All hail Overlord 2! Well, OK, so don't everyone hail, but one may genuflect if one wishes. It appears that the game has been slightly enhanced since the first outing, but it's still just not clicking. We've given our "snap judgment" on the evil baiting master simulator, but let's see what the other outlets thought. Much like the original, it appears people's opinions are all across the board.
1UP (A-): "So no, it's not an entirely perfect experience. But all of the above complaints -- even combined with my minor irritation with details like the marionette-like cut scene animation -- barely contests my overall joy at just playing this damn thing. The original Overlord was a perfect send-up and reversal of fantasy game clichés, and the sequel is even more satisfying while fixing a lot of the first game's rough patches."
OXM (80/100): "To be fair, most parts of Overlord II are fun, and its problems are offset by high production values and funny dialogue (oh, those minions!). A lot of folks missed the original game, so here's your second chance: Overlord II preserves what worked last time, improves what didn't, and tries several new ideas on for size."
Eurogamer (80/100): "Overall, in what has been a pretty underwhelming year for games so far, Overlord II feels like a shining beacon of quality. Not only is it a distinct improvement on the original, but the new features add greatly to what was already a superbly entertaining game."
Game Informer (65/100): "The real shame is that Overlord II can be entertaining. It shamelessly embraces its evil heritage, and goes to great lengths to put the hilarious minions front and center. On the other hand, it just doesn't play well. The controls are clunky, the pacing is unsatisfying, and the multiplayer feels tacked-on. While the original Overlord was a compelling game at heart, Overlord II just feels like an unpolished retread of *familiar ground."
IGN (60/100): "Overlord II is a sequel that is neither bigger nor better than its predecessor. The size and scope have been dialed back to something that is more akin to a straight action game. And since none of the frustrating elements of the first have been fixed -- namely the camera, control, and save structure -- this game just isn't much fun. No amount of British wit could bring a smile to my face as I treaded through the tedium that is Overlord II."
Last edited by Marine Mike; 06-25-2009 at 03:33 PM.
Didn't know a demo was out! I played the first one just couldn't bring myself to enjoy it for some reason! I can't really put my finger on it either...
Didn't know a demo was out! I played the first one just couldn't bring myself to enjoy it for some reason! I can't really put my finger on it either...
Its because you aren't directly causing all the violence and mayhem, but your minions are.
Its kind of like trying to get into Starcraft and anticipate it to be like Diablo is the best way that I can describe it.
Once you accept the gameplay mechanics for what it is, you can really start enjoying the game more. I know that I did as I felt the same way as you. At least give the demo a shot and see what you think.
Are those two female characters in the game though, part of at least some of the gameplay?
I don't know as I've only completed a couple of levels. I'm sure its a screencap from one (or both) ending(s), which you choose whether or not to enslave or destroy the towns.
Hi and many thanks for all of your questions and great comments about the Overlord II demo. As promised in the original article, we’ve tried to provide answers to all of your questions below:
xKillerMonkeyx In a few words how would you describe the game?
Overlord II is, I think, best described as an action fantasy adventure, with a pafutrticular slant on being evil. The action is based around the horde gameplay afforded by the incredibly violent, mischievous and ultimately funny Minions under your direct control. In regards to being the evil one, as the Overlord you are a despotic megalomaniac who explores the world, dominating or destroying everything in your path with the help of your four Minion types; Browns (melee fighters), Greens (stealth assassins), Reds (pyromaniacs) and Blues (zen-like healing minions). There is a rich story to the whole Overlord series as well which was written by renowned games writer, Rhianna Pratchett.
Ultimately, Overlord II is one of the very few games that allows us to become the despotic megalomaniac that hides within each of us. Did I mention that you can also acquire a total of three mistresses as you progress through the game?
Grind_Axis: Here’s a question for you: Will this game be supported by additional downloadable content?
I think downloadable single player content fits this game just fine. Downloadable content is an important part of Codemasters’ strategy, and we will be looking into this at great length in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled for future announcements.
herepoler: Will we play the little overlord?
Yes absolutely! In the level prior to the released demo level, you play as “The Overlad”. This is when the Minions first find their new Overlord, as an evil pre-pubescent boy ready for Overlord training!
herepoler: Will the customization of the Tower be more better than in first Overlord?
