Hands On: Unicorn Overlord Has the Potential to Be One of 2024's Best RPGs 1
Image: Push Square

Look, at this point, we're automatically sold on anything Vanillaware does. The Japanese studio has an incredible track record stretching back to the PS2, and although it's an eternity away from being the most well-known developer in the world, there's simply no denying the quality of its output — especially in recent years.

There was a time when Vanillaware felt like it had peaked with Dragon's Crown — the sumptuous action RPG that first released on PS3. But in 2020, the studio demolished that theory with the borderline masterpiece that is 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. And the most impressive thing about that game? It was the developer trying its hand at something almost completely new. A far cry from the fantastical dungeon crawling of Dragon's Crown, 13 Sentinels is a branching sci-fi visual novel with real-time strategy combat sections, featuring giant robots.

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What we're trying to say is that the long-running outfit has struck gold while pursuing fresh ideas before — and we're fairly confident that it's about to do the same again with Unicorn Overlord. This is a strategy RPG set in a medieval fantasy world, where an ousted prince is tasked with raising a rebel army that's capable of overthrowing an evil empire.

Okay, so the premise itself doesn't sound all that fresh, but having played through the game's opening hours, we're already well and truly hooked on its gameplay. Dragon's Crown took clear inspiration from classic arcade-style beat-'em-ups, but it infused that timeless formula with RPG systems and modernised mechanics. In a similar fashion, Unicorn Overlord takes obvious cues from genre-defining franchises like Fire Emblem. But where Nintendo's series has gradually strayed from its stern, tactical roots in search of distinctly anime stylings and, er, waifus, Unicorn Overlord has the tone of those older, more traditional Fire Emblem titles.

Indeed, it feels like a classic strategy RPG from a bygone era, brought back to life through Vanillaware's typically gorgeous art direction and — again — modernised mechanics. But what seems to set it apart is its structure. The adventure of protagonist Alain takes place across a vast world map that you're pretty much free to explore. You have objective markers that point the way towards the next story beat, but there are side quests to complete, towns to liberate, and allies to recruit.

And you're doing all of this while you level up your heroes, purchase increasingly powerful equipment, and experiment with new unit formations. Speaking of, formations are just the start of what appears to be a deeply customisable set of systems. We won't go into too much detail — we need to save something for the eventual review! — but essentially, your chances of success in battle are based on how you piece together your teams.

In the beginning, you can only pair two units together, but later on, you can apparently gather up to five heroes to create a complete squad. Each character has their own strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, so striking a balance between squads seems to be key. But the really interesting stuff is buried a little deeper in the 'tactics' settings for your allies.

Basically, battles unfold automatically once opposing units meet on the map, and they end once all of the combatants have used up their turns. However, their actions are determined by the aforementioned 'tactics', that you can tweak to your liking through specific ability and behavioural triggers. The customisation on offer could get crazy, and the tactics system itself reminds us of Final Fantasy 12's Gambits.

Anyway, the bottom line here is that Unicorn Overlord has serious potential. Between Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Persona 3 Reload, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, RPG fans are already eating ridiculously well in 2024 — but you need to keep an eye on Vanillaware's latest, even with the likes of Dragon's Dogma 2 closing in. If any studio deserves a smash hit, it's this one.

Unicorn Overlord has a playable demo out right now on PS5 and PS4, but have you given it a try? Are you looking forward to the full release? Don't miss out in the comments section below.