Unicorn Overlord is undoubtedly one of this year’s most eagerly awaited titles, thanks to its visually striking style and the strategic depth of its gameplay. It’s important to note that it doesn’t adhere strictly to traditional turn-based mechanics but instead offers a gameplay structure reminiscent of Ogre Battle.
This means it features a real-time map where players and enemies maneuver their units, followed by battles where turns between the player and the enemy automatically alternate. Essentially, Unicorn Overlord belongs to those unique “exceptions” we’re willing to embrace when a game truly stands out.
The game is set to launch on Playstation, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch on March 8, 2024. In the meantime, Atlus and Vanillaware have unveiled new details about characters, battlefield mechanics, and battle dynamics that I’ve summarized below alongside the new trailer that shows off how training works.
Characters
- Yunifi: A key archer in the Frostblooms, a resistance group against Zenoira, raised by Ramona.
- Ramona: Leader of the Frostblooms and Yunifi’s adoptive mother, respected across bestral races.
- Morard: A lion bestral with great strength, core member of the Frostblooms.
- Nigel: Captain of the Knights of the Sacred Heart, played a key role in defending Albion against Zenoira.
- Dinah: A fox bestral and captain of the Snowpetals, known for her deep care for her soldiers.
- Sanatio: Angelic attendant and leader of the Heavenswing Knights, seen as a future leader of the Orthodoxy.
- Elgor: The enemy, a knight of Reimann with ancient Zenoiran Armor, leading the northern Zenoiran Army.
Battlefield Mechanics
- Deployment and Mobility: Units are deployed from bases with blue flags and can move towards targets.
- Encounters and Combat: Engage enemy units by selecting “battle,” with options for swapping positions and first strikes.
- Stamina and Recovery: Stamina is consumed in battle; units can rest to recover but are vulnerable.
- Special Mechanics: Hallowed Corne Ash prevents game over, Valor Skills are crucial in battle, and various facilities offer tactical advantages.
Battle Dynamics
- Active Skills: Used based on initiative, requiring Active Points (AP).
- Passive Skills: Automatically activated under certain conditions, using Passive Points (PP).
- Tactics and Strategy: Setting tactics is crucial for efficient combat, with options to prioritize skills and automate decisions with the Optimize function.
