UNICORN OVERLORD isn’t shy in paying homage to the great and storied Japanese strategy games throughout the years. It’s Fire Emblem, it’s Tactics Ogre, and it’s done with a lot of heart, soul, and eye candy, making it a breathtaking recipe that every strategy fan should try.
In what has already been a packed year for SEGA and Atlus after Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Persona 3: Reload, Unicorn Overlord continues their beautiful crescendo of games in 2024.
An obra-maestra
Vanillaware shows absolute depth in setting the stage for an epic tale that already promises a lot of grit and heart from the start. They built upon their storytelling from their cut hit from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and it really does show within the game’s first ten minutes.
In addition, the game’s art direction is something that also shines bright within the opening act. From the spattering of the rain on the stone pavement to the flash of lighting in the distance, this game is an absolute treat in the minor details.
However, it’s not just the visuals of Unicorn Overlord that standout. The sound design by Japanese company Basiscape is a treat for the ears as well. The epic scores during fights, the somber tunes during dramatic moments, to the clanging of the steel against armor. Every sound bite in this game is masterfully made as it helps you experience the world of Fevrith not just with your eyes but with your ears as well.
Game Director Takafumi Noma blends everything together in Unicorn Overlord for the players as they take on the role of Alain, Crown Prince of the fallen Kingdom of Cornia. In a quest to avenge his mother, the Queen Ilenia, after the rebellion of General Valmore, Alain must now find allies and lead the Liberation Army to free Fevrith.
While the premise of the story has been done a dozen times over in JRPGs over the year, Unicorn Overlord still provides interesting twists and turns to keep the story exciting behind an excellent English and Japanese voice cast.
Tactical depth at its finest
Combat is where Unicorn Overlord really shines though. Players engage in real-time tactical combat controlling units. At first you’ll only be able to have two characters per unit, but as you progress you’ll eventually be able to raise the cap to six characters.
You can even designate characters to lead them which provide different Leader Effects. Alain for example will be able to provide a Morale Boost which increases the amount of Valor Points you gain for defeating enemies. Valor Points are used to activate special abilities.
Unit composition is a big part of the strategy in the game because when two units engage on the battlefield, an automated battle will play out between the two. The shielded Fighter can protect their teammates from archers with their Arrow Guard.
Meanwhile, the Hunter’s Eagle Eye makes sure their attacks never miss so they can hit slippery enemies like Thieves while the heavily armored Hoplite takes the damage for his friends with Heavy Cover.
This is all still basically just surface level stuff for Unicorn Overlord because the game features...well over 60 classes. The Feathersword is able to ambush enemies from the sky while buffing herself in prolonged combat. The Dark Marquess can cleave through enemies with her axe while debuffing them at the start of combat.
Then there's the hulking Werebear, who wields a massive shield and hammer and boasts some of the best tankiness within the game that can protect a whole backline of mages just by themselves.
With so many options, finding out which units synergize while countering your opponent’s composition, is a big part of the challenge and strategy in Unicorn Overlord with over hundreds of Passive and Active abilities to consider.
So much depth in world building
The world of Fevrith is yours to explore after the game’s first few opening acts. With five different countries to explore, meet, and recruit new allies from, Fevrith is a world brimming with personality.
Apart from Alain’s home of Cornia, players can then explore the mountainous Kingdom of Drakehold known for their powerful wyvern army or the verdant land of Elheim, home of elves and dark elves. Afterwards players can then look to Bastorias, the land of snow and ice and home to the beast-like bestral races or Albion, an island theocracy ruled by the Palevian Orthodoxy whose holy army features humans and angels alike.
The story of Unicorn Overlord is supplemented by the Rapport system which helps build the backstory of your allies. As characters fight together, they build rapport which provides bonuses whenever they are in the same Unit.
Conversations and scenes can then also be triggered between them on the world map. If you don’t necessarily group them up together in combat but want to see their conversations play out, you can throw a feast for them in town.
Only Unicorn Overlord can make a drawing of a Cheese-Filled Steak Hache and a Fresh Caught Seafood Paella look so darn appetizing.
A love letter to strategy fans
With so much to offer, Unicorn Overlord can easily reach a hundred hours if you want to enjoy every aspect of it. Strategy games continue to evolve and with this new standard of greatness set by Unicorn Overlord, I’m all for it.
A beautiful artstyle, lovely music to my ears, and a deeply robust combat system brought many happy tears to this long-time strategy fan. So yes please play this beautiful love letter to strategy fans all over the world.
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