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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
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]
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... 90
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]
90
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.
 89
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.
85
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.
85
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.
85
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.
84
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.
83
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.
83
GamingTrend
A simple concept that is so well executed that you can’t put it down.
83
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]
81
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.
81
Xbox360Achievements
Superbly fun single player with a largely forgettable multiplayer tagged on.
80
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.
80
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.
80
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.
80
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]
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.
80
Gamestyle
It's a sort of evil version of Pikmin with the ability to slaughter the innocent.
80
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.
80
Worth Playing
Overlord delivers a fun experience and is well worth the $39.99 retail price of admission.
80
GameZone
Overlord is a fun and original title that takes some great elements across a spectrum of genres and applies them very well together.
80
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.
80
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.
80
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]
80
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.
80
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]
78
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.
77
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.
75
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.
75
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.
75
GameSpot
The pure joy of commanding a small army of malicious minions more than makes up for Overlord's minor shortcomings.
75
Kombo
Overlord is far from perfect, but it does contain a very interesting mixture of fantasy role playing and real-time strategy.
72
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.
70
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.
70
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’?
70
Edge Magazine
It’s a great idea but a flawed execution, and will need a sequel to achieve its potential. [Aug 2007, p.92]
70
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.
70
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Overlord has a neat idea, but it really needs more direction. Or should I say directions? [Aug 2007, p.77]
70
GameSpy
It's well worth playing the single-player campaign, if only to experience an irreverent take on the typical fantasy setting.
70
GameTap
You find yourself in a game resembling a mix of Fable and Pikmin.
70
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.
69
Team Xbox
The concept is there in spades; it’s the execution that doesn’t go the distance.
67
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Stiff controls and samey puzzles hamper what is otherwise a fun, enjoyable romp.
66
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.
60
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Tedious puzzles and repetitious level design makes Overlord become very predictable all too quickly. [July 2007, p.90]
60
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]
50
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Though it's an also-ran to Fable, Overlord offers a lush setting with witty dialogue and great foliage.
Eric H. gave it a10: Khistian R. gave it an8: Mark T. gave it a9: Aaron C. gave it a7: salamitsunami gave it a9: Christopher L. gave it a9: Bob L. gave it a10: |
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