XBOX 360 Game Review: Overlord

I've found that there are more gaming titles geared towards boys than their are games that are geared towards girls when it comes to the XBOX360.

Personally I've always loved simulation games, or quirky odd adventure games that are both graphically stunning, and cute all at the same time. Something like Banjo Kazooie, or Pikmin. I also think that there are far too many bloodshed/shooter games on the market, and honestly I hope developers read this and picks up on the demand for something girls would enjoy.

I bought the Elite XBOX 360 thinking that I will have the dream machine for when I do want to load it up with games galore. Sadly since owning the console I've only come across 4 titles that I personally knew I'd enjoy.

When I came across a game called Overlord, I thought the game looks like something a boy would purchase, however after taking a look at the creatures on the back of the games casing, I figured it would be something both sexes would enjoy.

Although I would much more prefer cute and fluffy bunny adventures, Overlord looked pretty damn sweet.

The game is designed to inflict evil, and on your quest to inflicting evil, mayhem, and death, you get to bring along an evil clan of minions.

Hell it sounded cool, and just by the looks of it, it seemed like a Black and White PC game, which I enjoyed thoroughly. You are basically playing God, only your an evil God.

The moment I popped Overlord into my XBOX 360, I was immediately captivated by the story line. I was being resurrected to bestow evil on to my enemies. My dark empire though was in ruins, my throne seemed broken to small bits, my castle had large pot holes in the floor, and rubble and debris all throughout.

In order to resurrect my dark castle I had to collect things from other parts of the land in order to restore my dark empire.

In order to get outside of the castle though I had to direct my character (the Overlord) to an odd pool of water located within the castle. After directing my character to this pool of water, my adventure began.

The moment I was transported into this new land I feel in love with the lush graphical environment.

Grasslands swaying in the wind, fluffy white sheep prancing about happily, birds singing, and trees that led me through a path of beautifulness.

This was no place for me though, the evil lord. This place was too beautiful. It was time for me to destroy it, summon my evil minions, and wreak havoc on this gorgeous fairytale like land.

The very beginning of Overlord I was taken to a quick tutorial in order to learn how to use my little evil creatures. These minions of mine work for me, adore me, and I have complete control over them.

Throughout the game I realized that my empire of minions were my army to direct. Although I (the Overlord) participate, most fighting and destruction comes due to my minion's. My Overlord character sort of sits back, and watches the destruction that his minions are doing.

It gives you a sense of power, but at the same rate, one on one combat is stretched far and wide due to the army of minions.

Watching the destruction brought on by the minions is hilarious though because they seem to have this quirky and yes, cute personality about them that is simply addicting.

For instance, whenever they find gold, or objects they run back to the Overlord to deliver their finds. They have voices that sound like the creature Gollam in Lord of the Rings. When they find something you will hear them say 'for the master', 'treasure', or 'for you'. Other odd slogans they use are equally fun.

When the minions kill certain things they will take something from their kill at times and use it as armor. After destroying a pumpkin patch, a few of them grabbed pumpkins to use as armor on their heads. While killing rats, they may sometimes skin them and wear the fur on their heads. They will also steal weapons to use in battle.

The moment I had minions I fell in love with the game because it gave me a sense that I was playing a wicked evil version of Pikmin. Pikmin is similar in the aspect that you direct your army of Pikmin. Overlord is so similar, only evil; destruction and wrong doings is what this game is about.

The first set of minions I was controlling were brown minions. There are 3 other colors of minion's that you can collect throughout the game, and like Pikmin, each minion color plays an important role in the game.

Blue minions can swim, red ones can walk through fire, and green ones are not hurt by poisonous gases.
You will use each minion color when necessary.

Although you are summoned to do evil deeds, you will notice from the get go that the humans in the game are actually more your friend than foe. You can kill them and destroy their village, however when you do nothing really comes of it. They will speak to you in a more angry tone and ask questions such as 'why did you even bother to help us?' If you don't destroy their village they will speak words of how wonderful you are when you walk by them.

Basically if you are good to the villagers they praise you. If not, they tend to not like you, but they will not attack you, which is just odd. I figured the moment I began killing them they would go to war with me, but they never did.
Controls:
The controls are all very simple, and the tutorial in the beginning of the game pretty much teaches you the ropes. You steer the Overlord in a manner you would any character in a game. You use the left joystick to steer the Overlord, and you control the entire minions army using the right joystick.

Controlling the army is simple, but at times the cameras angles will flip up into birds eye view, which is annoying. You can easily fix the cameras angles though by using the trigger buttons at the top of the controller.

Really it's all panned out to be simple, and it honestly is. However when you army gets larger, and you add more colored minions to the group control's become a little more difficult, but they are not so difficult to the point where you are confused. Everything is pretty simple, and easy.

Graphics:
 
The graphics in Overlord are not the most stunning graphics I've seen a game offer. The graphics are though very realistic looking, and match well to the games overall feel.

Like any game, some areas and environments are more graphically stunning than others. Humans look like regular humans, but they have an odd faded out look on their face that makes them seem more computer animated than they do realistic humans.

Cut scenes are visually remarkable however, and details are much more obvious when cut scenes occur.

Overall:
 
Overlord is by far one of the top best games I've played on the XBOX 360. Like I said, finding games that girls would enjoy on this console is tough, but even though Overlord seems to be a game that would be more geared at male players, this game is one that both male and female players would find enjoyable.

It's dark, yet comical. Evil, yet cute. You destroy to rebuild, and steering an army of creatures to do your evil bidding's is just half the fun.

Now normally when I review a video game I suggest whether or not I feel the game I'm reviewing is worth a rent, or worth a buy.

Usually 80% of every game I've ever played gets a rental recommendation. Overlord however is a title that I think you'd want to own.

Where To Buy:
 
I picked up Overlord at Gamestop for a mere $19.99 for a new copy. You can pick Overlord up at Gamestop for the same price, or you can pick up a copy on Amazon for even less. Overlord though is a must have for both male and female gamers. A game that you will throughly enjoy.