Unicorn Overlord - Nintendo Switch

Review: Unicorn Overlord – A Modern Ode to Ogre Battle If you cherished Ogre Battle for its intricate real-time tactics, expansive unit management, and rich fantasy world, then Unicorn Overlord is poised to captivate you. Developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, this tactical RPG is a heartfelt homage to the genre, blending classic elements with contemporary design.  A Familiar Yet Fresh Tactical Experience Unicorn Overlord mirrors the essence of Ogre Battle by offering real-time strategy with the ability to pause, allowing players to issue commands thoughtfully. You command squads of up to five units, each customizable with a plethora of classes and abilities. The game’s depth shines in its formation strategies and the synergy between unit types, reminiscent of the meticulous planning required in Ogre Battle 64.    However, Unicorn Overlord introduces its own flavor. The 2x3 grid system, while simpler than Ogre Battle’s 3x3, still demands strategic placement, especially since positioning affects targeting and defense. The game also streamlines certain mechanics, making it more accessible without sacrificing depth. As noted by RPGFan, “Vanillaware has created the spiritual successor to Ogre Battle and surpassed its inspiration in almost every way.”   Engaging World and Narrative Set in a richly illustrated world, Unicorn Overlord invites players to embark on a journey of liberation and conquest. While the overarching plot may tread familiar ground, the game’s charm lies in its character interactions and world-building. The art style is quintessentially Vanillaware—vibrant, detailed, and immersive.  Why You’ll Love It For fans of Ogre Battle, Unicorn Overlord offers a nostalgic yet novel experience. It captures the strategic depth and unit customization that made the original beloved, while introducing quality-of-life improvements and a fresh aesthetic. Whether you’re orchestrating complex battle strategies or exploring its expansive world, Unicorn Overlord delivers a satisfying tactical RPG experience that honors its roots while forging its own identity.

First of all, I have 2 scores for it. 5 is the main score, but if you've played Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen (which it is very clearly inspired by), drop it down to a 4, maybe even a 3, because you won't be able to avoid comparisons, and it's got less depth in a few areas that can't be missed. The game is good, but it could have been better, and was clearly based on a game that did several things much better. Standard review first, comparison with ogre battle after Story: 4 or 5 of 5 - The story's pretty good, but has three flaws. The first, which is pretty forgivable, it that the game is quite long, and there's a lot of story. Sounds like a good thing, but 60-80 hours in... the option to skip will probably be used if you don't care about the characters that are talking. Second, preaching about having the moral high ground. It's not terrible, but it's overdone just enough to be a bit grating. Third, Intimacy Events, in a game that they were clearly trying to get a 'E' rating on. To be fair, they mostly mean the 'comradeship' meaning of intimacy, but the main character does have potential love interests that they try to do more with. For those, expect less intimacy than a classic Disney movie (I think there's hugging in one of them, how scandalous!). It is worth noting that the main character's cousin is one of those options though, which some may have opinions about. Sound: 5 of 5 - I'm not a big sound person, but the music was dramatic when appropriate, and didn't get annoying even after 80 hours. I call that good enough music. Voices fit the characters for the most part, some personal opinion there of course, but can't think of any glaring problems. Gameplay 4.5 of 5 - The core gameplay was mostly fine, some of the side features hurt though. There were three notable ones for me. First, major issue. The AI is regularly suicidally stupid (e.g. assaulting with a mostly defeated squad