ve quite the grand vision for yourself, seeking to unify the entire continent.”

The crown prince of Drakenhold. Stepping into the shoes of his father the king, slain fighting the Zenoiran army, Gilbert is secretly amassing a force with the aim of restoring the kingdom.

Virginia (voiced by Aya Endo)
“Today… the Knights of the Rose have their vengeance!”

A survivor of the Cornian royal family. Niece of Queen Ilenia and older cousin of Alain. When Cornia fell, she fled to Drakenhold.

Berengaria (voiced by Asami Seto)
“I told you plain, I don’t want you near me. Now go home and bury yourself in your beloved books, why don’t you?”

Former leader of the Tricorn Mercenaries. Widely feared as a deadly warrior, Berengaria established her own band of mercenaries and quickly grew it into a powerful force—until the day she abruptly disbanded the group and disappeared.

Aramis (voiced by Ryoutarou Okiayu)
“And I, a simple wanderer. You can call me… Aramis.”

A mercenary from Drakenhold hired by the Zenoira army. While his speech and affect is more elegant than might be expected, no one can deny his skill with the blade.

■ Social Activities
You can deepen your bonds with the friends you welcome into your army through battles, meals, and other activities. As your allies get to know each other better, they will unlock special conversations and benefit from increased stats when teamed up in the same unit.
Rapport
The degree of affinity between characters is expressed through the Rapport stat. When characters spend enough time together, their Rapport level will increase. Certain character pairings can also trigger special Rapport Conversations.

Rapport Bonus
Rapport is increased primarily by having characters fight within the same unit. If you form a unit with characters with high levels of mutual Rapport, you gain a Rapport bonus.

Taverns
Rapport can also be built by sharing meals at taverns in the larger walled cities. If there are characters whose friendship you want to cultivate, why not invite them to a tasty meal?
The number of participants and the amount of Rapport received vary based on the meal course chosen.

Gifts
Characters assigned to guard a town can be given gifts. People like getting stuff, it turns out—gifts will build the guard character’s Rapport with Alain, particularly if the gift is tailored to their likes and dislikes.

Ring of Covenant
The Ring of the Unicorn held by Alain has a counterpart, the Ring of the Maiden. Max out Alain’s level of Rapport with a character, and you can choose them to receive the Ring of the Maiden and perform the Rite of Covenant, in which both parties pledge fealty to each other forever. The number of potential companions is vast, but only one will be chosen…

Unicorn Overlord is due out for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and Switch on March 8, 2024 worldwide. Read more about the game here and here.
View the screenshots at the gallery.

 

[Abu Antar]

 

[Machocruz]

Wish it was Hitoshi Sakimoto doing the OST, he's perfect for these kinds of games. This guy does have an impressive resume too though, probably best alternative, what with having also done shmups and TRPGs.

 

[Zero CHAR]

This and Persona 3 R are the only two games I'm looking forward to this year, Ogre Battle system and map progression are underrated and more games should copy it. It's a shame that Ogre Battle 64 isn't available anywhere since the Wii U store shut down, and it has a couple bugs via emulation.

 

[Assisted Living Godzilla]

If this does well, it’d be nice if we got a new Disciples game that’s actually like a Disciples game out of it. Disciples: Liberation was such a bizarre miscalculation given the series very clear JRPG roots, (gameplay was like a cross of Heroes of Might and Magic with Ogre Battle, aesthetically the first two games were very anime/Joe Madureira looking) and the success Persona 5 was finding at that time.

This and Persona 3 R are the only two games I'm looking forward to this year, Ogre Battle system and map progression are underrated and more games should copy it. It's a shame that Ogre Battle 64 isn't available anywhere since the Wii U store shut down, and it has a couple bugs via emulation.

You’re looking forward to Persona 3 Reload but not that new Metaphor: ReFantazio game being made by the original Persona 3 - 5 team? That’s coming out this year too.

 

[Zero CHAR]

If this does well, it’d be nice if we got a new Disciples game that’s actually like a Disciples game out of it. Disciples: Liberation was such a bizarre miscalculation given the series very clear JRPG roots, (gameplay was like a cross of Heroes of Might and Magic with Ogre Battle, aesthetically the first two games were very anime/Joe Madureira looking) and the success Persona 5 was finding at that time.

This and Persona 3 R are the only two games I'm looking forward to this year, Ogre Battle system and map progression are underrated and more games should copy it. It's a shame that Ogre Battle 64 isn't available anywhere since the Wii U store shut down, and it has a couple bugs via emulation.

You’re looking forward to Persona 3 Reload but not that new Metaphor: ReFantazio game being made by the original Persona 3 - 5 team? That’s coming out this year too.

Not really, I was more interested in the project when they first showed it, now is just Persona with another coat of paint. I'm interested in Persona 3 R only because P3 FES has a special place in my heart, I played it during a rough patch.

 

[REhorror]

NO PC PORT?

NO PC PORT!!!

WHY DO YOU THIS FATLUS? VANILLAWARE? WHY?

 

[REhorror]

If this does well, it’d be nice if we got a new Disciples game that’s actually like a Disciples game out of it. Disciples: Liberation was such a bizarre miscalculation given the series very clear JRPG roots, (gameplay was like a cross of Heroes of Might and Magic with Ogre Battle, aesthetically the first two games were very anime/Joe Madureira looking) and the success Persona 5 was finding at that time.

This and Persona 3 R are the only two games I'm looking forward to this year, Ogre Battle system and map progression are underrated and more games should copy it. It's a shame that Ogre Battle 64 isn't available anywhere since the Wii U store shut down, and it has a couple bugs via emulation.

You’re looking forward to Persona 3 Reload but not that new Metaphor: ReFantazio game being made by the original Persona 3 - 5 team? That’s coming out this year too.

Not really, I was more interested in the project when they first showed it, now is just Persona with another coat of paint. I'm interested in Persona 3 R only because P3 FES has a special place in my heart, I played it during a rough patch.

Oh come on, it's FANTASY Persona, that sounds more interesting than high school Persona.
Tbh, I like Persona when it's high adult drama with rumor and stuff, but fantasy is better than high scool.

 

[Rean]

NO PC PORT?

NO PC PORT!!!

WHY DO YOU THIS FATLUS? VANILLAWARE? WHY?

We'll just emulate it again.