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Overlord

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8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 47 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 35 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Codemasters

Developer: Triumph Studios

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: June 26, 2007

Summary

Controlling a mysterious figure that has inherited the legacy of the evil, long-dead Overlord, the player emerges, near death, from the ruins of the old Overlord's Dark Tower. Only the player's actions determine if they will rise to become the new all-powerful Overlord; it's all down to how much of a bad ass they want to be in order to succeed...evil or really evil! Played out with plenty of black humour and dark irony, the game immerses players in twisted parodies of classic fantasy scenarios and characters. Overlord's key innovation is the introduction of an array of impish creatures – the Minions. They believe you are the old Overlord reborn and will use their unique skills to fetch, fight and die for you. Throughout the game players actively control a horde of these gremlin-like critters and they follow your every instruction no matter how despotic or, for the Minions, life threatening it is. [Codemasters]

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Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Play Magazine

The puzzle-action gameplay, battling both the enemy and the elements, is simply tuned to perfection and the oh-so-spectacular bosses play like an orchestra of action and strategy. [July 2007, p.60]

Cheat Code Central

Its fresh take on the fantasy genre, excellent minion mechanics and morbid humor make for a gaming experience you won't soon forget.

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Gamer 2.0

Overall, Overlord is an exciting romp through a twisted fairy-tale land. While it lacks any incredibly difficult challenges, it delivers a laugh-a-minute story that is very well executed.

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Xbox World Australia

Overlord is already shaping up as the sleeper-hit of 2007 – underpromoted by its publisher, barely hyped by consumers and critics, yet it delivers a unique and enjoyable experience on the Xbox 360.

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Deeko

This is what a good game is supposed to be like. Visually stunning but not overpowering to take away from the game play. A humorous and interesting story, but the real heroes are the minions themselves.

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ZTGameDomain

I’d highly recommend this game; it’s funny and addictive, with beautiful graphics and the novel mechanic of controlling a minion horde. However, if you’re looking for a high level of challenge, you may be disappointed.

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Talk Xbox

A genuine attempt to deliver something fresh and different. Controlling an army of minions was both fun and rewarding. The evil humor and richly detailed world keep me fastened to my chair for hours at a time totally immersed within the game.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Overlord won’t keep you coming back and again for more, but it’s a satisfying, amusing experience that’s fairly unusual in today’s games industry, even if it isn’t quite the bad boy it wants to be.

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GamingTrend

A simple concept that is so well executed that you can’t put it down.

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Games Master UK

The tongue-in-cheek humour and lush graphics make Overlord the sort of cult title games should be overjoyed to discover. [Aug 2007, p.69]

DailyGame

Any time you let minions do my dirty work you'll win me over, so the great genre-combining gameplay is just icing on the cake.

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Xbox360Achievements

Superbly fun single player with a largely forgettable multiplayer tagged on.

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IC-Games

Overlord might be a short lived experience but nothing quite like it exists for the Xbox 360 right now. The gameplay is sound, the humour is all too apparent and we doubt you’ll walk away unimpressed. It’s just a shame there wasn’t a little bit more going for it online.

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Armchair Empire

Maybe the biggest surprise here is that Triumph Studios included an online option. A couple of Versus modes -- Slaughter and Pillage -- and Co-Op Survival fill out an already substantial game.

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G4 TV

A great play. It’s got a great sense of humor and style. In these summer months when there’s often not a lot to play, it’s a real treat to get a game that effortlessly mixes style, challenge, and fun.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Amid shelves crammed with me-too mediocrity, we'll take Overlord's wicked humor and creativity, warts and all. [Sept 2007, p.80]

AceGamez

Wacky creatures, traditional fantasy settings and simple controls are a delight in this ultra-serious age, and the Fable style accents top off the silliness.

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Gamestyle

It's a sort of evil version of Pikmin with the ability to slaughter the innocent.

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The New York Times

But the “evil or eviler” tagline has more to do with marketing than with the game, which for the most part offers a choice closer to being an evil or benevolent despot.

