Overlord

[Nino]

Why is there no Overlord thread? The game is set for release by the end of this month (on Xbox 360 and PC)! You fail me Xboxic!

Overlord is an action adventure game that lets the player control Minions and order them as the player sees fit. In the story, the Minions find you in the rubble of the old Overlord's tower, and thus believe you to a reincarnation of the old Overlord that got killed by the Seven, now corrupted Heroes. These minions, therefore, aid and serve you loyally as their master. The game will be released in June 2007 on both the PC and Xbox 360. The story revolves around the ever growing Minion armies who are trying to kill the Seven Heroes who destroyed the original Overlord. Since then the Seven Lords have slowly become the living embodiment of The Seven Deadly Sins.

The game is unusual in the concept that there is one main character and a large number of Minions which includes up to 50 to control[1] , though the Nintendo title Pikmin and its sequel used this concept extensively. There are at least four types of smaller minions. The minions include brown minions (See below) who do many tasks which include collecting loot. There are red minions that hurl fireballs, which are also immune to fire. While the minions are useful to the player, they are also easily distracted. Distractions may include musicians which need to be killed in order for the minions to resume their productive roles again.

The demo is currently up on Xbox Live, it's 897MB. The demo is fun and the reviews are all positive and the game looks awesome. Quite a feat for a Dutch developer, Triumph Studios, who previously worked on the graphically not-so-impressing Age of Wonders series.

Official Site (http://www.codemasters.nl/overlord/index.php)
Footage on Xboxyde (http://xboxyde.com/game_1028_en.html)

http://www.gamer.nl/images_v2/content/Erwie/200605/small1146578558_0.jpg
http://www.gamer.nl/images_v2/content/Erwie/200605/small1146578558_1.jpg

It has Xbox Live Multiplayer too (deatchmatch and co-op). \o/

[nofear360]

I'll check it out later today.

[JasonA]

OK once someone has played it, can you post it here on how it looks and plays...compare it to something if you could....I dont want to download the demo unless it's worth it...I hate all that waiting...

[Cage]

OK once someone has played it, can you post it here on how it looks and plays...compare it to something if you could....I dont want to download the demo unless it's worth it...I hate all that waiting...
But you still have to wait till someone posts the comparisson :+

[Nino]

OK once someone has played it, can you post it here on how it looks and plays...compare it to something if you could....I dont want to download the demo unless it's worth it...I hate all that waiting...

Download it. It's pretty (too the camera is far away from the characters during gameplay, it looks great), it's fun (I LOL'd a few times already, a thing I normally dont get from games) and it's fun to play. I'm still doing the tutorial bits so I havent had any real challenge but so far it controls nicely so I'm guessing the actual game itsself is fun too.

[JasonA]

ok...I just as well...

and I forgot you can set a download and turn off the console now... \o/

[Nino]

Oh clicking the Right Thumbstick sets the camera behind your character so I can now see all the prettyness. \o/

[TRIGGER M4N]

It' not like Oblivion is it?

[Nino]

Don't worry, this isn't like Oblivion at all.

[nofear360]

It' not like Oblivion is it?
lol

It's a cross between Fable and Pikmin I've heard ...

[Nino]

lol

It's a cross between Fable and Pikmin I've heard ...

Mix in some Dungeon Keeper and you've pretty much nailed it yeah.

[nofear360]

I just finished the demo and came away quite impressed. The script and the voice-over are very nicely done. The game actually made me laugh on couple of occasions, namely due to the minions' naiveness and quirkiness. The only thing I didn't like about the game is the controls which aren't easy to master. Sending minions away didn't work at times and rotating the camera felt very awkward. I can see myself getting frustrated when the action on screen ramps up. Rotating the camera, sending your minions to attack, and casting spells all at the same time is pretty difficult. The aspect of improving the look of your tower and your own power throughout the game sounds promising but I don't think it's enough to warrant a purchase. With Forza 2 already released, and The Darkness and DiRT just around the corner, I don't think I'll be getting this game.

[Nino]

I didnt have a problem with the controls at all.

[nofear360]

I didnt have a problem with the controls at all.
Just because it's being developed by a Dutch developer, it doesn't mean you have to lie.


j/k ;)

[Rossko_UK]

Gotta say, this game is great. No problems with the controls apart from the camera movement. I would have preferred holding down LB and moving the right stick to make the minions sweep, rather than just RT, but that speeds things up and after playing it loads I'm sure I'll get used to it.

