ATLUS and SEGA are back with their latest Xbox release today in the form of Unicorn Overlord, which has been created in conjunction with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim developer Vanillaware Ltd, and it's getting great reviews so far!
For those who haven't heard of it, this is a tactical fantasy RPG in which you'll embark on an "epic fantasy experience" complete with unique gameplay elements and a "vibrant" world. Here's a bit more on the game courtesy of Xbox Wire:
"Unicorn Overlord is not your typical strategy RPG. Players will find gameplay elements reminiscent of beloved classics; the real-time movement of character groups from Ogre Battle 64, the close-up battle vignettes of Fire Emblem, the relationship building conversations of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the fine-tuning combat gambits of Final Fantasy XII, all combined in a way that feels entirely new, wrapped in Vanillaware’s stunning, trademark 2D art style."
Before we get into the review roundup, we should also mention that Unicorn Overlord has a free demo available on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S right now, so if you want to, you can sample it for free (check the trailer above).
Right, let's take a look at what the reviews are saying about Unicorn Overlord so far:
Nintendo Life (9/10)
"Even amidst a huge strategy RPG boom, Unicorn Overlord stands out. It’s a smorgasbord of visual delights, intricate systems, and addictive gameplay loops that all come together to create a delightfully thrilling and deep tactical RPG."
Push Square (9/10)
"This is an immaculate and deeply engaging strategy RPG; the best example of the genre that we've played in years. For those who are looking to get lost in tactical thought, it's essential — and for everyone else, it still stands as an engrossing fantasy adventure. Vanillaware's done it again."
IGN (9/10)
"Unicorn Overlord is a visual delight that's brimming with creativity, and an absolute must-play for any fan of strategy RPGs."
TheGamer (9/10)
"Unicorn Overlord is a strategy game that revels in its menu-shuffling, team-assembling TRPG goodness, and if that sentence has piqued your interest, you’re in for one hell of a treat."
Metro (8/10)
"A wonderfully weird console strategy game that’s inspired by the past but forges its own very distinct legend, with beautiful visuals and deep but accessible gameplay."
VG247 (8/10)
"Standing on its own, Unicorn Overlord is an excellent expansion of Vanillaware’s now-trademark visual style and its newer RTS mechanics, offering both gripping strategy and an atmospheric pulp fantasy world that you're going to want to sink hours and hours into."
As you can see, it's a fantastic start for Unicorn Overlord based on these reviews, with the Metacritic average currently sitting at just under the 90 mark. If it stays that way, it's going to be one of the best releases of 2024 so far!
Don't forget to try out that demo if you're interested, and you can pick up the full version on Xbox for £54.99 / $54.99.