Summary
Ahead ofUnicorn Overlord’s launch on March 8, players itching to try out Vanillaware and Atlus' new tactical-RPG have a lengthy demo now available.Unicorn Overlord’s demo went live on February 21, giving players a sizable chunk of gameplay while walking them through most of the game’s most important systems. One of the aspects of the game on full display isUnicorn Overlord’s homage to the TRPG greats of the SNES and PlayStation eras, but a surprise system introduction in the latter parts of the demo actually calls to mind a now-classic JRPG as well.Unicorn Overlord’s Tactics customizations bear a striking resemblance toFinal Fantasy 12’s Gambits.
As is typical of most TRPGs, players have an impressively deep amount of customization options for each of theirunits inUnicorn Overlord. Each unit comprises anywhere between one and six soldiers, and there are at least 10 different class types that these soldiers can adhere to. The Tactics customization option for soldiers takes things a step further by allowing players to set up specific “if, then” scenarios for every available skill a soldier has. In the process, it resembles the auto-battling customization options available to players inFinal Fantasy 12via its Gambit system, adding yet another layer of homage present in the upcoming “comfort food” TRPG.
How Unicorn Overlord’s Tactics Function in Battles
Spending time inUnicorn Overlord’s menus, especially the Unit Formation menu, is paramount to achieving victory in its many tactical encounters. Before beginning a Battle Stage, in which players will need to dispatch their units on a field and meet victory conditions to win, it’s important to consider the unit types one will face off against as well as make sure that each soldier is outfitted with the correct gear and skills for the battle ahead. This is where the Tactics customization option comes into play, with the mentor-like Josef walking the player through a tutorial for the system prior to the last mission inUnicorn Overlord’s demo.
Each active skill that a soldier has, regardless of class type, can be customized to trigger under very specific scenarios and against particular enemy units. These “if, then” logic statements translate toUnicorn Overlord’sauto-battling systemseamlessly, with successful and well-thought Tactics customizations serving to enhance the effectiveness of the player’s units. In terms of which factors players can build their tactics around, the following factors are available for customization in theUnicorn Overlorddemo:
Final Fantasy 12’s Gambit System Was Always Tailor-Made for Tactical RPGs
IfUnicorn Overlord’s setting up of “if, then” logic scenarios sounds familiar toFinal Fantasyfans, that’s because the system shares a lot in common withFinal Fantasy 12’s Gambits. Like the Tactical customizations inUnicorn Overlord,Final Fantasy 12’s Gambit Systemallows players to intricately customize their party’s behaviors in combat, down to incredibly specific minutiae. In effect, battles can play out like a successfully executed line of programming, with characters able to competently auto-battle without any player input thanks to carefully orchestrated Gambits.
Though the system has its origins in a traditional turn-based JRPG,Final Fantasy 12’s Gambits were always an ideal fit for the TRPG genre. Part of the system’s genesis can be traced to the desire forFinal Fantasy 12to bridge the gap between the series' online and single-player entries, but it’s also possible that the Gambit System’s inclusion is thanks toFinal Fantasy TacticsandVagrant Storycreator Yasumi Matsuno’s involvement with the title’s conceptualization and design. Whatever the case, fans of strategic and engaging encounter design have more than just the TRPGs of yore to thank forUnicorn Overlord’s design inspirations.
Final Fantasy 12
WHERE TO PLAY
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE - This revered classic returns, now fully remastered for the first time for PC, featuring all new and enhanced gameplay.RETURN TO THE WORLD OF IVALICEEnter an era of war within the world of Ivalice. The small kingdom of Dalmasca, conquered by the Archadian Empire, is left in ruin and uncertainty. Princess Ashe, the one and only heir to the throne, devotes herself to the resistance to liberate her country.Vaan, a young man who lost his family in the war, dreams of flying freely in the skies. In a fight for freedom and fallen royalty, join these unlikely allies and their companions as they embark on a heroic adventure to free their homeland.Players both returning and new to the game will be immersed in a grand adventure that spans the world of Ivalice in an entirely fresh and improved experience.