My pre-order is now down.

[storm]

The demo is amazing! It's awesome to control the minions, send them to an enemy and watch them slaughter it from a distance :D The controls are allright, and there is probably some stuff we haven't seen yet, so the camera movement 'annoyance' is just a sacrifice they had to make. I'm curious about how the multiplayer will be.

[nofear360]

You guys are really good at making me want to have this game :P.

I'll give it another go tonight before going to bed (have an Art exam tomorrow :() to see if I can get used to controls.

[JasonA]

You guys are really good at making me want to have this game :P.

I'll give it another go tonight before going to bed (have an Art exam tomorrow :() to see if I can get used to controls.

I've not played the demo yet (but I will) im not getting the game NoFear if it helps...

[nofear360]

I've not played the demo yet (but I will) im not getting the game NoFear if it helps...
:D

Edit: If I get the game, I'll get for the campaign ;). Co-op is just a plus.

[Nino]

Support Dutch developers!

Anyway, someone on another forum pointed out that it would've been better if the right thumbstick would be the camera controls and that you had to hold down LB for the Sweep command, so the exact opposite from what is is now. I could get behind it and I hope they allow you to change that in the full however I'm afraid that they made a conscious decision for this control scheme for the bits where you have to control your minions intensively.

[JasonA]

Support Dutch developers!

Anyway, someone on another forum pointed out that it would've been better if the right thumbstick would be the camera controls and that you had to hold down LB for the Sweep command, so the exact opposite from what is is now. I could get behind it and I hope they allow you to change that in the full however I'm afraid that they made a conscious decision for this control scheme for the bits where you have to control your minions intensively.

That's all double dutch to me...:D

To be honest it sounds good controls for left handed people as it is......

[nofear360]

Support Dutch developers!

Anyway, someone on another forum pointed out that it would've been better if the right thumbstick would be the camera controls and that you had to hold down LB for the Sweep command, so the exact opposite from what is is now. I could get behind it and I hope they allow you to change that in the full however I'm afraid that they made a conscious decision for this control scheme for the bits where you have to control your minions intensively.
I'd prefer that too. Do what you can ;).

[Nino]

Do what I can? I can't do shit and neither can Triumph at this point. If that option wasn't in the game previously then it's too late to put it in and it would require a future title update.

Or are you referring to gamers in general with 'you'? :)

[nofear360]

Do what I can? I can't do shit and neither can Triumph at this point. If that option wasn't in the game previously then it's too late to put it in and it would require a future title update.

Or are you referring to gamers in general with 'you'? :)
No, I'm with you (gamers in general) :).

I just re-read your previous post and found out I misunderstood what you were saying haha. My bad :P.

[Nino]

Ross misread it too (he thought I talked to the dev), I thought my post was pretty clear :(. Ah well.

[nofear360]

Ross misread it too (he thought I talked to the dev), I thought my post was pretty clear :(. Ah well.
I thought so too lol. But it was my fault for not reading it properly :P.

[Nino]

Well I might've been a but unclear, seeing as how Ross had the same problem :P

[JasonA]

Just played the demo...got as far as some mole hill where gremlin things come out by pressing B button and walked round for a bit listening to that irritating voice. Did not like this at all, I didn't expect to, so it's not on my pre-order list...

[nofear360]

Achievements. (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/overlord/)

[Nino]

Just played the demo...got as far as some mole hill where gremlin things come out by pressing B button and walked round for a bit listening to that irritating voice. Did not like this at all, I didn't expect to, so it's not on my pre-order list...

That's the START of the game, from there on the actual gameplay starts. You're a moron if you quit at that point and you are in no position to criticize it based on that. :'(

[Fanappy]

Nino ur getting pretty touchy about this game... yeah i enjoyed it played it a second time bit more comfortable with the whole LB RS camera would prefer to map it out as lb rs for minion sweeps tho :P may get it if i can change it to that system

[nofear360]

I think I'll get it just so Nino can feel better ;).

[JasonA]

That's the START of the game, from there on the actual gameplay starts. You're a moron if you quit at that point and you are in no position to criticize it based on that. :'(

I can tell even at that point it's not my type of game that I would enjoy. I don't think I've made any critisisms on it other than Im not buying it... I've said very little.