Yes! There are more things to decorate your castle with, you have the minion burrows, you have 3 mistresses and many more things to collect
zelamy: Does the full game have multiplayer like the first one did?
Yes Overlord II does, but much better, faster, funnier and more evil than in the original. All of the multiplayer maps/game-modes are specifically tailored to work with Overlord’s Horde gameplay mechanic, with both PvP and Co-op being catered for, plus split-screen for those who want it.
zelamy: Oh and is there any chance of a female overlord at some point?
Interesting suggestion, we’ll pass this on to the dev team. At this point I can’t answer for sure either way, but you never know!
Aquarius_Sidhe: What I did find annoying was that apparently the minions seem to kill a target, and then just come back without taking life force with them. Is that something you’re going to fix?
Minions whilst very loyal, are not always the easiest creatures to train. In the heat of battle they can sometimes be distracted by shiny objects on the floor, picking them up instead. Just send another Minion to pick up that lifeforce and make sure you punish the forgetful Minion who didn’t pick it up in the first place, a swift kick normally does the trick!
evenings-empire: Will the graphics be any different for the final release and will the full game run any smoother?
Since the demo was produced and submitted to Sony, we’ve had at least a month in which we’ve been able to further optimise the game performance and apply general polish, ensuring that upon it’s full release you get the smoothest possible gaming experience. This has already been reflected in the many positive reviews that have gone live since.
Let me know in the Comments below if there’s anything else you’d like to ask about Overlord II and I’ll do my best to help you out. Don’t forget that the demo is on the PlayStation Store and the full game is now on sale.
Thanks,
Ian
I can vouch (as I've rented the game) that it looks better than the demo.
Clubbing baby seals to death repeatedly and making fun of their "protectors" as gay impish fairies makes this game a TOTAL FAIL for me! The game developers obviously designed it around some type of political agenda that is a slap in the face to anyone who actually cares about making good in the world.
Clubbing baby seals to death repeatedly and making fun of their "protectors" as gay impish fairies makes this game a TOTAL FAIL for me! The game developers obviously designed it around some type of political agenda that is a slap in the face to anyone who actually cares about making good in the world.
If the game is a 'slap to the face' to 'good people' wouldn't that mean the game is an 'epic win' as you are 'evil'?
If the game is a 'slap to the face' to 'good people' wouldn't that mean the game is an 'epic win' as you are 'evil'?
HAHAHA... not quite. It's a direct insult to anyone who cares for a cause of this nature. In particular, the elves (or whatever they are) that show up to protect the baby seals from the heards of clubbing minions are portrayed as some type of homosexual fairy hippy types. Who are they to say that I, being an educated heterosexual male with an idea that human beings don't need to resort to such methods in order to survive on this planet, fall into such a demographic as this?
HAHAHA... not quite. It's a direct insult to anyone who cares for a cause of this nature. In particular, the elves (or whatever they are) that show up to protect the baby seals from the heards of clubbing minions are portrayed as some type of homosexual fairy hippy types. Who are they to say that I, being an educated heterosexual male with an idea that human beings don't need to resort to such methods in order to survive on this planet, fall into such a demographic as this?
GAME = EPIC POLITICAL AGENDA FAIL!!!
Wow, seriously? Clubbing baby seals was the best part of the demo, far better than simply killing sheep. And yes, I care about animals IRL, but I am not so prudish as to think a game about such things is insulting. If anything, it is you who either has the political agenda or are far too easily insulted on behalf of others. The game is merely entertainment.
I, for one, am having a BLAST with this game. Haven't spent enough time with it to give a full review, but if you liked the first Overlord, there's much more to like in the sequel.
Wow, seriously? Clubbing baby seals was the best part of the demo, far better than simply killing sheep. And yes, I care about animals IRL, but I am not so prudish as to think a game about such things is insulting. If anything, it is you who either has the political agenda or are far too easily insulted on behalf of others. The game is merely entertainment.
LMAO... I agree. The clubbing of the seals was modestly entertaining. It's when the elven protectors of the seals danced out of their pirate ships while lisping in choral unison to the rythm of their rainbow flags waving in the breezy polar air that things took a turn for the worst.
I don't have a political agenda. I'm very accepting of many things. I find humour in the strangest of topics. But, that detail pushed me over a line of acceptance.
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All Hail Overlord 2!
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