Overlord

1. Overlord A Guide to World Domination: Kyle Chmielewski 9/28/09 CIS 487

2. Basic Game Information • Title: Overlord • Publisher: Codemasters • Developer: Triumph Studios • Company: Microsoft • Genre: Fantasy Action-Adventure • Price: Current: $19.99 – Former: $49.99 • Rating: Teen

3. Hardware Requirements • Windows XP • Intel Pentium 4 - 2.4GHz –or– Athlon XP 2400+ • 512Mb RAM • Nvidia GeForce FX5900 –or– ATI Radeon 9500 • 4.5GB of HDD space • Directx 9.0c • 2x DVD Drive

4. Overview • You are a villainous Overlord who has been awakened by goblin-esque minions who hail you as their new Overlord. And your only mission in this life is to kill the 7 heroes who have slain the previous Overlord

5. Storyline • You’re guided through the world by the goblin, Gnarl, one of the oldest minions. • Gnarl Narrates, explains the history of the realms. • Defeat the 7 heroes that killed the previous Overlord. • You were the 8th hero who fell and was left for dead by the others. The Old Overlord found you and nursed you to good health to defeat the Heroes.

6. Storyline – Cont… • Melvin Underbelly – Gluttony • Oberon Greenhaze – Sloth / Apathy • Sir William the Black – Lust • Dwarf King Goldo Golderson – Greed • Jewel the Thieving Hero – Envy • Kahn the Warrior – Wrath • The Wizard - Pride

7. Player’s Role • Defeat the 7 heroes who killed the old Overlord as instructed by Gnarl

8. Installation • PC- Purchase from a store and install the DVD • Xbox/PS3- Purchase from a store, insert & play • Updates & Expansions- Some free downloadable content and bug fixes from main menu. • Expansion Set (The Abyss) available for download from Xbox Marketplace or PS3 store for $10

9. User Interface • Hp/MP Bar • Spell Selection Wheel • Minion Counter • Gold Notification • Lifeforce Notification • Horde Power Notification • No inventory • No equipment change on the fly

10. Game Play • Live-Action Combat • Can set markers for the minions to ‘camp’ at and attack anything nearby. • Use the minions to carry money, items, move obstacles, turn levers/wheels, etc.. • No special combat system • Simple 1-button attack 3-swing combo

11. Artwork • Chris Evenhuis & Edwin Rhemrev • Rhemrev is the lead concept artist at Triumph Studios • Character, Environment, Buildings, Monsters

12. Sound and Music • Voice acting and sync with character animations is spot on. • The Minions random chuckling & absurd language along with the Mistress’ lustful longing for the Overlord, and Gnarl’s downright evil voice make you shrug aside the flaws. • Music mainly reinforces the environment. • No orchestrated masterpieces here

13. Features & Manual • Achievements • Even for Downloadable Content & Expansion • Overlord: Raising Hell • Onlineplay • Versus: Slaughter & Pillage • Co-op Survival

14. Bugs • Skip past some mini-bosses • Forge/Upgrade weapon & armor without actually consuming what was required • Minions would get stuck in the world and not return when called back. • Some achievements wouldn’t unlock • Minion pathing issues while holding objects

15. Game Review • The Good • Laugh out Loud Funny • Minions! • “This tranquil wilderness… so rural and idyllic. Hideous is it not? Try not to inhale it, My Lord!”, “For the Master!” • Interesting story concept • 7 heroes who fall corrupted over the deadly sins • All areas of the world are very different • Monsters, environments, puzzles are different from each other • Visually complete and interactive. Can destroy barrels, chests, and pillage houses, taverns. • The world reacts to your fame or infamy as Good or Evil

16. Game Review Cont… • The Bad • The history of the characters in the game aren’t explained in any detail • Learn about the characters through a short introduction by Gnarl, and normally nothing more • Any plot twist or story development seems to be thrown at you unexpectedly • No real critical thinking is needed to get through the game • No rare loot to look for, or side-quest bosses to kill • Lackluster combat mechanics • No jumping, and no combo moves • Button mash attacks • No in-depth character advancement • No separate character panel/screen • No customization of armor • Jerky movement.

17. Game Review Cont… • How does it Compare? • Solid game, but doesn’t feel complete • A lot of parts in the game feel like they’re missing something • Not for hardcore players. A game to laugh with • Very linear game. You can’t roam the world freely so it’s easy to find everything • Developed for very casual players without the need to put a large time-sink in to finish the game or try to get the ‘best’ equipment/spells • Easy to pick-up, but also very easy to set down and not pick-up again. • Design Mistakes? • Many of the bugs in the game at release could have really turned people off to the game quickly. But free patch downloads is great re-assurance that the developers want a solid game

18. Game Summary • Strength(s): • A laugh-out-loud enjoyable game • Simple core gameplay • Out of the ordinary interactions with environment • Fluid AI animation • Weakness(es): • Game mechanics are lacking. Fighting the camera a lot • Linear • Moving the Overlord is very robot-like • Very Similar puzzle objectives throughout each level • The storyline isn’t very memorable

19. Game Summary cont… • Is it worth it?  Yes!! • Easy to get achievements for people who want a high Gamerscore • Buy it to enjoy ruling over goblin-like minions, killing hobbits & and dwarves, and enslaving elves…then return it. • Improvements • Control mechanics • More character customization & equipment. • More open world without boundaries. • Jumping

20. “Quickly now Master, there are evil deeds that need doing!” -Gnarl