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Worth Playing

Overlord delivers a fun experience and is well worth the $39.99 retail price of admission.

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GameZone

Overlord is a fun and original title that takes some great elements across a spectrum of genres and applies them very well together.

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Total Video Games

Highly imaginative and with a wicked sense of humour, Overlord's issues are easy to overlook when compared to the moments of entertainment it provides in between.

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1UP

Maybe the boneheaded A.I. is intentional; maybe they're supposed to be feral lemmings, and the game's forcing you to slow down for tactics -- but I ain't buying it. With a throng of mischievous pets as the game's centerpiece, you'd expect 'em to be a little better housebroken.

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X360 Magazine UK

Overlord is charming, satisfying and pure evil all at the same time. In a good way, of course. [July 2007, p.87]

Eurogamer

More than the script (generally witty and sharp, if occasionally undercut by an iffy voice-actor) or the graphic design (a brother to Fable's faux-fantasy charm), the constant capering of your charges is what gives the game its personality. That is, they have a lot of personality and so does the game.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

It's not perfect, can sometimes be a little too fiddly and has moments of frustration. But given the minions, the depth and breadth of the challenge, the ideas and the seer strength of the entertainment it provides, there really is little you wouldn't forgive it. [Issue #24, p.72]

Play.tm

Ultimately, if it weren't for an oddly skewed sense of gameplay balance that offers two separate genre types (action and puzzle) rather than a comfortable mixture of both, Overlord would be a thoroughly impressive experience that delivers something a little off the beaten track.

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GamerNode

Overlord is like that annoying friend that may steal your Cheetos once in a while, and although you get mad, it's only for a brief moment because you can't wait to see what the crazy bugger will do next.

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MS Xbox World

If you like adventuring, dark humor, acting evil and being in control then Overlord is well worth a look especially if you enjoy exercising the old grey matter. However if you are more action orientated gamer then Overlord might not be for you and so as I mentioned a rental is probably your best bet.

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Game Informer

Observing the little beasts gleefully swarm, destroy, and stab every creature and object in sight is one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever seen in a video game. The problem is that Overlord only shines this brightly when you’re just watching it. When it comes to managing your minions and directing them through the puzzles, the game is just as frustrating as it is humorous.

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GameSpot

The pure joy of commanding a small army of malicious minions more than makes up for Overlord's minor shortcomings.

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Kombo

Overlord is far from perfect, but it does contain a very interesting mixture of fantasy role playing and real-time strategy.

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Planet Xbox 360

It is an easy game to recommend as a rental, with a solid single-player story mode that will take over 10 hours to complete, but is not without blemishes and lacks the multiplayer options to extend gameplay beyond the first go-around; needed to purchase a game.

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Xboxic

While Overlord sets itself apart from other 360 titles by offering a genuinely unique experience, it suffers from a lack of execution. Despite this, Overlord is still worth a shot if you have the patience to deal with its flaws.

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Boomtown

Ultimately, the game provides plenty of enjoyment, and sits very happily on the 360, slotting itself in as a console game well. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of mindless destruction, and a justification to empathise with the ‘other side’?

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Edge Magazine

It’s a great idea but a flawed execution, and will need a sequel to achieve its potential. [Aug 2007, p.92]

VideoGamer

Overlord is an entertaining game that should keep you smiling for its duration, but certain control complexities and a distinct lack of evil keep it from being a truly great next-gen adventure.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

Overlord has a neat idea, but it really needs more direction. Or should I say directions? [Aug 2007, p.77]

GameSpy

It's well worth playing the single-player campaign, if only to experience an irreverent take on the typical fantasy setting.

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GameTap

You find yourself in a game resembling a mix of Fable and Pikmin.

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PALGN

Despite its obvious shortcomings, it's difficult to overlook the game's clear enjoyment. Keep expectations low and you could find your 'guilty pleasure' title of the year.

