There’s a sizeable pile of role-playing video games arriving in 2024, making for a reasonably packed begin to the yr. However even with Infinite Wealth, Rebirth, and extra on deck, one recreation has continued to spur our curiosity within the (digital) Destructoid workplaces: Unicorn Overlord.

Right now, Atlus and Vanillaware are sharing extra particulars concerning the upcoming techniques RPG. Vanillaware is understood for just a few issues, relying on who you ask: unbelievable artwork, possibly, or its side-scrolling motion in Odin Sphere and Muramasa, certain. 2020’s 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim noticed the studio weave an unbelievable narrative thread by a number of views, too.

So it’s attention-grabbing that Unicorn Overlord looks like a fantasy techniques recreation, and focused proper at followers of the style. It’s a narrative about Alain, an exiled prince gathering forces to strike again on the conquering nation of Zenoira.

This newest information drop leans heavy into what techniques followers, or a minimum of those working right here, dig: courses, talents, promotions, and extra. Plus, some elves. Elves are fairly huge proper now. Let’s check out all the small print.

Eltolinde, Rosalinde, and Ithilion

These three are elven allies, who you possibly can recruit to Alain’s trigger. Eltolinde and Rosalinde, left and middle respectively, are sisters caught up in Zenoira’s invasion of Elheim. Eltolinde selected to guide from inside after the capital fell, whereas Rosalinde escaped and gathers forces for the counterattack.

Ithilion, in the meantime, is a swordsman who was away on mission when Elheim’s capital fell. He’s been main a guerilla pressure since then. I already love the designs of those characters, and the attention-grabbing plot that would encompass their particular person tales.

Alcina and Baltro

We’re not simply seeing allies on this Unicorn Overlord information dump, however enemies too. Alcina, left, is a witch for the Zenoiran military and was beforehand the courtroom sorceress of Cornia, Alain’s former kingdom. She’s serving to out the big-bad Galerius in his schemes. Whereas labelled a witch, the mace and defend give me huge Cleric vibes, a la everybody’s favourite religious princess from Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baltro, in the meantime, appears like a lil’ weirdo, in a great way. He’s a wizard that serves Galerius, and obscures his face as he does his lil’ weirdo magic. My cash says he completely does some gentle necromancy in some unspecified time in the future.

Lessons, courses, and extra courses

Vanillaware additionally despatched over some particulars concerning the courses gamers can make the most of in Unicorn Overlord. Every character has a set class, figuring out what they will do and the way they act on the battlefield. Some are frontliners, others are fliers, and nonetheless extra wield magical powers. As you possibly can see from the Housecarl, Cleric, and Feathersword above (left to proper), additionally they have distinctive appears.

There are over 60 class varieties, in response to Atlus and Vanillaware, and every performs into strengths and weaknesses. Fliers could also be quick, however archers can do double harm to them; a basic power-balancing transfer for techniques video games if there ever was one.

Whereas some are anticipated, others have neat unit-specific bonuses. Werewolves carry out higher at night time, for instance, and Elven Fencers are melee models who can create obstacles to guard allies.

Chief by instance

Alongside their battle expertise, every unit has a personality set as a pacesetter, which imparts a Chief Impact. Relying on the category of the chief, the unit will achieve an extra impact, and set the unit’s transfer sort. One led by a Housecarl can break barricades on the map, for instance. And whereas Infantry and Cavalry could transfer fast on roads, the horses of the Cavalry battle in forests, lowering mobility.

Ultimately, a unit can spend their accrued honors to advertise to a sophisticated class. The instance Vanillaware despatched over was Alain, selling from Lord into Excessive Lord. This improve offers him a regal steed and lets his unit cowl floor sooner.

Much more battles to combat

Unicorn Overlord has a marketing campaign and story, however moreover, Atlus and Vanillaware verify there are Auxillary Phases. There, you possibly can battle phantom troopers as many occasions as you need, build up candy, candy EXP in your get together. You may also choose up Treatises, objects that impart EXP, from Auxillary Phases, in addition to objects that enhance particular talents and improvement in your military.

It’s truthfully laborious to not really feel like Vanillaware is saying, and exhibiting, all the proper issues for techniques followers with Unicorn Overlord. Its mixture of world map technique and unit techniques appeared unusual at first, however I believe I’m beginning to see the way it all comes collectively. With tons of sophistication and improvement choices that appear like they will actually play out throughout the totally different modes, it appears like a techniques RPG with no scarcity of issues to do.

There’s nonetheless the query of the way it all comes collectively. However Vanillaware is a type of studios I’ll at all times put aside a while for, particularly after the superb shock of 13 Sentinels. What I’m seeing of Unicorn Overlord definitely makes it appear like the studio is teed up for an additional sleeper hit.

Unicorn Overlord arrives for Swap, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Collection X|S on March 8, 2024.