ATLUS and Vanillaware released several new details about upcoming tactical fantasy RPG Unicorn Overlord, including new characters and battle tactics.
Revealed as the “rebirth” of tactical fantasy RPGs, Unicorn Overlord combines overworld exploration, a robust combat system, and simulation mechanics. Alain, protagonist and prince of Cornia, is chosen to lead the Liberation Army and return peace to Fevrith.
New Unicorn Overlord Characters Revealed
While exploring the world of Unicorn Overlord, the protagonist will meet various characters and recruit them to the army, including Yunifi (VA: Hisako Kanemoto) and Ramona (VA: Nanako Mori). Yunifi is a member of the Bastorias-based Frostblooms resistance group. Like many others, she’s an archer taking the battle to Zenoira. She was raised by Ramona, the leader of the resistance group and chieftess of the owl bloodline. Morard (VA: Tomoyuki Shimura) is a lion bestral and another member of the Frostblooms. He possesses immense physical strength at the core of the resistance group.
Nigel (VA: Takayuki Ashii) is another valuable ally for Alain’s cause. He is the leader of the Knights of the Sacred Heart, and he played a major role in Albion’s defense against Zenoira. Dinah (VA: Sayaka Senbongi) is a fox bestral and captain of the Snowpetals. She’s easily agitated, but she cares deeply for her allies. Alain may also be aided by Sanatio (VA: Mutsumi Tamura), an angelic attendant to the pontifex and leader of the Heavenswing Knights. He was identified as the future leader of the Orthodoxy at a young age.
Alain will need these allies in order to battle Elgor (Shigeru Chiba), a knight of Reimann and high commander of the northern Zenoiran army. Elgor was granted an ancient set of Zenoiran armor by Galerius. None have seen his face and lived to tell about it.
Unicorn Overlord’s Battle Stages
In Unicorn Overlord, allied and enemy units will wage war in real-time on battle stages. Each battle stage has victory conditions that players must fulfill, and allied units may be deployed from any base flying a blue flag. Players may select an allied unit with the cursor to move them to a target destination. Valor points can be replenished by defeating enemies and liberating towns.
Players may select the “Battle” option from the Battle menu when encountering enemy units. When two allies are in close proximity, one unit can swap with the other. In battle, a defeated unit is knocked back and enters a waiting state. Engaging with a unit in waiting state will grant the attacking unit a First Strike.
Moreover, engaging in battle consumes stamina, and units with 0 stamina can’t move. Resting allows allows the unit to recover a set amount of stamina, but they will be defenseless against enemy attacks and unable to use skills. If defeat seems inevitable, players may use Hallowed Corne Ash to avert a Game Over when the time limit expires, the command post is claimed, or the army is defeated.
Valor Skills can be used in a battle stage for a variety of effects. However, Valor can be depleted when deploying units, so these Skills must be used wisely. It’s also worth noting that each battle stage includes various facilities that can helpful, including Divine Effigies and traps.
Battle Tactics in Unicorn Overlord
Battles play out automatically according to various predetermined rules, and combatants can take turns using Active Skills according to their Initiatives. Battles end when all combatant run out of Active Points (AP) or one side is defeated.
Passive Skills are just as useful and consume Passive Points (PP). These skills are activated automatically according to certain conditions. These conditions will vary by the Passive Skill itself.
The tactics that players user for each character will determine the skills and targets they pick. Set the priority of each skill and up to two conditions for their use. Tactics allow each unit to fight efficiently. These Tactics may also be prioritized, with the highest priority coming first in order.
Tactics and equipment can also be automated by using the Optimize function. This feature is worth considering for those who run into difficulty making decisions before battle.
Check out the new screenshots below, via ATLUS:
Lastly, Unicorn Overlord launches March 8 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are available right now.
