The original Overlord could be
summed up in just a few words: Pikmin for adults. While that brief explanation
may turn off those unaware of Pikmin’s excellence – and, in a way, undermine
Overlord’s own accomplishments – there’s little doubt that the controls and
several of the gameplay features were inspired by the GameCube classic.
Since that time, Codemasters has
been looking at ways to expand the world of Overlord. In addition to the
expected sequel, the publisher announced that a version would make its way to
the DS. Most surprisingly, it was also revealed that the franchise, with its
graphic-intensive gameplay and utilization of two thumbsticks, would be coming
to Nintendo Wii.
That game developed into Overlord:
Dark Legends, a strategic adventure that isn’t unlike the Wii version of Pikmin.
Battles consist of RTS and hack-n-slash combat, where your minions act as units
(they can be directed but not specifically controlled) and the Overlord leads
the way. The Overlord is under your control at all times; he’s big and fearsome
and could easily hold his own in one of Dynasty Warriors’ never-ending battles.
He’s able to combat most enemies, but you’ll quickly learn that it’s better to
let the minions do as much of the dirty work as possible.
Minions – the overly feisty, brown,
red, green and blue creatures you command – have returned for another round of
evil-doing. Since the Wii does not have two analog sticks, the developers
searched for another way to dictate our armies. They found it within the Wii
remote. Using a 3D cursor that wraps around the environment, players pinpoint
exactly where the minions should attack. It’s not more accurate than the old,
stick-controlled mechanic, but those who are accustomed to Wii’s controls should
have few issues getting used to this alternative.
Though things have changed in the
way players direct their armies, the minions themselves are not that different.
Browns, AKA the fighter minions, are still the toothy and carnivorous
Halfling-eaters that they were two years ago. They’re good for most battles,
destroying objects (barrels and the like) as necessary, and will happily devour
any sheep they come across, which bolster the energy-boosting power needed to
create more minions. Decent on their own but much stronger in numbers, fighter
minions are a critical part of any overlord’s army.
Reds, the fire-shooting beasts with
unusual horns, are not only capable of attacking enemies from a safe distance –
they are also able to walk through (and extinguish) fire. Greens, who are known
as the assassins of the bunch, are most helpful in avoiding and removing
poisonous gas. Blues, the ones capable of winning the “Strangest-Looking Minion
of the Year” contest, are essential in crossing water, just like blue Pikmin.
Unlike Nintendo’s plant-based critters, however, these minions revive the dead,
bringing new life to a grim battlefield.
Minions may be directed individually
by type or as an entire group. To lock a number of them into place, plant a
guard marker and direct the minions toward it. When standing near a guard
marker, minions will attack every enemy that approaches. This is especially
helpful when placing reds, as their projectile attacks allow you to set up an
ambush point. Likewise, markers can be used to strategically stagger your
minions to obliterate a forthcoming onslaught. Doing this won’t create the
experience or depth of a strategy game based on Tower Defense. But it’s one of
the interesting avenues of strategy that Dark Legend can call its own since no
other Wii RTS has bothered to explore it.
None of the battles will blow
players’ minds for their depth or difficulty, however, that doesn’t make the
larger skirmishes any less intense. As enemy combatants increase in size and
numbers, so too will the need for superior minion directing. If you can’t divide
them properly to eliminate each threat quickly and efficiently, their end will
the Overlord’s demise as well.
Given the frequent tutorials and
semi-slow pacing of the game, it’s clear the developers were designing Dark
Legend for first-time players. Wii is the current console leader, so it’s not
crazy to assume that that there are many Wii owners out there without a PS3, 360
or PC powerful enough to run the other versions. Those players – the newcomers
who have no idea how much fun can be had with Overlord’s blend of action and
strategy – will be heavily consumed by the inspired commands, the amusing
(though annoyingly voiced) dialogue, and the flat-out addictive nature of the
game.
Returning fans, however, may be a
bit disappointed. If you’ve played through the original Overlord, there’s no
reason to play the Wii version. Unless you’re super curious about the control
adjustments, which aren’t evolutionary so much as they are different, or the
graphics engine, which has been downgraded to a level much lower than what the
Wii can deliver, you should stick to the first game and its sequel.
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Gameplay: 7.5
Exciting gameplay that mixes action with real-time strategy. It’s a
combination that hasn’t been done this well done since Pikmin; before that, it
hadn’t been done at all (not in this manner, at least). If you haven’t played
Overlord yet, now’s the time to do so.
Graphics: 4.5
Grainy and poorly detailed. Few parts of the game look good, the camera is
weird (you have to hold a button and move the remote to control it), and the
minion animations are severely underdeveloped.
Sound: 5.0
Some of the most annoying voices ever to be recorded for a game with
dialogue that’s actually worth paying attention to.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
A fair balance for newcomers; a little weak for everyone else.
Concept: 5.0
Despite the words "Dark Legend" attached to the title, this version doesn’t
offer any features that are significantly different from the original.
Overall: 7.1
Great for those who have yet to experience the Overlord series. Everyone
else should pass.