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Team Xbox

The concept is there in spades; it’s the execution that doesn’t go the distance.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Stiff controls and samey puzzles hamper what is otherwise a fun, enjoyable romp.

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IGN

Overlord is a "play at your own risk" title. If you're lucky enough to avoid the bugs, you'll find a fun game unlike any other on Xbox 360. If you do run head first into a game ending bug, don't say we didn't warn you.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

Tedious puzzles and repetitious level design makes Overlord become very predictable all too quickly. [July 2007, p.90]

games(TM)

Thankfully, Overlord doesn’t take itself too seriously and due to its sheer simplicity it remains a fun game to play. [July 2007, p.118]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Though it's an also-ran to Fable, Overlord offers a lush setting with witty dialogue and great foliage.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Eric H. gave it a10:
I can't see some of the reviewers points for rating this game lower than an 80. This game, too me, is so addictive! The main storyline for this game was creative and imaginative, something you don't find in most games. Also, some of the main points of the game pivot on your decision. A decently long game, with creative enemies and epic bosses,and the expansion pack being even more awesome, I think this game deserves a ten.

Khistian R. gave it an8:
Overlord came around with very little coverage, unfortunately to. It got sadly overshadowed with the much bigger releases at that tme. Overlord lets you play the role of the evil guy, [not many seem to]. You awaken after a long rest, to meet your minions and the minion master. Starting off the game, you begin with 5 minions, butas you get more powerful, you can command a total of 50. Too many people's first impressions, they might think its a hack and slash game along the lines of a Conan or Golden Axe. From the start in the first level, you can tell Overlord, doesn't take itself to seriously with the sarcastic skit of light fullfy music, sheep bouncing arounding and the fact you haveto kill them [well only if you want to] for brown minion magic. Also the animations are brilliant, smooth and well done. In detailed, but comedic way. Also there' much more to the game once you get past the first level. The different types of minions, the humour, similar to that of Discworld. Also notiably Rhianna Pratchett, Terry's daughter who helped oversee the game. Later on, you can also upgrade your weapons, your armour, which comes in handy for controlling your minions or whether you opt for strength over magic, vice versa. Also your living quarters, its not a major in depth feature, but its a nice addition. You can purchase fountains, statues and make itlook more homely. It seems there's a bit of snobbery by some of the magazines and Overlord never got the higher scores it deserves. Also is the 2 player split screen mode, which features both co-op and deathmatch. On Xbox 360 you can download this for free, on PS3 is included with the game itself. Overlord at times reminds me of the look of Fable, the fun of Dungeon Keeper 2 and the story of a side-Discworld-book. Overall, its a great mix of light-RPG, Strategy and fun and its a fair decent size to. If you see a copy, I'd recommend it. Score : 85%.

Mark T. gave it a9:
What's with the 50s and 60s? This game is fantastic... funny, innovative - a real joy, in my book. I know Bioshock is the big success, but I actually prefer playing this, so much more fun. Bioshock is so miserable (although it IS a great game, don't get me wrong) But give me one xbox game on a deserted island ? I would go for this one all the way.

Aaron C. gave it a7:
Ahh, um...its another really frustrating game, which gives you the false sense that its open world/open level, but its not!! I hate it when my gremlins die, the designer should have instead allowed the weapons picked up by the minions to be kept at the lair for future minion use.

salamitsunami gave it a9:
One of my favorite games of all time. really underrated. great graphics and sense of humor.

Christopher L. gave it a9:
Great fun sweeping minions and hearing their chatter. Excellent fantasy fare, despite the fat tongue in the grinning cheek. Any tedium with some mechanic of the game is alleviated by well rounded design: good sound, beautiful scenery (oddly captivating fog?), fun voice acting rarely out of place. It's a solid experience which, for me, came out of nowhere. Just what the 360 needs.

Bob L. gave it a10:
I love this game cause of the puzzles, the monsters never get old, and I just wanna improve the score :D!(Beating people up is always fun!)

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