[Nino]

That's a pretty harsh criticism ;)

[JasonA]

:D

[Rival24]

It was pretty fun, maybe I'll buy it, but I wanna read some reviews first.

[HylianHitman]

The voice reminds me of the guy in Destroy All Humans who tells you about stuff. Bleh. :r

[Rival24]

The voice reminds me of the guy in Destroy All Humans who tells you about stuff. Bleh. :r
The voice wasn't too bad I think.

[nofear360]

The voice wasn't too bad I think.
That voice-over is the best in the game!

PS. Sorry Rival24, I should've quoted HylianHitman.

[Rival24]

That voice-over is the best in the game!

Me playing the game is the best.

[Nino]

Kicking your minions and setting stuff on fire was the best part.

[nofear360]

Kicking your minions and setting stuff on fire was the best part.
And then hearing those little bastards screaming on fire }).

[Rival24]

Camera was a bit crappy though :P

Oh I said this earlier on IRC, but the game looks a lot like Sacrifice so you might want to give that a try :P (7 year old game though)

[nofear360]

From 2000? No thanks :P.

[Nino]

Rival did you try clicking the right thumbstick? Changes the camera view.

[HylianHitman]

While I was playing the demo and slapping the jester guy around, I went to get something to eat so I left my minions to waste the jester. Unfortunately he doesn't die. >:)

[Nino]

He gains new dialog over time though :P, he says different stuff after you give him a beat down.

[HylianHitman]

Really? After I was finished with him he only repeated like 4 lines over and over. That's the part I left the game on.

[Rival24]

Rival did you try clicking the right thumbstick? Changes the camera view.
Yeah, I'd prefer to use my right thumbstick to control the camera. This is Genji all over again.

[Praetorian]

I loved the demo. It does indeed smack of fable, because they had the good sense to use English voice actors. yay!

[Rival24]

You're going to get it then? :)

[Praetorian]

Yes, but just because you guys are dutch doesnt mean you have to support the game so much :P

It is awesome though.

[Curry]

Yeah, I'd prefer to use my right thumbstick to control the camera. This is Genji all over again.
Genji was a great coaster game.

[Thryon]

I also enjoyed the demo. May have to make room for it after all.

[HylianHitman]

If we're still supporting Dutch types then this (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/12/massive-videogame-mosaics/) is pretty cool.

[Ivan Joidherpus]

Do what I can? I can't do shit

Try eating a few prunes, maybe a bran muffin...
If that fails, Ex-Lax is always available at your local pharmacy.
Hope this helps Nino.:P

[Nino]

:D:D.

@Hylian; woah that's awesome. The next big 'Dutch thing' I'm excited about is Killzone 2. Only a month until it's unveiled. \o/

[Praetorian]

nino and rival, slayer aren't bloody emo. Where were you in the 70's/80's when metal music wasn't whiney and gay?

[Nino]

That signature is there solely to ridicule Rival over his retarded statement, of course Slayer isn't emo. I'm disappointed that you think so lowly of me Praetorian :(.

[Praetorian]

Well if one dutch man can mistake them, anybody can! What next, somebody calling Iron Maiden punk??? :P

We should probably get back on topic now. Ahem.

[nofear360]

IGN UK gave it an 8.1 (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/796/796505p1.html). Pretty good.

[_Chris_]

I enjoyed the demo, pity it wasnt very long at all, though i think it did its job, i think i shall get this when it comes out, whats the news on the multiplayer?

[nofear360]

I'm on my bro's laptop and the keyboard is different which makes it hard to type so I'll just quote IGN :):

''There are two different modes you to play, including co-op and versus. In co-op you play with another Overlord in an attempt to best a range of increasingly strong enemies, whereas in versus you're tasked with beating your opponent in a race to collect either the most treasure or kill the most enemies. In reality both are throwaway additions to the Overlord package, but are still enjoyable if you want a short burst of action with a mate.''

