'minions meet the Overlord''
 Developer: Triumph
Publisher: Codemasters
Category: : Action Strategy
Multiplayer: Xbox Live
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 28 November 2007
Written By: Ian
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UnderGored
One big complaint that some people had about OverLord is the fact that you never get to be truly evil. I think this is a shame, because this is simply untrue.
Just because the game does not try to be realistic, and does not offer the chance to decapitate enemies or have gore across the screen doesn't mean that you cant be evil.
The game also leans towards the Dungeon Keeper/DiscWorld style, and so to be honest, that style of play wouldn't really fit. The game also borrows heavily from Lord of the Rings (particularly the visual style of the films) and many other well-known fantasies, and spoofs them well.
It's more about an evil parody of the genre, and the script is well written and humorous, even if it is not laugh-out-loud funny. The voice acting is also excellent, and is a real highlight. There is also a nice twist at the end of the plot which further spices things up.
Overall, the whole style of the game is probably the best aspect of it.
  
Gameplay
The gameplay in Overlord is quite complex.
As 'the Overlord', even when powered up at the end of the game, you remain really disappointingly weak, and you always have to rely totally on your minions.
They are controlled using the right stick mostly. This gives two major problems. One is that there is no proper camera control, which can be frustrating at times, although generally this doesn't present too much of a problem.
The second is that controlling your minons can be really difficult. There are four available types, and selecting different types, then directing them with the right stick is fiddly and often takes a few tries to get right. Minions are also incredibly weak, and you will keep losing them to enemies as a result of the controls.
However, when everything goes right, the gameplay is very satisfying, and combat works well.
Overbored?
The multiplayer is a real let-down, however.
As with 'Two Worlds' (review can be found here), I wish the developers had not given into the pressure for an online element, and had instead concentrated on perfecting the single player.
  
Firstly, the multiplayer is for 2 only, which ruins a lot of the fun anyway.
Second, such is the complexity involved in GOOD minion control, that an experienced player has a huge advantage over the other player, so most matches are grossly favoured towards one player or the other. Most of the modes are also, frankly, a bit rubbish.
The only good mode is the "co-op battle", but this suffers from a lack of maps.
Finally, no-one really seems to play much online, so you will also struggle to find a match.
A shame!
Conclusion
"Overlord" is a great game that is slightly spoilt by its flaws.
It is too complex for its own good, and the camera control (or lack of it) is a real issue.
The multiplayer also just feels tacked on, and I would have appreciated a longer single player instead, although at 15 hours, its not too bad anyway.
What does work, works very well, and with some refinements, a second game could be a really top game, rather than merely a better than average one.
-Ian
Ratings
Manual:
80 % |
Graphics:
79% |
Music & Sfx:
82% |
GamePlay:
75% |
|
This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
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