Overlord

[Monster]

I didn't here about Overlord until Friday, which was when I found out about the demo on Xbox 360. The game looks awesome! It's like Nintendo's Pikmin but you control an evil overlord and his monster minions. The first level in the demo has you slaughtering hobbits. And the graphics are really good.

It's going to be out on Xbox360 and PC June 26, and I recommend trying it out. Not sure how the PC version will control since the Xbox 360 version requiers extensive use of the right stick, though.

And apparently it has multi, including co-op.

[Monster]

PC demo: http://au.codemasters.com/downloads/?downloadid=28815

[-Xanath-]

That site requires registration, and once you've done that, all they do is link you externally anyhow - I'm currently downloading from: http://www.worthdownloading.com/bandwid ... 1382&lid=3

[Monster]

Whoops, I didn't click to download it since I was at work. I thought it was kinda weird for a publisher to be hosting their own demo.

[Wynn]

Sounds like a cool concept. I'll have to check out the demo.

[-Xanath-]

Didn't like it. Bad AI, ran like crap with everything turned way down, and just seemed like it'd be a frustration more than enjoyment. I love the concept, but the real deal just doesn't fit me.

[Wynn]

Do you have a PC on which you would expect good performance from new games? My PC is a bit dated, but I'd expect the xbox 360 version to perform as designed, since it's known hardware.

[-Xanath-]

P4 3.2, 2gb DDR400, 7600GT - I don't expect the game to be beautiful, but I do expect greater than 15ish FPS with everything turned way the heck down.

[Monster]

The 360 version is great. You should just download the 360 demo on Xbox Live. There was nothing frustrating about that version. I don't really understand the AI complaint, though... the AI in the demo mainly just attacked you, not a whole lot of nuance there. Did you expect them to run away screaming or something?

[-Xanath-]

The pathfinding, having to sweep for "complex" paths, and there were a couple instances of my minions running back and forth at light speed totally confuzzled and unable to reach a target.

I'll nab the 360 version.

[Monster]

The pathfinding isn't really an AI issue, it's a design decision. They may have neglected pathfinding a bit because you're supposed to guide them to their target. Pikmin was the same way, so after two Pikmin games, I'm totally used to it controlling that way. In Pikmin there was almost no automatic control, you had to control them using the stick at all times (which I like). Maybe the PC controls suck though... it seems analog stick control would be much better.

[-Xanath-]

So, the 360 version is infinitely better, but I don't think I'm hooked - seems overly simple and linear. As for my gameplay complaint, I suppose sweeping does make sense from a design perspective (feels so fluid from a 360, the PC was just clumsy). I'll wait for reviews and see what the multiplayer has to offer before passing final judgment, but for now, I don't think this one is for me.

[Monster]

Well, if they totally follow in Pikmin's footsteps, there will be all sort of puzzles and things you need to solve, as well as a decent amount of frenetic action. I can't even speculate as to what multi will be like. You get to burn hobbits alive in a wheat field, though! I was sold when I saw the pumpkins on my minions' heads.

[Wynn]

I played the demo on the 360, and I agree those were nice touches. I had trouble with the camera, since I'm used to using the right stick to control it. Here it is used to control the minions.

It's cool to play the bad guy.

Quest: "Oh no, hobgoblins took over my farm. Please get it back for me!"
Solution: Destroy the farm. Also take all the gold you find as payment.

[Wynn]

U GET ?