My Overlord: Dark Legend Impressions

[averyblund]

Hi all, just picked up Overlord, The Conduit, Transformers and Indy this morning. Will post my impressions on the other 3 later. I decided despite the hype to go with Overlord first.

 

First let me say this is a fun game. Actually more fun than I have had on most of the higher touted Wii games this year (I'm looking at you MadWorld). The controls just fit the console perfectly and remind me why most preferred the PC version of the first outing. The learning curve also is very low, making this a great title for the more casual people who still seek an adult theme and plot. Sadly the graphics are very hit and miss. The first 20 minutes or so in the Castle look borderline painful, thanks to washed out textures and some iffy models. Thankfully when you step outside the world changes. It almost looks like a totally different engine (though obviously it is not). What this engine does do well is render particles, multiple characters and lighting. Textures on the other hand are weak at best. When the producer said people would be amazed and mistake it for a 360 game he was incredibly full of shit. 

One thing I dig about this game is how quickly you actually get into it. I'll be the first to admit I often have trouble getting into many games. So many titles rely on you trudging through difficult control schemes and long tutorials. Overlord gets this right by throwing you right into the fray within minutes, but with enough tutorial help to leave you fit to progress.

 

While I'm only a bit more than an hour in I can already tell the plot is engaging, though far from incredible, it will certainly not hinder the game. The humor in the title should also be pointed out.

 

So far this game has hooked me faster than MadWorld, Sonic, Dead Rising, or Deadly Creatures. Which is amazing for a budget game with next to no hype. If you are a fan of 3rd person games, and especially casual RTS's this game will appeal to you. I know this game will get lost in the fray, and its a shame, because it deserves a place in any mature Wii gamer's collection. 

8.4/10 (Thus far)