rather than heading back and healing up). Higher than 'normal' difficulties can raise the challenge level though (AI is still stupid, but has better stats and those suicidal units become a lot more dangerous). Second, it periodically has gimmick battles (unique/rare mechanics that change things up, suicidal allied units, etc.). Some of those worked, some were more obnoxious than fun. Third, time sinks. Between the poorly thought out garrison system that leaves you manually collecting resources after about mid-game, exploration, treasure hunts, intimacy events, and a few other things, you're going to be spending a lot of time running around. Good if you want a game that takes a while to beat, but annoying when you realize that you played 4 hours and only did 2 battles (just plowing though, you can do 5-20 in that time, depending on their scale). Comparison vs Ogre Battle (Unicorn Overload = UO, Ogre Battle = OB) Places where UO is better: UO has better graphics. OB had amazing detail on the units for a SNES game (which still look decent 30 years later), but UO looks better. UO has voices. UO has a -much- more in-depth story, but lacks even the mild-moderate choices that OB offers. UO has customizable skills with different costs, as opposed to OB's simpler split of front-line and backline skills for each class. UO has 4 quip slots per character rather than OB's 1, although this can lead to micromanaging annoyances. UO has a LOT more battles, an overworld map you can navigate, and (mostly) entertaining side quests/minigames UO has the option to fully skip battles, OB can only fast forward Places there UO is worse: The name Unicorn Overlord. The word 'Overlord' really doesn't belong, especially one you play though the story. I'll take OB's mashup of Queen song names over that (which kinda work if you know the songs). Originality. From playstyle to classes, everything is clearly inspired by OB. While UO probably technically has more classes, many of them are racial copies of each other, often only having a small (but sometimes significant) change. OB has a much more varied variety of classes, class evolutions, and semi hidden classes. UO likely has a few more unique/semi-unique classes on characters. Oh, and UO has no non-humanoid species. UO has no alignment system, the main character is forced to be good and noble. UO lacks recruitable undead, demons, or anything that could be considered slightly morally questionable. OB has all those and lets you go full evil overlord if you want (blocks many characters though, and the endings are typically kinda bleak) UO has no gender options, or meaningful relationships, while OB's relationships and gender options can unlock and block characters, change how characters are acquired, and can make significant changes to the post game summary of the world. UO's reputation system is a counter that unlocks things at landmark points, rather than OB's system which is the common people's view of the liberation army and takes a major role in the game's path, what characters are recruitable, and the endings. UO's units don't have upgrade options based on alignment, items, or stats. They have 1 option to be promoted to (0 for some unique/semi-unique classes). On the plus side, they can't be locked out of every single upgrade option due to handling their stats wrong like in OB. OB has a much more robust system of immunities and elemental + physical resistances, with UO's being pretty much limited to physical damage, magic damage, and statuses (many of which are rarely seen) UO has a the Valor system (buffs before battle) vs OB's tarot system (mid battle effects) UO has longer load times for everything. They're not terrible, but it's a long game so they add up. UO is much more restricted with number of creatable parties, although they have comparable numbers of deployable parties. UO actually has worse AI, despite OB being made for the SNES (OB's AI understands retreating to heal, and using fast units to capture undefended locations, rather than just rushing the nearest unit/base like UO's does. )