[_Chris_]

I'm on my bro's laptop and the keyboard is different which makes it hard to type so I'll just quote IGN :):

''There are two different modes you to play, including co-op and versus. In co-op you play with another Overlord in an attempt to best a range of increasingly strong enemies, whereas in versus you're tasked with beating your opponent in a race to collect either the most treasure or kill the most enemies. In reality both are throwaway additions to the Overlord package, but are still enjoyable if you want a short burst of action with a mate.''
Hmm. All good, to be honest im not too bothered about Overlord multiplayer, i will have the Darkness and Tenchu Z multiplayer to sort me out:)

[Rival24]

I'm on my bro's laptop and the keyboard is different which makes it hard to type so I'll just quote IGN :):

''There are two different modes you to play, including co-op and versus. In co-op you play with another Overlord in an attempt to best a range of increasingly strong enemies, whereas in versus you're tasked with beating your opponent in a race to collect either the most treasure or kill the most enemies. In reality both are throwaway additions to the Overlord package, but are still enjoyable if you want a short burst of action with a mate.''

Awesome, looks like a decent co-op mode :) Maybe I'll buy this game now :9~

[Curry]

Played it, didn't like it. In general I don't like games that think they know where I want my bloody camera tho (and fail miserably at that).

[JasonA]

Played it, didn't like it. In general I don't like games that think they know where I want my bloody camera tho (and fail miserably at that).

I totally agree - could you just use this as an official xboxic review on the front page and leave it at that!

[Nino]

Pfft, some of the best games use the Right Stick for more important stuff than camera. God of War, God Hand, Katamari Damacy, Devil May Cry. Too Human is going down a similar path. I really don't see why a slight change from the standard dual analog control scheme would make you hate good game.

It's not that Overlord's camera ever gets in the way of the gameplay. Obviously this game has a better use for the right stick and I'm fairly confident that they did it this way just for some of the puzzles/battles that rely heavily on the right stick controls. There has to be something wrong with the game itself to dismiss it, camera can't be the only reason dudes. Try a little harder.

edit; oh and it's not like they don't build the game with the 'static' camera in mind. Like I said, it doesn't get in the way of gameplay, the game's designed around the fact that you're not flicking your camera around non-stop. I really dont see the problem here. And I'm repeating myself.

[Chris]

It doesn't matter why or whatever personal reason they have. If you're constantly hating where the camera is the whole game, it kills the experience. Super Mario 64 anyone? When you had to make those moves from platform to platform so you wouldn't die and then the camera decides to make a 180 flip while you're in the air so that when you're pressing up you're actually going down? I hate that stupid shit.

I know everyone thought God of War was the second coming of Christ, but I hated that damn camera.

[Nino]

It doesn't matter why or whatever personal reason they have.
Ok lets wrap the entire forum up then...

I agree with you on M64. When the camera screws up gameplay then that's inexcusable and I'm not defending that at all. But that's not the case in either Overlord of God of War.

[Rival24]

Ok lets wrap the entire forum up then...

I agree with you on M64. When the camera screws up gameplay then that's inexcusable and I'm not defending that at all. But that's not the case in either Overlord of God of War.
I all boils down to personal preference....

[Nino]

Yeah but skipping out on games because it doesn't control completely like your favorite shooter seems kinda silly to me. That means no one should've played RE4 because that has tank controls etc.

[nofear360]

Don't make him ban you!! ;)

[Nino]

I can disable his Frontpage account ;)

but he has server access, so I'll still lose in the end :(

[nofear360]

Well, you could always bribe Curry ... ;)

[Rival24]

Yea, try offering him your ass

[charmed699]

I miss this game already guys and I just came back from handing it in blockbusters. I miss my litlle hit gremlin dudes too much, so definetly need to buy it this week.I didnt even finish the last 2 bosses or get all the specials! :P

[Nayse-BTC]

does this not seem really shit to anyone else?? the demo is crap- dodgy camera views/control of minions. dull, repetitive gameplay seems almost for certain, graphics arent great either, the same fantasy landscape that has been seen a thousand times. if theyre gonna do all the damaging and chaos and you just click on wat u want killed ,what fun is that? with darkness out the same time whats goin through your heads???

[Rossko_UK]

does this not seem really shit to anyone else?? the demo is crap- dodgy camera views/control of minions. dull, repetitive gameplay seems almost for certain, graphics arent great either, the same fantasy landscape that has been seen a thousand times. if theyre gonna do all the damaging and chaos and you just click on wat u want killed ,what fun is that? with darkness out the same time whats goin through your heads???

Nope, I love it.

[_Chris_]

with darkness out the same time whats goin through your heads???

Well i got the darkness on thursday, completed it friday, amazing game, but MUCH too short, overlord is pretty original and quite fun, i'll get it eventually, and i bet it will last longer than the darkness storyline:P

[charmed699]

I love it as well like the humour that is always in the script like the wizard always saying funny jokes. It seems in the demo that the minions do all the work for you but it gets tougher in the real game and it requires thinking in some parts.

