Atlus just passed along a new set of details for Unicorn Overlord covering the game’s story, characters, game systems, and difficulty modes. This follows last week’s Nintendo Direct reveal.
What is Unicorn Overlord?
A fresh but nostalgic Fantasy Tactical RPG. From the creators of Odin Sphere, Dragon’s Crown, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim…now celebrating their 20th anniversary!
As Atlus and Vanillaware’s partnership reaches its 20th anniversary, their next creative challenge is tackling the tactical RPG genre. Embark on a royal adventure and fight alongside trustworthy allies with gorgeous, high-definition graphics, expansive overworld exploration, and innovative tactical battle gameplay–all in classic, Vanillaware style.
Featuring a vibrant world and a timeless tactical strategy experience, the game includes a unique battle system and online battle modes for modern audiences. Unicorn Overlord provides a fresh, nostalgic experience unlike anything that’s come before it.
Story – World
A fallen prince shall rise again, ring of legend lighting his path…
The story takes place on the continent of Fevrith, a land home to five nations—Cornia, Drakenhold, Elheim, Bastorias, and Albion—inhabited not only by humans, but also by other races such as elves, angels, and a race of beastfolk known as bestrals.
After Cornia’s General Valmore rebels against his nation’s royal family, he starts a war that will soon tear the entire continent apart. Alain, the protagonist of the game and prince of Cornia, flees from his home during this uprising and is chosen to lead the Liberation Army that will free all subjugated lands of Fevrith. Ten years have passed, and with the legendary Ring of the Unicorn in hand, Alain raises the flag of rebellion to lead his people to freedom.
Characters
Alain – “The people of Cornia are suffering, Lex. Should I turn a deaf ear to their voices… I would have little and less claim to the crown I feel is mine.”
Crown prince of the fallen kingdom of Cornia, and son of its queen, Ilenia. After losing his mother at a young age amidst Cornian general Valmore’s rebellion, he was ushered to the island of Palevia by the knight Josef, who taught him sword and strategy alike until the age of 17.
Scarlett – “I’ll do everything I can. As is my role as a priestess of the Palevian Church.”
A priestess of the Palevian Orthodoxy who, after training tirelessly from a young age, now tends to the cathedral on the island of Palevia. In the end, she opts to leave the island and join Alain on his journey.
Lex – “Sorry, Alain, but this round’s mine!”
A childhood friend of Alain’s, born on the island of Palevia to a local fisherman. After studying under Josef, he resolves to join the quest to liberate Fevrith.
Josef – “I promise you, my queen, the royal lineage shall endure.’Tis but a great shame I couldn’t aid you further…”
A holy knight of the fallen kingdom of Cornia, he fled to Palevia with Alain ten years ago at Ilenia’s behest. He has made great strides toward forming the Liberation Army ever since.
Illenia – “The general seeks my death, and mine alone. I shall not flee from that fate.”
The queen of Cornia who ruled with both a keen military mind and a steady hand. Upon realizing there was no quelling the tide of rebellion, she entrusted her son Alain to her loyal retainer, Josef.
Galerius – “It’s not merely your throne I aspire towards—it’s all of them. Now… I shall achieve that unity through conquest, and reclaim that which is rightfully mine.”
Emperor of the reborn Zenoiran Empire, and once a renowned Cornian general by the name of Valmore. After leading a successful rebellion against the Cornian royal family, he claimed all of Fevrith as his own.
Gameplay Overview
Freely traverse an expansive world, gather new allies, forge your bonds, and lead the Liberation to glorious victory. Cultivate a grand army with over 60 unique characters, from humans and elves to massive beasts and heavenly angels.
Traverse a vast overworld to liberate Fevrith from the Zenorain Empire’s rule. Reclaim towns and rebuild them with materials you’ve gathered, train your allies, and gather your strength to face ever more powerful foes!
Players can use characters as they see fit, forming powerful units to take into battle. It’s up to you, the commander of the Liberation Army, to decide who to send forth and what tactics to employ!
Game Systems
Explore and battle in any order you want!
Players can freely traverse an overworld map to meet and recruit new allies, fight enemies, and liberate and rebuild cities in any order they want.
Where you’ll go next, which routes you’ll take, and which battles you’ll fight are entirely up to you!
Liberating Fevrith
Upon defeating the Zenoiran forces in control of towns and fortresses, law and order will be restored to the land and you’ll gain access to facilities such as armorers and provisioners. Wandering enemies are also defeated, making future exploration even easier.
Battle – Command your troops, defend your command post, and strike at enemy lines!
Within each battle stage, both sides will fight to take each other’s command posts in thrilling real-time combat. You, the commander, must keep a close eye on the situation and make critical decisions like which units to send when or where. Victory is secured once you’ve clear certain conditions, such as defeating the enemy general.
Individual battles begin when your units make contact with the enemy during a battle stage. Coordinate a unit’s tactics in advance with conditions that determine how and when skills will automatically be used. Balance your allies’ classes and skills to form the strongest units for the situation and watch the battle unfold as your characters automatically engage in combat! Adapt and improve your tactics as you learn from the results of each battle.
Difficulty Levels – 3 difficulty levels to choose from!
Sweet – A difficulty focusing on story. For players looking to win battles without much difficulty.
Normal – A difficulty focusing on tactical gameplay. For players who may be unfamiliar with strategy games.
Hard – A difficulty focusing on pushing your tactical mind to its limits. For players who are quite skilled at strategy games.
Online Mode
In the coliseum, you can also partake in PvP battles against other players’ units! Assemble your best team, and aim for the top!
Check out the gallery below for a closer look at the story, characters, game systems, and difficulty modes in Unicorn Overlord.
Unicorn Overlord launches for Switch on March 8, 2024.