Unicorn Overlord can be summarized in two words: Unexpectedly sensational. When I went to purchase Unicorn Overlord, I personally thought it was going to just be another Final Fantasy-esque RPG. Though some elements could be argued exist, the game is a breath of fresh air for the genre and strays away from that safe formula. The fact that there are likely over a hundred different characters that all have unique support conversations with each other and the main character makes the game charming in deep ways that you never see RPGS go to anymore. The most wayward pairings can have the most wholesome stories with one another. Another amazing addition is that so many cut scenes in the main story and even during battle have unique dialogs. Quite frankly, I have no idea how they fit as much into this game as they did. You are getting more than your money's worth. That being said, if you're looking for an RPG that'll be over within 20hrs or less, this isn't the game for you. Its an investment like games in the Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Tactics Ogres franchise. Im at 42hrs and I still have a ways to go with the game. Its enjoyable to pick up and play for an hour or two during the week. If you're looking for an RPG to get lost in, I highly recommend this game. For the price, I don't think there are many other games (or competitors) that can compete.

Unicorn Overlord delivers a deep and stylish tactical RPG experience on the Switch. The combat is strategic and rewarding, the world is beautifully crafted, and the character progression feels rich without being overwhelming. A polished and engaging adventure for fans of classic strategy games.

I didnt know this game released and when i saw it on the switch store the name made me pass it up, I regret that. I've wanted a remake or re-release of ogre battle 64 for 20 years, this game is that but so much more, its just so good and its uses and improves the old system so tactfully, keeping what was in the past done right but also improving where needed. my only complaint is the story isnt very good but its also not horrible(edit: it really is horrible), i really wish companies would start investing in some writers, its almost a crime to make a game so well constructed like this and just phone in the story, parts of it are okay but its the old tried and true jrpg, still though everything else makes this an easy 5 star, also the open world/waging a campaign across it is new and incredibly well implemented, theres just so much done right here. I would say this is one of the best games of the entire switches lifespan, a once in a generation type deal which it shouldnt be, im amazed it took nintendo this long but i am ecstatic they finally did. there are alot of convenience/qol mechanics, the best being the fast forward, you can FF virtually everything, you can skip battles so it just gives you the results but you can of course watch them to learn what your troops are doing right as it is an auto battler, you direct your troops across an overworld battlefield and task them with what enemy troops to engage and then you sit back and watch it play out adding or changing the battleplan as it goes, there are alot of other abilities and items that let you alter outcomes as well. Its very very good. If you never played ogre battle but like strategy games you are in for a treat, if youre on the fence dont be, if you can buy this do so and prepare to have a very very good time. I desperately hope they turn this into a series and make more content. lastly i find i have a lot of trouble playing games anymore, even just getting interested enough for them to hold my attention is quite hard anymore, this one did so effortlessly, maybe it was partly due to nostalgia but im glad either way. shout out to one of the other reviewers, Mitch Mckillip, if not for him and saying the magic words ogre battle i might have missed this game because i didnt realize it was using that old system, im sad i cant direct message him to thank him. There are things im forgetting but i gotta get back to playing, i felt i had to write this review out as i want to see this series or at least this type of game continue and a good review is the least i can do. buy it and enjoy, its an easy guaranteed good time. Edit: after playing for about 60 hours i gotta say its still a great game gameplay wise but the story is so incredibly trite and bad its painful, its starts out okay but all of the characters are positive or kuwaii or hallmark cardish to the nth degree, just think of any jrpg or anime caricature and you have it, its almost painful, again i love the gameplay and systems enough it the gameplay shines through and makes up for it but I cant help but think the studio missed a chance to make something truly amazing. this is a game about a civil war/insurgency/multiple coup's and your character walks around saying shit like "I know you murdered all those innocent civilian's but you were under the bad man's spell, I know if i give you a shot you'll be my steady right hand in the battle's to come" this is not an exact quote but its close, I dont know who wrote this but they might need to stick to writing more wholesome content, I cant think of a medium where this writing would flourish except for those super cute animes that make me feel sick(not judging if you like them, just not for me). again though, you can skip or fast forward all of this, still the game is 5 stars and I will happily buy a second one while desperately hoping they either get new writers, take a page from ff tactics or a competing game studio takes this idea and runs with it.

One of the best strategy games for Switch or any platform, really. Played fine on the Switch. It's a bit like Ogre Battle, but not. Less emphasis on zodiac stuff and has some cool online and online PVP options. Great story, lots of choice for characters that helps with replayability. Seriously, you're missing out if you like this Genre.

Atlus tried an actual strategy game this time instead of what was a demo in 13 sentinels aegis rim. Loved the story and had good music. Nice addition to my collection of strategy games like ff tactics, triangle strategy and tactics ogre reborn.

In this game, you control squads of soldiers and send them across a battlefield to fight your enemies and conquer objectives like towns. Each squad is made up of 2-5 characters, and the battles between them are entirely automatic; however, you can create indepth sets of rules for what actions your characters take. Some equipment will grant additional abilities so there's a very high degree of customization. I initially wasn't sure if I'd like this style of gameplay but I found myself getting into it a lot. Every character starts off with automatically generated actions, so if you see your character doing something dumb you can usually make a quick change so they act smarter in the future. It's very satisfying and you can feel yourself getting stronger not just from higher numbers, but new abilities and better usage of them. There's also a lot of side content that's generally fun and feels rewarding to do; plenty of exploration, some simple puzzles, upgrading towns and unlocking new functions, a mining minigame, arena battles, etc. The one major complaint in terms of gameplay I have is with the maps, there was only one that didn't boil down to "conquer the objective(s)". The game gives you a lot of defensive items that I never once touched. There are a couple of stages that mix things up like one where your visibility is limited by a blizzard, I would've loved more like that. The visuals are great, Vanillaware is famous for their great animated 2D artwork and they delivered here. The story is very generic fantasy fare; an evil general conquers the world and your hero is the only one who can save it. However, it's brought down further by the writing and dialogue. Characters talk normally but will regularly use awkward, flowery metaphors that often don't really fit the situation. It tries to be archaic by using words like ser instead of sir, but there's also some dialogue that comes off as very sassy in a modern way and it ends up being a mess.