I just bought it as well so it should arrive tomorrow and I only paid £28 for seeing my litlle funny minions fight for me again! ^_^

Just read that and it does last longer Chris because I been playing it all weekend when I rented it and only done about half of it! In contrast when I rented the Darkness it barely lasted me the two days but the gameplay is still incredible.Tell me if you want to know where I got mine from. ;)

[Nayse-BTC]

fair enough- i dont like the game, spose its personal taste. it was pretty obvious darkness would be short, those kind o cinematic games always are- and im thinkin multiplayer is frantic prey style stuff? ill keep playin my old games 4 now-----honestly, after the gta4 vid, i dont want anything

[Chris]

The graphics remind me of Kameo. Not the color.

[StrayBezza]

fair enough- i dont like the game, spose its personal taste. it was pretty obvious darkness would be short, those kind o cinematic games always are- and im thinkin multiplayer is frantic prey style stuff? ill keep playin my old games 4 now-----honestly, after the gta4 vid, i dont want anything


I agree, wasn't taken by the demo AT ALL - seemed repetitive and tedious - also from what I have played of the Darkness online its seems great.

[nofear360]

The graphics remind me of Kameo. Not the color.
Yeah, they remind me of Kameo too, especially the texture work.

[StrayBezza]

I have succumbed and purchased this after re-playing the demo. Has anyone taken it online yet and if so, is it any good and how exactly does it work? Are many people playing it on Live??

[charmed699]

I have played it online a few times and really liked it because there are three modes. the bets one is survival where you and another player get to kill as many monsters as possible and trying to survive beyond 30 minutes.

Then the other two are versus which consist of :

- Pillage that consists of trying to get more items such as money than the other player.

- Some sort of deathmatch where two players go against each other to see who does most damage,

As you can guess by now the maximum players in one game are two but trust me it still is a lot of fun.I will be on holiday with my dad in Portugal from this sunday until Portugal, but if you want to play before then just say the word. :)

[kobejonez]

does this not seem really shit to anyone else?? the demo is crap- dodgy camera views/control of minions. dull, repetitive gameplay seems almost for certain, graphics arent great either, the same fantasy landscape that has been seen a thousand times. if theyre gonna do all the damaging and chaos and you just click on wat u want killed ,what fun is that? with darkness out the same time whats goin through your heads???

Not just me, Pointless, unfunny and 7 years too late. 2000 would of been the time I would played something like this.

[_Chris_]

Just wondering, Glenn is that what you think an emo looks like? (your avatar) cause i have never seen any emo kids that look like that man... :P

[kobejonez]

Just wondering, Glenn is that what you think an emo looks like? (your avatar) cause i have never seen any emo kids that look like that man... :P

*Achievement Unlocked* Ask about Emo. Take the lure and ask the question 25gs
That my young Friend is Emo Phillips a stand-up comic who is absolutely amazing though more well known in the late 80s early 90s so you are forgiven for not knowing who he is. *Kobe decides you're not big enough for keeper so you go free and avoid the frying pan*. Level Up.*POooooosh*_o_

[_Chris_]

Nothing to see here.

[HylianHitman]

I'm not very sober...so i dont habe a clue what youre on about man! if i was just stoned as norml it wuld be fine, but, im not...me...right now.. so...ill lookat tis postahain when im feelign more human!

Congratulations, your drunken typing has now been immortalized.

[_Chris_]

Congratulations, your drunken typing has now been immortalized.

Thanks for that...
I dont even remember posting that... But i wasnt drunk, my brain was just not all there. lol, maybe SLIGHTLY drunk..

[charmed699]

If it helps I seen some people type with a lot more errors without being drunk or high. ;)

Also I got this game again on tuesday after ordering it from shopto on monday.I definetly have to play it more before I leave for Portugal on sunday. :D

[_Chris_]

I had taken a sleeping pill, couple bongs and some beers, thats why i was a bit..Not all there?

[Thryon]

I just picked up this game yesterday. I hope to be able to play it something in the next few months. I am only about 20 games behindat this time.

[konigchampion]

Its alright easy to play, wish it had a map though. I'll try to get all the Achievment Pionts and beat it thats all. then I'll get Darkness next week. Both Games have gremlin looking minions.